TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – Norman Fischer, a poet and Zen Buddhist priest, will be on The University of Alabama campus Tuesday, Sept. 9, and Wednesday, Sept. 10, to talk about his most recent book, “Sailing Home: Using the Wisdom of Homer’s Odyssey to Navigate Life’s Pitfalls and Perils.”
Fischer has most recently contributed an article on ways to calm down in Oprah’s September O magazine. He is also the author of numerous books of poetry and “Opening to You: Zen-inspired Translations of the Psalms,” which is used liturgically by many Christian and Jewish groups and individuals. He has taught at the San Francisco Zen Center, the oldest and largest of the new Buddhist organizations in the West, where he served as co-abbot from 1995 to 2000.
He also is the founder and spiritual director of the Everyday Zen Foundation, an organization dedicated to adapting Zen Buddhist teachings to Western culture. UA’s Creative Campus Initiative, Crossroads Community Center, English department, Honors College, Housing and Residential Communities, New College, religious studies and University Libraries are collaborating to present Fischer to the UA and Tuscaloosa community.
All events are free and open to the public.
Fischer’s University of Alabama Itinerary (subject to change)
Tuesday, Sept. 9: Talk, discussion, & book signing, “Sailing Home,” 4 p.m. in 205 Gorgas Library.
Tuesday, Sept. 9: Poetry Reading, 7:30 p.m. in the Bama Theatre on Greensboro Avenue.
Wednesday, Sept. 10: Meditation session, 9 a.m. at the Riverside Community. (Space is limited, RSVP at 205/348-7884).
Wednesday, Sept. 10: Brown-bag lunch discussion with meditation and writing. Noon to 1:30 p.m. in 301 Morgan Hall.
Wednesday, Sept. 10: Community Conversation — What do Buddhists believe? What does Zen Meditation involve? This is an opportunity to engage a practicing Buddhist in conversation (3:30 to 5 p.m., Crossroads Community Center Lounge in the Ferguson Center).
Under the auspices of UA’s Office of Academic Affairs, The Creative Campus Initiative is a collaborative system connecting students, faculty and community to nurture innovative thinkers who turn ideas into action. Creative Campus seeks to serve as the hub of collaboration and creative activity at The University of Alabama.
Editor’s Note:To set up interviews with Norman Fischer, contact
Alexis Z. Clark, 205/348-7884, alexis.clark@ua.edu
Contact
Richard LeComte, UA Public Relations, 205/348-3782, rllecomte@advance.ua.edu