InnerEyeJanuary 20, 2000
2000: Happy New Year - Welcome Back Students!
InnerEye
ReTurning Concert
The Sunday, February 6 concert celebration, "ReTurning to the Mother of Us All," will feature many well-known musicians, dancers, ritualists, authors, filmmakers, and visual artists of the Women's Spirituality and art communities. Sponsored by CIIS and hosted by the Women's Spirituality Program, the event will be held at the beautiful Scottish Rite Temple, 1547 Lakeside Drive, Oakland. The concert begins at 7:00 PM; doors open at 5:30 PM so concert-goers can also enjoy the extraordinary art exhibit of Maltese and American women artists, curated by Tricia Grame. (See Notable Dates, page 3) The concert is a benefit for the Marija Gimbutas film and biography and the Women's Spirituality program. Author, Alice Walker recently made a $3,000 contribution to the concert.
The concert will be a live presentation of ReTurning, the magical-mystical CD recording by Jennifer Berezan, musician-songwriter and Women's Spirituality faculty. Featured artists and presenters accompanying Jennifer include Arisika Razak, Starhawk, Vicki Noble, Donna Read, Judy Grahn, Joan Marler, Miri Hunter Haruach, Sharon Burch, Jami Sieber, the Dance Brigade, Luisah Teish, Riffat Salamat, Bobbi Cispedes, Carolyn Brandy, and others.
Concert tickets are $20 advance-available at the InnerLight Bookstore, $25 door; post-concert party tickets $15-$25 sliding scale, available at the door or through the mail. Mail checks payable to Edge of Wonder Records, P. O. Box 6181, Albany, CA 94706. For more information about the concert, call 415-575-6100, ext. 470 or www.ciis.edu.
Michael Riera, Ph.D. '93, Clinical Psychology, and Director of Counseling at Marin Academy in San Rafael, has been named as host of a new television show for teenagers. Beginning in February 2000, he will host a daily half-hour segment of Trackers, a program that is part of Oprah Winfrey's new Oxygen cable and on-line network. A noted author and counselor of adolescents, Mike says, "This programming is all about and for teenagers. We want to offer a venue for teens to interact and inspire each other. We will dialogue with teenagers across the country about everything from relationships and violence to stress and body image, focusing on solutions to teenage issues." The program, entitled "Life in Progress," will also offer a lighter side, with reviews of music, movies, books and technology. Teenagers will be invited to help shape the show's development by giving their feedback via studio audience participation and on-line chat rooms.
Mike is a regular contributor to CBS and has appeared on a number of major shows. Recent media appearances include "The Oprah Winfrey Show," "The Today Show," "CBS Saturday Morning," "48 Hours," "Class of 2000 with Dan Rather," and CNN. He has created an award-winning, bimonthly column for Parent Teen magazine. Mike has spent his career exploring the relationship between parents and teenagers.
His books- Uncommon Sense for Parents With Teenagers and Surviving High School- columns, and public lectures are designed for parents, teenagers, or teachers anxious to deal more effectively with the challenges of growing up.
Mike says that his experience at CIIS "allowed me to see the spiritual being or spiritual potential in adolescents. I believe my capacity to see that part of them is at least part of why kids and parents trust me."
For more information about Mike and the Oxygen project, visit mikeriera.com and oxygen.com
LIONEL CHAN NAMED CHIEF INFORMATION OFFICER
The restructuring of the position of vice president for finance and administration has resulted in the appointment of Dr. Lionel Chan as chief information officer. All areas of technology will report to this position, and Lionel's appointment will enable the Institute to place greater emphasis on its current and future information technology needs. His appointment is half-time.
I believe the appointment of Lionel Chan will prove to be instrumental
ADVANCING THE INSTITUTE
Dear Colleagues,
Happy New Year! I hope that you had blessed, festive, and renewing holidays with the people you love.
