Programs to Spotlight India-Based Beliefs
The wisdom traditions of India will be highlighted during rare visits to the Southland today and next week by three prominent spiritual figures.
Ammachi, the “Holy Mother of India,” who blends spirituality with charitable service, will offer an all-night program featuring her “hug-blessings” Sunday at the Orange County Airport Hilton, 18800 MacArthur Blvd. in Irvine. Ammachi, born a Hindu but now a promoter of religious unity, will begin the free program at 6:30 p.m. with a devotional ritual known as puja. (818) 623-0503.
Sister Jayanti of the Brahma Kumaris World Spirituality University, an India-based organization offering education about meditation and spiritual principles in 72 nations, will give a free lecture tonight at 7 at the Doubletree Guest Suites, 1707 4th St., Santa Monica. She will speak on “Spirituality in the Next Millennium.” (323) 461-8028.
Satguru Sivaya Subramuniyaswami, publisher of Hinduism Today magazine, will read from his latest book, “Merging With Siva,” at 7:30 p.m. Friday at the Bodhi Tree Bookstore, 8585 Melrose Ave., West Hollywood. He has written more than 30 books on Hinduism, metaphysics, mysticism and yoga and founded churches and temples in Sri Lanka, San Francisco and Hawaii. (323) 937-0885.
EVENTS
Jonathan Young, storyteller and expert on the work of mythologist Joseph Campbell, will present a seminar on mythic stories at 1 p.m. Sunday at Founder’s Church, 3281 W. 6th St., Los Angeles. Young will explore “Hansel and Gretel” and other timeless tales for contemporary lessons about life. Admission is $15. (213) 388-9733.
* The case for sexual modesty will be made by author Wendy Shalit in her first Los Angeles lecture, 7 p.m. Thursday at the Peltz Theater in the Museum of Tolerance, 9760 W. Pico Blvd. Shalit’s book, “A Return to Modesty,” has provoked wide-ranging comment on talk shows and in national publications. Admission is $10. (310) 772-2487.
* First Congregational Church of Los Angeles will kick off a course, “The Christian World Through Jewish Eyes,” with a lecture Sunday at 10 a.m. on the meaning and symbols of Jewish holidays in the Old and New Testaments. Rabbi Stuart Dauermann, who leads the Ahavat Zion Messianic Synagogue in Beverly Hills, will lead the six-session course. The church is at 540 S. Commonwealth Ave. (213) 385-1341.
* The Biblical Archeology Society will offer a tour by Dr. Michael Phelps of the Ancient Biblical Manuscript Center in Claremont on Friday at 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. Participation is limited to 25 people per group, and reservations are required. (626) 338-7700.
* Temple Solael, a Reform congregation, will celebrate 40 years of Jewish education with an open house starting at 11 a.m. Sunday. The temple is at 6601 Valley Circle Blvd., West Hills. (818) 348-3885.
PERFORMANCES
Opera singer Rodney Gilfry will perform “The Colors of Love,” a benefit concert at 3 p.m. Sunday at First Congregational Church of Long Beach, 241 Cedar Ave. The event is sponsored by Mobilization for the Human Family, a nonprofit Christian organization based in Claremont. Ticket prices begin at $25 for open seating. (909) 625-8722.
* Maurice Durufle’s Requiem, a modern choral work based on Gregorian chant, will be presented at 7:30 p.m. Sunday at St. Paul the Apostle Church, 10750 Ohio Ave., Los Angeles. The proceeds will benefit the HIV/AIDS ministry of the Catholic Archdiocese of Los Angeles. Requested donation is $10. (310) 474-1527.
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