Acharya Shunya

Acharya Shunya – Presentation
“The Dharma Imperative: Bridging Divides with Universal Wisdom from the Bhagavad
Gita”
In a world that feels increasingly fragmented, how can we bring people together and
foster healing? This talk draws from the ancient wisdom of the Bhagavad Gita to explore
the power of Dharma as a unifying force. Acharya Shunya will illuminate how these
timeless teachings provide a foundation for personal integrity, collective wellbeing, and
global peace. By connecting the wisdom of the Gita to modern-day challenges,
participants will be inspired to cultivate compassion and work toward creating a more
harmonious world.
Acharya Shunya – Workshop
“One Self, One World: Experiential Insights into Advaita Vedanta for Universal Harmony”
Advaita Vedanta, the philosophy of non-duality, teaches us that we are all
interconnected. In this workshop, Acharya Shunya invites participants to explore the
transformative teachings of the Upanishads. Through mantra chanting, mudra practices,
and guided meditation, participants will experience the profound unity of all existence.
This session offers tools to transcend division, bringing inner peace and fostering a
deeper sense of connection to the world. Participants will walk away with practical
insights on how to embody non-duality in daily life and contribute to a more unified and
compassionate world.
Acharya Shunya is a renowned spiritual teacher, modern mystic, and author who holds
the prestigious position of the head of the Sarayu Parampara, a 2,000-year-old Vedic
lineage. Her teachings on Advaita Vedanta, Yoga, and Ayurveda bridge ancient wisdom
with modern life, making these profound traditions accessible to contemporary seekers.
As the author of Sovereign Self, Ayurveda Lifestyle Wisdom, and Roar Like a Goddess,
Acharya Shunya has empowered countless individuals to live with spiritual dignity and
joy. She has been honored with multiple awards, including the Lifetime Achievement
Award from the California Institute of Integral Studies.
To learn more, visit www.AcharyaShunya.com.

Isis Resende

Rabbi Matthew Ponak

Rabbi Matthew Ponak – Presentation

"To Everything There Is a Season: Jewish Mysticism and the Art of Balance"

In an unpredictable world, how can we find stability without rigidity? How do we embrace change while staying true to ourselves? This talk explores the wisdom of Kabbalah and Jewish spirituality as a guide to balancing groundedness and flow. Through the sacred rhythm of Shabbat, 20th-century mystic Rav Kook’s Fourfold Song, and the interplay of body, heart, mind, and soul, this session uncovers ancestral teachings that cultivate resilience, endurance, and sustainable contentment in modern times.

Rabbi Matthew Ponak – Workshop

"Sacred Rest, Everyday Joy: Designing Your Own Oasis Time"

Rest is not a luxury—it is a spiritual necessity. Inspired by the Jewish Sabbath but adaptable for all, Oasis Time is a practice of sacred pause: a moment for delight, celebration, and inner stillness amidst life’s demands. This workshop combines Jewish mystical insights on rest and renewal with practical guidance to help participants create their own Oasis Time—whether for a full day, an hour, or even a mindful pause during a busy day.

Rabbi Matthew Ponak is a teacher of Jewish mysticism, a spiritual counselor, and an author dedicated to making Kabbalistic and Hasidic wisdom accessible to seekers of all backgrounds. Ordained with honors from Hebrew College’s neo-Hasidic rabbinical school, he also holds a Master’s in Contemplative Religions from Naropa University, a Buddhist-inspired institution integrating meditation and experiential study.

With expertise in Jewish and global mystical traditions, Rabbi Matthew blends scholarly insight with embodied practice. As a certified Focusing Professional, he guides individuals in self-awareness and transformation through somatic introspection. His book, Embodied Kabbalah, explores Jewish mystical wisdom for modern life, bridging ancient traditions with contemporary spiritual practice.

To learn more, visit www.matthewponak.com.

Ravi Ravindra

Ravi Ravindra – Presentation

Friday, July 12
"Similarities and Differences in the Abrahamic and Indian Spiritual Traditions"

All spiritual traditions acknowledge a transcendent force behind the universe, referred to as Brahman, God, Allah, or the One. However, while the Abrahamic traditions center around a creation myth, Indian traditions describe an emanation myth—where the universe is not created by Brahman but emanates from it. This distinction shapes a fundamental difference: Indian traditions emphasize the oneness of all beings, while Abrahamic traditions stress individuality. This talk explores these contrasting perspectives and their implications on spiritual identity and practice.

Ravi Ravindra – Presentation

Saturday, July 13
"A Hindu Meets a Christian on a Spiritual Journey"

God or Reality transcends religious labels, yet every seeker is shaped by their cultural and spiritual background. True spiritual transformation requires liberation from personal desires, fears, and conditioning. In today’s interconnected world, seekers from different traditions often recognize the value of learning from one another. This presentation follows the journey of two sincere searchers—one from a Hindu background and the other from a Christian background—who meet with the shared goal of deepening their connection to higher reality.

Ravi Ravindra, Ph.D., is a professor emeritus at Dalhousie University in Halifax, Canada, where he taught in the departments of Physics, Philosophy, and Comparative Religions. A lifelong member of the Theosophical Society, he has been a Fellow of the Indian Institute for Advanced Study in Shimla and a member of the Institute for Advanced Study in Princeton. He has authored numerous books across multiple disciplines, including Blessed by Mysterious Grace, which chronicles his spiritual journey.

Kurt Leland

Author and composer Kurt Leland is a national and international lecturer for the Theosophical Society. He is the author of books on out-of-body, near-death, and transcendental experiences arising from composing, performing, and listening to music. He has also published Invisible Worlds: Annie Besant on Psychic and Spiritual Development and an annotated version of Charles Leadbeater’s The Chakras, as well as Rainbow Body: A History of the Western Chakra System from Blavatsky to Brennan and The Multidimensional Human: Practices for Psychic Development and Astral Projection.