On the eve of the new millennium, I watched PBS give us memorable glimpses of people throughout the world celebrating the birth of a new century. With its coverage of an impressive array of rituals that evening, PBS helped its audience realize that spirituality remains at the core of the world's many cultures. Spirituality is what we affirm when we stretch ourselves to express our gratitude and wonderment. PBS affirmed for me that the mission of our Institute-the integration of mind, body, and spirit-has distinct relevance now more than ever. We need to continue to make the Institute accessible to a broad range of people through a variety of quality programs, both degree and non-degree.
With all the worries of Y2K, I want to thank the staff of Information Systems and Technology (IST) for keeping our computers and telephones operating. Now that we have passed through this anxious moment for technology, I am very pleased to welcome Lionel Chan to the Institute. As Chief Information Officer, Lionel will work with the staff of IST to address our immediate concerns regarding administrative software and telephones, as well as design a plan to improve our technology in our many educational activities. Unless we stand on a firm infrastructure, we cannot live up to our vast potential and advance our special mission.
I look forward to working with you in this coming year in making it one of the best in our Institute's history. Cordially,
Alumni Gifts Top Records
All alumni of CIIS received an opportunity to make a year-end gift through a recent letter that went out from President Subbiondo to all 1,700 alumni for whom we have current addresses. A follow-up letter went out from Trustee Peg Jordan '96, president of the CIIS Alumni Association. We garnered $15,000 in year end gifts from this direct mail campaign. Thanks to all of our alumni who support our mission.
Eye on Technology
by Jon Morgan, Director of Information Systems Technology
IST will continue its vigilance and update everyone should any major issues arise.
Body Wisdom on the Internet
Somatics Study Group Scholarly Seminar Leaders in Somatics Meet
Jim Ryan Appointed Vice President
CIF is located at 2650 Fulton Street at 3rd Avenue, San Francisco, across from Golden Gate Park in San Francisco; it is within walking distance from the Japanese Tea Garden and the Asian Art Museum. Call 415.386.9590; E-mail info@culturalintegration.org; www.culturalintegration.org
The first-ever Ayahuasca: Shamanism, Science and Spirituality, conference, to be held March 17-19th, is garnering international notice with participants registering from around the world. (Ayahuasca is a visionary plant brew widely used by indigenous shamans in South America for healing and divination.) Conference coordinator Kathy Gower told the Inner Eye 220 people from almost every state and from Europe and South America have already registered, so reserve your space now!
In addition to a distinguished and articulate cast of presenters-including Ralph Metzner (also conference convener), Charles Grob, Dennis McKenna, Luis Eduardo Luna, and Jeremy Narby-a special Saturday evening event will feature shamanic chants and spirit songs with Silvia Nakkach and Michael Knapp, and songs and dances from the Santo Daime tradition with singers from Ceu Da Luz Divina.
For further information on this conference, contact kathyg@ciis.edu, conference coordinator Kathy Gower, 415-575-6290; www.ciis.edu
Art Exhibit Opening & Reception at CIIS
CIIS welcomes a special art exhibit from Malta, curated by artist
and doctoral student Tricia Grame. The artwork honors the ancient
temple cultures of Malta and their Goddess. The Opening and reception
will be Wednesday, February 2, from 3:30 pm to 6:00 pm in the Namaste
Auditorium (3rd floor) . President Joe Subbiondo will welcome special guests including the Maltese Minister of Education and Culture, the Hon. Dr. Louis Galea, the women artists of Malta, and Maltese archaeological researcher Joe Addar Tabone, as well as members of the Maltese-American community.
All members of the CIIS community are invited to join us for this
opening of the art exhibit. Jennifer Berezan will be present to extend a personal invitation to the ReTurning to the Mother of Us All concert, February 6, at the Scottish Rite Temple in Oakland, (see front page story) which features the exquisite music recorded in the resonant underground Oracle Chamber of the Hypogeum Temple in Malta. Mr. Tabone will present a lecture on his archaeological research in Gozo (5:15 pm). The art and sculpture, music and refreshments make this a very festive event. The art exhibit is sponsored by British Airways.
