Whether you believe in the reality of reincarnation or immortality the fact of aging and what it says about our personal and social identity has been of enduring interest to many. The ethical and psychological dimensions of these three perennial themes will be introduced and discussed over three one -hour sessions of this class. What is aging exactly and when does it begin? Does the soul evolve or “age”? At the end of life, what is it that dies? These and other questions will be examined through the lenses of Classical theory from various traditions. We will also consider the impact of the newer modern folklore on aging, rebirth and immortality emerging from the 20th century mingling of modern science and counterculture and the contributions to what has come to be known as “New Age” thought. Rabbi Jonathan will contribute some Jewish perspectives on Reincarnation and Rebirth from the Kabbalistic tradition, including new texts that have come to light that affirm extensive Jewish belief in “Gilgul” in the Early Modern Historical period (1550-1800) and discuss Jewish beliefs in Reincarnation today
About Jennifer Ganya
Jennifer Ganya is a certified yin yoga instructor and lay scholar of Eastern philosophy. She embraces the path of yoga in all its forms focusing particularly on Eastern Taoist yin somatic approaches and building on her previous background of traditional Indian hatha yoga practice. She has taught previously with the Yeshiva comparing classical yoga philosophy and Jewish Mussar and continues to offer instruction on yoga asana as well as private study sessions on Bhagavad Gita that instructors such as BKS Iyengar considered central to the understanding of yoga.
Samkhya (classical yoga philosophy) remains for her the backbone of yogic thought and ethics while allowing for creative and innovative expressions of this ancient art form
Rabbi Jonathan Seidel is the Rabbi in Residence of the Aquarian Minyan and has taught Jewish Studies and Comparative Religion in the University for over 40 years, in addtion to serving congregations in California, Arizona and Oregon. He is the Chair of the Oregon Interfaith Hub and loves bringing people of all faiths and spiritual paths together to practice “Deep Ecumenism” a term coined by Matthew Fox and popularized by Rabbi Zalman Schacter Shalomi.