Seven hundred years ago, a woman named Julian of Norwich lived through circumstances closely resembling what we’re experiencing today — a raging, never-ending war, tumultuous social unrest, and, on top of it all, a plague.
During the Black Death, the deadliest pandemic in human history, one in three people died across the globe. Julian endured terrible loss, and it is likely that both her husband and at least one child succumbed to the disease.
Why should we care about Julian in 2020? Because, despite all the sadness and grief she experienced, she was radically optimistic. Her insights are as relevant today as they were then. And what she discovered can help you live through these difficult times with hope, courage, and a resilient heart.
In this special online event, mystic scholar Mirabai Starr and spiritual pioneer Matthew Fox will guide you through Julian’s revelations and how they can help you cope today with the illness, greed, corruption, apathy, and racism that permeate our world.
Julian of Norwich was a remarkable woman. When she was young, she longed to truly know God, to be “oned” with Him. As a girl given to spiritual idealism, she prayed asking to be stricken with a serious illness, one so severe she might die. And it came to pass that at the age of 30, she contracted a near-fatal illness. After last rites were given, she had 16 intense visions, or what she called “showings of God’s love.” Following these revelations, she miraculously started to recover, and spent her remaining years writing about her experiences.
In one of her divine encounters, God told her, “But all will be well, and all will be well, and every kind of thing will be well.” How could this be possible, given the reality of pain and suffering going on in the world?
Julian learned that it all came down to love. Not the fleeting kind experienced by human beings, but by the divine kind, a supreme power that encompasses everything.
She also maintained that suffering is not punitive, and that while suffering is only “for a time,” joy endures. Joy is our origin and our destiny in this life and in the eternal scheme of things. And also, when living in times of sorrow and brokenness, Julian instructs us on how we can find joy again.
Mirabai and Matthew will also lead you in an uplifting, life-affirming, meditative chant based on Julian’s writings that can help you integrate any pain and sorrow you may be carrying, opening space in your heart for a greater inflow of love and compassion.
You’ll also hear about an inspiring opportunity to take a 7-week deep dive with Mirabai and Matthew into Julian’s revolutionary journey. You'll gain insight into Julian's decision to become an Anchoress, how she became a feminist (long before there was awareness about the concept), and how she achieved the distinction of being the first woman ever to be published in the English language.
You’ll participate in readings, chants, and meditations using Julian’s own words that will help you reframe our tumultuous times and step into positivity and a more hopeful future. And you'll come away knowing that despite our past and present sufferings in a turbulent, violent world in which many are struggling and losing hope, Julian’s wisdom resonates across the ages, as reassuring and as imperative today as it was in 1373: All shall be well.
Mirabai Starr is an award-winning author of creative non-fiction and contemporary translations of sacred literature. She taught Philosophy and World Religions at the University of New Mexico-Taos for 20 years and now teaches and speaks internationally on contemplative practice and inter-spiritual dialog. A certified bereavement counselor, Mirabai helps mourners harness the transformational power of loss.
Mirabai’s newest book, Wild Mercy: Living the Fierce and Tender Wisdom of the Women Mystics, was named one of the “Best Books of 2019” by Spirituality & Practice. It's essential reading for anyone ready to awaken the feminine mystic within and birth her loving, creative, and untamed power into the world.
Mirabai has received critical acclaim for her revolutionary new translations of John of the Cross’ Dark Night of the Soul and Teresa of Avila’s The Interior Castle. She is author of the poetry collection, Mother of God Similar to Fire, a collaboration withiconographer William Hart McNichols, and the award-winning book, God of Love: A Guide to the Heart of Judaism, Christianity and Islam. The transparency of her journey through grief in her memoir, Caravan of No Despair: A Memoir of Loss and Transformation, is a gift to those who are struggling with unimaginable losses.
Mirabai is on the 2020 Watkins List of the “100 Most Spiritually Influential Living People of the World.” She lives with her extended family in the mountains of northern New Mexico.
Matthew Fox is a prolific author of books dedicated to renewing the ancient tradition of Creation Spirituality, including Original Blessing and The Reinvention of Work. This earth-based mystical tradition is feminist, welcoming of the arts and artists, honors Indigenous wisdom, works with science, and is committed to interfaith approaches and eco, social, and gender justice.
