World
Wisdom
Traditions
Certification Course
9 Month Study
Program: $600

MothersTrust/Lakeshore
Interfaith Institute
6676 122 nd Ave
Ganges Mi 49408

April to December 2007
Pre-requisite for Interfaith Ministry NY, and the Inter-Religious Ministry Practicum Course:
The World Wisdom Traditions Course meets every 2nd Saturday from 10am-5:00pm; April thru November 2007. A Sacred Tour to Illinois, (Fri-Sun), in December 2007, is a favorite of the Institute, when students visit sacred places of the world religions with world leaders of sacred faith traditions. All are Welcome in this unique study program. To register call:

Rev. Peter Chilstrom - Swami Tapasananda (tapas@accn.org) at: 269 543-3951, President of the Institute: or Director, Dena Blay- Stroba OCDS at: 269 429-8114 (purnima1@comcast.net).

The Lakeshore Interfaith Institute....

The Lakeshore Interfaith Institute is an •outreach program of Mother•s Trust/ Mother•s Place, a non-profit 501C (3) religious order•organization and interfaith community. We strive to cultivate understanding and peace through deepening our spirituality as individuals and as a global community. Interfaith in philosophy and •practice, our programs foster spiritual reconciliation and compassionate service; while enriching the intellectual life through scholarly study, experiential learning, and spiritual exploration.

The Interfaith Institute, located at Mother’s Trust / Mother’s Place is a community of monastic residents, clergy, dedicated individuals, and an interfaith spiritual community, working together for the common good of people from various faiths, religions and spiritual backgrounds. The Institute maintains a strong commitment to the integrity of each religion and faith tradition, and believes that each can better remain true to itself by honoring the truths inherent in all traditions. The Interfaith Institute believes in the validity of all religions as paths to Truth. We strive to foster the harmony of body, mind and spirit while celebrating the wholeness and oneness of all. Community members welcome all at Mother’s Place and do their best to make it a center to heal, to educate, to transform and to enlighten.

What is Monasticism?

Monastics are members of a religious organization, who vow to live under strict set of rules requiring moral and spiritual self sacrifice and dedication to the goals of the organization. After successful completion of the organization's training program and probationary period, make a long-term commitment to the organization. At Mother•s Place the monastics final vows of Sannyas were given after 14 years of strict training. The sannyasin trustees have been together for 33 years. Monastics normally live together as a part of a community and are held to a significantly stricter level of austerities and private prayers, while participating in activities such as worship services, religious study, care of aging, outreach programs and services, and administration and ministry. Each monastic works or serves on behalf of the •religious •educational and •outreach programs and •services of the organization.

What is Interfaith?

Interfaith is an expression of spiritual concern and love that serves as a bridge for members of all religions and spiritual teachings to reach out in understanding and communion with each other. Interfaith affirms and supports the underlying goodness of each person and the healing of our planet. Interfaith does not seek to blend or homogenize religions. Rather Interfaith honors the sacredness and uniqueness of each faith and then creates ways by which the many paths can meet on common ground. Differences between various religions and philosophies need not divide and separate but can instead enrich our lives and deepen our capacity to love. Interfaith study and dialogue is a bridge to honor the differences in World Faiths and the Common Ground in Human Dignity and Spirit. One of the many goals of the Lakeshore Interfaith Institute is to create an interfaith community, of monastics, clergy and laity, who celebrate and embrace diversity, while searching for common ground at the heart of the World’s Great Wisdom Traditions. Such a community, we believe, can be a transforming force for human harmony, compassionate service, world peace, the wellness of all creation, and the flourishing of a global civilization with strong spiritual roots.

•Explore the Sacred Ways of the World's Wisdom Traditions• Certification Course 2007

The governing metaphor for our course of study together this year is that of Pilgrimage. Individually and as a community of pilgrims, we will be journeying into the sacred wisdom of the world’s major faith traditions, and into our own sacred center as well. Like pilgrims everywhere, we will do best to travel lightly, leaving behind as many of our assumptions and other kinds of baggage as possible, so that we will be truly open to what wisdom and experiences speak to our hearts and minds. Such an experience has the potential of being formative and transformative on many levels, particularly as we integrate what we are learning into our thinking, imagining, feeling, and living. Each of us will do this in our own unique way, and we will also find that we have much in common as we go on this pilgrimage together.


Presentations...

