Reflection...

A fabulous Friday at the Festival

THERE is a focus on political issues viewed in a fresh way this Friday, the final one of the Festival of Spirituality and Peace, starting with Churches Own 8% of the Planet at St John's (Venue 127) at 10am.

This conversation discusses the responsibility of churches as major landowners and issues such as environmentalism, co-operation and collaboration. Featuring Martin Palmer from the Alliance of Religions and Conservation and the Rt Rev Dr John Armes, Diocese of Edinburgh.

Two more conversations come lunchtime: at noon, we ask What is Uprising in Syria?, with Sadarat Kadri, international law barrister, Dr Mounier Atassi, Syrian organiser of a Glasgow protest again the regime, and Dr Thomas Pierret, University of Edinburgh lecturer in Contempotary Islam.

At 2pm, a more unusual conversation, Our Friend Death. Join the writer of sitcom 'Roger and Val', in which death features prominently, Arthur Smith, one of Britain's premier comedians, and John Lanchester, author of 'Capital'. Chaired by Richard Smith, international advocate for a better understanding of death and dying.

The final conversation of the day will be Bosnia Twenty Years On at 6pm, the second of our Feature Conversations. On the twentieth anniversary of the conflict in Bosnia-Herzegovina, Mustafa Ceric, the Grand Mufti of Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Rev Donald Reeves, the Director of the Soul of Europe and Professor Hugh Goddard of the Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal centre for the Study of Islam in the Contemporary World come together to discuss the legacy of the conflict.

Also at 6pm will be the last chance to see The Scottish Six, which has created a really positive stir in Edinburgh. Lesley Riddoch and Andy Wightman discuss land, power, culture and social change in the Scotland of today and tomorrow.

On the literary side of things, there will be another session of Poetry in the Persian Tent at 11am with an all-woman line-up: Vicki Feaver, Jane McKie and Patricia Ace will be sharing their poetry, joined by Irene Railley and her a capella group Just Voices.

After this will come a whole evening of poetry, starting at 8pm with Wolf at the Door – a Collaboration of Eco-Poetry and Soundings between Mairi Campbell and Em Strang. Weaving together word and sound, they will bring a whole new meaning to mouth music.

At 8pm in the Hall will be Duncan Mackintosh's second and final Evening with Rumi, followed by your second chance to see Milosz in Living Pictures.

There will also be two workshops, Henna Workshop for Beginners at 4pm and The Long and Winding Road at 7pm, an informal free session for people in their late teens and early twenties to share their experiences of journeys and travelling.

As ever, a full and diverse day of events and entertainment and one final chance to see some of our great events before the Festival closes.

Mindfulness @ lunchtime

STOP for a while - come and find peace and mindfulness at lunchtime.

Mindfulness is gently bringing your attention to the present moment using your inherent capacity for healing and renewal. Mindfulness is to be aware of what is going on in your body, your feelings, your mind and in the world. With the help of breathing and knowing your are breathing, you will be able to touch and be nourished by the peace and joy that are available within us and around us in the here and now.

Come tomorrow afternoon for guided sitting and walking meditation, enjoying food together mindfully in silence, and a simple period of peace, mindfulness and meditation - you will return to the world refreshed! Jointly organised by Unitarians in Edinburgh and The Community of the Interbeing.

Tuesday 7, 14 and 21 August (and Tuesdays all year round), 12:15pm-2pm, St Mark's, Castle Terrace (venue 125). Free.

Journey into sound, vibration, music and healing

TAKE time out and reconnect with peace and vitality by joining music composer Punit Yaatri for an enlightening talk and live healing music experience!

With special guest Dr David Mason Brown, a retired physician with an interest in the healing effects of deep meditation, who will share valuable insights into how specialised music is able to heal.

According to Punit, ancient civilisations 'used sound and music to heal mind and body'. Come along on the first two Saturdays of August to escape the stresses of modern life, reconnect with this knowledge and bring back the art of healing.

Experience Punit's unique brand of music, learn about his work through fascinating case studies of patients with conditions ranging from depression to Alzheimer's, and develop a deeper understanding of the way music can enhance our health and produce deep peace and clarity.

Saturday 4 and 11 August, 4pm-6:30pm, in the Church at St John's (Venue 127). Buy tickets here or at the venue box office.