Rothko Chapel

Over the next year, each Twelve Moments will highlight the role of music and sound in spiritual practices, and how these practices sustain us in the face of current challenges and injustices. For the month of March, the Rothko Chapel presents a meditation in the Hindu tradition, led by Dr. Hansa Medley and representatives of International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) of Houston. In this traditional Vedic or Hindu meditation we will vibrate sacred sound in the form of the maha-mantra (maha - great, man - mind, tra - liberating). To start, our first mantra meditation will be chanted individually (japa), then we will chant the maha-mantra collectively in call-and-response (kirtan) accompanied accompanied by Doug Sauer (mridanga drum) and Damodar Sharan (harmonium & vocals). About the Twelve Moments series Since 2005, the Rothko Chapel has shared a monthly contemplative practice featuring different spiritual and faith traditions. Taking place on the first Wednesday of each month from 12-1pm, this s

Please note, this livestream recording is choppy during the Q&A session due to some connection disruption during the live event. Over the next year, each Twelve Moments will highlight the role of music and sound in spiritual practices, and how these practices sustain us in the face of current challenges and injustices. For the month of January, the Rothko Chapel presented a crystal bowl meditation to mark New Year's Day, led by Dana Shamas of Bayou Bliss Yoga. About the Twelve Moments series Since 2005, the Rothko Chapel has shared a monthly contemplative practice featuring different spiritual and faith traditions. Taking place on the first Wednesday of each month from 12-1pm, this series engages teachers and religious leaders from the greater Houston community, providing opportunities to learn more about specific traditions and participate in a contemplative practice. About the presenter Dana’s passion for health and wellbeing comes from the heart. As a therapeutic yoga teacher, breathwork facilitator, bi

Over the next year, each Twelve Moments will highlight the role of music and sound in spiritual practices, and how these practices sustain us in the face of current challenges and injustices. For the month of December, the Rothko Chapel presented a meditation in the Christian tradition, led by representatives from Wheeler Avenue Baptist Church Music Ministry. Organized by Music Minister Leon Lewis (keyboard) and featuring Sabrina Gatson (vocals) and Jamie Perry (violin), this contemplative performance explored the history and significance of gospel music in the Baptist tradition. About the Twelve Moments series Since 2005, the Rothko Chapel has shared a monthly contemplative practice featuring different spiritual and faith traditions. Taking place on the first Wednesday of each month from 12-1pm, this series engages teachers and religious leaders from the greater Houston community, providing opportunities to learn more about specific traditions and participate in a contemplative practice. About the presente

The Rothko Chapel presented a meditation in the Jain tradition, led by Samani Punya Pragya Ji & Samani Jigyasa Pragya Ji of JVB Preksha Meditation Center. We are all familiar with external music but have you ever experienced internal music? This session compared elements of sound in two different approaches to meditation in the Jain tradition - Mantra Meditation (external sound) and Deep Breathing Meditation (internal sound). Mantra Meditation focuses on humming or chanting certain syllables and frequencies to create healing vibrations in the body, while Deep Breathing Meditation emphasizes attention to the inner vibrations and sounds within the body. Samani Ji's shared the histories of these healing meditative traditions and facilitate practices of both methods.

The Rothko Chapel presented a meditation in the Jewish tradition, led by Cantor Rollin Simmons of Congregation Emanu El. During these uncertain times, it is essential to find ways to be present in the moment, to not just wish this time away, but to find joy and gratitude around and within ourselves. As we near the most sacred time of the Jewish calendar - Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year and Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement - we will use the tools of Jewish ritual and prayer to bring awareness to our bodies and lift our spirits up with song.

Aset Hetep presented a family friendly meditation focused on unconditional love in the Ancient Kemetic (Nubian Egyptian) tradition. Amidst the developing COVID-19 pandemic, concerns about returning to school, and ongoing work to address racial injustices, this guided meditation for all ages helped us to release judgement, negativity, and attachments, moving into a space of understanding and unconditional love. Let go of passing judgement in order to tap into the high vibrational frequency of unconditional love for self, others and the planet. About the presenter Aset Hetep is the founder of Shemsu Ra Inc - a Non-profit 501 (c)(3) Organization dedicated to helping spread Divine Light, Love, Peace, Wisdom, Harmony, Order and Equanimity (Maat) throughout the world. She is a Certified Yoga Instructor, Certified Reiki Practitioner and Teacher. She also teaches classes on how to effectively meditate. Aset left the corporate world two years ago, where she worked as a Senior Computer Security Engineer to serve a h