Our guides will be our visiting faculty and the books we read, along with our own inner spiritual guidance and each other’s wisdom. Each afternoon from 1:30 to 5:00 p.m. our visiting faculty persons will offer a presentation and engage in dialogue with us, concluding with a spiritual practice, ritual, meditation, or something else of their choice from their own tradition and practice. This will give us an experiential encounter with their wisdom tradition, and something we can, if we choose, use ourselves during the coming month of exploration of the tradition that has been presented. We have asked our presenters to respond to the following questions as part of their presentation. We will be alert to how they do this, and follow up with our own questions, insights, etc.

The Questions given to our Visiting Faculty are:

1) What are the most important teachings and practices of your tradition?

2) How does your spiritual tradition impact your culture with regard to rites of passage i.e. birth, death, coming of age, marriage etc.?

3) How does your tradition honor women and the feminine in Divinity?

4) How does your tradition treat the distribution of gender roles and the education of young people?

5) Are there texts, prayers, music, art, or practices you could share and explore with us?
EXPECTATIONS FOR PARTICIPANTS

Each speaker’s presentation in the afternoon will launch us into our own month-long pilgrimage into a particular wisdom tradition. The elements of this pilgrimage include:

1) Studying at least two books from the reading list or LII lending library, or a substitute chosen by you, in consultation with Swami Tapasananda or Dena Blay-Stroba OCDS.

2) Choosing one or more ways to engage in spiritual practice, which attracts you and helps you enter into the heart and sacred space of the particular wisdom more fully.

3) Delving deeper into an area of special interest to you in connection with the wisdom tradition we are exploring each month. Examples would be: sacred art, music, meditation, history, poetry, sacred texts, mythology, one or more “shining examples” or “saints” of this tradition, etc. The results of your discoveries will be shared with the rest of the participants on our morning sessions each month.

4) Writing, (drawing, music and other forms of art count too!) A “Pilgrim’s Journey Log” each month of three pages or more giving a description and reflections on your month’s pilgrimage. This is first of all for your benefit, and will be an invaluable record of your year’s experience and learning: it will also be a basis for sharing with the rest of the group. The “log” can include reflections on your study, your experience, and your research - whatever. You can make a separate more intimate version for yourself, if you like, and a more “public version” to hand in to Swami Tapasananda, and Directors, Dena, Blay- Stroba OCDS, Rev. Sandra Bier, Rev. Cynthia Visscher, Rev. Sheri Pingle, for their feed back, which will be in the nature of dialogue, suggestions, questions, resources, etc. intended to create a “one on one” interchange between the participant and facilitators. (4 copies, please). There are no grades, etc! You are welcome at any time to call us by phone, or by email, or in person, about your experience as well. At the end of the journey, we will each be evaluated.

GROUP PARTICIPATION

The morning session each month (from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.) will be devoted to sharing the fruits of our reading, visitations, practice etc. with each other. In addition, you are encouraged to take turns planning and leading an opening interfaith meditation or ritual of 15 minutes or so at the start of each morning session. You may wish to work in pairs to give everyone a chance to have this enriching experience. The place for this can be inside the interfaith hall or shrine room or outside in the fresh air, in the location of your choice. The morning session serves to integrate and bring closure to each month’s pilgrimage.

•Schedule for •Each Session•

Saturday Schedule 10:00 am --Gather in Circle for Opening Ritual: (Each month--June thru Dec. Interfaith Institute participant will lead): 10:30 am --Gather in small groups for discussion and processing: Wešll divide into groups of three or four, for a more intimate gathering process of the monthšs reading and practices: 11:30 am -- Gather in Circle for •discussion and• processing. We'll all gather together to share• group discussion and to •interact with all the participants and continue growing in community experience.

• 12:30 pm --picnic bag lunches • 2 miles from LakeShores--6 Miles from Saugatuck•

•1:30 to 4:30 pm (with short break @ 3:pm) --Presentation by Visiting •Faculty--Presenters--Groups•

•4:30 pm -- Closing Ritual led by Visiting Faculty•

•The World •Wisdom Traditions •Course•

Enrolled students will be expected to read required and optional sections from selected books from the course syllabus and must also submit reflection papers  each month about the traditions and practices of each Wisdom Tradition studied. These papers will be read and commented upon [but not graded] by three of the senior Institute teaching staff. Each first Saturday morning, April -December, the students and staff will meet for discussion and questions from 10am-noon. This interaction  has shown to be by far the most valuable part of the entire learning experience. Students will be expected to lead a devotional or ceremonial practice at least once during the course during this prenoon period.

