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IAP 2009 Activities by Category

Religion and Ethics

"The Invulnerable Fortress" - Sanctuary in Prayer
Suheil Laher
Mon Jan 26, 05-06:00pm, 1-132

No enrollment limit, no advance sign up

It is said that God inspired John, the son of Zechariah, to command the Children of Israel to “remember God, for the likeness thereof is the likeness of a man who is swiftly pursued by an enemy, until he reaches an invulnerable fortress in which he secures himself. So, too, the servant [of God] will not secure himself from Satan except through remembrance of God.”
Prayer provides refuge, and emotional and responsive help to many. Ibn al-Jazari (d. 1429 CE) named his compilation of Islamic supplications "The Invulnerable Fortress," and found spiritual refuge in it from a bleak situation.

We shall look at the opening section of this book, which provides an overview and insights into prayer and supplication in Islam, and also at a selection of particularly beautiful prayers from it (all in English translation).
Contact: Suheil Laher, (617) 448-6361, msa_imam@mit.edu
Sponsor: Muslim Chaplaincy

A Short History of Hymns
Carl Daw Professor of Music at Boston University
Wed Jan 21, 07-08:15pm, W11 - Main Dining Rm

No enrollment limit, no advance sign up
Single session event

Join us for insight into the history of hymns and their continued viability. Using ten of his own hymns, Carl Daw will give us a greater appreciation for how what we sing connects with the worship life, culture and spirituality of our ancestors in the faith. Dr. Carl Daw is Director of the Hymn Society and a Professor of Music at Boston University. He is also the composer and lyricist of many hymns. This event is part of our celebration of international Christian Unity Week.
Web: http://web.mit.edu/lem
Contact: Amy McCreath, W16.109, x3-2983, mccreath@mit.edu
Sponsor: Episcopal Chaplaincy
Cosponsor: Lutheran Ministry at MIT

American Jewish Humor - An overview to the history and development of American Jewish humor.
Rabbi Sam Seicol
No enrollment limit, no advance sign up
Participants welcome at individual sessions (series)

American Jewish Humor - An overview to the history and development of American Jewish humor.
A 3 sessions series.
Contact: Rabbi Sam Seicol, rabbisam@MIT.EDU
Sponsor: Hillel


Rabbi Sam Seicol
Eastern European Roots - will offer some of the jokes and stories that
came from the Eastern European experience of the 19th century and 20th century
American switches and evolution.
Wed Jan 14, 06-07:30pm, N/A


Rabbi Sam Seicol
The Transition Years - early to mid 20th century American/ English &
Yiddish humor in movies and music.
Mon Jan 19, 06-07:30pm, N/A


Rabbi Sam Seicol
American Jewish Humor comes of Age - Movies, television, music, and
stand-up comedy from the 1960's through the 1990's
Mon Jan 26, 06-07:30pm, N/A

An Introduction to Bhagavad-Gita: A Definitive Guide to the Science of Yoga and Well Being (Certified Course)
Aravind Mohanram
Thu Jan 8, 15, 22, 29, 07:30-09:00pm, 56-180

Enrollment limited: advance sign up required (see contact below)
Limited to 40 participants.
Participants requested to attend all sessions (non-series)

An Introduction to Bhagavad-Gita: A Definitive Guide to the Science of Yoga and Well Being (Certified Course)

PART 1: INTRODUCTION
1. History of Greater India (Mahabharata)
2a. Vedas, Upanishads and Gita
2b. Gita’s Pre-eminent Position
3. Author and Compiler of Bhagavad-Gita

PART 2: INTELLECTUAL WELL-BEING
4. Theory of everything
5. Topics of Gita
5a. Life, Matter and Consciousness
5b. Dimensions of Human Existence
5c. Laws of Nature and Time Factor

PART 3: MENTAL WELL-BEING
6. Mind and its three states: The Guna Theory
7. Mental illness: Cause and Cure

PART 4: SPIRITUAL WELL-BEING
8. Yoga and Complete Well-Being
9. Systems of Yoga and Yoga Ladder
10. Yoga of Divine Love
.
.
Web: http://web.mit.edu/bhakti-yoga
Contact: yoga-exec@mit.edu
Sponsor: Bhakti-Yoga

Centering Prayer
The Rev. Tim Seitz
Tue Jan 6, 13, 20, 27, 12-12:45pm, W11-155

No enrollment limit, no advance sign up
Participants welcome at individual sessions (series)

