Deanne Mincer
Rumi: the Mystical Poetry and Whirling Meditation

Wednesday February 19
Northern Westchester Hospital Center
Conference rooms C & D

6:30-9:30 PM
 

This presentation will introduce you to one of the greatest mystical poets of all time, the writer known as Rumi who lived inTurkey during the 1700’s.  He was already a renowned cleric in the Sufi Muslim tradition when he came upon a teacher who showed him the true and direct experience of God.  When his teacher disappeared, Rumi’s poetry sprang forth and, in his grief, came a new form of devout meditation called whirling.  Some would know this as whirling like a dervish and it is still practiced around the world. In fact, as a child you probably whirled!

Rumi’s poetry brings us straight into the heart of Divine Love.  It is so powerful that Rumi’s poetry outsells all other poets in the Western World.

The presentation on February 19th will include:

• An introduction to Rumi and his impact on the world and mystical thought
• A video presentation that includes Coleman Barks, the American poet who has translated much of Rumi’s work, Huston Smith, Deepak Chopra, Robert Bly and many others who speak of the impact Rumi has had on spiritual thought.
• Readings and discussion of some of the seminal works of Rumi and what the beliefs mean for self transformation and learning the language of Love and living in peace in the world.
• An explanation of whirling as a form of meditation meant to bring us into alignment with Source and with God.
• Participation in whirling as a meditation form. Deanne was trained in this method in New York City at a program taught by Shahram Shiva.  The whirling is accompanied by authentic sounds to enhance the experience.
• Deanne’s personal experience with Rumi at his shrine in Konya, Turkey
• Source information for Rumi’s writings will be shared and materials distributed to participants. 

What you will learn:

• Who Rumi is and how he has influenced spiritual and religious thought
• What his transformation or enlightening can mean for you
• How to be more open to non judgment and love in your own life
• How to use the reading of Rumi’s poetry for self inquiry and growth
• How to practice whirling on your own and experience its many benefits

Deanne Mincer has been a long time student of religious and spiritual studies.  For many years, she was a practitioner of yoga and in the late 1980’s she was drawn to share her enthusiasm by becoming a yoga teacher. 

Her certification, from the Himalayan Institute, was a comprehensive two year program including the study of anatomy, diet, nutrition, Ayurvedic medical practices, the methods of teaching hatha yoga, the science of breath and the study of raja (the royal path of yoga) philosophy.

 She has taught yoga, meditation, and spiritual classes for more than twenty years.  In the mid 1990’s she became a follower of Siddha Yoga where she experienced a spiritual awakening called shaktipat and her teachings took on a new and freshly informed understanding.  

As Deanne continued her studies, she learned level one in Reiki and also studied with Henry Grayson, Ph.D. where she refined her work with muscle testing and the complex of energy healing methods Dr. Grayson has developed for use with his patients.  Dr. Grayson’s work is illuminated in his books, Mindful Loving and Use Your Body to Heal Your Mind.

Deanne teaches group and private classes in yoga as well as stress reduction programs and meditation in many forms (sitting, walking, whirling, meditation in action, and "sleeping" meditation called yoga nidra).  She has developed methods of using yoga in treating those with life threatening diseases as in the programs she designed for Gilda’s Club and Friends in Deed in New York City.

 She was a consulting producer on an alternative health program for CNBC’s Alive and Wellness, and  she has demonstrated yoga on network television.  Deanne created the audio CD Inner Light Yoga with Deanne Mincer and she has spoken widely and demonstrated meditation in many venues.

Deanne is an enthusiastic and joyful teacher.  She is known for the keen interest she takes in her students’ physical and spiritual development. She stresses that each student should work at their own pace in a non-competitive and caring environment. You can read some of the comments her students have shared in the Testimonials Section of this site.

 Her teaching is grounded in her own steadfast spiritual awareness – that each of us is a being of eternal light and love and that we can all come to knowing this truth for ourselves.

 She is eager to help guide you on this joyful path of body, mind, breath and spirit.