welcome

THE CG WINTER 2012 SCHEDULE IS COMPLETE!

CLASSES BEGIN TUESDAY, JANUARY 17.

If you're on our mailing list, you should soon receive your Winter 2012 Common Ground Bulletin, detailing CG's January-April program offerings.

All listings are now posted on this Web Site. Check under "Event Calendars" to find the venue you're interested in, or simply choose "All Locations" under the "Event Calendars" tab.

Harold KasimowCG Visiting Lecturer—Professor Harold Kasimow
We’re honored and delighted to announce the visit on January 25 of Harold Kasimow, Professor Emeritus in Religious Studies at Grinnell College.

Professor Kasimow will take part in the Wednesday morning “Perspectives on Spirituality” series, where he’ll explore the concept of Jewish “sainthood.”

Wednesday evening, he’ll speak of his memories as a hidden child during the Holocaust in Poland. (See the class listings.)

 

Spring 2012 Gala Event • May 20—Rabbi Levi Weiman-KelmanLevi Kelman
We are truly delighted to announce that our featured guest speaker at our Spring GALA event on Sunday, May 20 will be Rabbi Levi Weiman-Kelman from Jerusalem.

A native of Chicago, he is the founder and Senior Rabbi of Congregation Kol HaNeshama, the largest Reform congregation in Israel. A co-founder of Rabbis for Human Rights, Levi Kelman is a revered spiritual teacher, a tireless worker for justice and peace, and an interreligious pioneer.

Levi will be giving this year's Marjorie Lindsay Reed Symposium Lecture at the Gala.
Details will be forthcoming soon.

"Spiritual Perspectives"
Ron Miller can, of course, never be replaced. But Common Ground will continue to honor his memory and his teaching and scholarship by inviting several regular CG faculty members to offer workshops on fall Wednesday mornings, in the 9:30-11:30 am time slot that Ron filled so powerfully for so many years. Each workshop will address the theme, “Spiritual Perspectives" in a unique way. See page two for more details on this extraordinary series of eight workshops.

The Great Themes (Wednesday Evening Lectures)
Many of CG’s Wednesday Evening Lectures this Winter address some of the most important and influential themes in human intellectual history. Presentations belonging to this category will be individually identified as “Great Themes.” Watch for them.

The CG Donors Honor Roll
This fall, we’re inaugurating the Common Ground Donors Honor Roll, posted prominently in our Center. The categories:

• Platinum — $5,000 and up • Gold — $2,500 – $4,999
• Silver — $1,000 – $2,499 • Bronze — $250 – $999
• Friends — Up to $249

We’re sure you’ll want to play a part.

 

THE CG WINTER 2012 SCHEDULE IS COMPLETE!

CLASSES BEGIN TUESDAY, JANUARY 17.

If you're on our mailing list, you should soon receive your Winter 2012 Common Ground Bulletin, detailing CG's January-April program offerings.

All listings are now posted on this Web Site. Check under "Event Calendars" to find the venue you're interested in, or simply choose "All Locations" under the "Event Calendars" tab.

Harold KasimowCG Visiting Lecturer—Professor Harold Kasimow
We’re honored and delighted to announce the visit on January 25 of Harold Kasimow, Professor Emeritus in Religious Studies at Grinnell College.

Professor Kasimow will take part in the Wednesday morning “Perspectives on Spirituality” series, where he’ll explore the concept of Jewish “sainthood.”

Wednesday evening, he’ll speak of his memories as a hidden child during the Holocaust in Poland. (See the class listings.)

 

Spring 2012 Gala Event • May 20—Rabbi Levi Weiman-KelmanLevi Kelman
We are truly delighted to announce that our featured guest speaker at our Spring GALA event on Sunday, May 20 will be Rabbi Levi Weiman-Kelman from Jerusalem.

A native of Chicago, he is the founder and Senior Rabbi of Congregation Kol HaNeshama, the largest Reform congregation in Israel. A co-founder of Rabbis for Human Rights, Levi Kelman is a revered spiritual teacher, a tireless worker for justice and peace, and an interreligious pioneer.

Levi will be giving this year's Marjorie Lindsay Reed Symposium Lecture at the Gala.
Details will be forthcoming soon.

"Spiritual Perspectives"
Ron Miller can, of course, never be replaced. But Common Ground will continue to honor his memory and his teaching and scholarship by inviting several regular CG faculty members to offer workshops on fall Wednesday mornings, in the 9:30-11:30 am time slot that Ron filled so powerfully for so many years. Each workshop will address the theme, “Spiritual Perspectives" in a unique way. See page two for more details on this extraordinary series of eight workshops.

