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The New York Open
Center Presents:
An Esoteric Quest for
The Golden Age of Andalusia
Sufis, Kabbalists and
Christian Philosophers
In Medieval Spain
A Conference in Granada, Spain
September 15th
to 20th 2007
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Early Bird Deadline June 14th
Take advantage of our early bird discount for the upcoming Esoteric Quest conference in Granada, Spain. To register click here or contact Andrea Lomanto at 212-219-2527x101 or write quest@opencenter.org.
A Message from Ralph White, Conference Director
 As many readers will know, this conference is the sixth of its kind on the Western Esoteric Tradition organized by the Open Center. Its predecessors have taken place in Central Europe, the Celtic World, and Italy and have mostly dealt with the Renaissance until last year’s brought us into the early 19th Century with our journey to Goethe’s Weimar.
So how did the idea arise of organizing a conference on the Golden Age of Andalusia? It seemed to me that the state of the world calls for some kind of response from those interested in the esoteric traditions. In particular, the dire and dangerous condition of current relations between the West and Islam needs to be addressed, and what better way to do it than by focusing on a period in Spanish history when a good measure of ‘conviviencia’, of co-existence, prevailed for extended periods between the three Abrhamamic religions.
For me, esotericism is not a purely scholarly or spiritual study. It has real life implications, and a Twenty First Century esotericism needs to find a creative relationship to the great issues of the day. Leaving aside global warming, perhaps no issue today is more pressing than the need to improve relations between Christians, Jews and Muslims by gaining genuine insight into the true nature of each of these spiritual paths, and the way they have drawn on each other over the centuries.
Al-Andalus provides the perfect example of such life-enhancing interaction. Granada was the last outpost of Islam in Western Europe, remaining apart from Christian Spain for two hundred and fifty years until that fateful year of 1492 when it finally fell to the Catholic monarchs (who then expelled the Jews from all of Spain just as Columbus was discovering the New World).
The history of Al-Andalus shows us another side of Islam, far from the fundamentalism of Wahhabism that motivates Al-Qaeda. For many periods a land sympathetic to Sufism, as we know from Ibn Arabi’s book, Sufis of Andalusia, it did sometimes fall into the darkness of fundamentalism as the Almoravid and Almohad dynasties poured across the Straits of Gibraltar from North Africa to raise the flag of jihad against the expansion of the Christian kingdoms. But it is interesting to note that, in many ways, this influx of Islamic fundamentalism in the West paralleled the invasions of Syria and Palestine at the Eastern end of the Mediterranean by often brutal and censorious crusaders.
The lesson of the superiority of co-existence is a clear one. The times of great beauty and civilization in Al-Andalus were the periods of tolerance. The times of horror, of death and destruction, were the periods when religious perspectives hardened, the Other was demonized, and the elimination of religions other than the ‘true’ path was considered a necessity.
The relevance to today’s world could hardly be clearer. Whenever self-righteous religiosity asserts itself at the expense of another culture, nothing good can come of it. When tolerance prevails, the conditions exist for respect, mutual learning, and the birth of spiritual genius.
This ideal of ‘conviviencia’ lies at the heart of our conference. Certain afternoons will include sessions in which conference participants can reflect, if they choose, on the contemporary relevance of the topics raised in plenary sessions and workshops. It is surely time to bring esotericism out of the arena of antiquarian or purely academic contemplation and locate it right at the heart of current events. My hope is that our days and nights in Granada will enable the wisdom of the medieval Andalusian esotericists to illumine the vital search for wise action and policy concerning Islam and the West amidst the pressing dangers of the world situation.
I look forward to seeing you in Granada!
- Ralph
Ralph White, is co-founder of the New York Open Center and editor of Lapis Magazine. He taught the first accredited course in holistic learning at New York University, and edited and introduced The Rosicrucian Enlightenment Revisited.
Faculty Spotlight
 Mirabai Starr, is an adjunct professor of Philosophy and Religious Studies at the University of New Mexico-Taos. She is the author of several critically acclaimed translations of the Spanish mystics, John of the Cross and Teresa of Avila, including Dark Night of the Soul, The Interior Castle and most recently Teresa of Avila: Book of My Life. We recently caught up with Mirabai to ask her a few questions.
You are currently on tour promoting your new book Teresa of Avila: The Book of My Life. Tell us a little bit about this book.
The Book of My Life is the autobiography of the great sixteenth century Spanish saint, Teresa of Avila. It is one of the most classic and important spiritual memoirs of all times. The Book of My Life is the coming of age story of a mystic, with all the juicy religious experiences for which Teresa is so famous.
