One of the things I am most pleased about this Spring/Summer at Northaven is the Contemplative Life Series. It’s been a wonderful success, and we are deeply grateful to the many wise spiritual teachers who are coming to present their views at Northaven.

We are deeply honored to be hosting Dr. Kavaki, considered widely to be the spiritual leader of DFW’s Muslim community. The details are below….EF


The Contemplative Life:
Many Faiths—Shared Wisdom
2nd Monday Series – July 13 Session
no charge, registration requested but not required

The objective of The Contemplative Life series is to provide an overview of the distilled wisdom of Christianity, Judaism, Buddhism, Islam, Hinduism, and other major religions that converge in contemplative practice. The presentations are intellectually sophisticated (but not academic), experiential, and practical. We do not seek to blur the distinctions between religious faiths; rather, we want to engage together with mutual respect to understand our common core.

Attendance has been excellent and the response very positive to the previous presentations of Ruben Habito on the Buddhist perspective and Pravrajika Brahmaprana on the Vedanta Hindu perspective. The July 13 session will further enrich our understanding of the contemplative tradition across major religions. The culmination of this series will be a retreat at Northaven led by James Finley October 16-18, with the topic: “Jesus and Buddha – How the teachings of Jesus reflect the Four Noble Truths.”

Monday, July 13, 7:00-8:30 p.m., Northaven UMC, 11211 Preston Road, Dallas, Sanctuary
Dr. Yusuf Ziya Kavakci,
Sufi Perspective of the Contemplative Life

We hope you will RSVP for this event by clicking here.

Dr. Yusuf Ziya Kavakci is the resident Islamic Scholar and Spiritual Leader of the Muslim community affiliated with the Islamic Association of North Texas. Born in Turkey, by the time he was 8 or 9 years of age he had memorized the entire Qur’an. Dr. Kavakci has served in Turkey as Muadhdhin (professional caller to prayer), Imam (mosque leader), and Waiz (preacher). Dr. Kavakci was a full professor in Islamic Law at Ataturk University, chaired a number of departments, and served as Dean of the College. He has published numerous books in both Turkish and English.

Future Presentations

August 10 – Geoffrey Dennis, Rabbi, Congregation Kol Ami, “Jewish Kabbalah perspective”
September 14 – Ginger Georgulas, retired Lutheran pastor and spiritual director— “Female Mystics perspective”
October 1 (Thursday) – Father Don Fischer, St. Joseph Catholic Church—Christian esoteric tradition of Centering Prayer

For more information about the 2nd Monday Series or to register, click here. You may also call Northaven at 214-363-2479.