The Great Themes (Wednesday Evening Lectures)
Many of CG’s Wednesday Evening Lectures this Winter address some of the most important and influential themes in human intellectual history. Presentations belonging to this category will be individually identified as “Great Themes.” Watch for them.

The CG Donors Honor Roll
This fall, we’re inaugurating the Common Ground Donors Honor Roll, posted prominently in our Center. The categories:

• Platinum — $5,000 and up • Gold — $2,500 – $4,999
• Silver — $1,000 – $2,499 • Bronze — $250 – $999
• Friends — Up to $249

We’re sure you’ll want to play a part.

 

What's Happening?

Common Ground is a center for inquiry, study, and dialogue. Our primary concern is the human quest for understanding and the human pursuit of significance. While our endeavor began with the study of world religions and the commitment to inter-faith dialogue, our range of program offerings has been greatly expanded over the past several years.

Today, our primary focus is on the world's great cultural, philosophical, religious, and spiritual traditions and their implications for every dimension of human experience. Our course offerings include a tremendous variety of topics, including, but not limited to: history, literature, art, science, psychology, business, relationship, health, and personal growth. Our programs are shaped to meet the needs of all who are excited by ideas and serious about the quest.

Common Ground is for those who are already deeply grounded in their own traditions and for those who are still searching. It is a place for all who are fascinated by the convergence of the ancient with the modern, of East with West, and of spirituality with planetary reality. Common Ground brings together a knowledge of the past and a vision of the future for a better understanding of the present.

Common Ground is a fully registered not-for-profit 501(c)(3) corporation.

We think you'll enjoy CG's occasional E-Mail Newsletter about upcoming programs, special events, and important developments. CLICK HERE to subscribe.

Please note the Common Ground Campaign is ongoing.  We need your help to balance our budget as we approach the end of our fiscal year (June 30).  Your generosity makes possible everything that we do.

Sponsorships, Honors, Memorials • Winter 2012

Remember that you can make a gift to Common Ground in honor or in memory of a friend or loved one. You can also sponsor a lecture, a workshop, etc. A... | Read More...
Meet CG's Resource Persons for Winter 2012

It's a great group! You'll find many returning CG Regular Faculty members and several new resource persons. Get to know them. | Read More...
CG Satellite Schedules • Winter 2012

 A list of Winter 2012 offerings at our various satellites. | Read More...
Visit the new Ron Miller Web Site

Ron's web site has been upgraded. It's filled with his writings, photos, and other wonderful ways to remember Ron. | Read More...
The Common Ground 2012 Appeal

The Common Ground 2012 Funding Appeal—As We Continue Through Our 37th Year. | Read More...
CG Satellite Locations (Directions)

  Directions to Common Ground's many Satellites. | Read More...
Spiritual Practice at Common Ground

Common Ground now offers three different programs focused on spiritual practice. | Read More...
"Thriving in the Crosscurrent: Clarity and Hope In a Time of Cultural Sea Change"

Visit the informative website for Jim Kenney's book, Thriving in the Crosscurrent . | Read More...
Bulletins and Class Materials Now Available In The CG Download Section

In order to easier distribute Common Ground bulletins and class materials, we have created a free download section.  | Read More...
Feb8 2/8/2012 9:30 AM - 11:30 AM The Kabbalah
Common Ground Deerfield (map)

 Final session.