It is also touchingly honest and revealing. Teresa, of course, did not consider herself to be a saint - far from it - and so her autobiography shines with humility and humor, ordinary human neurosis intermingled with sublime spiritual mastery. It was a joy to translate, and is a delight to read.
Teresa did not choose to write this book, by the way. When the Spanish Inquisition heard of the dramatic mystical episodes this Carmelite nun was experiencing, they demanded that she document every vision, voice, rapture in writing so they could determine whether they were gifts from God or delusions of the devil. She narrowly escaped being condemned as a heretic, mostly because she managed to persuade everyone to fall in love with her through simply being who she was.
You have written about St John of the Cross and now Teresa of Avila, what attracted you to these figures?
The first book I translated was Dark Night of the Soul, by the sixteenth Century mystic, Teresa of Avila's beloved protégé, John of the Cross. Although I am not Catholic or even Christian, this book had been (and remains) the single most important book on my own path. Dark Night conveys the essential paradox of spiritual surrender into the emptiness that is plenitude, the annihilation that is perfect love. It beautifully expresses the perennial wisdom teachings I have spent my life studying and practicing.
My attraction to John led me to his mentor, Teresa, and now she won't let me go! I've translated Teresa's Interior Castle and The Book of My Life. Now I'm working with Way of Perfection, Teresa's guide to contemplative practice. My goal with these translations is to make these exquisite works accessible to a diverse contemporary audience, regardless of religious faith (or even lack thereof). I am a writer as much as a translator, and the beauty and clarity of language are important to me.
How do you think Teresa was influenced by Jewish spirituality and Sufi mystical imagery?
I'm much more of a poet and spiritual seeker than a scholar. It's funny, in preparation for the upcoming Esoteric Quest, I did an internet search for the Jewish and Sufi influences in John of the Cross and Teresa of Avila, and my name comes up all over the place as the expert on the subject! Big help!
I was born a Jew and have explored mystical Judaism through the Jewish Renewal movement. I also have a deep connection with Sufism, especially Sufi poetry.
One of the things that attracts me to the Spanish mystics is how powerfully their work evokes the mystical teachings of the other two Abrahamic faiths. Most of the spousal imagery -- that is, the yearning of the lover for union with the Beloved -- as well as images of fire, gardens and wine, are powerful spiritual symbols in the literature of all three. And they all teach us to ultimately leave behind all sensual attachments to and concepts of the Divine and go to him utterly naked in radical unknowing.
What are St John and Teresa of Avila's roles in Western Spirituality?
John of the Cross and Teresa of Avila have the great honor of being Doctors of the Church. That is, though their teachings were considered to be revolutionary and dangerous at the time, they were brilliant and prolific writers whose works were ultimately considered to make important contributions to Catholic theology. While John wrote both mystical love poetry and prose treatises on the contemplative path, it is his poetry for which he is most famous. He is the patron saint of literature in Spain. Readers familiar with Rumi and Hafiz will find striking similarities in John's work. Teresa is perhaps most known as a radical reformer, a woman who spoke truth to power during an era and in a culture where such activism by women was unheard of. She is the only woman in the history of the Church to have founded a religious order for men. Teresa's teachings on prayer are some of the clearest and most influential ever written.
You recently spoke at The Open Center about the writings of these two great saints. What were some highlights?
What I love more than anything is drawing people into a contemplative state and then reading aloud the magnificent love songs of the Spanish mystics. There is a good reason mystics of all faiths have used the language of love as the most apt metaphor for the reciprocal relationship between the human soul and the Divine. This love-language transports us to the deepest parts of ourselves. During these times of such violence and discord in the world, love poetry is healing. I consistently find that these encounters instill in us the stillness and courage to go forth and try to alleviate some of the suffering around us.
What are you looking forward to at our upcoming Esoteric Quest?
Spain! I lived in Sevilla when I was twenty-one, and have longed to return to the land that threw open the doors of my heart. This conference feels like it will be a wonderful blend of information and celebration. It will not only be a healing opportunity for deep dialog about that which connects the wounded children of Abraham, but an invitation to enter into sacred space together and be transformed by the power of these ancient wisdom teachings. I am profoundly honored to be included in this quest.
The Esoteric Quest on the Airwaves and on the World Wide Web
On Friday, June 1st Ralph White, Conference Director spoke with Esoteric Quest faculty members Robert Bly and Stephen Hirtenstein on WBAI (www.wbai.org).
