Brian Swimme Will Address UN Millennium Summit on Aug. 28

Brian Swimme

On September 6-8, 2000 the United Nations will hold a Millennium Summit at its New York headquarters that is likely to be the largest-ever gathering of heads of state or government. Secretary-General Kofi Annan says it is essential that the Millennium Summit should provide an opportunity for a "moral recommitment" to the principles of the UN Charter and new political momentum for international cooperation. As part of the Summit, on August 28, for the first time in history, an organization of nations will open its doors to religious consultation concerning peace and world order. More than 1,000 religious leaders representing various religions worldwide will come together in a World Peace Summit of Religious and Spiritual Leaders to discuss how to forge a partnership of peace with the United Nations. Their goal is to identify ways that religious and spiritual communities around the world can work as interfaith allies with the UN on specific peace, poverty and environmental initiatives.

Brian Swimme, faculty in the Philosophy, Cosmology, & Consciousness Program, has been invited as a leading scholar/activist in the area of environmental issues to address the World Peace Summit. Brian, who specializes in mathematical cosmology, grounds his work in contemporary scientific understanding but is also inspired by the world's great wisdom traditions. He articulates the 15 billion years of the existence of the universe with awe, delight and vision, bridging the chasm between science and spirituality, the physical realm and the soul. During his address he will share slides that convey the amazing story of the universe with a feeling for its sacred nature. For more information about Brian Swimme and his work, go to www.brianswimme.org.

Sage Perspectives: Lauren Artress

Today, increasing numbers of people are discovering a new -- and very old -- form of meditation and prayer: walking slowly through a labyrinth. The one individual who is in large part responsible for the renewal of interest in this ancient and unique spiritual tool is CIIS Sage The Reverend Dr. Lauren Artress, Canon of Grace Cathedral. In June 1999, she received an Honorary Ph.D. from CIIS, which, she said was "a personal high point for me."

Lauren Artress

Thanks to Canon Artress, visitors to Grace Cathedral can choose between two labyrinths, replicas of the medieval labyrinth found in the nave of Chartres Cathedral in France. Canon Artress is director of the worldwide labyrinth project Veriditas, which is pioneering the use of labyrinths in such diverse settings as prisons, cancer support groups, drug rehabilitation and hypertension clinics. There are now about 400 public labyrinths listed at www.gracecathedral.org.

According to Artress, the labyrinth is an ancient form of walking meditation, a way of using the body in prayer. It teaches the discipline of finding your own natural rhythm. It can facilitate psychospiritual healing, self-knowledge, and what Artress refers to as 'soul assignment' -- finding our true path. Walking the labyrinth can also be an initiatory rite, marking a new chapter in our lives, or allowing the release of the old to make way for the new. Artress says, "I'm surprised by how perfect the labyrinth is for our times. It provides a fluid pattern that allows the structure between body, mind and spirit to break down. That is a tremendous offering at this time, because we are so divided in this world. The fact that people who walk the labyrinth can loosen their strictures and soften their boundaries is truly amazing." Her 1996 book, Walking a Sacred Path: Rediscovering the Labyrinth As a Spiritual Tool, introduced thousands to the uses and history of the labyrinth, and she travels extensively to make the labyrinth known throughout the country and the world.

SEN Opens Clinic & Plans Groundbreaking Conference on Nov. 17

The Spiritual Emergence Network (SEN) at CIIS and the SF County Mental Health Department are proud to offer a groundbreaking conference that brings together mainstream, transpersonal and spiritually oriented mental health professionals. The theme will be "Spirituality In Mental Health and Mental Illness," and topics will include differential diagnosis and treatment options and programs as they relate to psychological and spiritual issues. Among the presenters will be David Lukoff, Ph.D., Frances Lu, MD, Emma Bradgon, Ph.D. Claudia McGregor, Seymour Boorstein, MD, Terry Soo-Hoo, Ph.D., and Robert Turner, M.D.

The conference will be held on Friday, November 17 in the Golden Gate Club, Presidio, San Francisco. Cost of $140 includes lunch. Call 415-575-6175 for further information, or go to www.senatciis.org.

