Francis Bennett - talk with Ramana Maharshi Foundation UK

Spiritual Devotion in the Life of Ramana Maharshi and the Place of Devotion on the Spiritual Path

Join author/spiritual teacher, Francis Bennett, for an afternoon talk as part of her UK visit from the US. In this talk Francis will explore the importance of devotion in the life of Sri Ramana and will reflect on the place devotion has played in her own spiritual journey as a monastic and spiritual guide. She will also share with us several meditative practices of devotion that can open the heart of love and Bhakti within us.

Where: Friends Meeting House, 120 Heath St, London NW3 1DR, Hampstead

When: Saturday 29th July 2pm – 5.30pm

Hosted by the Ramana Maharshi Foundation:
http://www.ramana-maharshi.org.uk/

Cost: £12 (£10 concessions) - pay at door

Includes tea and cake

Ramana Maharshi, the great awakened sage of Arunanchala, was a being filled with devotion for the image of Shiva found in the Sacred Mountain which he lived in the shadow of for over 50 years. Often, as Advaita teachings have migrated to the West, the element of devotion has been left behind in the tendency toward Western rational thought and bias.

“Transforming yourself is a means of giving light to the whole world.” Sri Ramana Maharshi

https://secure.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/6/8/d/2/600_462506834.jpeg

https://secure.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/6/9/0/1/600_462506881.jpeg

Biography

Francis Bennett was a Roman Catholic, Trappist monk for a number of years and was also a member of an urban, contemplative monastic community originally founded in Paris in 1975. She was an avid spiritual seeker throughout her entire time as a contemplative monk and, inspired by the pioneering Christian 20th Century mystic, Thomas Merton, studied deeply in the Theravadan Buddhist practice of Vipassana, as well as studying and practicing Japanese Zen. Francis devotes his time to offering spiritual direction and helping guide people in their spiritual quest and has lead retreats in both the Vipassana Buddhist Tradition and in the Christian mystical/contemplative Tradition. Francis is the author of “I Am That I Am” , now published by Nonduality Press as an imprint of New Harbinger Publications.

Francis spoke last year at the Ramana Maharshi Foundation to great effect. You can listen to last year's talk on YouTube: https://youtu.be/KzD7VvhZ5wU

An engaging, profoundly experienced and insightful spiritual teacher, Francis is also an inspiration in terms of diversity. Having just come out as transgender, she is currently transitioning.

www.findinggraceatthecenter.com (http://www.findinggraceatthecenter.com/)

The World as Your Monastery ~ An Introduction to the Life and Work of Francis Bennett

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UpYduPSPa_c&feature=youtu.be

http://findinggraceatthecenter.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/V2-Adya-Quote-Misty-Banner.jpg