Catholic monastic monk Brother Bernard Seif, from the Salesian Monastery of Pennsylvania, will teach a weekend workshop on “Science and Spirituality” on Jan. 14 and 15 as a special guest lecturer for the educational non-profit, Kahuna Valley. Seif is a
Catholic monastic monk Brother Bernard Seif, from the Salesian Monastery of Pennsylvania, will teach a weekend workshop on “Science and Spirituality” on Jan. 14 and 15 as a special guest lecturer for the educational non-profit, Kahuna Valley.
Seif is a Catholic monastic monk and clinical psychologist as well as being board certified in behavioral medicine, states a Kahuna Valley press release. He is also a doctor of naturopathic medicine, and skilled in the Chinese practice of medical Qigong.
He has traveled to China, Tibet and India to learn of the eastern healing traditions, bringing together the best of the Eastern and Western healing philosophies in his teachings. “As humanity continues to evolve, it has become increasingly clear that science and spirituality are not irreconcilable opposites,” said the monk. “They are, rather, two manifestations of a greater whole. Our time together will look at the scientific method as a launching pad from which we can venture forth into the world of philosophy and theology.” Though Seif considers himself a perpetual student, he is an articulate and learned teacher who manages to bring humor and light to all his teachings.
Seif’s cultural sensitivity has gained him entry into countries and cultures that might otherwise hesitate to share their ancient wisdom with curious westerners.
He has a passion for understanding what motivates both human health and suffering from spiritual, psychological and physical levels.
Seif has not only written clinical papers for respected medical publications, but authored a series of monastic mysteries. When asked what compelled him to write mysteries, Seif said, “Most of my published writings have been in professional journals. It is so refreshing to write without the confines of the scientific method. Writing monastic mysteries helps me to process and enjoy even more deeply the experiences life has gifted me with.” “Brother Bernard is a rare individual,” said Francesco Garripoli who will be hosting the Catholic monk. “He is able to integrate both Western and Eastern philosophies and not take away from either. He teaches us how a compassionate and open mind is the key to higher learning and spiritual growth, regardless of faith or religious tradition.
Brother Bernard’s workshop will be sure to inspire those searching for ways to understand the connection between faith, clinical psychology, natural medicine, Chinese medicine and East-West spirituality.” Seif will be teaching at Kahuna Valley Jan. 14 and 15 from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., as well as presenting at Kukui Grove at the Interfaith Roundtable’s Martin Luther King Day festivities on Jan. 16.
For more information, contact Daisy Lee-Garripoli at 822-4268 or visit www.kahunavalley.org.