Now Offering Counseling Services
Low-fee Spiritual Psychotherapy for Students and Staff

The Spiritual Emergence Network at CIIS is a unique information, referral and support service for people experiencing difficulties with psychospiritual growth. SEN at CIIS now has an office at the Church Street Counseling Center, 30th and Church Streets, in San Francisco, and is offering low-fee individual and group psychotherapy for students and staff on a sliding scale basis. SEN therapists respect all spiritual traditions and have been trained to work with people on psychospiritual issues. To set up an appointment, please call 415-648Ð2610.

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What I Did On My Summer Vacation
Notes from Faculty Travels

India Angana Chatterji and Richard Shapiro, Social & Cultural Anthropology (SCA) faculty, spent two weeks in Orissa this summer working with colleagues from key state level development, human rights, and environmental organizations, developing methods and guidelines for integrated development in western Orissa that impacts women, adivasi (tribal) and harijan (lower caste) population. Both Richard and Angana also participated in a workshop in New Delhi entitled, "Initiatives in Public Forest Management -- A Decade of Experiences in Policy and Action" hosted by the Ministry of Environment and Forests, Government of India, and the Ford Foundation. In December, they will conduct lecture series for the prestigious Indian Institute of Forest Management: Angana on "Methods and Practices in Ecological Restoration," and Richard on "Practicing Anthropology." Angana working with colleagues in Orissa

Mexico During the June 2000 solstice, East-West Psychology (EWP) faculty member Ralph Metzner was in good company at The Prophets Conference in Mayaland, in Merida, Mexico. Other presenters included Deepak Chopra, M.D., James Redfield, Russell Targ, and Mayan Elder Hunbatz Men. In an effort to bridge the gap between science and spirituality, this international conference explored the nature of healing and the nature of mind from the perspectives of the non-ordinary reality of the shaman and the scientific understanding of consciousness. Ralph's presentation was on "Visionary Experience and Shamanic Divination." He says, "Ecopsychology and bioregionalism are two fields of the emerging new ecological worldview. We need to learn to understand ourselves in relationship to a place, and to the story of that place." (If you spent part of your summer doing something that may be of interest to the CIIS community, contact the Inner Eye editor.)

Message from President Subbiondo

Dear Colleagues,

As I reflect on the past year and prepare for the coming year, I am extremely grateful to you for your institutional commitment, imaginative spirit, and hard work in making 1999-2000 among the best in the Institute's history. Together, we are developing a CIIS that is faithful to its ideals and financially secure.

The coming academic year holds significant promise -- our enrollment figures are matching our projections, our strategic plan is nearly ready for implementation, our preparation for our WASC visit in February is on schedule, and our leadership as a spiritual, intellectual, and academic community is increasingly valued.

As you read this edition of Inner Eye, you will see how our colleagues have brought distinction to the Institute during the summer. You will also note some highlights in the coming year -- for example, a groundbreaking October conference being co-sponsored by the Spiritual Emergence Network (SEN) at CIIS and the San Francisco County Mental Health Department in November. In October, our annual Gala at the Asian Art Museum will feature CIIS Council of Sages member, Riane Eisler. We are blessed to be living at a time when there is increasing realization that what the planet needs and what CIIS offers are in harmonious connection. I look forward to working with you in the coming year.

Joseph L. Subbiondo

Eye on Technology
Educational Technology Improvements
by Lionel Chan, Chief Information Officer

Over the summer, the Information Systems Technology (IST) department has completed several projects to improve the CIIS technology infrastructure.

Web Enhanced Courses
WebCT, an Internet-based course management system, will be implemented in stages as WebCIIS beginning this fall. WebCIIS will enable faculty to post course information online, and will support student/faculty communication. The password-protected Website will provide for course content display, topic-organized e-mail discussions, and chat rooms. Students will be able to submit papers electronically. Faculty who audiotape lectures or comments may have the tape Webcast for later review over the Internet. (Copyrighted material must be cleared with the publisher before it can be Webcast.) Any faculty member may contact me at 415-575-6110, or lionelc@ciis.edu by e-mail, to request that a site be created for a particular course.

Student E-mail
CIIS will soon be issuing official e-mail addresses to all registered students. When the signup forms are printed, they will be made available in the RegistrarÕs office and other campus locations. Watch Inner Eye and bulletin board flyers for the announcement.