Swimming With Dolphins and Whales in Kona
Save the dates March 16-23, 2000, for swimming with dolphins and whales in Kona, Hawaii, under the guidance of Ryan DeMares, Ph.D., who has done pioneering research into the transformative effects of spontaneous encounters with dolphins and whales.
CIIS is co-sponsoring this event with SEED Open University (Source for Educational Empowerment & Community Development), whose executive director is Glenn Parry '93, EWP, M.A. Visit www.seedopenu.org for further details.
On Saturday, February 19, 10:00 AM-noon, the Drama Therapy program will hold an information meeting for prospective students. From 1:00-4:00 PM, for the first time, a free drama therapy workshop will be offered by faculty member Armand Volkas. These events will take place in Namaste Hall, Third Floor. Call 415-575-6223 for details.
Alumni Reunion Planned for August
All CIIS and CIAS (California Institute of Asian Studies, the former name of the Institute) alumni-and interested students, faculty, trustees, and staff-are invited to the August 25-27, 2000, all-class reunion in San Francisco.
By Marty Cooper, Student Alliance Coordinator
In monthly meetings with President Subbiondo, Student Alliance representatives discussed a variety of issues, and a mutual trust was forged. We continue to establish connections-we have created a message board next to the Cafˇ that is updated regularly, sent a letter from the Alliance to students, established an e-mail and phone connection, set up a suggestion box, and began this column in Inner Eye. The Institute-wide party in November at Fort Mason not only was the biggest such event in many years, with over 400 people in attendance, but it also came in substantially under budget. The feedback on the event itself has been overwhelmingly positive; perhaps the main rewards were the myriad connections that were made during its planning and execution. Students from all over the Institute participated, giving it the flavor of CIIS as a whole.
Finally, the mandated elections were held in December-thanks to all who voted and ran. The results follow:
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
Tuesdays, January 3-March 28, 2:00 - 3:00 PM
Saturday, February 19, 10:00 AM-Noon
Thursday-Thursday, March 16-23, 2000
Friday, March 17- Monday, March 20
Saturday, April 1
Sunday, April 23- Wednesday, May 3
June
Friday, August 25- Sunday, August 27
ON CAMPUS
Welcome to International Students
Welcome to our new international students from Australia, Brazil, France, India, Taiwan and the United Kingdom! The International Student Office (4th floor) is available to provide support for you in the processing of nonimmigrant paperwork, organizing social events, and consultation with the advisor. Coming soon!-The International Student Multicultural Potluck and information sessions. For more information, see future Inner Eye issues, or contact Dexter Young, international student advisor at 415-575-6153, e-mail dextery@ciis.edu.
Welcome to the Institute
By Cris Brackett, Facilities Manager
CIIS now employs a 'greeter' in our first floor lobby from 7:45 AM-10:00 PM, seven days each week; this replaces the security guard. Welcome to supervising greeter Laura Damerow, who will work the morning shift. Laura has been a member of the Plant Department for over two years.
In addition, our security firm will send a patrol by the building twice each evening between 6:00-6:15 PM, and again between 9:45-10:00 PM to ensure that our community is safe while exiting. We are looking for someone to cover the evening shift from 3:00-10:00 PM; If you are interested in applying for this position, contact Cris Brackett, 575-6147, or e-mail crisb@ciis.edu.
Even in the era of cyberspace, sometimes print materials are invaluable. Here are a few of the recent reference sources received at the CIIS Library:
National Directory of Children, Youth and Families Services, 1999-2000, Ref 741 .N3157 1999-2000, Reference Collection Includes a geographic listing of information by state, and within each state by counties or major cities in category areas such as social services, health services, and education. Lists government agencies and other organizations serving children, youth, and families.
