Judaism reveals to us the essential truth: “Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against anyone ... but love your neighbor (and the stranger among you) as yourself.” The followers of Jesus went so far as to suggest: “God is Love. Everyone who lives in Love, lives in God and God lives in them.” And in Islam we hear: “Love is the religion in me.”

In this workshop we will explore the essentials of walking the spiritual path. We will ask: If God is “known” through love, what role does self-love (compassion) play? What does it means to love at a time when many of us feel alienated? How can we walk the walk of a Love that demands loving our neighbor? Can we step back from judgment, for a day, in order to feel what it means to love the stranger among us?

We will pray, we will meditate, we will chant and we will bang on drums. We will talk together and we will share with each other the joy and heart-break of trying to love. All of this can only be done if we are willing to turn our gaze away from distraction and redirect it inward.

This workshop will be led by Peter Azrak, a psychotherapist in private practice. His interests have led him to pursue a bridge between psychotherapy and spirituality. Recently he has published two books: Pulling Back the Future, exploring his personal evolution down the spiritual path. And his second book entitled, I pray for a life of going nowhere, a prayer surrounded by his nature photographs.

$15.00 suggested donation at the door. RSVP requested. For more information, contact Canon Patti Welch at [email protected] or (212) 316-7474.