Centering Prayer is a time for rest, meditation, and refreshment with attention to God. Drawing on ancient Christian practices, the time centers on a half hour of silence. Participants usually stay for 5 or 10 minutes afterwards to collect themselves and begin the transition back into our daily lives. The effects of this brief time are powerful and profound and the calming affect lasts throughout the day and lingers throughout the week. Come, take a mini-vacation with the holy and join us.
Web: http://web.mit.edu/lem
Contact: The Rev. Tim Seitz, W11-035, x3-2325, tseitz@mit.edu
Sponsor: Lutheran Ministry at MIT
Cosponsor: Episcopal Chaplaincy

Dinner and a movie
Rabbi Sam Seicol
Wed Jan 28, 06:30-09:00pm, W11 Main Dining Room

Enrollment limited: advance sign up required (see contact below)
Signup by: 26-Jan-2009
Limited to 80 participants.
Single session event

There will be a screening the movie "Defending Your Life" (Albert Brooks) over
dinner followed by a panel presentation and communal discussion on views of
life after death. The issues of how life attitudes may be shaped by next life
beliefs will also be presented.
Contact: Rabbi Sam Seicol, W11-039, x3-2982, rabbisam@MIT.EDU
Sponsor: Hillel
Cosponsor: Lutheran Ministry at MIT

Fun with Gematria
Rabbi Sam Seicol
Mon Jan 12, 06-07:30pm, W11 community room

No enrollment limit, no advance sign up

This session will introduce attendees to the basics of
Gematria (using the numerical values of the Hebrew letters to find or create
connections). Participants will learn some of the traditional ways Gematria
has been used to teach lessons and will be given the tools to find personal
connections through the Gematria of the individual's name. No knowledge of
Hebrew is necessary.
Contact: Rabbi Sam Seicol, rabbisam@MIT.EDU
Sponsor: Hillel

Hymn Sing
Amy McCreath & Tim Seitz
Wed Jan 21, 05:15-06:30pm, W15 - MIT Chapel

No enrollment limit, no advance sign up
Single session event

Get your new year off to a good start with an hour of singing your favorite hymns and discovering others' favorites. We'll have hymnals from lots of Christian traditions available, and our pianist will support our song. If you have a hymn to suggest that probably isn't in the hymnals, contact me ahead of time. Stay for hearty (free!) dinner afterwards, and learn about the history of hymns from Carl Daw, Director of the Hymn Society, from 7:00 to 8:00 pm in the Main Dining Room of W11.
Web: http://web.mit.edu/lem
Contact: Amy McCreath & Tim Seitz, W11.007, x3-2983, mccreath@mit.edu
Sponsor: Episcopal Chaplaincy
Cosponsor: Lutheran Ministry at MIT

Imbolc Ritual
Pagan Student Group
Fri Jan 30, 07:30-10:00pm, MIT Chapel (W15), Doors close at 8 pm

No enrollment limit, no advance sign up
Single session event

Imbolc is also known as the festival of (St.) Brigid, Candlemas, and even as Groundhog Day. One of the four cross-quarter festivals, Imbolc is the celebration of the first renewals of life in the depths of winter. The name comes from the Irish oim bolg and refers to the lactation of ewes in the snowy cold. At this time, we honor Brigid, a maiden-figure sacred to both Christians and Pagans. She is associated with healing, smithcraft, poetry, holy wells, and sacred fires. Join us as we light a candle in the darkness and celebrate the life of the coming year. Doors will close at 8 pm; late arrivals will not be admitted so as to maintain the sacred space.
Web: http://psg.mit.edu
Contact: Pagan Student Group, 50-318, mit-psg@mit.edu
Sponsor: Pagan Students

Islam 101
Suheil Laher, Nancy Khalil, Omar Abdala
Tue Jan 20, 06-07:30pm, 1-132

No enrollment limit, no advance sign up

- Is Islam a religion of peace, as President Bush declared after 9/11?
- What is the Muslims' concept of God? The afterlife?
- Who was the Prophet Muhammad?
- What are the 5 pillars of Islamic practice?
- What is the Shariah?

Here is your opportunity to get an overview of what Islam is really about, with Omar (an MIT alumnus) and his wife Nancy (Wellesley's Muslim Chaplain).

