San Jose Costa Rica March 12-16, 2018
See the full English/Spanish conference program booklet

Welcoming statement by William Keepin and Cynthia Brix, Conveners of the Dawn of Interspirituality Conference series

Scroll to bottom for 40-minute documentary of this conference 

“Thank you for making the effort to join this conference, and for giving of your self to foster deeper understanding and creative engagement and collaboration across the religious and spiritual traditions of the world. Bridging the divisions in the human family is of paramount importance in these perilous times, not least in our religious and spiritual traditions.

The remarkable differences between world religions are dwarfed by their far more remarkable common ground. We are fortunate to gather here to explore this ground together, while also honoring the utter uniqueness of each tradition and its distinctive sacred world. Rather than a basis for division or conflict, humanity’s rich heritage of spiritual traditions offers profound wellsprings of wisdom and joyful discovery as we deepen our own spiritual commitments by learning from other’s traditions and cherished practices. Religious differences can thereby become a magnificent feast of endless insight and mutual inspiration, as we become friends in the shared spiritual quest. Welcome!” 

From Father Thomas Keating, who founded the Snowmass Interspiritual Dialogue, which serves as the inspiration for this conference

“You are Invited to take a step into the unknown, toward a possible future that can only be imagined, when the religions of the world truly meet each other. Instead of conflict, misunderstanding, or emphasizing differences, we might be touched to realize our common bond – at the deepest level, resting in the mystery of reality, life, and love. This may be more important than we realize, and I suspect this conference will go far beyond our expectations.”

Deborah Koff-Chapin’s Touch Drawings created during the conference

Click on the images in each gallery to enlarge and see who was speaking when it was created. Use the code on each image to order signed fine art prints in three sizes. Contact Deborah for permission to use a digital image to serve your cause. Find out more about Deborah’s Interpretive Touch Drawing. 

Monday March 12  

Opening Ceremonies

Demonstration Drawing – Deborah Koff-Chapin

Lynnaea Lumbard – Leading group chant

Imam Jimal Rahman – The Qur’an and Inter-Spirituality

Rabbi Ted Falcon – Beyond Interfaith and Interspiritual: Trusting an Evolving Consciousness

Soni Chhatrapati & Mangesh Pol – Dance

Abuela Margarita – Sun Blessing

William Keepin – Science and a Universal Path of the Heart

Rev. Cynthia Brix and Will Keepin – Gender Equity and Reconciliation in Spiritual Community

Tuesday March 13

Jetsunma Tenzin Palmo – Bringing the Female Voice to the Choir

Father Guillermo Marco – Inter-religious Dialogue and Collaboration in Latin America

Swami Atmarupananda – Finding Me Amidst So Many Choices

Sister Lucy Kurien – Empowerment of Human Rights Through Interfaith

Father Horatio Varela Roca – Interspirituality as a Torrent

Rev. Cynthia Brix and Will Keepin – Gender Reconciliation Experiential Community Practice

Wednesday March 14

Bishop Marc Andrus – Flower of Interbeing: The Friendship between Martin Luther King, Jr. and Thich Nhat Hahn

Rev. Mads Christopherson – Faith to Faith – Building Bridges Between Christianity and Islam

Abuela Margarita – Remembering the Divine in Ourselves

Imam Jimal Rahman & Rabbi Ted Falcon, Father Marco – Amigos of the Americas

Thursday March 15

Alex Warden – The Role of the Feminine in Interspirituality

Shaman Don Alverto Taxo – The Eagle and the Condor

Shaykah Amina Teslima Al-Yerrahi – Challenges Confronting the Interfaith Movement

Women’s Panel – Sister Lucy Kurien, Abuela Margarita, Shakya Amina Teslima Al-Yerrahi, Alex Warden, Jetsunma Tenzin Palmo

University of Peace – Laura Arroyo

Earth Charter – Alicia Jiminez

Young Adult Panel: Spirituality in the 21^st Century – Garrett Evans, Patrick Fischer, Vera de Chalambert, Rev. Ladale Benson, Soni Chhatrapati, Mangesh Pol, Rory McEntee, Debo Ray, Sandra Sucilla Ortiz