2017 FALL SCHEDULE OF PROGRAMS
August 2 through November June 29, 2017
Wednesdays, 7:00 – 8:30 pm
1718 E. Geneva Pl., Milwaukee 53211. 414-745-9297
Winter Break December and January
The Study Group meets on the second Wednesday for The Kabbalah Study Course written by Richard Smoley of the national lodge. He will email twelve monthly lessons. Committed participants request an email link from Kathleen Neuman to receive the course lessons.
This semester, as usual a variety of subjects is presented by members of the Lodge and by visitors familiar and new. We welcome newcomers Hal Dessel & Judith Kubish, Richard Koepsel, Kris Nelson, and Susan Conway and returning friends Sharleen Leonard, Richard Yahr, Jeanie Dean and Richard Smoley.
The Board meets on the first Wednesday at 6:pm.
August 2: The Science of Esoteric Healing: Bob Bendykowski
August 9: The Kabbalah: Key to Hidden Knowledge: Richard Smoley
The Kabbalah, a mystical teaching rooted in Judaism, has played a central role in the Western esoteric traditions for hundreds of years. In this talk, Richard Smoley explores the history of this enigmatic tradition and how it fits in with teachings such as Theosophy. He will introduce the Kabbalistic diagram known as the ‘Tree of Life” and show how it relates to human life and consciousness. He will also give some insights into Kabbalistic practice with a guided meditation.
August 16: At the Feet of the Master: DVD with John Algeo
This program explores some practical insights for living found in this Theosophical classic written by Jiddu Krishnamurti. Attendees will receive a copy of this classic. This excellent DVD is 53 min. long.
August 23: Psychic Health & Insanity: Richard Koepsel
Presenter Richard Koepsel discusses current problems with mental health in our society. The topic is covered from a mystical perspective instead of the usual materialistic view current in our mental health institutions. Questions will be answered.
August 30: Mindfulness: Kathleen Neuman
The Attitudinal Foundations of Mindfulness Practice will be presented and discussed followed by two ten-minute meditations.
September 6: The Science of Esoteric Healing II: Bob Bendykowski
September 13: Kabbalah Study Course – Lesson 1: “A Brief Summary of the Kabbalah’s History”
September 20: Forgiveness, and A Course in Miracles: Rev. Kris Nelson
This program will introduce the process of undoing or unlearning the ego thought system through meditations in the Course of Miracles.
September 27: Dances of Universal Peace: Hal Dessel & Judith Kubish
The Dances of Universal Peace are spiritual practice in motion, creating experiences of embodied spirituality, rhythm, and heart awareness. Hal Dessel and Judith Kubish, drawing inspiration from many spiritual traditions, will blend chant, live music, and evocative movement into a living experience of unity, peace, and integration. Come prepared to participate.
October 4: Inner Earth: Jeanie Dean
The Inner Earth or Shambhala as called by the Tibetans has been the Mount Everest of many spiritual studies. The inner earth is the mysterious forbidden land of legend said to be inhabited by a lost hidden race of unique 5th dimension beings. This talk is a short tour through some of the entry points into the magical and illusive land within our earth with a short guided visualization.
October 11: The Kabbalah Study Course – Lesson 2: “The Seifirot and the Coordinates of Reality”
October 18: Fairies, Green Man and Wiccan Ways: Susan Conway
A principle of duality or polarity is established at the very beginning of manifestation. Therefore, everything that exists has its opposite, not in an absolute sense, but as a condition of relationship. Evil, like good, does not exist in and by itself, but only in relation to it’s opposite and to its context.
October 25: What is Time?: Richard Yahr
Time is a uniquely subjective phenomenon or is it another form of what IS? Is this pure human vanity to state that we have created Time?
November 1: Gnostic Liturgy for the Departed – Phoenix Suvayas Facilitator
Bring a prayer or reading and/or photo of any departed ancestors you would like to keep in mind during this group liturgy. A portion of the service will be kept open for participants to share prayers and memories of loved ones with the group.
