| Remembering a Teacher & Friend |
|
| | Last month, our beloved friend and collaborator, the Venerable Bhikkuni Pannavati-Karuna Maha-Theri (1950-2026), passed on in her community in North Carolina. In the months prior to her death, her assistant Soma kept us informed and sometimes passed messages back and forth between us. We first met the Venerable Pannavati at a dialogue in 2018 at Mepkin Abbey in South Carolina and were amazed when we heard her say that she, one of the great Buddhist teachers of our time, had finally found “her tribe” in interspiritual dialogue. It was not a repudiation of the Dharma, to which she was completely devoted, but a discovery of a new stage in her work, in which she would contribute to the unfolding of interspirituality. In this way, we became dear friends—family—participating in many dialogues together, sharing in a monthly meeting of six leaders from different traditions for over two years (in which we created the twelve interspiritual Charis Community Vows and planned a program of interspiritual formation). In the Summer of 2024, the Venerable Pannavati and I wrote and signed a declaration concerning the future of interspirituality. We then held a ceremony before witnesses to pour the transmissions of our combined lineages into interspirituality, that it might become a path in itself for future seekers (the picture above is from that ceremony). Though we loved her and feel the loss of her physical presence, it is somehow not possible to feel truly sad about her passing, because she is not gone, and so clearly already lived in other worlds.
— Pir Netanel Miles-Yépez
|
|
| | | |
We are delighted to invite you to the Charis Women’s Interspiritual Retreat, from July 15 – 20, 2026 at Charis Mandala Sanctuary in Des Moines, New Mexico.
Led by Charis teacher Alejandra Warden and supported by Samantha Krezinski and Allison DeHart, this gathering is an invitation to live and explore spirituality in a deeply feminine way, rooted in embodiment, intuition, relationship, and devotion. Together, we will explore what it means to connect with the Divine Feminine through thoughtful talks, shared inquiry, and lived practice. Our days will include both silent and guided meditation, time for movement and creative expression, and space for reflection, renewal, and integration.
|
|
| | Upcoming Retreats at Charis Mandala |
|
| | Click the links to learn more and register! |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| | |
Rory and Alejandra at the Awakening World Event“Interspiritual Action in a Divided World” |
|
|
On January 17th, 2026, Rory and Alejandra joined Scott Catamas, Dr. Kurt Johnson, and the Global Peace Tribe, who hosted a session that brought together institutions and leaders who have carried the work of interspiritual collaboration into long-term, lived practice. Rory and Alejandra speak about Charis, contemplative dialogue, and how spiritual depth becomes a shared responsibility. |
|
| | | Charis Foundation, a 501(c)3 non-profit, needs your support. We depend on your donations to sponsor our activities. Please give whatever you can. |
|
| | |
Rory and Alejandra at the Unity Earth Symposium |
|
|
On February 22nd, 2026, Rory and Alejandra participated in the Unity Earth Symposium, where they joined Dr. Will Keepin, Rev. Cynthia Brix, and Dr. Kurt Johnson to speak about initiatives that grew out of the legacy of the Snowmass Interspiritual Dialogues. Rory and Alejandra discuss the work of Charis, including the the importance of interspiritual formation and long-term contemplative practice, as well as Charis’ connections with the pioneering Snowmass Interspiritual Dialogue Conferences, originally convened by Fr. Thomas Keating in 1984. |
|
| | | Charis Circles are small, interspiritual communities of practice which may be established anywhere in the world by trained facilitators.
Interested in experiencing or joining an ongoing Charis Circle? Email us at chariscircles@charisinterspirituality.org |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| | a testimonial from a recent Circle:
“Here (in the Circle), I sense the freedom that I no longer need to ‘try’ to conform my ‘self’ to particular words and doctrines hammered into me as a child. Now I can understand them and the motivations of the people who still worship words and doctrines without anger or resentment or judgment. The contemplative path is a pathway into an ever-deepening freedom. I wish that freedom for ALL. In gratitude,” – Frank P. |
|
| | |
Charis Foundation, a 501(c)3 non-profit, needs your support. We depend on your donations to sponsor our activities. Please give whatever you can. |
|
| | If you know someone who would be interested in news and updates from Charis, please share!
Forward this newsletter and spread the word! |
|
| | |
|
|
|
| |
|
