Buddhist Process Explorations
2024-06-19 17:00 - 18:00, 2024-07-17 17:00 - 18:00, 2024-08-21 17:00 - 18:00, 2024-09-18 17:00 - 18:00, 2024-10-16 17:00 - 18:00, 2024-11-20 17:00 - 18:00, 2024-12-18 17:00 - 18:00, 2025-01-15 17:00 - 18:00 (America/Los_Angeles) and 1 more date
A Discussion Group About the Exploring, Sharing, and Practice of Buddhist Process-Relational Thought

At face value, the Buddha’s Dharma and Whitehead’s Process Philosophy seem to characterize reality in very different ways, and for different reasons. The Buddha taught that reality as we typically experience it is an impermanent, selfless and dissatisfying process of cyclic becoming continuously powered by compulsive attachment and aversion grounded in delusion. The Buddha prescribed various methods we could deploy in order to go beyond this painful and immiserated condition, methods which involve thorough analysis and deconstruction of our habituated and self-limiting assumptions about ourselves and the world as well as means of cultivating more purified states of awareness and embodiment so that we can awaken to the way things really are and unleash our core potential.
Whitehead elaborated a systematic philosophical scheme, replete with foundational metaphysical categories, that reconstructs reality as a cumulative process of concrescence whereby many diverse feelings creatively synthesize into a novel experience, aiming towards satisfaction and lured to completion through divine persuasion. For Whitehead, many of the issues in philosophy and society at large could be traced to various fallacious conceptions concerning nature, language, and experience which he sought to rectify with his panexperiential, process-relational Philosophy of Organism.

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Process Pop-Up: The God of Tomorrow: Whitehead and Teilhard on Metaphysics, Mysticism, and Mission
2024-06-26 17:00 - 18:00
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Can a holistic approach to theology and mission engage productively with science, culture, and the challenges of our time?
Pierre Teilhard de Chardin and Alfred North Whitehead came from very different religious backgrounds yet a study of their ideas shows a number of important and helpful synergies.
In this event, Dr. Bruce Epperly, a public theologian skilled at sharing process ideas in digestible ways, will examine these two important thinkers’ ideas. He’ll show the ways in which their themes converge and examine how this synergy can help us plan strategies to join God’s adventure of the universe in our own spheres.
In his recent book, The God of Tomorrow: Whitehead and Teilhard on Metaphysics, Mysticism, and Mission, Epperly argues that both thinkers call for a theological adventure that embraces change and evolution and sees God as a dynamic and transformative force in the universe. Whitehead’s metaphysics of love and Teilhard’s metaphysics of spiritual evolution offer a synthesis that challenges traditional notions of God and invites us to recognize the mystical and transformative potential within ourselves.
Check out this recent review of Bruce’s book by Dr. Jay McDaniel on his blog Open Horizons!
Quote from the Book

As pilgrims of the future, Whitehead and Teilhard charted a forward looking theological and cosmological vision that inspires an adventurous faith… Our hope to meet the challenges of the future can only be inspired by a God of Tomorrow, whose wise creativity enables us to meet the technologies and changes of the future with wisdom and compassion.

About the Speaker

Rev. Bruce Epperly, Ph.D., is a teacher, pastor, spiritual guide, writer, lecturer, retreat leader, and reiki teacher. He is the author of over 70 books, including Finding God in Suffering: A Journey with Job, Process Theology: Embracing Adventure with God, Become Fire: Guideposts for Spiritual Pilgrims, One World: Process Theology and the Lord’s Prayer, Piglet’s Process: Process Theology for All God’s Children, and Restless Spirit. He is an ordained minister in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and United Church of Christ. He has served on the faculties of Georgetown University, Lancaster Theological Seminary, Wesley Theological Seminary, and Claremont School of Theology.

