Wisdom Perspectives: Making a Difference
Wisdom Perspectives: Making a Difference
BrainWorks is pleased to bring you a complementary new series of community-oriented programs scheduled monthly, the second Sunday from 3 - 4:30 p.m. EST. (exception April 1 & May 6, first Sunday)
This series has been developed by the Sage-ing Council of BrainWorks in the spirit of continuing to bring provocative, vitality based conversations designed to make you think, grow, and expand your mind. It brings experts from academics, business, communications and the arts together for insightful perspectives on current issues in our local and global communities.
Location: Memorial BrainWorks, 534 N. Michigan Street, South Bend
Call to register ~ 574-647-6628
Sept. 11, 2011 Community Panel and Dialogue: Perspectives on Perspectives, Business, and Education
Dr. Greg Hinkle, Executive Director, Elkhart Samaritan Center
Brad Toothaker, President & CEO CB Richard Ellis Bradley, Chair, St. Joseph County Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors,
Dr. Yvonne Bullock, Executive Director for Instruction, South Bend Community School Corp.
A perspective is a point of view that reflects how we see reality. A problem arises when people believe there can be only one perspective, whether it is my individual perspective or my group’s perspective. Wisdom grows from the ability to accept the reality of two or more different, even opposing perspectives. In these contentious times, it is essential to develop our capacities for understanding the world as others experience it.
Oct. 9, 2011 Agape-Satyagraha: A Strategy for Reducing Violence
Rey Hernandez, Site Monitor & Coordinating Committee Member
Agape is the Greek NT word for unconditional love; Satyagraha is the Sanskrit word Gandhi used as the philosophical foundation for his nonviolent methods. Agape-Satyagraha mentors youth in these concepts and methods of nonviolence. We believe that the spread of nonviolent thinking and action can act as a countervailing force to what jeopardizes our community and nation, hence "waging peace."
Nov. 13, 2011 How Native American Spirituality Can Help Heal Modern Lives and Save the Planet
Jeff Nixa, Massage Therapist, trained in Shamanic healing
Explore the earth-honoring spiritual beliefs of native traditions from North and South America and learn how “The People” understand illness and the central role of Mother Earth in healing and restoring balance and harmony. Through story and ritual we will learn the lessons these traditions offer for our own lives, particularly the problems of living in our modern industrial-growth culture in which nature and the mystical dimension of life have been minimized.
Dec. 11, 2011 The Aging Brain
Dr. Matt Costello, Asst. Professor of Psychology, Director Gerontology Program, IUSB
The effect of aging on the brain is complex from many perspectives from our brain tissue and cells, to our brain’s abilities to perform tasks, to our ability to connect ideas in new and complex ways. Yet, in most wisdom-related tasks, adults show gains compared to younger adults. Explore these complex patterns in the aging brain and mind.
Jan. 8, 2012 Ecological Economics
Joan Marie Steadman, CSC, President, Congregation of the Sisters of the Holy Cross
Ecological economics is an alternative economic model that challenges the current growth-driven system, presenting instead a model that recognizes Earth’s biophysical limits and embodies both social and ecological values.
Feb. 12, 2012 The Sustainability Revolution and How it Can Help Save the Future for Our Children
Dr. Mike Keen, IUSB, Director, Center for a Sustainable Future
Sustainability has become a buzzword. You can hardly open a newspaper or turn on the television without hearing it mentioned. What is sustainability? What are its basic principles? Why is it so absolutely crucial to the future of our children and grandchildren? What can we do today to help them out for tomorrow?
Mar. 11, 2011 Living a Life of Meaning: What’s on Your Bucket List
Debra Raybold, Director of Memorial BrainWorks
In this interactive session explore the role a bucket list can play in cultivating a meaningful life, the health benefits of living purposefully and little tricks your brain may play on you as you plan. Leave with the beginning of your personal and meaningful bucket list.
Apr. 1, 2011 The Wealthier the Healthier: Social Determinants of Health
Gary Brown, Memorial Hospital, Coordinator of Community Health Outreach
Bonnie Bazata, Executive Dir., St. Joseph County Bridges Out of Poverty Initiative
Waldo Mikels-Carrasco, Research Assoc. Dir., Institute for Latino Studies, ND
Kimberlie Warren-Memorial Hospital, HUD Asthma Grant Project Coordinator
The composite measures that influence social economics, such as income, occupation, education, race, housing, and environment, are also known as “social determinants of health.” These determinants, genetics, and early childhood experiences interact across a lifespan to influence rates of chronic diseases and morbidities. Health improves incrementally with increasing levels of social and economic advantage. One common denominator of those in poverty is stress. When chronic, stress causes a cascade of negative behavioral, cognitive, physiologic, and neurological changes over time. It is no surprise that those in poverty are more vulnerable to poor health.
May 6, 2012 The Cry of the Poor: A Compelling Counter-cultural Call
Frances B. O’Connor, CSC, Teacher, Lecturer, Author on Women, Religion, Globalization
Recipient of numerous Lifetime Achievement awards, join us at Dr. O’Connor shares her unique global perspective, formulated from her twenty years as a missioner in East Pakistan (Bangladesh) as well as her cross-cultural study of women on four continents.
June 10, 2012 The Expanding Universe: How Its Evolutionary Transformation Helps Us to Understand Ourselves
Fr. Ken Grabner, Chaplain, Holy Cross Village
We are children of the universe. Its evolutionary process has helped to bring us into being. From its beginning, the universe has been on a grand evolutionary journey leading to greater complexity and awareness. This process is reflected in our own history. Understanding the similarities helps us to feel more at home in our universe and to see more clearly who we are.