Main Conference Registration: Main Conference in Tomar, Portugal June 4-8

Description

Our Main Conference will take place in Tomar, the legendary stronghold of the Knights Templar, with its magnificent castle, sacred convent and magical ambience. We will also address  Portugal’s fascinating Jewish and Sufi histories, introduce participants to the extraordinary modernist philosopher and poet, Fernando Pessoa, and embrace the exquisite music of Fado, ‘longing turned to melody’ as it is described, that is perhaps the most moving expression of the Portuguese soul, known as saudade. Portugal is filled with beauty, a complex history, and deep spiritual traditions. The Celts, Romans, Visigoths, Moors, Jews, and Christians have all left significant legacies, as have the Knights Templar. Suppressed in France and throughout most of Europe, the Templars continued in Portugal under a new guise, the Order of Christ. Their grandmaster, Prince Henry the Navigator, placed his country at the forefront of the Age of Discovery as the search began, not just for trade and empire, but for Prester John, the mythical priest king thought to rule an enlightened kingdom in the heart of Africa or Asia. In modern times, Portugal has continued to express great esoteric vitality through its many gifted painters, poets and dancers. Like other formerly imperial cultures, it is beginning to come to terms with its colonial history and honor its multicultural present.