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Process Pop-Up: Hinduism, Ever-Evolving
2024-07-16 17:00 - 18:00
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How might process thought and Hindu traditions be in relationship?
In his video, “Evolution and Vedanta,” Swami Padmanabha talks about God or Love as the ultimate supreme reality, and how God along with all realities is dynamic, ever-evolving, and growing. Reality is not made up of fixed, changeless substances; rather, it is marked by what he calls “deep evolution” – a sacred evolution at the very depths of reality.
In this conversation, Dr. Jeffery Long, a practitioner and theologian in the Vedanta tradition of Sri Ramakrishna as well as a scholar of process philosophy and Asian studies, and Swami Padmanabha, a leader and teacher in the Gaudiya Vaishnavism tradition of Hinduism, will share their thoughts on resonances between their two Hindu traditions and process thought.
They’ll explore such areas as:

The dynamic nature of God and reality
Texts and tradition as “ever fresh,” especially in Vaishnava traditions and the tradition of Sri Ramakrishna
Human purpose, consciousness, and “radical personalism”
Astonishment and surrender; divine will, human choice, and grace

Quotes

“Far from being opposed, love and non-duality are two sides of the same coin. When you have one, you have the other.”
Jeffery Long, Ph.D.

“If divine love is a force of constant expansion, it must surely affect the Divine, who is love personified. A God affected by ever-evolving love becomes equally ever-evolving, inviting us to an ongoing, never-ending journey of progress and development.”
“We are to keep pace with an ever-evolving reality that we are part of, with an ever-evolving God we are tied to, and thereby with an ever-evolving tradition to which these very principles are revealed to us.”
Swami Padmanabha

About the Speakers

Swami Padmanabha

At an early age, Swami Padmanabha delved deeply into the theology of diverse mystical traditions. After taking up Gaudiya Vaishnavism in 1999 at the age of 19, he has dedicated himself to an extensive study of the Gaudiya scriptures under the guidance of his various mentors. Fluent in English and Spanish, Swami has written hundreds of articles in both languages, with his first two books published in English and in the process of being translated to other languages. For the past twenty years, he has traveled around the world and lectured in universities, ashrams, and yoga studios. All of his numerous talks and seminars are available online for free at swamipadmanabha.com. As a leader of spiritual retreats and communities, he inspires both practitioners and visitors with his penetrating teachings and personal example.

Jeffery D. Long, Ph.D.

Jeffery D. Long, Ph.D., Professor of Religion, Philosophy, and Asian Studies for Elizabethtown College, specializes in the religions and philosophies of India. He is the author of several books and numerous articles and editor of the series Explorations in Indic Traditions for Lexington Books. In 2022, his book Hinduism in America: A Convergence of Worlds received the Rajinder and Jyoti Gandhi Award for Excellence in Theology, Philosophy, and Critical Engagement. He has spoken in numerous venues, both national and international, including three talks at the United Nations, and he has been interviewed for a PBS documentary on the life and teachings of Swami Vivekananda and for the History Channel series Holy Marvels.

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Process Pop-Up: Pasts and Futures of Islamic Process Theology
2024-08-08 17:00 - 18:00
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In this Pop-Up, Jared Morningstar will present Islamic process theologies, overviewing resonances between existing Muslim philosophies and cosmologies with contemporary process perspectives, and also exploring the emerging forms of explicit Islamic process theologies.
Some topics to be explored in this pop-up include:

Intellectual and spiritual developments in Islamic history that are resonant with process thought
Muhammad Iqbal’s Islamic process theology and the influence of Alfred North Whitehead and Henri Bergson on his thought
Adis Duderija’s scholarship on progressive Islam and process thought
Recent Muslim engagement with Gilles Deleuze as another form of Islamic process thought

This conversation will introduce these different historic and contemporary forms of Muslim process thinking, exploring the possibilities for further development as well as the barriers to broader interest in Islamic process theology.

Quote

“Process-relational thinking allows Muslim intellectuals to deconstruct dysfunctional ideas from both Western modernity and Islamic traditions while also encouraging the creative reconstruction and synthesis of material from both of these spheres, leading to more holistic and dynamic responses to the challenges of contemporary times.”
Jared Morningstar, “Process-Relational Thought and Islam: Proposing a Novel Framework for Constructive Engagement with Modernity” in Open and Relational Theology and its Social and Political Implications: Muslim and Christian Perspectives.