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Feb8 2/8/2012 7:30 PM - 9:30 PM Are We Alone? — The Debate Over Extraterrestrial Life
Common Ground Deerfield (map)
[A Great Themes Lecture] The question, “Are we alone in the universe?” has preoccupied human beings for millennia. Many have opinions about the answer, but few know the rich and revealing story of the “extraterrestrial life debate” studied by historians of Western science. This illustrated lecture surveys some key developments in the debate, sampling ideas from philosophy, religion, science and literature across different historical periods – from Aristotle to H.G. Wells – and how they influenc...
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Feb10 2/10/2012 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM Nikola Tesla — Genius Inventor, Visionary, and Mystic
Common Ground Chicago (map)
When Nikola Tesla came to Chicago's World's Columbian Exposition in 1893, his dazzling electrical show not only amused hundreds of thousands, it changed the world. Most of the industrialized world is still using his electrical system and motors. He was also a great visionary who designed a world power system and perhaps "death ray" for world peace as well as hundreds of inventions we use daily. John Wasik, who is researching a book on Tesla, will tell this remarkable man's story and show that hi...
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Feb14 2/14/2012 9:30 AM - 11:30 AM Nikola Tesla — Genius Inventor, Visionary, and Mystic
Common Ground Deerfield (map)
When Nikola Tesla came to Chicago's World's Columbian Exposition in 1893, his dazzling electrical show not only amused hundreds of thousands, it changed the world. Most of the industrialized world is still using his electrical system and motors. He was also a great visionary who designed a world power system and perhaps "death ray" for world peace as well as hundreds of inventions we use daily. John Wasik, who is researching a book on Tesla, will tell this remarkable man's story and show that hi...
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Feb15 2/15/2012 9:30 AM - 11:30 AM Living in Peace and Wellness — Ten Things You Need to Know
Common Ground Deerfield (map)
A heart of compassion needs a mind of wisdom to go with it. You can have both; it’s not difficult. All you have to do is follow one simple rule. In this guided discussion we will examine, in detail but in everyday language, how you can act and think to achieve a heart-mind of compassion and wisdom. We will consider the nine aspects of that one simple rule – together and as they apply to day-to-day life. The class is based on the opening chapters of the Diamond Sutra, a short, practical Buddhist ...
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Common Ground needs your support.  Your contribution allows us to provide high quality lectures, special events and workshops.  Online donations can now be made on cg.org.  It's fast, safe, and secure! Make a contribution today!

Click here to view Schedules for CG's many Satellite locations. 

Satellite events are highlighted in red on the All Locations calendar. You can also use the Calendar drop-down menu to view the listings for one location only. The calendar opens in the current month. Click the button for the next month (top right) or the previous month (top left) as needed.

Click here to find directions to all the CG Satellites. Satellite events are highlighted in red on the All Locations calendar. You can also use the Calendar drop-down menu to select the Satellite you'd like to check out.

 

Click to download a copy of the Readings from the Ron Miller Memorial held May 11, 2011 at Common Ground (in the adjacent church sanctuary). 

Click to download a copy of the remembrance of Ron offered by Stephen Schutt, president of Lake Forest College.

Click to download a copy of Pat Connery's moving tribute to Ron Miller's teaching, delivered at the CG Open House Memorial Celebration held on May 22, 2011 at the Forge Club in Vernon Hills.

Click here to read the Chicago Tribune obituary.

Ron's web site has been updated. You'll find selections from his writings, photos, and much more. Ron's books can be purchased here.

Click to visit: www.ronmillersworld.org.

Common Ground now offers three different programs focused on spiritual practice. We're very happy to present Laura Bernstein, Carl Jerome, and Rosemary Hurwitz, spiritual guides with great experience, insight, and skilled teaching.

MEDITATION
Every other Monday, 7:00-8:30 pm
Laura Bernstein
Free-will offering goes to CG. 
Eknath Easwaran was one of the 20th century's great meditation masters. Our ongoing satsang (spiritual community) studies his profound, pluralistic teachings (known as the 8-point program) and practices "passage meditation," a unique method of stilling the mind and translating spiritual ideals into daily living. Contact Laura before attending your first session (LJBernstein@comcast.net).

MINDFULNESS MEDITATION
Every Thursday, 7:00-8:30 pm
(when CG is in session; check with the office if you have questions)
Carl Jerome
Free-will offering goes to CG. 
A weekly drop-in class. Everyone welcome. Each class includes a period of mindfulness meditation and meditation instruction. Also, there will be a discussion of the insights that arise from watching our breath and about how to apply them directly to relieving our daily stress.

THE ENNEAGRAM
2nd and 4th Friday of each month, 11:00 am to noon.
(when CG is in session; check with the office if you have questions)
Rosemary Hurwitz
Free-will offering goes to Rosemary and to CG. 
What is the Enneagram?  The term is derived from the Greek and refers to the “nine-pointed” star-like figure within a circle which represents 9 universal personality types. Left to us by seekers and mystical thinkers well over two thousand years ago, it has within it, a powerful compass which leads us to our essence, and can help us know and anchor our purpose. In this ongoing course, you will gain an in-depth understanding of your own type and of the profound “wellness map” that lies within. You’ll also learn about all of the 9 types, and deepen compassion as you come to understand the “lenses” that others look through.  Known worldwide, accepted by diverse faiths, the Enneagram is a profound tool for transformation and relationships.