Multifaith Forum - Working with others with love and compassion in the Age of Social Media: E-vam Institute

In this Multifaith Forum, teachers from different faiths will explore how to love and care for others in the age of social media. The panel will dialogue on important topics and answer questions and engage with the audience at each forum. Participants will be able to: learn more about the great faith traditions of the world; connect with others pursuing a religious and spiritual path; and find out more about interfaith dialogue and activities happening in your world.
Forum members will discuss the theme in relation to the impact of social media on the religious and spiritual path.

-    Are 24/7 technologies such as iPads and smart phones making us too busy to care?
-    YouTube: wisdom of the ages or a banality on steroids?
-    Will there be a Facebook led spiritual revolution?
-    What effect does the lack of face¬to¬face contact by social media have on us?
-    I twitter, therefore I am. Does social media increase our humanity? 


Date: Sunday, 2nd  June 2013  Time: 2.00pm to 4.00pm
Location: Maitripa Centre (located in the heart of the Beautiful Upper Yarra Valley)

FORUM SPEAKERS:

Swami Atmananda has been a full time student of Meditation Master Swami Shankrananda for the last 15 years. In 2009 he was initiated as a Swami in India and in 2011 was asked to start the Geelong Shiva Centre with Swami Priyananda. He is an expert in the philosophy of Kashmir Shavism and has a special interest in all spiritual traditions. Swami Atmananda has been actively involved in interfaith dialogue in Victoria.

Venerable Anna Goldstein was a student of the Tibetan Buddhist master, Venerable Geshe Acharya Thubten Loden, for almost 30 years until his passing last year. Anna has taught Buddhist philosophy and meditation at the Society's Peaceful land of Joy Meditation Centre in Yuroke and in the community. She has also worked extensively in communications and public affairs involving a wide range of social issues including housing, family violence, finance and education and maintains a strong interest in latest communications channels including social media.

Fr Michael Mifsud was ordained for the Melbourne Archdiocese in 1976. Since childhood he felt drawn to the Contemplative and Monastic Tradition. After years of searching in 1992 he went on Pilgrimage to India to visit and stay with Dom Bede Griffiths and the Dalai Lama. Bede received him as a Camaldolese Benedictine Oblate of Shantivanam and Sannyasin (monk). In that same year Bede inaugurated him in his “hermit in community life” at Montserrat, Millgrove. From 1997 to the end of 2000 he lived as a hermit near Mt Matlock (1200 meters), giving occasional retreats around the Country to Christian Meditation Groups and other groups he has had since 1994. Since the mid 90’s he was appointed as Regional Chaplain and Spiritual Director to the Camaldolese Oblates in Australia and New Zealand. He regularly leads retreats and prayer days for the Communit for Christian meditation in both Countries. He presently resides in a Hermitage at East Warburton as well as Pallotti College, Millgrove.

“E-Vam Institute is delighted to have the opportunity to host this interfaith dialogue. In this changing world that we live in it has become very obvious that people of different nationalities, cultures and religions must learn to live with each other and we need to do this not simply by tolerating people of different cultural backgrounds and religious traditions but we need to try to understand each other. In a small way we at E¬Vam Institute are trying to do that.” Traleg Rinpoche

“The contrasting character of the participants will give considerable value to the outcome.” Rev. Dr John Dupuche, Catholic Interfaith Committee

“Because of the timely and important theme, I am confident that the project will offer benefits not only to our own young people but potentially also to others worldwide.” Jonathan Keren¬Black, Board Member, Progressive Judaism Victoria

“The Love of Humanity in All Religious Traditions: It’s the times!” Swami Paramananda Saraswati, President of Yo Veda Inc

Further Information:
Cost: $20 
 Venue: Maitripa Centre, in the beautiful Yarra Valley.
Affordable meals, snacks and barista style coffee will be available at Dogen’s Café onsite at Maitripa Centre.

For further information or to register contact the E-Vam Buddhist Institute on:
Phone: (03) 9387 0422  Email: info@evaminstitute.org

This multifaith program has received funding from the Victorian Government through the Office of Multicultural Affairs and Citizenship.