Saturday, April 3, 9am to 4:30pm
Forgiveness is something we do for ourselves; it is the act of not shutting someone out of our hearts. But how do we forgive the unforgiveable? Forgiveness is a way to let go of the pain, anger and fear we carry from harm that was done to us or by us. The day will be devoted to Buddhist practices on forgiveness through meditation, discussion and reflection.
Daniel Bowling is a mediator and teaches negotiation and mediation at Hastings and Osgoode Hall Law Schools. He has written numerous conflict resolution publications, including Bringing Peace into the Room: The Personal Qualities of the Mediator and their Impact on Conflict Resolution. He co-founded the first mediation organization in SC, where he practiced law. He was general counsel for Kripalu Yoga Center, founded the Kripalu Yoga Teachers Association, and taught a course in yoga philosophy and meditation, ‘Life is Transformation.’ A Harvard Law graduate, he has practiced yoga and meditation since 1976, and started teaching in 1983.
Maria Straatmann, a former scientist and businesswoman, has been a student of Vipassana meditation since 1996. She is a graduate of the Sati Center Buddhist Chaplaincy Program and End of Life Counselor training with Metta Institute; volunteers with Zen Hospice Project, and facilitates Commonweal’s Heart Disease Support Group. Maria also serves as IMC Program Director and on its Chaplaincy Council. She is a Spirit Rock Buddhist Ritual Minister.