|
|
|
      Contact Information:
|
|
Ed Sellner, Professor of
Curriculum Vitae CSC Bookstore Upcoming Pilgrimages Ireland with Presentation Sisters and Associates, June, 2008 Current Projects Ed Sellner is presently researching and writing three books: one on "the double," the archetype on male-relatedness as manifest in men's relationships between father and son, brother and brother, friend and friend, and lover and lover'; one on animals as spirit guides; and another on traditions of spiritual guidance. Ed is also the founder of Immram: Resources for Celtic Spirituality, which was launched February 1, 1998, to encourage the recovery and adaptation of the ancient life-giving springs of Celtic spirituality and other indigenous spiritual traditions, including the Hawaiian, for the contemporary world . An Irish word for "rowing," Immram refers to that genre of storytelling associated with certain Celtic heroes' mystical voyages in search of Tir Tairngire, the Promised Land. Some of these early pagan heroes include Bran (meaning "raven") Mac Feabhail, a Welsh king who sets out on a voyage at the invitation of a beautiful woman from the otherworld; and Maol Duin, a warrior from the Aran islands who sets sail to avenge the death of his father. Perhaps the most famous immram is the medieval Voyage of St.Brendan, an epic story about the sixth-century Irish saint which influenced the imagination of renaissance explorers to the New World and Dante'sThe Divine Comedy. In Celtic tradition, the Promised Land lies across water and whoever sets out to find it must not only be willing to take great risks, but also to call upon God for inspiration and guidance. Immram's logo of a small curragh or boat upon the open seas is symbolic of the frail bark of the soul and its own quest for meaning, wisdom, and the holy life; the difficult and lifelong process of soul-making. Other symbols express additional meanings rooted in the Celtic spiritual tradition: the mast in the form of a cross, symbolizing the Christian message which early Irish missionaries, such as Sts. Columbanus and Gall, brought to many countries in Europe at the time when much of Roman and Christian culture was being destroyed; the three oars and three stars, representing the Celtic appreciation of triads which they associated with strength and intimacy with God; the full moon, symbolic of the ancient Celts' respect for the feminine and, in particular, the goddess Brigit, whose stories became so closely intertwined with those of the saint; the stars and moon, together signifying the Celts' love of nature, their belief that night passages can lead to transformation, and that the divine itself should be called, "Lord of the Elements," "King of the Stars," and "Lord of the Cloudy Heavens." Around all of the symbols is the circle, representing wholeness and harmony, and the Celts' own caim prayers seeking protection from harm. The entire logo is meant to evoke humanity's pilgrimage throughout history to holy places where one can find healing, hope, regeneration, and perhaps, most of all, gratitude for what already is. Immram was created with specific objectives based upon the rich history, vision, and spirituality of the Early Celtic Church, which existed from the fifth through the twelfth centuries C.E. in the places we today call Ireland, Scotland, Wales, Cornwall, Northumbria, Brittany, the Isle of Man, and Galicia in Spain: + To help anyone interested in pursuing knowledge of Celtic roots, and an appreciation of their own spiritual heritage; + To encourage pilgrimage to the holy places of the Celtic heroes and Christian saints; + To foster Christian unity and respect for all authentic spiritual traditions of humankind; + To encourage soul friendships and mentoring relationships that provide support and direction to all those in transitions; + To promote the leadership and full inclusion of women in today's society and churches; + To support an appreciation and respect for the natural world in which we live, and an awareness of our kinship with it; + To assist in the healthy integration of sexuality and spirituality, and respect for its diverse expressions. Services that Immram can provide include: 1. Offering lectures, workshops, courses, and retreats on the history and contemporary implications of Celtic spirituality, as well as the importance of soul friendships and mentoring today; 2. Conducting pilgrimages to Celtic holy places in Ireland, Cornwall, Brittany, and Galicia in Spain; 3. Presenting papers and research on specific topics related to Celtic Spirituality; 4. Helping plan sabbaticals and study abroad in the area of Celtic studies and spirituality; 5. Sponsoring think-tanks around topics of special interest or controversy concerning Celtic spirituality. |
|
