Cultural Day (Symposium)

Presenter: Mr Michael Luscombe

At certain points in life we are all faced with challenge an adversity. How do we respond under these pressures? Are we resilient? This interactive and practical workshop will explore the nature of resilience and examine the lives of some everyday people who have been exceedingly resilient through great difficulty. Be inspired to become more resilient and meet life with greater stability, peace and confidence.

Presenter: Dr. Neil McNab

When you discover who you truly are, instead of feeling empty, agitated and disconnected, you will discover an inner fullness, peace, and sense of harmony.

Presenter: Ms. Sue Helme

This workshop will explore the ancient Yogic concept of subtle energy that runs through the core of the body and forms the seven major energy centres, or chakras. We will investigate how the chakras relate to the flow and balance of energy in the body and discuss how chakra awareness can contribute to psychological and spiritual growth. The workshop will include practical exercises in chakra awareness.

Presenter: Mrs. Marita Brewster

Have you ever wondered about soul? Do you have one? If so, what is it? How does it work? What is it made of? What are its qualities? Is your soul unique? Do all creatures have souls? Does the world have a soul? Does it matter? Do all the religious and philosophical traditions have the same concept of soul? These are just some of the questions that we will explore in this workshop. They are important questions for the person seeking to ‘Know Thyself’.

Presenter: Ms. Julie Holland

Marsilio Ficino was at the centre of the Italian Renaissance in Florence. He was a doctor, scholar, translator of Plato, musician, priest and prolific letter writer. This session will be a brief overview of his life and we will look at some of his letters.

Presenter: Mrs. Donna Wynnemer

Through reading and discussing excerpts of the 14th century Anonymous mystic Christian text “The Cloud of Unknowing”, learn a different way of becoming – not through intellect, but through intense contemplation stripped of all thought. Through practice of contemplation, “The Cloud of Unknowing” may be discovered.

Presenter: Mr. Stephen Abrahams

All of us were born creative…many of us have just forgotten how! In these changing times, creativity is now considered by some to be as important as literacy. So what is it that allows each one of us to be creative and how do we find it? What did Leonardo Da Vinci know? Learn Leonardo’s secret and other simple, hands-on practical techniques that can be applied in all aspects of your life. This session will help you to rediscover and unleash your creative potential.

Presenter: Dr. Neil McNab

Is your life caught up in doing and thinking, and finding the resultant pressures and tensions too much to bear? Then join me in an exploration of spaciousness that is our natural state which enable us to uncover a life of simplicity, clarity and harmony.

Presenter: Mrs. Lyn Kennedy

We will look into the background behind this epic work and then have a very short dip into the work itself. This work influenced Gandhi so much so that he was able to suffer hardships without attachment and subsequent misery.

Presenter: Mr. Rajesh Bhandari

Ever wondered how you knew something? It is not like the ordinary knowing such that the mind can tell you or think about as is the ordinary sense of ‘knowing’. This is something quite different. Tap into the innate Wisdom that is far beyond the reaches of the subtle mind, where knowledge of a thing becomes your own Understanding and allow that ‘Knowing’ to further guide and direct your life. The ancient art of Dialectic helps bring this process alive into your day to day existence and has the capacity to change your whole outlook on life. Go on, give it a try!

Presenter: Mrs. Marita Brewster

Music, has been around since the beginning of time and is a medium common to all cultures throughout the world. The potential for expression through music is infinite, and the effect of music on the human psyche is palpable. Music has the power to drag one to the depths of despair and to the heights of emotion. It is able to direct the behaviour of not only human beings, but plants and animals as well. It is even able to define the culture. This entertaining presentation will help us begin to explore the enormous power of music and to learn to observe its effect within ourselves.

Presenter: Mr. Stephen Abrahams

Each one of us has a unique set of gifts or talents. One of life’s privileges is the opportunity to discover our own special gifts and then to decide how we will use them to make a difference in the world and fulfill our purpose. This presentation will start you on the journey of discovering your gifts.

Presenter: Miss. Nicolette Kellerman

In this practical exploration, we discover the 5 timeless principles of Yoga, passed down from mu mentor, Mark Whitwell, who studied under the great T.K.V. Desikachar. This ancient wisdom isn’t something to strive for – it’s a practice of remembering and reconnecting with what has always been within: the Self. No experience, flexibility or strength required – just curiosity to go deeper.