Encyclopedia of Native American Shamanism: Sacred Ceremonies of North America, 1998,
Ref E 98.M4 L98 1998, Reference Collection
The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Mind-Body Disciplines, 1999, Ref R 733 .I46 1999, Reference Desk
Soul Work: A Field Guide for Spiritual Seekers, 1998, Ref BL 624 .S343 1998, Reference Desk
See the next issue of Inner Eye for additional resources.
Financial Aid Notice
Students may pick up their financial aid checks in the Business Office, 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM, Monday-Friday.
COMINGS & GOINGS
Farewell:
Pat Layton, associate registrar, who is moving on after working at the Institute on and off for ten years. Pat will be following her bliss, expanding her ayurvedic practice, teaching yoga and integral health, and teaching ayurveda at the College of Ayurvedic Medicine, where she is core faculty.
Welcome:
Lionel Chan, as chief information officer (see story on page 1).
Laura Damerow, a student in ICP, as greeter supervisor of the building lobby
Michael Fosler, as evening front desk receptionist. Michael formerly worked in a student position in the mailroom at Peter Yorke Way and in the bookstore. He is a student in the East-West Psychology Ph.D. Program.
Greg Livingston, who is working several hours per week for the Continuing Education Office doing physical set-ups for public programs.
Miguel Romero, as morning janitor.
Anne Teich, formerly executive assistant to the president, is returning after a family medical leave. She has assumed duties as assistant to the vice president for advancement, Donna Blakemore.
Transitions:
IT'S IN THE STARS
All planets are now in forward motion, including Saturn, which just turned direct, so it's time to carry out our New Year's resolutions. The January 21 lunar eclipse at 0 degrees Aquarius/Leo offers those with a strong influence of Uranus in their charts, who abound at the Institute, an opportunity to lift their hearts to humanity. The new semester begins with a strong balance between head and heart, harmony, happiness, optimism, and creativity.
The new year began with the deep healing potential of the conjunction of Pluto and Chiron. Other big planetary news for 2000 is the Jupiter/Saturn conjunction in Taurus; the Saturn in Taurus/Uranus in Aquarius square; and the alignment of planets in May, with seven in Taurus May 3. The sign of Taurus symbolizes finances, real estate, material possessions, food, and pleasure. We can expect change in these areas, corresponding with the Saturn/Uranus square energy, locally, nationally, and globally. For example, campaign finance reform will likely be a theme and the unexpected is likely to occur in the upcoming presidential elections.
At the Institute implementing a strategic plan and a solid, realistic budget will be supported by the planetary alignments in Taurus. A window of opportunity for building solid financial structures is available. May we budget well, build new financial structures, and prosper.
(Please submit photos to Candice Chase in Communications.)
HINT: Lived in Israel for 7 years and was later a State Trooper in New Jersey.
ANSWER AT: InnerGate-mail.ciis.edu.
WHAT DO FACULTY DO ON SABBATICAL?
Other faculty members on sabbatical during Spring 2000 are: Matthew Bronson, Carol Whitfield, Jim Ryan, Esther Nzewi, and Harrison Voigt. Welcome back to Lucanna Grey and Padma Catell returning from Fall '99 sabbaticals.
The Inner Eye is published every 3 weeks by the Communications & Marketing Department.
Articles may be submitted to candicec@ciis.edu via email or disks may be put in the Inner Eye mailbox. Articles are subject to editing for clarity, length, and appropriateness.
OPRAH WINFREY'S NEW CABLE CHANNEL
in building a firm infrastructure that will help us in our WASC review in 2001.
- President Subbiondo
Lionel brings a wide array of academic credentials and technology experience. He earned a Ph.D. in Mathematics and a J.D. in Law from the University of California, Berkeley, and an Ed.M. in Education from Harvard University. He has taught a variety of undergraduate and graduate business courses, teaches a course in information sciences at the University of San Francisco, is a trustee of the Graduate Theological Union (GTU) in Berkeley, and has founded and managed two successful computer accounting companies. His last position was chief financial officer of Saint Mary's College of California in Moraga.