November 8: The Kabbalah Study Course – Lesson 3:”The Tree of Life”
November 15: The Fifth Gospel: Part 1 Sharleen Leonard
Rudolf Steiner gave a series of thirteen lectures between Oct. 1913 and Feb. 10, 1914 that he titled The Fifth Gospel. (on line at rsarchive.org or in book form from Amazon.com or rudolfsteinerpress.com) This lecture uses Peter Self’s books (2010) Rudolf Steiner and the Fifth Gospel: Insights into a New Understanding of the Christ Mystery and (2012) The Culture of Selflessness: Rudolf Steiner, the Fifth Gospel, and the Time of Extremes.
November 29: The Fifth Gospel: Part 2 Sharleen Leonard
Sharleen’s lecture will continues to help us all better know ourselves and the Christ event through Steiner’s lectures and Peter Selg’s insights.
Speakers
John Algeo was a past Vice President of the International Theosophical Society and a past president of the Theosophical Society in America. He was a Professor Emeritus at the University of Georgia and was Alumni Foundation Distinguished Professor of English until his retirement. In addition to many journal articles in Theosophical publications, he is the author of the book Reincarnation Explored and coauthor of The Power of Thought.
Bob Bendykowski divided his working career between music and electronics. He is currently researching and promoting distant healing as a scientific and teachable discipline.
Susan Conway has studied spirituality and esoteric topics since a young age. She has had visions since age 4 and feels very close to the other side. He rich experiences, study and insight inform this lecture.
Author and poet, Jeanie Dean is an urban shaman, and metaphysical scholar, who has presented on such metaphysical topics as astrology, reincarnation, the Maya, Shakespear, ancient sites, shamanism, Buddhism and more. She co-organized the Milwaukee Harmonic Convergence (1987), the Millennial Drum Circle(2000), PanEuRythmy earth dances, co-founded a drum group, and hosted ceremonial programs about earth change. As an empath, seer, Reiki, and past-life reader, she assists transpersonal growth. Dean also teaches college English and technology..
Hal Dessel and Judith Kubish are certified mentor-teachers and leaders of the Dances of Universal Peace. They have led dance meetings and special DUP events for over 25 years. When they are not dancing, Hal is a psychotherapist and addictions counselor in private practice at Reconnections. He specializes in recovery from and relapse prevention for traumas and addictions. Judith is a Lifecycle Celebrant, interfaith minister, and wedding officiant; her business is Heartland Life Ceremonies. She hosts individualized celebrations of significant human events across the lifespan.
Richard Koepsel has been a mystical aspirant since the summer of 1963. He has been a member of the Rosicrucian Fellowship almost all of that time. He had a 30 year career as a support person for High Energy Physics at the University of Wisconsin. He owned Microcosm Book Shop, Madison’s oldest money losing business, for 40 years. He has given talks and classes on mysticism and astrology since 1969. He has given talks regularly at the Theosophical Society in Minneapolis for about 30 years. He has also given talks for the Theosophical Society in Pittsburgh and Madison.
Sharleen Leonard has been studying Rudolf Steiner’s philosophy since 1983. Steiner, a spiritual scientist who lived from 1861 to 1925, named his body of work Anthroposophy, or wisdom of the human being.
Rev. Kris A. Nelsen has a business background of working in the insurance industry for 25 years. Beginning spiritual studies in 1990 as Reiki I she received her Life Coaching certificate and Reiki Master in 2007. She then founded Still Rivers, as a mind/body coach, for individuals and business teams to assist with personal expansion, healing and fulfillment. Rev. Thomas Sherbrook introduced her to “A Course in Miracles,” in 2012 and she was ordained in 2015. With Pastor Tom and his wife Rosie Berres she formed “Light of Grace”, a Miracles Center where she teaches “A Course in Miracles.
Richard Smoley is editor of Quest: Journal of the Theosophical Society in America. He is the author of ten books, of which the most recent is How God Became God: What Scholars Are Really Saying about God and the Bible.
Rev. Phoenix Suvayas is a founding member of Saint Rosenkreuz Abbey, an interfaith gnostic center of research in Milwaukee, WI. Virtually raised in a seminary, he comes from a family of pastors, ministers and theologians representing multiple traditions.
Richard Yahr is a student of consciousness in many traditions including Tai Chi, Psychic Cal, meditation, and world religion and is still not a master.