Several of the graduates each year have continued their journey by enrolling in All Faith's Seminary International in Manhattan, New York. Most of them have, after completion of the World Religions Course, and the Seminary Program and Retreat, been Ordained as Interfaith Ministers in New York. A 9 Month Interreligious Ministry Practicum Course , giving practical training in a variety of Pastoral duties is also, now being taught at Mother's Trust, by Reverend Sacha Bier. Call Swami Tapasananda (tapas@accn.org) at 269 543-3951 or Dena Blay-Stroba OCDS (purnima1@comcast.net) at 269 429 8114 for information. The World Religion Certification Course is a pre-requisite program for both ministry programs.

•Presenting Certificates•

At the first Alumni Reunion of the following January (weather permitting!) the Certificate of Achievement for the recent grads will be presented.We encourage Alumni to return each April - December, to support staff and new students in the 9 Month Certification Course. Through the Institute Alumni Group, we will have the opportunity to meet regularly with each other and previous Institute grads, grow together and celebrate our journey's, share experiences, stories, and wisdom discussions. We will be points of understanding and light in the world and will work to bring this light and understanding to the greater society. Now let us together begin our sacred pilgrimage by scrolling down the page....

COST: $600.00, payable in installments.

• Pilgrims, let us Begin! •

Saturday: April 14th, 2007: Welcome Address and Opening Session:
•President of the Lakeshore Institute Swami Tapasananda and Director, Dena Blay-Stroba OCDS

Saturday: April 14th, 2007, (1:30-3:30 pm)--afternoon speakers open to public

Sacred Waters Teachings; The World for Annishnabe Women.

Mrs. Punkin Shananaquet, Ojibway - Pottawatomi, Gun Lake Band:

The sacred water teachings that co-exist with Anishinabe kwewuk (Anishinabe women) (deal with).. the relationship between the waters of earth, ourselves, and our relationship with our Grandmother Moon; the purpose of the shawl or blanket and what it symbolizes for our women and the Mother-Daughter relationship; Herbal medicines associated with our grandmothers ability to heal, midwifery, and the maintenance of the family home. The beautiful relationship that exists with the "kina gegoo" concept; that everything and everyone is sacred and provides to the sacred balance here on Earth. Referencing Mother Earth as Mshkiki Aki or "Earth Medicine Mother." The protector is Ginew or the Golden Eagle for the protection of Zeeqwun or Spring, a forever pure virgin spirit who brings us the new cycle of Spring and whose voice is the only one Biboon (old man winter spirit) will listen too. Please don't miss this opportunity.
Saturday: May 12th, 2007 (10-5pm)

Taoism: Nature's Oriental Code
May 12, (1:30-3:30 pm) --afternoon speakers open to the public

Dr. Douglas Chung--- Professor of Social Work-- Grand Valley State University

Quigong  Healer and Instructor, President of the Asian Society, Grand Rapids, Michigan. Dr. Douglas Chung comes from China where he was born into a family of practicing Taoist. He learned Qigong, the Taoist equivalent of yoga, from his father. As an adept and teacher of Qigong, Dr. Chung has produced videos and several tapes about this practice of meditiation and energy alignment. As President of the Asian Society and professor of social work at Grand Valley University, he has taught extensively about Taoist and Confucian culture and religion. He will give an overview of the essentials of Taoist philosophy, the teachings of Lao Tzu and the Tao Te Ching, the symbol Yin and Yang and the enduring impact of these ideas upon Chinese culture and religion. He will lead a Taoist meditation and be available to questions and dialogue.
Saturday: June 9th, 2007 (10-5pm)

Hinduism: The Sanatana Dharma, Basic Elements of Hinduism
June 9, (1:30 -3:30 pm )--afternoon speakers open to public