LCD Projector
An LCD projector is now available to faculty and staff who want to employ computer-based presentation, e.g., PowerPoint and Internet sites, in the classroom. The computer can be a laptop or mobile desktop computer. To reserve the LCD projector, contact the Front Desk.

Damian Daley was a vibrant, loved and valued member of the third-year drama therapy cohort at the California Institute of Integral Studies. At the age of 49, Damian, close to graduation, tragically passed away on Friday, July 25 from heart failure. His laugh and smile will echo in every soul he touched. Working at Cedars of Marin with a developmentally delayed population, Damian's eyes would sparkle with radiance, exuberance and love each time he talked of his clients, all of whom he would have taken into his very home.

Family and friends gathered at Redondo Beach on Monday July 31 on a beautiful bright and sunny day, in an open airy church, to remember this soulful and beautiful man. There will be another gathering to honor Damian in the faculty/staff lounge at CIIS on Saturday, August 26, at 3:00 p.m.

Welcome to New and Returning Students
by Richard Buggs, Dean of Students

Welcome back! I hope that you had an enjoyable break from your studies. We've been working this summer to improve the quality of student life at CIIS. The Academic Affairs Task Force reviewed many of our academic policies and administrative systems. Many of these documents are now available for your information on the CIIS Intranet (innernet.ciis.edu). We held a new student orientation on August 21 and were delighted to see so many new members of our community welcomed by CIIS staff and faculty. The newly updated CIIS Student Handbook was distributed at this meeting and is available in my office, Room 401. The results of the Student Satisfaction Survey are also available for your review and information and will be highlighted in the next issue of the Inner Eye.

I look forward to collaborating with you over this next academic year. Please stop by and say hello.

Riane Eisler Keynote Speaker at October 23 Gala

Dr. Riane Eisler, a member of the CIIS Council of Sages and co-founder/president of the Center for Partnership Studies, will be the keynote speaker at Institute's annual Gala, which will be held on Monday, October 23 at the Asian Art Museum in San Francisco beginning at 5:30 p.m. Dr. Eisler, perhaps best known for her international bestseller The Chalice and The Blade: Our History, Our Future, recently published Tomorrow's Children: A Blueprint for Partnership Education in the 21st Century.

The Gala celebrates the Institute's mission and is an opportunity to introduce the Institute to new friends. The co-chairs of this year's event are Marianne Williamson and Laurance S. Rockefeller. The art exhibit at the museum will be a collection of Chinese paintings entitled, Between the Thunder and the Rain.

For this fund-raising event, tickets are $175. Please contact Jo Burrows in the Development Office at 415-575-6113 with the names of any friends or colleagues who might like to receive an invitation, or who might be interested in providing sponsorship for the event.

Congratulations and Thank You!

Penny Rosenwasser, a student in the Transformative Learning & Change Program, received the Jewish Caucus Prize of the National Women's Studies Association (NWSA) for a paper based on her dissertation, which is entitled "Exploring, Resisting, and Healing from Internalized Jewish Oppression: Activist Women's Cooperative Inquiry."

Thanks to students Sarah Aminoff and Francine Szymanoski for creating an e-mail list and a link to the CIIS Webpage on Housing (www.ciis.edu/students/housing.html) which provides individual listings of available housing throughout the San Francisco Bay Area.

Samantha Kahn, Financial Aid Officer/Counselor, received a scholarship from the California Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (CASFAA) to attend a week long financial aid training program in June.

Keith Auerbach, Field Placement Associate in the Placement Office, was reelected for a second year to serve on the Board of Directors for the California Psychology Internship Council (CAPIC). Other board members include representatives from the Wright Institute, California School of Professional Psychology, Pacific Graduate School of Psychology and John F. Kennedy University.

Comings & Goings
Welcome to:

Jaclyn Kellye Higgs as Creative Services Manager in the Communications & Marketing Department. She is also a student in the Women's Spirituality Program.

Adriana Marchione as part-time Administrative Coordinator for the School of Consciousness and Transformation. She is also an Expressive Arts teacher. Michael Moore as Library Circulation Assistant, who graduated from CIIS' B.A. Completion Program.

Diana Reid as Admissions Assistant. Diana is a psychology graduate of Boston University.

