Free & Upcoming Lectures at Gateways Bookstore

Wednesday, June 4 at 7 p.m.

with Robert Thurman

“Why The Dalai Lama Matters: His Act of Truth as the Solution for China, Tibet, and the World”

As the 2008 summer Olympics approach, the world will be watching China. But as they strive to prove themselves equals in the international arena, the leaders of the People’s Republic find their quest to restore China’s honor jeopardized by the 50-year-old China/Tibet conflict. A change of course is needed. Who better to inspire this change than His Holiness the Dalai Lama? Banned from his homeland since 1959, watching from a distance as his country crumbles under the weight of political occupation, he is the catalyst for this non-violent change—the messenger to the world. Serving as a voice for the forgotten, renowned Tibetan scholar Robert Thurman interprets the Dalai Lama’s vision. Thurman presents his five-point plan for China’s creation of an autonomous Tibet in his new book, Why the Dalai Lama Matters: His Act of Truth as the Solution for China, Tibet, and the World. He shows just why the Dalai Lama is the only person who can usher in a new, peaceful era for China, Tibet and the world.

Thursday, June 5 at 7 p.m.

with Mark Borax

"2012: Crossing the Bridge to the Future" is an engaging personal narrative through the author’s apprenticeship with master astrologer William Lonsdale who teaches him how to access a source of great power and creativity buried within the human soul.The book begins in August 1987 on the slopes of Mount Shasta in Northern California as Borax witnesses the Harmonic Convergence, a spiritual and astrological event sparking a 26-year countdown to 2012, the year that marks the “end of history” in the Mayan calendar. Signs indicate that a “major energy shift” is occurring, a turning point in Earth’s collective karma powerful enough to change the global perspective of humankind.

Monday, June 9 at 7 p.m.

with James Jarvis

WORKSHOP: The Inner Art of Happiness

Cost: $15

Tonight's class on Vedic Astrology focuses on "Kama" which is the natural desire for enjoyment and pleasure that propels your soul's progress. Find out what your chart reveals about abiding happiness in this dynamic and interactive class with master astrologer, James Jarvis. James will share valuable insights for developing inner happiness and will work with each participant individually. Cost: $15 - Pre-registration required – Limited to 20 participants - includes your Vedic chart & handouts to be used in class. James Jarvis is a master astrologer, transpersonal counselor and LifeQwest™ coach who empowers clients to discover, clarify and manifest their highest potential. A professional astrologer since 1986, James received his M.A. in Transpersonal Counseling and a Certificate in Integrative Education from JFK University in Orinda.

Wednesday, June 11 at 7 p.m.

with Cynthia Copple

How To Lose Weight, Improve Digestion And Energy Naturally With Ayurveda

Learn your own unique body/mind needs and how to eat for lifelong vitality. Also learn how to become an Ayurvedic Practitioner. The Vedic science of Ayurveda provides useful archetypes for understanding our individuality and how to make choices that will keep us healthy. We will discuss how body, mind, spirit, environment, diet, lifestyle, weather, stress Cynthia Copple, Dean of the Mount Madonna Institute College of Ayurveda, is past President of the National Ayurvedic Medical Association and Director of Lotus Holistic Health Institute in Capitola. She is one of the first American Ayurvedic Practitioners, in private practice since l983 in Capitola. She has written and taught Ayurveda internationally.

Monday, June 16 at 7 p.m.

with Mystic Jamms Band

An evening of kirtan

Music is the universal language that speaks directly to the heart, bringing peace & joy to everyone it touches. That peace and joy creates a place where healing can occur naturally... Come join The Mystic Jamms Band for a new monthly kirtan/bhajans night of sacred song.

Tuesday, June 17 at 7 p.m.

with Willa Keizer

Vitalistic Healing: Plant Alchemy – An Introduction to Vitalistic Healing

Vitalistic healing practices have been used successfully by shamanic and other traditional healers for thousands of years. Plant alchemy is one branch of this ancient art of Vitalistic Healing. In this class we'll do an overview of Vitalistic Healing practices and then learn about the Paracelsian method of alchemically preparing plant medicines. We'll do a ritual associated with Tulsi (Holy Basil) and then sample it as a spagyric (alchemical remedy) for a full experience! Please visit www.vitalism.us for more information on Vitalistic Healing. Willa Keizer has been initiated into many high-grade Eastern and Western spiritual schools, and is a practicing Classical Homeopath and Hypnotherapist. She is Director of the Caduceus Institute of Classical Homeopathy, a professional training program in homeopathy. Willa is also a practitioner of Vedic Astrology and uses this modality to gain deeper insight into her homeopathic cases. She has been a teacher all her life and is offering this course to make the rich insights of the Vitalistic and Vedic traditions available to Westerners, especially those in the helping professions. You can contact her at willa@homeopathyhome.net

Wednesday,June 18 at 7 p.m.

with Valerie White

Working with Crystals

Learn the qualities of Crystals and how to use them in your life. Are Crystals magical? You could say that. Are Crystals used for practical purposes? You could say that too. Come join us for a fun adventure in finding out about these beautiful stones

Wednesday, June 25 at 7 p.m.

with Sylvia Nakach

"Yoga of Voice"

Healing Chant as spiritual practice

Who is Singing? All the Voices of the Voice... Chanteuse & International renowned teacher & composer Silvia Nakkach introduces her YOGA of THE VOICE Program: Improvisation, Healing Chanting as a Spiritual Practice, coming soon to the Santa Cruz Mountains for a weeklong music and chanting retreat July 29 to August 3rd at the Pema Osel Lin Retreat Center. This inspiring program is a vitamin for your musical heart. Open your voice and make music like never before. This year with special guests Divine Mother and Healer Baixinhia from Brazil. Information: www.voxmundiproject.com

CDs will be available for purchase. Silvia Nakkach M.A.,MMT; Named by Utne Reader magazine as one of forty cutting-edge artists that will shake the art world in the new millennium. She is a pioneer in the field of sound and transformation of consciousness, an award-winning composer, a psychologist, a voice-culturist, and an author. She has created an innovated repertoire of vocal therapeutic techniques that become landmarks in the field of sound and music therapy, and voice coaching. She is on the faculty at the California Institute of Integral Studies in San Francisco where she is the creator and the academic advisor of the certificate program on Sound, Voice and Music Healing. She is the founding director of the International Vox Mundi School of Sound and the Voice. Silvia leads training retreats in sacred music in the United States, Brazil, India, and Europe. For more than 26 years Silvia has studied Hindustani music with maestro Ali Akbar Khan, and with Dhrupad singing in India with Dr. Ritwik Sanyal.

Thursday, June 26 at 7 p.m.

with Erica Sofrina

“Small Changes, Dynamic Results: Feng Shui for the Western World!"

Erica Sofrina simplifies and demystifies the ancient art of Chinese Feng Shui by integrating proven traditional methods with a practical and easy-to-understand Western approach. It shows you how to create meaningful, positive changes in your life by shifting your home and/or work environments. These simple adjustments produce powerful results that will increase your prosperity, improve health, boost your career and positively affect every area of your life. Erica Sofrina is a nationally recognized and highly respected consultant, author, teacher, and lecturer with over a decade of experience in the art and science of Feng Shui. She is the founder of the West Coast Academy of Feng Shui in Northern California. The academy is in the process of opening two new chapters in Vancouver, Canada and Oahu, Hawaii. Her ability to translate a complex art and science into simple, usable applications has brought her national acclaim as a teacher of Feng Shui for the West. Erica is known for a practical and inspiring teaching style that encompasses her engaging personality and a wealth of knowledge and expertise.