Dr. Sripada Raju, Bharatiya Hindu Temple, Lansing MI

Swami Tapasananda: is a monastic resident of Mothers Trust/Mothers Place. It takes 14 years or longer of serious study and training to receive your final vows as a Sannyasin monastic. His vows were first taken in1968, years ago in Calcutta, India. He constructed with his brother monk, Swami Baba, Atmalokananda, the Vivekananda Monastery and later was commissioned by their guru, Swami Bhashyananda in 1987, to help construct the Holy Mother Shrine and Interfaith Institute in Ganges, Michigan.They are trustees of Mothers Trust/Mothers Place, religious order organization and Presidents of the Lakeshore Interfaith Institute. With their help, western women were established in the Ramakrishna Puri lineage and Holy Mother lineage of monastics, at the Sri Sri Saradeshwari Ashram in Calcutta, India, established in 1895: founded by Ramakrishna's only woman monastic Sannyasini Gaurima Puri Devi. Hinduism is traditionally called Sanatana Dharma which means perennial wisdom. It is very diverse and, like a mighty river, it has many sources, most of which are lost in the mists of prehistory. Ranging from absolute monism, where all phenomena are seen as mere facets of one Homogeneous Substance, to the dualistic worship of many gods and goddesses, it accomodates itself to the spiritual inclinations and abilities of every type of person. It also sees the divine as feminine, masculine but ultimately beyond any catagory such as gender. Our talk will take a survey of some of the principal features of Hinduism in both ancient and current history.

Saturday: July14th, 2007 (10-5)

Buddhism: How Buddha Can End your Suffering
July 14, (1:30-3:30 pm)--afternoon speakers open to the public

Venerable Varasak Waradhamo • Buddha Dharma Meditation Center-- Hinsdale, Illinois

Venerable Varasak Varadhammo is a very joyous, yet serene Thai Buddhist monk. He is a gifted teacher, and transmitter of the Dharma. He, himself, is a disciple of an esteemed Thai Monk, Venerable Buddhadasa Indapanno Mahathera. Ven. Varadhammo is the abbot of the Buddha-Dharma Meditation Center in Hinsdale, Ill. This venerable teacher has written several books on Buddhist philosophy and practice. As a teacher in the Theravadan tradition of Buddhism, Ven. Varadhammo is an authority on the original teachings of the Buddha. He will give a survey of the Four Noble Truths, as expounded by the Buddha, and a detailed explanation of the Eightfold Path, which leads to enlightenment. Ven. Varadhammo is a master of meditation practices and will teach us several simple Buddhist techniques for calming and cleansing the mind. These are practices, which, if consistently followed, can reveal to the practitioner the Buddha-nature inherent in every sentient being.

Saturday: August 11th, 2007 (10-5pm)

Judaism: What Moses Saw In The Burning Bush
August 11, (1:30-3:30 pm) --afternoon speakers open to the public

Rabbi Michael Rascoe, Temple B'Nai Shalom, Benton Harbor, Michigan: (Field trip to Benton Harbor, Michigan)

Rabbi Michael Rascoe serves the Congregation of the Temple B’nai Shalom in Benton Harbor, Michigan and two weekends per month he serves Congregation: Sons of Abraham in Lafayette, Indiana. He comes most recently from Waukegan, Illinois, and has served a few pulpits in New Jersey and Pennsylvania, and in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Rabbi Rascoe has been active in interfaith dialogue, being a founding member of the Grand Rapids Interfaith Dialogue Association. He has worked with groups formulating minority relation, and prison religious policies. In addition, he has served as a consultant on academic and governmental projects, and been an advisor on counseling and medical issues. He has also taught elementary to college level classes. Ordained from The Jewish Theological Seminary, Rabbi Rascoe has an MA and a BA in Jewish Philosophy from JTS and a BA from Columbia University in Political Science.

Saturday: September 9th, 2007 (10-5pm)

Christianity: The Unique Voice of the "Mind of Christ"
September 9, (1:30-3:30 pm) -- afternoon speakers open to the public

Dena Blay-Stoba OCDS- Carmelite: Mother's Trust Member, Director Lakeshore Interfaith Institute •World Wisdom Course

As a member of the secular branch of the Order of Discalced Carmelites, Ms. Blay -Stroba is an experienced teacher of two of the Mystical Doctors of the Catholic Church, St John of the Cross and St. Teresa of Avila. She has served as Formation Director to Secular Order Carmelites and has conducted regular retreats and days of recollection for the Order. She has also studied world religions for the past twenty years and has made intensive studies of Vedanta under the tutelage of Swami Bhashyananda. She will present a brief theological history of Christianity with especial emphasis on the mystical traditions. Ms. Blay-Stroba will focus her presentation on the premise that the various spiritual traditions of the world offer contexts within which individuals strive to evolve to deeper and more profound levels of Consciousness. She will explore the development of Consciousness in human individuals and societies, and will offer observations on how the teachings of Jesus offer a context of principle and practice and how this applies to the process of Self-Realization. Students have acknowledged her wisdom, intellect, devotion, and expertise to be a rare experience-

