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Meeting with the Dalai LamaInterfaith Discussion Thanksgiving World Assembly UNESCO Australian Sufi Conference 53rd Annual UN DPI/NGO Conference Manifesto 2000 Mysticism in the Modern WorldParliament of the World's Religions Professor Huston Smith

Event Archive
IAS Launches Mysticism in the Modern World Series in Seattle, Washington in October 2000

SEATTLE, WASHINGTON -- On Saturday, October 21, 2000 at the Wyckoff Auditorium in Seattle University's School of Theology and Ministry Continuing Education, the International Association of Sufism and the Institute for Sufi Studies launched the 'Mysticism in the Modern World' series.

Remarkable spiritual leaders from the three Abrahamic traditions shared their wisdom and experience on the mystery of being and the way to inner peace. They discussed universal elements of faith, and offered practical applications of revealed truths and principles. The interactive format encouraged dialogue and audience participation.

Discussants included (in alphabetical order):

Shah Nazar Seyyed Ali Kianfar, Ph.D., cofounder of the International Association of Sufism, Islamic scholar and international lecturer; leader of Sufi gatherings and a spiritual guide for over 30 years.
Reverend Rodney Romney, Ph.D., recognized author; retired Baptist minister and spiritual teacher, renowned for his courage, compassion, and deep insight into the relevance of the gospels in today's world.
Rabbi Rami Shapiro, director of the Rasheit Center for Jewish Spirituality; award-winning poet and essayist, whose liturgical poems are used in prayer services throughout North America.

The series was moderated by Glenn Pascall, award-winning journalist and teacher of "The Search for a New Public Philosophy" at the University of Washington's Evans School.

The first session of the series was attended by hundreds of people seeking to understand the true meaning of religion and spirituality. The event was followed by a traditional Sufi gathering, led by the Uwaiysi Sufi Master Shah Nazar Seyyed Dr. Ali Kianfar.

The series continues to this day, with three seasonal gatherings a year, addressing topics such as suffering, evil, good, God, and I. Audio tapes are available from different sessions of the series. For information on upcoming events, please call (203) 836-5588 or email isswa@ias.org.