Matthew’s effort to reawaken the West to its own mystical tradition has awakened awareness of Hildegard of Bingen, Meister Eckhart, and the mysticism of Thomas Aquinas, as well as the wisdom tradition that nurtured Jesus. His work helps reconnect science and spirituality by honoring the sacredness of the cosmos and interacting with contemporary scientists who are also mystics. He believes that “by reinventing work, education, and worship, we can bring about a nonviolent revolution on our planet.”
Matthew received his doctorate summa cum laude in the History and Theology of Spiritualities from the Institut Catholique de Paris. A member of the Dominican Order for 34 years, he established an Institute in Culture and Creation Spirituality that operated for seven years at Mundelein College in Chicago, and for 12 years at Holy Names College in Oakland.
He founded the University of Creation Spirituality in Oakland in 1996, and was president and professor until 2005, when he left to create a pilot project to reinvent the educational experience for inner-city teenagers.
Matthew is a recipient of many awards, including the Peace Abbey Courage of Conscience Award; other recipients have included the Dalai Lama, Mother Teresa, and Rosa Parks. He is a visiting scholar at the Academy for the Love of Learning in Santa Fe, New Mexico.
Join this FREE video event with Matthew Fox & Mirabai Starr.
By registering below you will receive event access details and reminders.
Matthew Fox is a prolific author of books dedicated to renewing the ancient tradition of Creation Spirituality, including Original Blessing... A Spirituality Named Compassion... and Christian Mystics. This earth-based mystical tradition is feminist, welcoming of the arts and artists, honors Indigenous wisdom, works with science, and is committed to interfaith approaches and eco, social, and gender justice.
Matthew’s effort to reawaken the West to its own mystical tradition has sparked awareness of Hildegard of Bingen, Meister Eckhart, Julian of Norwich, and the mysticism of Thomas Aquinas, as well as the wisdom tradition that nurtured Jesus. Matthew’s work helps reconnect science and spirituality by honoring the sacredness of the Cosmos, and interacting with contemporary scientists who are also mystics. He believes that “by reinventing work, education, and worship, we can bring about a nonviolent revolution on our planet.”
Matthew received his doctorate summa cum laude in the history and theology of spiritualities from the Institut Catholique de Paris. A member of the Dominican Order for 34 years, he established an Institute in Culture and Creation Spirituality that operated for seven years at Mundelein College in Chicago, and for 12 years at Holy Names University in Oakland.
He founded the University of Creation Spirituality in Oakland in 1996 and was president and professor until 2005 when he left to create a pilot project to reinvent the educational experience for inner-city teenagers.
Matthew is a recipient of many awards, including the Gandhi King Ikeda Award from Morehouse College, which is awarded for dedication to peace, unity, nonviolence, and justice. He also received the Peace Abbey Courage of Conscience Award —other recipients have included the Dalai Lama, Mother Teresa, and Rosa Parks. He is currently a visiting scholar at the Academy for the Love of Learning in Santa Fe, New Mexico.
Mirabai Starr is an award-winning author of creative nonfiction and contemporary translations of sacred literature. She taught Philosophy and World Religions at the University of New Mexico-Taos for 20 years, and now teaches and speaks internationally on contemplative practice and interspiritual dialogue. A certified bereavement counselor, Mirabai helps mourners harness the transformational power of loss.
Mirabai’s book, Wild Mercy: Living the Fierce and Tender Wisdom of the Women Mystics, was named one of the Best Books of 2019 by Spirituality & Practice. It’s essential reading for anyone ready to awaken the feminine mystic within and birth her loving, creative, and untamed power into the world.
Mirabai has received critical acclaim for her revolutionary new translations of John of the Cross’ Dark Night of the Soul and Teresa of Avila’s The Interior Castle. She is author of the poetry collection Mother of God Similar to Fire, a collaboration with iconographer William Hart McNichols, and the award-winning book God of Love: A Guide to the Heart of Judaism, Christianity and Islam. The transparency of her journey through grief in her memoir, Caravan of No Despair: A Memoir of Loss and Transformation, is a gift to those who are struggling with unimaginable losses.
Mirabai was named one of 2020’s 100 Most Spiritually Influential Living People in Watkins Mind Body Spirit magazine.