About the Speaker

Jared Morningstar

Jared Morningstar is an independent scholar living in Madison, Wisconsin with academic interests in philosophy of religion, Islamic studies, comparative religion, metamodern spirituality, and interfaith dialogue. His work in these areas seeks to offer robust responses to issues of inter-religious conflict, contemporary nihilism, and the “meaning crisis,” among other things. Jared graduated from Gustavus Adolphus College in 2018 with degrees in religion and Scandinavian studies and currently works for the Center for Process Studies, the Cobb Institute, and the Psychedelic Medicine Association. You can find him at https://jaredmorningstar.com.

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Process Pop-Up: Faith & Feeling
2024-10-01 17:00 - 18:00
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For both Schleiermacher and Whitehead, God is not “up there somewhere.” Rather, God is most readily found by looking inward, to where God is experienced.

In theological circles, German philosopher Friedrich Schleiermacher (1768–1834) may be best known for his text, On Religion: Speeches to Its Cultured Despisers, his effort to defend religion from Enlightenment skeptics. He’s also been a subject of interest to process thinkers like Philip Clayton, Thandeka, and, more recently, Chad Bahl. In his doctoral research, Chad has been putting Schleirmacher’s thoughts on faith and feeling into conversation with the work of Alfred North Whitehead.
He has found that “In both process thought and Schleiermacher’s philosophy, the essence of existence is not lifeless matter or dogmatic precepts. Rather, it is lived experience. In this lived experience, we are interconnected both as human beings and in fellowship with the Divine.”
Schleiermacher is known for talking about faith as a feeling of “absolute dependence.” Resonant with Whitehead’s thinking about God’s aims for every actual event, Chad describes this as a “natural result of being in tune with our deepest intuitions. It arises from our recognition of the presence and purpose of God in our lives.” As we cultivate our awareness of God—through spiritual practices like contemplation—this feeling naturally arises as a kind of “God-consciousness” that is “developed as we experience community with others, fellowship with the Divine, interaction with nature, the Gospel story, and much more.”
While each of us may experience the Divine differently, it is this “personal perception, (not reason, dogma, or scientific proof), which serves as the centering principle for faith.” According to Chad, attuning to this interior faith and feeling is crucial to human life. “We become fully actualized human beings when we realize fellowship with the Divine in our experiences of both Creator and creation.”

About the Speaker

Chad Bahl

Chad Bahl, DThM candidate at Northwind Theological Seminary, specializes in the study of Open and Relational Theology. Bahl is the author of God Unbound: An Evangelical Reconsiders Tradition in Search of Truth, the author/editor of Deconstructing Hell: Open and Relational Responses to the Doctrine of Eternal Conscious Torment, and, most recently, the author of Mornings with Schleiermacher: A Devotional Inspired by the Father of Modern Theology.

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Process & Presence
2024-10-22 16:00 - 17:00, 2024-11-26 16:00 - 17:00, 2025-01-28 16:00 - 17:00, 2025-02-25 16:00 - 17:00
An Exploration of the Intersection between Zen Buddhism and Process Philosophy

Led by Reverend Reirin Gumbel (resident priest, Milwaukee Zen Center) and Jay McDaniel (Chair, Center for Process Studies), this conversation will explore the synergies between Zen Buddhism and Process Philosophy, with a particular emphasis on Taoism as a foundational source for Zen.
Gumbel and McDaniel will use China Root: Taoism, Ch’an, and Original Zen by David Hinton (Shambhala Publications, 2020) as a springboard for discussion. Participants are encouraged to read selected short sections of the book in advance of each session to enrich the dialogue.

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Christian Process Explorations
2024-10-28 17:00 - 18:00, 2024-11-25 17:00 - 18:00, 2024-12-23 17:00 - 18:00, 2025-01-27 17:00 - 18:00, 2025-02-24 17:00 - 18:00
A Discussion Group About the Exploring, Sharing, and Practice of Christian Process-Relational Theology

This learning circle focuses on the exploring, sharing, and practice of Christian process-relational theology, as relevant to all age groups: children, teenagers, adults, senior citizens. We meet monthly to discuss process-relational ideas and practices in local settings like churches, religious education, hospitals, and recovery groups. Together we explore how to share those ideas, as well as how to embody their wisdom in daily life situations. This is co-sponsored by the P&F Christian Path Group.