Top priorities that Lionel will focus on initially are the Institute telephone system and the administrative information system. The first is needed to provide reliable external and internal communications, and the second is necessary to operate efficiently and cost effectively. We are indeed fortunate that Lionel has joined the Institute staff.
Message from President Subbiondo
Joseph L. Subbiondo
The Institute, like most of the world, has managed to pass across the Y2K threshold without any alarming crises. As elsewhere, this is due primarily to a lot of hard work by information systems professionals combined with a healthy dose of misperception regarding Y2K issues.
We extend special thanks to Bill Bailey, our technical support manager, for coordinating much of our Y2K effort. Of course, Bill's work is not yet complete, nor can IST take their weeklong post Y2K vacation to Hawaii just yet. Many Y2K annoyances will surface over the next few months. We may see some extra glitches in the telephone system, find some desktop application errors, discover bugs in some of our older hardware, or unravel database errors in our administrative software tools. You can help us in the following ways:
This will allow to us examine a problem right away in case it will affect many people.
Somatics Program Gets the Word Out
Faculty on 'Wisdom Radio' Virtual U.
In December 1999, Don Hanlon Johnson, faculty member and founder of the Somatics Program, was invited to talk with Jeffrey Mishlove on Wisdom Radio (a digital station on the Internet where listeners can e-mail in their questions). Mishlove, director of the Intuition Network, is an accomplished radio and television interviewer, and the host of the weekly series on WISDOM(r)Television, "Thinking Allowed," as well as a radio program for WISDOM(r)Radio called Virtual U. Don and Jeffrey discussed the deep misunderstandings of the body and its pleasures in our culture. They will resume the conversation on February 2, 8:00-10:00 PM. (Go to www.wisdomnetworks.com - Wisdom Radio/Virtual U.) Other recent CIIS guests from the PCC program have been faculty members Charlene Spretnak and David Ulansey, and doctoral student Christian de Quincey.
On February 3-5, the Somatics Study Group Scholarly Seminar will be held at CIIS. This is an invitation-only research seminar, open to the core somatics study group and practitioners who are presenting their research papers. President Subbiondo will award prizes for best papers. The seminar is the latest in a twelve-year effort by this team of teachers and innovators to improve the quality of training and research in the various schools of bodywork. It is the first such research seminar series of its kind.
of Cultural Integration Fellowship
Jim Ryan, co-director of the Asian & Comparative Studies Program, has been appointed Vice President of the Cultural Integration Fellowship (CIF)-the organization that inspired the creation of the California Institute of Asian Studies, now the California Institute of Integral Studies. Jim brings to the Fellowship his scholarship on Indian religion, culture and languages.
Upcoming events at CIF include:
Lisa Faithorn (CIIS Faculty)
(CIIS EWP alumnus)
India, Jim Ryan (CIIS Faculty)
ANNOUNCING . . .
www.ciis.edu
See our new and
improved Website!
Check out new quick search feature, expanded Alumni pages, and more.
NOTABLE DATES:
Ayahuasca Conference Garners International Attention
Maltese Artists, Scholars, and Officials to Attend
Drama Therapy Offers Info Meeting, Free Workshop
Go to www.ciis.edu/alumni or call Stu Sovatsky at 510-336-0107; e-mail stuartcs@jps.net
KEEPING IN TOUCH WITH THE STUDENT ALLIANCE
Welcome Back!
Fall '99 was a remarkable semester for the Student Alliance. In early September, we decided to focus on communication as the basis for projects during the semester. We set out to rebuild the shaky structure of the Alliance and to reach out to the different communities within the school.
Board of Trustees Representative: Rupert Davis
Finance Committee: Kathy Gower
Educational Policy Committee: David Weinstein
Strategic Policy and Budget Committee: Marty Cooper, School of Professional Psychology (SPP); Jeanne pasle-green, School of Consciousness & Transformation (SCT)
Faculty Council: Ani Tenzin Llhadron, Akira Danuma
School Representatives: SPP-Sabrina Geshay, Michelle Wirta; SCT- Ani Tenzin Llhadron, John Hausen
For Spring 2000, several issues are on the table: establishing priorities for the Student Alliance budget; establishing an Alliance council of program representatives; planning the next school party;
planning smaller events; and continuing to broaden participation and communication among the different groups at the Institute.
