Unveiling the New Year

Waterstone Bridges founder Dr. Mary Pilat leads a daylong workshop at Eagle Creek Park in Indianapolis, Saturday, January 15, using the veil to explore the inner self.

LAFAYETTE, IN (PRWEB) December 30, 2004 -- On Saturday, January 15, Unveiling the New Year," a daylong workshop focusing on the inner self, will be held at Eagle Creek Park in Indianapolis. Participants will join in experiential activities and individual reflection for personal and spiritual development.

Leading the workshop will be Dr. Mary Pilat, founder of Waterstone Bridges. Pilat draws on her experiences and travels in the exploration of the veil.

During a trip to Afghanistan in November of 2002, I was very moved by the plight of women and the sight of women being veiled behind burkas. And I was so moved by that experience of veiling that when I came back to the states, I began to look at what it means to be veiled."

Pilat explains that the veil is not only a form of oppression, but of expression. Very often we think of veiling as being oppressive, that veiling is a bad thing. But when you start looking at the meaning of veiling. Its more than just the oppression of women. When we are children, we play peek-a-boo behind a cloth. Veiling among religious women has a sense of holiness. There are aspects that have to do with being half-veiled, as in belly dancing, that are enticing, that invite one to explore more. So there are playful aspects of veiling, oppressive aspects of veiling, exotic aspects of veiling."

Participants in Unveiling the New Year" will explore aspects of veiling in their own lives, says Pilat. The beginning of the new year is the time for us to look at our own lives and to see areas where we may choose to veil or reveal ourselves. Coming to understand veiling is important and relevant to understanding ourselves."

Anyone is welcome to attend. Social work Continuing Education Units (CEUs) are available. Registration is limited to 20 participants; partial scholarships are available.

Registration Information
Cost for the workshop is $60; lunch is included. For more information, call 765.414.2050, or visit www.interplaytheatre.com, where online registration is available.

To schedule an interview with Dr. Mary Pilat please call 765.414.2050, or email Katherine.burke@gte.net.

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