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Interweavings: Sacred Practices, Dynamic Texts
2024-11-13 17:00 - 18:30
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We may be Muslim, Christian, Jew, skeptic, or non-believer, but we are each united in our humanity and the stories of the Bible bond us through that essential humanity…our very lives inform the way we enter the biblical text, and the biblical text ‘speaks’ to us through the context of our lives.
How might ancient texts speak to us afresh today? Can pre–modern practices be revitalized and re-imagined to address modern concerns?
Rabbi Leila Gal Berner and Sheri D. Kling strongly believe that there is still something life-giving in both ancient texts and pre-modern practices, and that both can be explored in dynamic ways while still being grounded in timeless wisdom.
Once Rabbi Berner was introduced to the Christian contemplative practice of lectio divina—a Latin phrase meaning “sacred reading”—she immediately fell in love with its ability to drop her into a living experience of biblical text. She wanted other Jews to have that same experience, and created a uniquely Jewish expression of lectio divina that she has named Kriat Hakodesh (Reading the Holy) reflected in her book, Listening to the Heart of Genesis: A Contemplative Path.
Sheri Kling has had similar experiences with Christian contemplative practices, and has refashioned three of them—lectio divina, praying with icons, and praying with the imagination—into a transreligious practice she calls Dream Divina. While the target of contemplation in her practice is one’s individual dream and its images, the underlying spiritual “technologies” of the Christian practices still carry the same power to reveal the presence of the Sacred.
In this event, Rabbi Berner and Dr. Kling will share their own experiences with reshaping traditional practices to reawaken modern sensibilities to potentially transforming encounters with texts and with God.
About the Speakers

Rabbi Leila Gal Berner

Rabbi Leila Gal Berner was ordained at the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College and holds a second ordination from Rabbi Zalman Schachter-Shalomi (of blessed memory). She received her doctorate in medieval Jewish history from UCLA. She is Chair of the Bible Department of the ALEPH: Alliance for Jewish Renewal Ordination Program where she teaches biblical and medieval history, feminist thought, and midrash. Dr. Berner has taught in the Department of Philosophy and Religion at American University and George Washington and Emory universities, and Swarthmore and Reed colleges. She is the author of Listening to the Heart of Genesis: A Contemplative Path. You can find out more about Dr. Berner on her website www.rabbileila.com

Sheri D. Kling

Sheri D. Kling, Ph.D., is the director of Process & Faith with the Center for Process Studies and interim minister of Redeemer Lutheran Church in Bradenton, FL. Sheri earned her Ph.D. in Religion: Process Studies from Claremont School of Theology. She is a theologian, songwriter, and spiritual teacher, as well as a faculty member of the Haden Institute, adjunct faculty with Claremont School of Theology, and the author of A Process Spirituality: Christian and Transreligious Resources for Transformation. She regularly delivers dynamic “Music & Message” presentations to groups, and offers courses, concerts, and spiritual retreats. She may be found online at sherikling.com

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By registering for and attending this event, I grant permission to Process & Faith and the Center for Process Studies for the rights of my image, likeness, and sound of my voice as recorded on audio or video in this event. I waive any right to inspect or approve any resulting products wherein my likeness or name appears. My presence in the event (in person or online) constitutes my consent to such photography, filming and/or recording and to any use, in any and all media in perpetuity, of my appearance, voice and name for any purpose whatsoever.

John Cobb & Friends: Relational Abrahamic Faiths
2024-12-03 09:00 - 11:00 | Live Zoom Sessions
Several locations around the world have taken concrete steps toward interreligious understanding and relationship by creating communities of faith that house all three Abrahamic traditions: Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. The House of One in Berlin, Germany and the Abrahamic Family House on Saadiyat Island in Abu Dhabi are two such communities. Each has its own unique way of approaching its mission.
Seeking to learn more, Sheri Kling, director of Process & Faith, reached out to invite a representative from each community to join her in this presentation to the Cobb & Friends gathering. Rabbi David Rosen and Imam Osman Örs readily agreed. They’ll share highlights and images from their communities and discuss the joys and challenges they’ve experienced. Dr. Kling will facilitate the conversation.
Speakers