Susanna Spiro as Website Coordinator in the Communications & Marketing Department.

Payton Tontz as evening front desk receptionist. She is a student in the Integral Counseling Program.

Ursula Young as Administrative Coordinator of the Campus Clinic.

Transitions:

Beth Bremer, from Admissions Counselor to Administrative Coordinator of the Expressive Arts Therapy Program.

Greg Canada was promoted to Senior Admissions Officer.

Michael Fosler was promoted to front desk receptionist/supervisor. He is a student in the Humanities Ph.D. Program.

Anne Teich from Executive Assistant to the Vice President of Advancement to assume the position of Academic Manager of the Bachelor of Arts Completion Program.

New Faculty:

Philosophy, Cosmology, & Consciousness - Susan Griffin, adjunct; Elisabet Sahtouris, adjunct; Charlene Spretnak
WomenÕs Spirituality - Lucia Birnbaum, Arisika Razak
Social and Cultural Anthropology - Angana Chatterji

Farewell to:

Michelle Bava, as Admissions Office Manager.

Donna Blakemore, as Vice President for Institutional Advancement.

Bobbi Kyle, as Academic Manager of the Bachelor of Arts Completion Program.

Una Starbuck, front desk receptionist, who will be a full-time student in the Expressive Arts Therapy Program in the fall.

Phaedra Valencia, as Creative Services Director.

Mike Vincenty, Network Administrator.

Financial Aid Checks
Financial aid refund checks may be picked up in the Business Office on September 8. Please note that they are only guaranteed to be there for students who met the financial aid deadline, though they may be there for others as well.

InnerLight Bookstore
Presenting Eckhart Tolle - The Power of Now!
by Victoria Ritchie

The Bookstore is delighted to announce that we are sponsoring Eckhart Tolle, the author of The Power of Now, for an evening talk on Friday, November 17, and a half-day teaching intensive on Saturday, November 18. (Watch future issues of Inner Eye and the CIIS Website for details.) Tolle is being hailed as an emerging world teacher, and we are very fortunate indeed to have him come to CIIS. The Power of Now is available at the InnerLight Bookstore.

Fall Semester Texts
Class textbooks are available in the Bookstore, which is located on the 3rd floor near the elevator. You can find texts easily by using our Text Lists for Classes, which is arranged alphabetically by author. For your convenience, you may use your anticipated financial aid funds to purchase texts; simply bring a pre-authorized voucher signed by the Business Office.

Secrets of the Stacks
by Olive James, Library Director

Laurance S. Rockefeller Library Hours
Monday, 8/21 - Friday, 12/15 (Sundays and holidays excepted) Monday - Friday, 10:00 am - 7:00 pm Saturday, 11:00 am - 4:00 pm

The Library Online
Thanks to a state library grant and the cooperation of the Information Systems Technology office, the libraryÕs catalog is now available via the Internet at www.library.ciis.edu. For an overview and notes on whatÕs new in the library, pick up a copy of our new brochure, or for the latest information, check "What's New" on the libraryÕs web site. The address is www.library.ciis.edu/new.

Journal Articles Online
The library negotiates almost daily for our users to have access to the full text of articles online. Thus far, the SoftLine databases (AltHealth Watch and GenderWatch) and many ProQuest databases (across most disciplines) offer full-text articles. These are available only in the library. Now supplementary "remote" access, from home or office, is available by clicking onto EBSCO Online from "Databases" on the library's homepage. This provides full-text display of articles from recent issues of twelve journals to which the library subscribes.

Keeping in Touch with Student Alliance
by Colleen Wimmer

It began with a few Student Alliance volunteers committed to creating community. The strategy: a party, "Oh maybe 60 people." Then it all caught fire. A night of performers, chanting, music, a plush Arabian Room with belly dancers, massage, face painters, food and drinks galore -- 450 attendees with 70 volunteers! As the year continued, students poured their creativity into various events: a Valentine's Day Tree with "secret" messages; a catered loft party at President Subbiondo's featuring drama improv games and the Barbad Ensemble. Drama Therapy's "Pizza and Playback" brought us closer together with poignant dramatizations of life-stories from the audience, while EXA's variety "Yo the Show" revealed a wealth of talent in song, dance, drama, and poetry. Calmer moments came with The Still Point's two meditation events, and the TLC Graduation Ritual. The "traditional" event-planning brunches transformed into a "Brunch and Bike" jaunt in the Oakland hills. After all that fun we didn't forget why we came here. Let's get practical: the change machine and the International Students' bulletin board.

