The Westwood Art Forum is proud to present the following events in conjunction with The Vision and Art of Shinjo Ito exhibition.

Events occur through the duration of the exhibition and are added all the time, please check back for new additions.

All events are free but space is limited and online reservations are necessary.

Dr. Margaret Miles, former Dean of the Berkeley Graduate Theological Union, will present "Seeing and Believing: The Role of Vision in the Religious Practice."

In Shinnyo Meditation we are assisted by a specially trained Meditation Guide who helps us find and cultivate the seed of enlightenment that exists within us. We hope you enjoy the experience of Shinnyo Meditation.

With a background as a symphony and opera conductor, Brad Keimach hosts a special Symphonic Yoga workshop. Imagine your yoga practice set to the classical music of Mozart, Beethoven, and Brahms. Brad teaches weekly at Exhale Center for Sacred Movement. Symphonic Yoga will be offered again on June 8th.

The first in a series of four meditations guided by internationally renowned healer, Holly Star. Holly's meditations use the exhibit's actual sculptures as meditative tools. This was Shinjo Ito's intention as an artist. This week focuses on Bodhisattva Saravapayajaha. Bodhisattva Saravapayajaha is the bodhisattva that 'purifies karma.' This piece will be the foundation for this guided meditation series and will help clarify an intention to engage in the clearing and releasing of karmic patterns through a consistent meditation ritual in conjunction with Shinjo Ito's art. Each event in this series is a separate sign-up.

One of the most popular Vinyasa flow teachers in Los Angeles, Vinne Marino offers a special, one-time-only Zen Flow class, blending the meditative calm of Shinjo Ito's work with Vinnie's energetic, rock-and-roll style. He teaches at Yoga Works.

The Buddhist world's only female denominational head will be leading a class combining meditation and Japanese calligraphy. Although reservations are now filled, the event will be viewable throughout the exhibition on video screens.

The second in a series of four meditations guided by internationally renowned healer, Holly Star. Holly's meditations use the exhibit's actual sculptures as meditative tools. This was Shinjo Ito's intention as an artist. This week focuses on Tathagata Amitabha. Tathagata Amitabha translates to 'infinite light.' In this meditation, we will draw upon our own Inner Light, and we will gather the power of this piece to hold space for a 'filling up' of Infinite Light. Each event in this series is a separate sign-up.

Co-founder of the Insight Center in West Los Angeles, Dr. Shiffman teaches, counsels, and provides organizational consulting and has an extensive background in trauma and healing, substance abuse and recovery, and body-oriented therapeutic practices.

Martian Ranch & Vineyard provides an exclusive tasting of California wines led by Wine Enthusiast Magazine's West Coast Editor, Steven Heimoff. Heimoff is a well-recognized authority on California wines and the author of recent wine books, "New Classic Winemakers of California: Conversations with Steve Heimoff" and "A Wine Journey along the Russian River."

Amy Perry is a spiritual counselor and licensed graduate of Agape International Spiritual Center where she continues to work as a facilitator within the Practitioner Studies program. Her weekly meditation and peace circle in Angelino Heights brings together people from all over the city for the purpose of personal and global liberation.

Michael Taft is a meditation teacher and spiritual counselor. From Zen temples in Japan to yogi caves in India, he has been meditating for over twenty-five years and regularly hosts workshops as well as weekly classes in Los Angeles.

Regina is a bi-coastal instructor currently teaching for New York Sports Club, Crunch, Clay, Yoga Effects, Yoga and Pilates & Yoga by Jane in Beverly Hills, Liberation Yoga and Crunch in Los Angeles.

In Shinnyo Meditation we are assisted by a specially trained Meditation Guide who helps us find and cultivate the seed of enlightenment that exists within us. We hope you enjoy the experience of Shinnyo Meditation.

In an age of increased interaction among religious communities throughout the world, how will we learn to live together in mutual respect? Interfaith Youth Core trainers will lead "a different kind of conversation about religion." The conversation will center on the shared values across religious and moral traditions and how we can live out these values together to contribute to the betterment of our community.

The third in a series of four meditations guided by internationally renowned healer, Holly Star. Holly's meditations use the exhibit's actual sculptures as meditative tools. This was Shinjo Ito's intention as an artist. This week focuses on Tathagata Mahavairochana (Womb World Realm). This Tathagata Mahavairochana represents the nurturing realm. This meditation will focus on the principle of 'unifying' as a coming 'home' and as a listening to what it means to 'unify.' More time for silence and contemplation on the unification process. Each event in this series is a separate sign-up

Hillary Rubin teaches at City Yoga where her transformative classes weave a life-affirming philosophy that celebrates the individual along with her personal understanding of the body's natural ability to heal.

