International Sufi Symposium

Exploring aspects of the outer and inner dimension of religions' teachings drawing on sages from Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Buddhism and Hinduism.

We will be exploring the connection between the outer dimension of religions' teachings whilst catching glimpses of some of their inner meanings, drawing on some of the great sages of Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Buddhism and Hinduism.
The day will include talks from international and local speakers, a panel discussion as well as Sufi music and poetry.

The presenters include:

• Professor Seyyed Hossein Nasr, our keynote speaker, is one of the world's leading authorities on Islamic thought and spirituality and has been recognised by the Library of Living Philosophers dedicating an edition to his work. He is University Professor of Islamic Studies at The George Washington University. In a career spanning nearly six decades, he has written, translated and edited over 40 books and authored over 500 articles on a wide range of subjects including Islam, Sufism, philosophy of science, man's relation to nature, metaphysics and sacred science (the knowledge at the heart of Revelation). He is known as the teacher of the teachers. His rare ability to clearly communicate the most complex and mystical ideas makes him an especially sought after speaker and we are honoured that Professor Nasr has recorded this video specifically for this symposium.

• Fleur Nassery Bonnin is a Sufi Teacher (Murshid) and the Founder and Director of The Australian Centre for Sufism and Irfanic Studies. A practising psychologist for over 35 years, Fleur combines an in-depth knowledge of Sufism and psychology and was the founder and the Inaugural Convener of the Sufism and Psychology Interest Group within the Australian Psychological Society. The goal of Fleur’s teaching is to raise the awareness of people to the presence of God in everyday life, guiding students through the practical levels on the path of Sufism, writing articles and running groups and specialised courses. She has hosted and spoken at numerous international Sufi symposiums and interfaith conferences.

• Dr Reza Shah-Kazemi is a Research Fellow and a Managing Editor with the Institute of Ismaili Studies and the founding editor of the Islamic World Report. He is an eloquent speaker and writer on topics including metaphysics, mysticism and comparative religion. He is the author of several books including 'Paths to Transcendence: According to Shankara, Ibn Arabi and Meister Eckhart', 'Common Ground Between Islam and Buddhism' and 'The Other in the Light of the One: The Universality of the Qur'an and Interfaith Dialogue'. He has also edited and contributed to a number of books and journals on spirituality and the Perennial Philosophy.

• Dr Harry Oldmeadow was an Associate Professor at La Trobe University and served for many years as Co-ordinator of Philosophy and Religious Studies. He was awarded the University of Sydney Medal for excellence in research for his dissertation on the work of Frithjof Schuon and the other principal Traditionalist writers which was published as ‘Traditionalism: Religion in the Light of the Perennial Philosophy’. His principal interests include Perennialism, mysticism and the spiritual encounter of East and West. He is an engaging speaker who has participated in many religious conferences and interfaith dialogues. He has published extensively, writing, editing and contributing to the field of philosophy, spirituality and religion.

• Dr Rodney Blackhirst is a Lecturer in Religious Studies at La Trobe University with over 20 years experience. He has taught Religion, Philosophy, Literature, Art and History and has wide interests in the traditional Humanities as well as in various Western philosophical traditions. He is an insightful and engaging writer on Greek philosophy, the inner and outer dimensions of the Abrahamic religions, traditional metaphysics and cosmology. He is the author of ‘Primordial Alchemy and Modern Religions’ and has been published extensively in many journals and books. He has lectured internationally on interfaith issues and the inner dimensions of monotheistic religions.

For more information please visit our website http://australiansuficentre.org/events or contact us (02) 9955 7834, acs@australiansuficentre.org

To take advantage of the Early Bird Discount book your seat before 21st November 2013 by going to http://www. australiansuficentre.org/bookings

We look forward to seeing you at this important event