On Saturday, June 2nd Ralph White, Conference Director appeared on the The Travel Queen Show on various stations in Michigan (www.travelqueen.com). This is a weekly two hour live travel talk show. The host is renowned world traveler and talk show personality, Jane DeGrow.
Upcoming Events of Interest at The New York Open Center:
Learning Conversational Spanish: An Intensive
Bernardo Palombo
El Taller Latino Americano’s conversation-focused Spanish classes have long been recognized as among the best and most effective in NYC. Its unique acoustic method, developed specifically to teach Spanish to English speakers by Taller’s founder and Artistic Director, Bernardo Palombo, integrates cultural information, artifacts and events into its curriculum. The method uses songs, poems, music and videos.
The beginning of each class will be dedicated to grammar exposition and verb drills in a “call and response” format; then we will focus on developing conversational ability, including idiomatic phrases and the most-used verbs. Join us, and you will be communicating in Spanish quicker than you ever thought possible.
Field Trips: Go on optional weekend field trips to various locations that demonstrate Latin cultural diversity in NYC. Visit the studio of artist Angelo Romano, sample an art class in Spanish, attend Tango night with a master teacher, learn Dominican drumming and the first steps of Merengue, and be introduced to a Latino restaurant and its legendary cuisine.
This class is perfect for beginners. Enrollment is limited.
Note: An additional $15 (to be paid directly to Bernado Palombo) will be required for each field trip that is taught with an additional instructor (e.g., tango, art). These special field trips also require a minimum of 10 participants.
A WEEKLY COURSE
(8 sessions, meeting twice a week)
Tuesdays, July 10–July 31, 8–10pm
Thursdays, July 12–August 2, 8–10pm
07SPS51T Approved for CEUs
Open Center Members $270 / Nonmembers $290
Practique Cantando-Improve Your Spanish by Singing
Bernardo Palombo
This class was designed for students who already have some working knowledge of the Spanish language. In it, we will learn new vocabulary and how to improve our rhythm and pronunciation through the singing of 16 different well-known songs, composed by artists from throughout the Caribbean and South America (including such traditional popular songs as Las Mañanitas, Volver and La Tierra del Olvido). Besides greatly improving our language skills, we will also be increasing our knowledge of the different cultures of the Americas. Here’s a great opportunity to dramatically improve your Spanish, find new avenues of self-expression, and have a lot of fun. Enrollment is limited.
A WEEKLY COURSE
(4 sessions, meeting twice a week)
Tuesdays, August 7 & 14, 8–10pm
Thursdays, August 9 & 16, 8–10pm
07SPS52T Approved for CEUs
Open Center Members $135 / Nonmembers $145
Bernardo Palombo, a long-time, successful Latin songwriter and composer, has over 30 years’ teaching experience, including at the New School and Sarah Lawrence, has written songs for Sesame Street and founded the groundbreaking acoustic language instruction and cultural center, El Taller Latino Americano in 1979. www.tallerlatino.org
To register for either course please see www.opencenter.org or call 212-219-2527
Event of Interest Outside of The Open Center:
Venice and the Islamic World (828-1797)
Ten centuries of art, travel, and trade reveal an extraordinary relationship between Venice and her Muslim neighbors.
An exhibit at The Metropolitan Museum of Art
Now through July 8th 2007
For more information www.metmuseum.org
Help Us Spread the Word
Postcards: we have some extra postcards announcing
the conference. If you can help us distribute some or know of a good location
for them please let us know by writing to: quest@opencenter.org.
List Serves/ Links: Do you know of some good list
serves that we should send our information to? Or do you know of a good
organization we can link to? Again, please let us know at quest@opencenter.org.
Website: Please send your friends to our website at www.esotericquest.org.
Newsletter: Did you enjoy this newsletter? If so
please forward it to a friend.
The Esoteric Quest is presented by
The New York Open Center, a non-profit holistic learning center offering
evening events, full-day workshops, ongoing classes, advanced trainings, and
graduate degree opportunities.
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| The Quest News
3rd Edition, June, 2007
Quest news is published in order to introduce you to our staff & faculty and to pass on exciting information about upcoming Esoteric Quest. Enjoy!
* Message from the Conference Director
* Faculty Spotlight
* Upcoming events
* Help Spread the Word
The Esoteric Quest is presented by The New York Open Center, a non-profit holistic learning center offering
evening events, full-day workshops, ongoing classes, advanced trainings, and
graduate degree opportunities.
Cordoba
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