A lifelong yoga pracitioner, Nina specializes in creating a strong yet accessible practice harmoniously balancing physical postures and breathing techniques designed to stretch the body and increase flexibility of the mind.

Symphonic Yoga with Brad Keimach With a background as a symphony and opera conductor, Brad Keimach hosts a special Symphonic Yoga workshop. Imagine your yoga practice set to the classical music of Mozart, Beethoven, and Brahms. Brad teaches weekly at Exhale Center for Sacred Movement.

Dharma Zen Center is a place where monks and lay people from all countries can practice Zen together and find their true selves. We have formal meditation practice: bowing, chanting and sitting Zen. The discussion will be entitled "What is Zen and Why We Practice".

Don Farber is a world renowned photo-journalist and author of several books including "Visions of Buddhist Life." Don has spent the last thirty years documenting Buddhist life all over the world. He will present a retrospective of his experience in tandem with a slide-show of his work.

The fourth in a series of four meditations guided by internationally renowned healer, Holly Star. Holly's meditations use the exhibit's actual sculptures as meditative tools. This was Shinjo Ito's intention as an artist. This week focuses on the Great Parinirvana Image. The Great Parinirvana Image is for us to go beyond that which is known and to transcend. This piece will help focus us to the idea that nirvana is not a final state, but an ever-awakening state of being each and every day of our lives. Each event in this series is a separate sign-up.

Co-founder of the Insight Center in West Los Angeles, Dr. Shiffman teaches, counsels, and provides organizational consulting and has an extensive background in trauma and healing, substance abuse and recovery, and body-oriented therapeutic practices. This evening will integrate beginning meditation instruction, periods of silent meditation, and an eclectic array of observations from neuroscience, physics, poetry, and the political psychology of freedom. Discussion will focus on our experiences of anxiety, trauma, emotional reactivity, and developing our personal path to liberation.

In Shinnyo Meditation we are assisted by a specially trained Meditation Guide who helps us find and cultivate the seed of enlightenment that exists within us. We hope you enjoy the experience of Shinnyo Meditation.

ANP Quarterly is a free arts magazine that focuses on the broad sense of art and community, and is distributed around the world through galleries, bookstores, clothing and record shops. This after-hours event celebrates ANP readers and contributors and includes a meditative "silent show" by acclaimed LA-based musical artists, The Sads.

Noah Levine is the author of "Dharma Punx" and "Against the Stream." He teaches meditation classes, workshops and retreats nationally as well as leading groups in juvenile halls and prisons. He is the founder of "The Mind Body Awareness Project" which brings spirituality to prison inmates and incarcerated youth. Additionally, Noah runs "Against the Stream" Buddhist Meditation Society in Los Angeles.

Vytas teaches at Power Yoga in Santa Monica where he encourages his students to learn through yoga the lost art of balance, compassion, moderation, and stillness. Vytas' classes are a conscientious refuge from the insanity of Los Angeles.

Meher McArthur is an expert in East Asian Art and author of The Arts of Asia: Materials, Techniques, Styles, Reading Buddhist Art, and Japanese Buddhist and Shinto Prints: From the Collection of Manly P. Hall. Her talk, entitled "Buddhist Art and Iconography," offers insight into the various Buddhist deities, their roles and how to identify them with special focus on the works featured in "The Vision and Art of Shinjo Ito."

In this one-man show, writer/actor Evan Brenner recounts the life of the Buddha - the evolution of his thought, the triumphs, and the rarely portrayed tragedy at the end of his life - all told from the authentic texts. Hailed as "wonderfully entertaining" by the Boston Metro and "masterfully crafted...a must-see" by author Mark Epstein, Ph.D. Evan Brenner is particularly interested in the Buddha's life as an expression and example of spiritual struggle, achievement, and on-going challenge.

Special gallery tours, coloring books, calligraphy and origami centers for the whole family to enjoy during daytime hours.

Shinnyo-en presents a Taiko performance, Ocean of Joy. This performance is a vibrant extension of the compassionate heart of the Buddha in keeping with the spirit of Shinjo Ito. It conveys in music what the Vision and Art of Shinjo Ito conveys in Art.

A special Mind and Balance workshop to link the mindful and grounded qualities of meditation with our asana practice. This workshop we will awaken the body with a gentle asana practice and combine the stillness of meditation with balance postures to create focus while staying relaxed. Jamie Elmer teaches weekly at Exhale Center for Sacred Movement.

In Shinnyo Meditation we are assisted by a specially trained Meditation Guide who helps us find and cultivate the seed of enlightenment that exists within us. We hope you enjoy the experience of Shinnyo Meditation. The meditation will start promptly at 7:00 pm. To avoid disruption, there will be no entry after 7:00 pm.

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