The next Alliance meeting is January 27 at 6:30 PM in the Cafe. Please come and get involved!
President Joseph L. Subbiondo's 'walk-in' hours
Thursday, January 27, 6:30 PM
Student Alliance Meeting
Cafe, Third Floor
Wednesday, February 2, 8:00-10:00 AM
Don Hanlon Johnson with Jeffrey Mishlove
Virtual U. on Wisdom Radio,
www.wisdomnetworks.com
Sunday, February 6, 7:00 PM
ReTurning-A Ritual Concert Celebration
Thursday, February 10, 6:30-9:30 PM
Discover the Healing Wisdom of Africa:
Finding Your Life Purpose Through Nature, Ritual & Community
Malidoma Some
Co-sponsored by CIIS and The Learning Annex
See www.ciis.edu/whatshot
Drama Therapy Information Meeting
Free Workshop, 1:00-4:00 PM
Namaste Hall, CIIS. call 415-575-6230
Swimming with Dolphins & Whales in Kona
www.seedopenu.org
Ayahuasca Conference
San Francisco
415-575-6290; kgower@tmn.com
10:00 AM -2:00 PM
Open House
Namaste Hall
International Conference on Science & Consciousness
Albuquerque, NM
CIIS Council of Sages member presenters include Duane Elgin, Huston Smith, Stanley Krippner
Message@nets.com; 505-474-0998
Body Psychotherapy Conference
Location TBA
510- 663-9649; malud123@aol.com
(Student discount/volunteer opportunities)
All-Class Alumni Reunion
www.ciis.edu, or call Stuart Sovatsky, 510-336-0107
New Reference Works in the Laurance S. Rockefeller Library
The first major introduction to the anthropological study of Native American medicine powers, this encyclopedia is a continuation of the Encyclopedia of North American Healing.
This work covers 16 groups of disciplines, including alternative health models, movement therapies, and expressive and creative arts therapies. Provides a resource list.
Part encyclopedia and part directory but more than either, this new work covers such subjects as Hakomi, Reiki, and humanistic and transpersonal psychology. Interspersed are recorded conversations with leaders in various fields.
Karen Hamilton, director of continuing education, who has moved to Connecticut to be near her family.
Joshua Boatright, as part-time web editor in the Communications Office. Joshua will also continue in his capacity as on-line services librarian.
Lyne Desormeaux, formerly assistant director of continuing education, has been named acting director of continuing education.
Under the Stars of the New Year
by Cathy Coleman
WHO IS IT?
Each issue of the Inner Eye features a photograph of staff or faculty from another time in their lives.
Have you ever wondered exactly what faculty members do when they are 'on sabbatical'? Perhaps you assume they are taking it easy and heading for the beaches. To the contrary! For example, Connie Jones, one of several faculty members who will be on sabbatical during the Spring 2000 semester, will be involved in two projects. One is the editing of a volume of essays on the "Movement of Spiritual Inner Awareness," for which she will write an introduction. Connie, "This movement is very much in line with the new religions that I have studied for twenty five years, as it combines Eastern and Western religious traditions, particularly Hinduism and Christianity." Her second project is research for a small volume she is writing about G. I. Gurdjieff to be published in a series of volumes on new religious movements. Her volume will cover a biography of Gurdjieff, the influence his ideas have had on Western thought in the twentieth century, and a sociological analysis of the Gurdjieffian tradition.
INNER EYE
Editor: Candice Chase
Editorial Board: Donna Blakemore, Pamela Chaloult, Cathy Coleman, Phaedra Valencia
Deadline for next issue: Thursday, January 27
Next issue: Thursday, February 10