Saturday: October 13th, 2007 (10-5pm)

Islam: What The Prophet Heard
October 13, (1:30-3:30pm)-- afternoon speakers open to the public

Dr. Dustin Byrd, Ismail Abdullah • Western Michigan University - Department of Comparitive Religions

The Koran is a revealed text spoken by the Angel Gabriel into the Ear of Prophet Mohammed [peace be upon him] What did the Prophet hear? Presenting the Tenets and Practices of Islam is Dustin Byrd. Dr. Byrd is a “local son” from South Haven, who became attracted to Islam while in high school. Impressed by its message of radical social equality, he saw Islam as the complement of the message given by Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount. Dr. Byrd made the Declaration of Faith, assumed the spiritual name Ismail Abdullah, completed his education and is now teaching Islam at Western Michigan University and other institutions of higher learning. His area of expertise is the dynamic tension between Wahabism and Sufism. Dr. Byrd will present the Five Pillars of Islam, discuss the mystical tradition of the Sufis and will share with us some of the spiritual practices of Islam. He brings a unique perspective of Islam unencumbered by the cultural attributes that often permeate religious traditions which are brought to the West from other areas of the world.

Saturday: November 10th, 2007 (10-5pm)

Cosmology and Cosmogony: The Developement of Consciousness
November 10, (1:30-3:30pm)--afternoon speakers open to the public

Presenters of serveral faith traditions: will discuss the methodologies of their traditions, that result in psychological and spiritual transformation. Speakers will later be posted---

Dr. Eric Carlson Senior •Astronomer Emeritus, Adler Planitarium, Chicago, Illinois

Dr. Eric Carlson, for 28 years the senior astronomer at the Adler Planetarium, Chicago, Illinois, combines the best qualities of an empirical scientist with the intuition of a theologian. After studying for several years at the University of Chicago Divinity School with Huston Smith, Eric went on to do his Doctoral studies in Astronomy at Northwestern University. Now retired, Dr. Carlson is developing his skills as an Astro-theologian. The starry vault above was, is, and will surely continue to be the source of much religious speculation and intuition. Using the latest photographs from the Hubble Telescope and the latest discoveries and models of theorization about the origin, nature, and ultimate fate of this and other Universes, Dr. Carlson has skillfully fused his two passions: astronomy and spirituality into what might be called Cosmotheology. Using slides from the Hubble Space telescope, Dr Carlson will address the big questions of the cosmos.

Interfaith Pilgrimage and Sacred Tour to Chicago: All Welcome!
(A favorite! of students of Mother's Trust/Lakeshore Interfaith Institute)

For six months, students will have met together, sharing insights, dreams, visions and studies. Now they will retreat together for closer bonding, spending a few days together visiting the holy places of many faiths and sharing insights with practitioners of these faiths. This pilgrimage to sacred places in Chicago is a wonderful opportunity to put newly acquired interfaith skills into actual practice.

We will be visiting Temple, Synagogue, Basilica, and Mosque and be able to savor, first hand, the unique ambience and cultural mystique of the traditions we have studied on a more academic level. We will be able to interact with practitioners of different faiths on their own cultural ground, and participate in worship services and meditations of many of these traditions. In past years we have taken part in the Holy Eucharist at a Greek Orthodox basilica, a Shabbas service at a synagogue and have toured a Zoroastrian Temple.

These opportunities lend a profound depth of experience to our already ambitious interfaith journey. Sharing the lovely home of our hosts, Mr.Jogi and Mrs. Indra Makhija, trustees of Mother•s Trust/Mother•s Place and Friends of Mother•s Trust, we will have the chance to eat, talk, laugh, pray, and meditate together over this joyous weekend and life time wonder! Students should also know, there will be a Sacred Pilgrimage to India, this year as well--

Reading List: Mother's Trust/LakeShore Interfaith Institute •World Wisdom Course: 2007

(Throughout the Course):

1. Religions of the World: Huston Smith

2. The Worlds Wisdom: Sacred Texts of the World Religions: Philip Novak

3. The Mystic Heart: Discovering a Universal Spirituality in the Worlds Religions: Wayne Teasdale

*These three books will be used throughout as base texts

NATIVE AMERICAN SPIRITUALITY:

1. Black Elk Speaks: John Niehardt

2. Spirits of the Earth ( Guide to the Native American Nature Symbols, Stories and ceremonies) Bobby Lake-Thom

3. The Sacred Tree (Reflections on Native American Spirituality) Isbn 0-941524-58-2

4. The Way of the Earth: T. C. Mcluhan

5. The Earth Shall Weep: James Wilson

6. The Mishomis Book: Edward Benton-Banai

7. A little Matter of Genocide: Ward Churchill

8. American Holocaust: Stannard

HINDUISM --VEDANTA:

1. Srimad Bhagavad Gita Swami Tapasyananda isbn 81-7120-094-X

2. The Upanishads: Christopher Isherwood; *Primary scripture of Hinduism

3. The Cosmic Revelation (The Hindu Way to God) Bede Griffiths

4. The Spiritual Heritage of India Swami Prabhavananda ISBN 87481-022-1

5. Inspired Talks Swami Vivekananda

6. The Living Goddess: Linda Johnsen (Mythology)

7. The Ramayana: retold by Krishna Dharma; also William Buck rendition (Epic)

8. The Mahabharata: retold by Krishna Dharma; also William Buck rendition (Epic)

TAOISM:

1. The Tao of the Tao Te Ching (Translation and Commentary)* Michael LaFargue

2. The Way of Chuan Tzu: translated by Thomas Merton* *Primary Scripture of the Taoist tradition

3. The Shambala Guide to TAOISM (ancient Chinese Spiritual tradition) Eva Wong ISBN 1-57062-169-1

4. The Taoist Experience (Anthology) Livia Kohn, editor

5. Wen Tzu (Understanding the Mysteries--Further teachings of Lao Tzu) Thomas Cleary, translator

6. The Tao of Pooh; The Te of Piglet: Benjamin Hoff (Taoism Lite)

JUDAISM:

1. The Holy Bible: (Tanakh--the Hebrew Scriptures)

2. Jewish Literacy: Rabbi Joseph Telushkin

3. The Messianic Idea in Judaism : And Other Essays on Jewish Spirituality : Gershom Scholem

4. Kabbalah by Gershom Scholem

5. Major Trends in Jewish Mysticism: Gershom Scholem

6. Living Judaism (the complete guide to Jewish Belief, Tradition and Practice) Rabbi Wayne Dosic

7. A Jewish Theology: Louis Jacobs

8. What Do Jews Believe: David Ariel

9. The Story of God: Karen Armstrong

BUDDHISM:

1. The Dhammapada Eknath Easwaran ISBN 0-915132-37-0 *Primary Scripture

2. Kindness, Clarity and Insight His Holiness Tensin Gyatso --The Fourteenth Dalai Lama -- ISBN 0-937938

3. The Heart of the Buddhas Teaching Thich Nhat Hanh ISBN 0-938077-81-3

3. Old Path, White Clouds Thich Nhat Hanh ISBN 0-938077-26-0

4. Buddha: Karen Armstrong

CHRISTIANITY:

1. The Bible (New American; Revised Standard, or New RSV editions ----Study Bible with commentaries useful

2. Christ of the 21st Century: Ewert H. Cousins

3. The Historical Jesus--The Life of a Mediterranean Jewish Peasant John Dominic Crossan ISBN 0-06-061629-6

4. Meeting Jesus Again for the First Time: Marcus Borg

5. Second Simplicity: Bruno Barnhart

6. The Inner Eye of Love: William Johnston, S.J.

7. The History of God: Karen Armstrong

8. The Gnostic Gospels: Elaine Pagels

ISLAM:

1. The Qur’an (Koran) many translations and commentaries available *Primary Scripture

2. Islam: Karen Armstrong

3. Major Themes of the Koran: Fazlur Rahman

4. The Essential Rumi (Introduction by Huston Smith) Coleman Barks -- translator ISBN 0-965-064871

5. The Essential Sufism: James Fadiman and Robert Frager

6. The Sufis: Idries Shah

7. Islamic Spirituality Foundations: Crossroads Press

8. The Heart of the Koran: Lex Hixon

9. What Everyone Should Know about Islam and Muslims: Suzanne Haneef

10 The History of God: Karen Armstrong

COSMOLOGY:

1. The Universe is a Green Dragon: Brian Swimme

2. The Mind Paradigm: Keith Chandler

3. Earth Dance: Elizabeth Sahtouris

4. Masks of the Universe: Changing Ideas on the Nature of the Cosmos Edward Harrison

5. The Elegant Universe: Brian Greene

6. The Hole in the Universe: K.C. Cole

***Presenters in each module will also recommend reading material for that module.