Rabbi David Rosen serves as Special Interfaith Advisor to the Abrahamic Family House in Abu Dhabi. Rosen has been advancing understanding and good relations between religious communities for more than forty years – from the time he served as rabbi of the largest Orthodox Jewish congregation in South Africa, during his tenure as Chief Rabbi of Ireland; and throughout the last more than thirty years based in Jerusalem. In addition to interreligious representation and education, his work involves mediation and peace building and he is heavily involved in multi-religious engagement on ecological issues. Among the various awards and recognition he has received, Rabbi Rosen was granted a papal Knighthood in 2005 for his contribution to Jewish-Catholic reconciliation and in 2010 he was made a CBE (Commander of the British Empire) by H.M. Queen Elizabeth II for his work promoting interfaith understanding and cooperation.

Imam Osman Örs holds a Masters Degree (M.A.) in Islamic Sciences, Education, and Anglistics from George-August University in Göttingen, Germany. Since 2015, he has worked as a theological advisor and imam at the House of One Foundation in Berlin. He also collaborates with Demokratie Leben in combating antisemitism and racism, conducts educational workshops, and addresses theological and liturgical aspects of interreligious unity at the House of One. In addition to his work at the House of One, Osman Örs is involved in various community roles. He has been a member of the coordinating committee of the Berlin Forum of Religions since 2016 and is a charter member of the Council of Imams of Berlin since 2021. Osman Örs is committed to fostering interfaith dialogue and combating discrimination in Berlin’s religious communities.

Sheri D. Kling, Ph.D., is the director of Process & Faith with the Center for Process Studies and interim minister of Redeemer Lutheran Church in Bradenton, FL. Sheri earned her Ph.D. in Religion: Process Studies from Claremont School of Theology. She is a theologian, songwriter, and spiritual mentor, as well as a faculty member of the Haden Institute, adjunct faculty with Claremont School of Theology, and the author of A Process Spirituality: Christian and Transreligious Resources for Transformation. She regularly delivers dynamic “Music & Message” presentations to groups, and offers courses, concerts, and spiritual retreats. She may be found online at sherikling.com.

This event is co-sponsored by the Cobb Institute and Process & Faith.
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John Cobb & Friends: A Season of Darkness and Light
2024-12-17 10:00 - 12:00 | Live Zoom Sessions
Cosmologically, this period of late fall marks the increase in hours of darkness until the winter solstice when the hours of light begin to make a return. Many religions have major holidays during this period. For some, the period of darkness is not feared but is celebrated as a time of rest and renewal or of waiting in a kind of pregnant pause. Most celebrate the increase in light and see this turning of the season as the welcome return of the energies of rebirth and growth.
In this Cobb & Friends gathering, Dr. Sheri Kling, director of Process & Faith, will introduce some of the major holidays in late fall and early winter, noting their significance in each tradition. We’ll look at Diwali, Advent, Hanukkah, St. Lucia Day, Winter Solstice, Christmas, Epiphany, Kwanzaa, New Year’s Eve, and Lunar New Year.

Sheri D. Kling, Ph.D., is the director of Process & Faith with the Center for Process Studies and interim minister of Redeemer Lutheran Church in Bradenton, FL. Sheri earned her Ph.D. in Religion: Process Studies from Claremont School of Theology. She is a theologian, songwriter, and spiritual mentor, as well as a faculty member of the Haden Institute, adjunct faculty with Claremont School of Theology, and the author of A Process Spirituality: Christian and Transreligious Resources for Transformation. She regularly delivers dynamic “Music & Message” presentations to groups, and offers courses, concerts, and spiritual retreats. She may be found online at sherikling.com.

This event is co-sponsored by the Cobb Institute and Process & Faith.
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Renewing Faith Online Conference
2025-01-23 15:00 - 2025-01-25 13:30
Process & Faith invites you on a sacred online journey to renew your faith and explore how we live into process and open & relational theology together. Let’s bring more beauty into our Christian paths!
During this multi-day online event, we’ll explore several core themes of Christian faith—not academically, but in “big conversations” and practices.