Bring all your questions, there will be time for discussion!
Contact: Suheil Laher, msa_imam@mit.edu
Sponsor: Muslim Chaplaincy

Islamic Theology
Suheil Laher
No enrollment limit, no advance sign up
Participants welcome at individual sessions (series)

Three lectures with Q&A sessions. This series explains the three core concepts of Muslim theology: Belief in God, Prophethood and the Afterlife. It is suitable both for non-Muslims, who would like to gain insight into the subject, and for Muslims, who wish to have a more detailed understanding and/or review. Topics covered include: Reason in Islam, Islamic Concept of God and His Attributes, Revealed Books, Prophets, Resurrection and the Hereafter, Destiny and Free Will.
Contact: Suheil Laher, W11, (617) 448-6361, msa_imam@mit.edu
Sponsor: Muslim Chaplaincy

Concept of God
Suheil Laher
This session focuses on the first and most important core belief: belief in God (Allah). We will start with an overview of Islam, and some other preliminaries, including the role of reason in Islam, then move on to talk about the existence of God and God's attributes. We will also touch on the concept of human free will.
Thu Jan 22, 06-07:30pm, 1-135

Scripture and Prophethood
Suheil Laher
This session focuses on the second core belief of Islam, which is the belief in prophets as mortal human beings who conveyed God's guidance to mankind. We also talk about books (scriptures) which some of these prophets received from God.
Tue Jan 27, 06-07:30pm, 1-135

Eternity
Suheil Laher
The final session in this series explores Muslim belief in the life after death, including concepts of the soul, human responsibility, and judgment.
Thu Jan 29, 06-07:30pm, 1-135

Judaism and Technology
Rabbi Gershon Segal
Thu Jan 15, 22, 29, 05:30-06:30pm, W11 community room

No enrollment limit, no advance sign up
Participants welcome at individual sessions (series)

Learn about Judaism and Technology from an Jewish Orthodox point of view.
For more information, please contact Rabbi Gershon Segal GSegal7302@aol.com
Contact: Rabbi Gershon Segal, ravsegal@mit.edu
Sponsor: Hillel

Shabbat 101
Rabbi Sam Seicol
Fri Jan 30, 07-09:00pm, W11 Main Dining Room

No limit but advance sign up required (see contact below)
Signup by: 27-Jan-2009
Single session event
Fee: 15.00 for to help cover the costs of the dinner

This event focuses on the Friday night Jewish experience through the themes of work and rest, Sabbath as holy time, giving thanks and taking time for meditation and reflection. Come learn about the many rituals and customs of this weekly holiday from an egalitarian Jewish perspective. A delicious Shabbat dinner is included, $15.00. Rsvp by Tuesday, Jan 27 with rabbisam@mit.edu Event cosponsored by the MIT Conservative Minyan and the Reform Students Chavurah.
Contact: Sam Seicol, W11-040, x3-2982, rabbisam@mit.edu
Sponsor: Hillel

The Baha'i Faith
Brian Aull
No enrollment limit, no advance sign up
Participants welcome at individual sessions (series)
Prereq: None - Each session is self-contained.
Contact: Brian Aull, LIN-LI-127C, (781) 981-4676, aull@ll.mit.edu
Sponsor: Bahai Association

A Beginner's Guide
Brian Aull
The Baha'i Faith is a world religion whose purpose is to unite the peoples of the world in one common cause, one universal faith. This session introduces the life, work, and teachings of its Prophet-Founder, Baha'u'llah (1817-1892).
Thu Jan 8, 07:30-09:00pm, W11-190

Reflections on the Life of the Spirit
Brian Aull
Baha'u'llah teaches that human beings are spiritual beings with the capacity to know and love their Creator. This session explores spiritual life, the role of prayer, and the nature of life after death.
Thu Jan 15, 07:30-09:00pm, W11-190

Science and Religion
Brian Aull
The Baha'i sacred writings liken science and religion to the wings of a bird: both must be strong for humanity to reach its full potential. This session explores the relationship between these two indispensable knowledge systems, the reasons why they seem to conflict and how they are reconcilable.
Thu Jan 22, 07:30-09:00pm, W11-190

Politics, Economics, and the Life of Society
Brian Aull
Baha'u'llah asserts the oneness of the human family. "The world is but one country," He states, "and mankind its citizens." The emergence of a mature world civilization requires that political institutions and economic systems reflect this core value. This session explores how this happens. The Baha'i administrative system and approach to social and economic development are presented as a model.
Thu Jan 29, 07:30-09:00pm, W11-190


MIT  
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
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Last update: 30 September 2004