Songs of the Soul Festival: Cosmology and Spirituality: Universe and Human Being

Cosmology and Spirituality: Universe and Human Being is an offering to celebrate the harmonious spirit that connects us, where the inward journey of the heart finds a forum to express itself and interact beyond space and time.

The International Association of Sufism‘s production of the Songs of the Soul Poetry and Sacred Music Festival is quickly establishing itself as one of the premier gatherings in the world for artists, religious scholars, and enthusiasts from many faith traditions, cultures and generations to come together in celebration and exploration of our humanity, now in our third year.

The Songs of the Soul Poetry and Sacred Music Festival is designed for all walks of life and spiritual traditions to come together in a shared appreciation for aesthetic beauty and wonder; offering a chance to break bread with a range of traditions; be mesmerized by music from the spiritual paths of Sufism, Jewish, and Yemenite; converse with cosmologists and spiritual leaders on cosmology and spirituality, on universe and human being, and take a journey into the potential fullness of our humanity, in peace, in wonder, in appreciation.

Speakers:

Shah Nazar Seyyed Dr. Ali Kianfar, an internationally published author and lecturer,  has taught Sufism throughout the world for over 40 years. He was an honorary speaker at the UNESCO’s conference in Uzbekistan, and is the author of the Seasons of the Soul, Ninety Nine Names, Zikr, Introduction to Religion, and the leading Sufi Master for the 40 Days Alchemy of Tranquility.

Brian Thomas Swimme is a Professor in the Philosophy, Cosmology, and Consciousness program at the California Institute of Integral Studies, the author of The Hidden Heart of the Cosmos and The Universe is a Green Dragon, co- author of several books including, The Universe Story with Thomas Berry, and hosted the 60 minute film “Journey of the Universe,” the winner of the Northern California regional Emmy for Best Documentary in 2011.

Richard Tarnas is a Professor of Philosophy and Cultural History at the California Institute of Integral Studies in San Francisco, where he founded the graduate program in Philosophy, Cosmology, and Consciousness. He is the author of the best seller:The Passion of the Western Mind; and Cosmos and Psyche: Intimations of a New World View, which received the Book of the Year Prize from the Scientific and Medical Network in the UK.

Nahid Angha is one of the major Sufi masters, scholars, and translators of the present time, with over sixteen pub- lished works. She is the main representative of the IAS to the United Nations (NGO/DPI), has lectured internationally, at the UN, Smithsonian Institute, S. Africa, Spain, Italy, Germany, Mexico, Scotland, Morocco, and more. She is a professor of Islamic and Middle Eastern Studies, and the first Muslim woman inducted to the Marin Women’s Hall of Fame.

Rev. Heng Sure, Ph.D., was ordained as a Buddhist Bhikshu (monk) at the City of Ten Thousand Buddhas, Talmage, California, in 1976. After receiving full ordination in the Mahayana tradition of Chinese Buddhism he commenced a “Three Steps, One Bow” pilgrimage dedicating his efforts to World Peace. Rev. Sure currently serves as Director of the Berkeley Buddhist Monastery and teaches at the Graduate Theological Union, Berkeley, California.

Dedan Gills is an educator, poet, activist and pioneer of Green Recovery, a movement to address the healing of human communities and the planet through environmental stewardship, conversation, mediation efforts, the cultivation of inner Wisdom.  He is co-founder of Growing a Global Heart with his wife, Belvie Rooks, and has spent the last decade facilitating workshops and inter-generational dialogues locally and internationally, spreading a message of unity, dignity, and respect for all beings. 

Performers:

Eliyahu & Qadim Ensemble are comprised of accomplished and acclaimed musicians. Their repertoire includes Arabic, Jewish, Turkish Sufi, Hebrew-Yemenite, Armenian, Ladino and Moroccan music.

Taneen Sufi Music Ensemble: With an authentic fusion of Middle Eastern and Western influences, Taneen creates new, original melodies; yet deeply rooted in the Sufi tradition.