Renewing Faith: A Call for Reimagination and Renewal
Renewing God: Deep Listening, Creativity, Transformation
Renewing Jesus: Atonement, Salvation
Renewing Message: Preaching, Scripture
Renewing Worship: Liturgy, Creeds, Sacraments, Aesthetics
Renewing Spirit: Practices, Religious Experience
Renewing Community: Education, Outreach, Service

We’re going to do our best to not be all heady about it, but actually drop down deeper—into our bodies and souls! It’ll be online, so body and soul can join from home.

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Memorial Service | John B. Cobb, Jr.
2025-02-15 15:00 - 16:30 | Claremont United Church of Christ, 233 W. Harrison Ave., Claremont, CA, 91711, United States
The Center for Process Studies is planning a public memorial for Dr. Cobb on Saturday, February 15th, 2025 at the Claremont United Church of Christ. The Service will run between 3:00pm – 4:30pm PST. We will also be livestreaming the memorial on YouTube. A reception will be held immediately after the service, offering a time for fellowship and sharing memories of John.

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Christian Leadership & Process Thought
2025-02-19 09:00 - 10:00
A Discussion Group About Christian Leadership & Process-Relational Thought

Christian leadership is at work in worship, outreach, religious education, pastoral care, self care, and administration. This learning circle seeks to explore process theology and offer a process perspective on the real challenges related to church leadership.

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Process Pop-Up: From Amipotence to All-Encompassing Mercy: Integrating Oord’s Theology of Love into the Islamic Tradition
2025-02-27 17:00 - 18:00
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What are the challenges and opportunities of integrating Oord’s amipotence into Islamic theology?
In this session, Adis Duderija, a scholar of Islamic theology, will explore his agreement with Thomas Jay Oord’s critique of classical theistic omnipotence and his compelling concept of amipotence.
Drawing from Oord’s work as well as his own scholarship, Dr. Duderija will guide participants through the theological landscape, examining both the obstacles and opportunities for integrating amipotence within the Islamic interpretive tradition. We’ll delve into how we can reframe our understanding of the Qur’an and its portrayal of God’s mercy, emphasizing that divine love and mercy are not just attributes but the essence of God’s nature.
Expect to engage in thought-provoking discussions about the implications for human flourishing and well-being within our faith traditions.
Topics include:

Critique of Classical Theism: Examination of Oord’s critique of traditional concepts of omnipotence and the introduction of amipotence.
Integration into Islamic Tradition: Exploration of theological obstacles and opportunities for incorporating amipotence within the Islamic interpretive framework.
Understanding Divine Attributes: Discussion on the Qur’an’s portrayal of God’s attributes, particularly focusing on mercy (Ar-Rahman) and its implications for divine love.
Human Flourishing and Well-Being: Analysis of how the concept of amipotence relates to human well-being and the challenges of defining and applying these concepts in various contexts.

Quote

“Mercy, therefore, flows from the very nature and essence of God, who is defined by profound love and compassion. As the creator of all creation, God’s deepest motivation is unconditional love for it. Mercy is how that divine love expresses itself in this world through gracious forgiveness of mistakes and healing of imperfections. The fountainhead of mercy arises from the infinite wellspring of divine love. In essence, according to this approach to Islamic theology, mercy lies at the core of the divine character. It is one of the most exalted names of God, manifesting love and forgiveness toward creation from the boundless depths of the Creator’s care, compassion and benevolence. In Islamic theology, God’s Mercy and God’s Love are, therefore, intrinsically connected.”
Adis Duderija, PhD

About the Speaker

Adis Duderija

Adis Duderija, PhD is an Associate Professor in the study of Islam and Society at Griffith University in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. He has been publishing extensively for almost two decades on various aspects of the Islamic intellectual tradition, especially progressive Islam.

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Exploring Ideas in the World's Religions
2025-03-05 16:00 - 17:30
Engaging and Interpreting Key Ideas in the World’s Great Religious Traditions

In this eight-week course, students will engage key ideas from the world’s religious traditions and interpret them through the lens of Huston Smith’s works and process philosophy using individual thought, curiosity, creativity, and spiritual growth.
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