On the academic front: we sponsored 24 awards to students presenting at conferences, and a private screening of a film addressing the social implications of depression. During "Teacher Appreciation Week," students expressed the sweet (and shy) gratitude we often feel for those who touch us most deeply. Altars of flowers and hand-made cards marked the week, culminating in an awards ceremony.

Amazing what a spark will do. A deep heartfelt thanks to everyone for sharing their beautiful, positive energy. Join us. Bring your talents to the SA, or create your own project.

The first Student Alliance of the new school year will be on Thursday, September 7 at 7:00 PM, in the school's cafe (third floor). The agenda will be posted on the SA board (just outside the cafe entrance) prior to the meeting.

Community Invited to Rededication & Unveiling of Chaudhuri Bust September 13

The annual CIIS Rededication gathering will be held on Wednesday, September 13, 1:00 PM, fourth floor lobby. This year, we are honored by the gift of a bronze bust of Haridas Chaudhuri, the Institute's founder, from Jan-Michelle Sawyer '99. Jan-Michelle will join us for the unveiling and dedication of the bust in the fourth floor lobby. Please join us!

BACK TO TABLE OF CONTENTS

WHO IS IT?

HINT: Her smiling face will help you find a shaman, and she may -- or may not -- find a program to register in this fall.

ANSWER AT: InnerGate-mail.ciis.edu.

Each issue of the Inner Eye features a photograph of staff or faculty from another time in their lives. (Please submit photos along with a "hint" to Candice Chase in Communications.)

Saturday, August 26, 3:00 PM Gathering to remember Drama Therapy student Damian Daley, faculty/staff lounge

Tuesday, September 12, 7:00 PM Peg Jordan, '96, "When Steel Buns Don't Inspire, What Does?" The Goddess is Alive! series, Montclair Women's Cultural Center, 1650 Mountain Blvd., Oakland, CA, 650-325-2761; $20, $15 students; 650-325-2751, djenett@serpentina.com

Wednesday, September 20 The School of Consciousness & Transformation is co-sponsoring a lecture series on "The Art and Science of Chaos." The first of 13 lectures will be given by Dr. Ralph Abraham, author of Chaos, Gaia, Eros, at the California College of Arts and Crafts. For more information on the series, contact SCT desk.

Saturday, October 14 Open House, 10:00 PM - 3:00 PM Namaste Hall, light lunch provided

Monday, October 23, 5:30 PM CIIS Gala, Asian Art Museum, San Francisco, call 415-575-6113.

October 31 - November 11 The Ecuadorian Amazon, A Journey Seminar; www.experientials.org; 510-235-4313.

Friday, Nov. 3, 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM special evening with Alice Walker, "Writing to Serve the Culture," $35, Golden Gate Room, Building A, Fort Mason. Register online at www.ciis.edu

Thursday, Nov. 9, 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM special evening with Ram Dass, "The Gift of Suffering," $25; $22 students, seniors, CIIS alumni; $20 CIIS students (with photo ID), Golden Gate Room, Building A, Fort Mason. Register online at www.ciis.edu

Friday, November 17, evening talk; Saturday, November 18, half-day intensive The Power of Now with Eckhart Tolle (See page 4)

*Be sure to get your photo ID in the Registrar's Office for these discounts.

Office Hours

President Subbiondo's walk-in hours are Tuesdays between 2:00 and 3:00 PM, no appointment necessary.

SCAT Dean Janis Phelps' walk-in hours are Mondays between 2:00 and 4:00 PM, Room 412; other times by appointment by calling 415-575-6257.

PSY Dean Leland van den Daele, Monday, 2:30 - 4:30 PM; and Tuesday, 3:00 - 4:30 PM; call Michael Korson at 415-575-6210 for an appointment.

Dean of Students Office
Monday, 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM Tuesday, 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM Wednesday, 10:00 AM - 7:00 PM Thursday, 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM Friday, 9:30 AM - 4:30 PM Saturday - by appointment