Dr Kayleen Asbo – Mary Magdalene: Archetype of Every Woman

How can we learn to see through the eyes of Mary Magdalene?

Mary Magdalene is now being rediscovered and she has much to say to people of all faiths (and none) in our tumultuous times. As an archetype of wholeness who was “fully human”, she has a great deal to offer us as a model of developing our capacity to remain present for suffering and grief but also to embrace new possibilities of life with courage and joy. In this multimedia presentation that will weave together textual scholarship with centuries of art and music, Dr. Kayleen Asbo will explore how Mary Magdalene is re-emerging as an alchemical beacon of hope and inspiration who reconciles opposites and invites us to awaken to inner wisdom.

The Bible tells us that Jesus was anointed and prepared for his death by a woman. He is accompanied every step of the way on his journey to the cross by Mary Magdalene as she leads a community of other women of courage who remain steadfast in compassion until his dying breath. While the male disciples have fled and hidden, Mary Magdalene cradles his broken body in her arms when he is taken down from the cross. She arrives on Easter to anoint his body at the tomb. She is the first to witness the Resurrection — where she is commissioned by Jesus himself to go and preach a message of hope to the other disciples. She becomes the Teacher of Teachers, the Apostle to the Apostles, the First Witness – indeed, the First Christian.

How might it change your life to imagine standing steadfast in courage and compassion as you witness the suffering of the world but find the courage and conviction to share your heart’s truth and affirm that joy is still possible? This is the Magdalene pathway that mystics across the centuries, from Julian of Norwich to St Francis of Assisi, Teresa of Avila and Therese of Lisieux have followed in their own inner awakening.

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About the speaker:

Kayleen Asbo PhD is a passionate scholar: a cultural historian, musician, writer and teacher who weaves myth, music, psychology, history and art with experiential learning.  She is a past faculty member of the Pacifica Graduate Institute and the San Francisco Conservatory of Music. Her classes on a wide array of topics ranging from Depth Psychology to Dante to the History of Classical Music have been hailed as “inspirational”, “fascinating and compelling”, “transformational” and “truly life changing”. Her favourite description came from an event producer who introduced her as a cross between Joseph Campbell, Leonard Bernstein and Wonder Woman.

TICKETS

Please note: This event is included in the Season Ticket.

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