Please note the meditation recording is choppy for the first 40 seconds. For the month of November, the Rothko Chapel presented a meditation in the Bön Buddhist tradition, led by Tibetan Lama Geshe Denma Gyaltsen and Tibetan meditation teacher, Alejandro Chaoul of Ligmincha Texas. This session of Tibetan meditation used seed syllables, comprised of three vocalized sounds that connect and awaken your body, speech, and mind. Each seed sound is explored first individually then combined to promote clarity and balance amidst the stressors of a pandemic, hurricanes, wildfires, and election season. Dr. Alejandro Chaoul is the founding director of The Jung Center's Mind Body Spirit Institute (MBSI) and holds a doctoral degree in religious studies from Rice University. He is currently an adjunct faculty member at UT Medical School and MD Anderson Cancer Center, where since 1999, he has been leading people with cancer and their family members through mind/body/spirit techniques aimed at reducing stress and facilitat

Celebrating the life and legacy of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., the Rothko Chapel, in partnership with the Barbara Jordan – Mickey Leland School of Public Affairs at Texas Southern University, presented a conversation exploring the influence of MLK and the Civil Rights Movement on the environmental justice movement. Scholars, activists and community leaders explored the evolution of the environmental justice movement, continued environmental challenges and inequities faced by vulnerable and frontline communities, and actions being taken to improve the health of the region. Speakers include: George Kieh, TSU BJ-ML School of Public Affairs Dean; David Leslie, Executive Director of the Rothko Chapel; Dr. Robert Bullard, Distinguished Professor of Urban Planning and Environmental Policy at Texas Southern University; Richard M. Mizelle, Jr., Associate Professor of History and Director of Graduate Studies at the University of Houston; Bridgette Murray, Founder and Executive Director of Achieving Community

Offsite Program 5/16/19 Neuroscience and Visual Art: The Complex Relationship of Light, Color and the Brain Houston Museum of Natural Science (HMNS) “It is not what you look at that matters. It is what you see.” – Henry David Thoreau Light allows us to experience our world, including art, and different lighting conditions have a profound impact on our overall visual perception. This lecture by neurologist and Rothko Chapel board member, Dr. Aziz Shaibani, illustrated the physical properties of light and the way the brain processes light and color, providing insight into the complex relationship between light, perception, and art. This event was one in a series of offsite programs presented by the Rothko Chapel in partnership with Houston-area organizations while the Chapel is closed for restoration. The Rothko Chapel and grounds are closed to the public, to reopen in early 2020. This temporary closure is the first part of the implementation of the Rothko Chapel Opening Spaces master plan, focused on prese

4/8/19 Offsite: Texas Light: The Art & Architecture of the Rothko Chapel University of Houston Gerald D. Hines College of Architecture and Design Theater Presented in partnership with the University of Houston School of Architecture, this program explored the role of light in creating intentional experiences, and the history of the Rothko Chapel’s architectural design with special focus on the skylight, from conception to post-renovation. The program included presentations by Christopher Rothko, George Sexton, and Stephen Cassell, and will be followed by a moderated conversation by Sandra Zalman, UH Art History Professor. Christopher Rothko, writer, son of the artist Mark Rothko, and former Chair of the Rothko Chapel Board of Directors, will share the history of the commission and design of the Rothko Chapel, the collaboration between Mark Rothko and original architect Phillip Johnson, the importance of natural light in the Rothko Chapel (and how this differs from Rothko paintings) and the past iterations

3/2/19 1-2:30pm Legislation and Public Policy Strategies Positive climate change outcomes depend on sound legislative decisions at the local, state, and national levels. Attendees learned about current policy initiatives and how we can be more effective advocates. Lara Cottingham, Chief of Staff of the Administration and Regulatory Affairs Department and the Chief Sustainability Officer for the City of Houston Jay Blazek Crossley, Executive Director of Farm&City Luke Metzger, Executive Director of Environment Texas Bakeyah Nelson, Executive Director of Air Alliance Houston Moderator: Elizabeth Love, Senior Program Officer for the Houston Endowment, Inc. The Rothko Chapel and University of St. Thomas hosted a three day symposium exploring the current climate crisis, its impact on vulnerable communities, and mitigation efforts being implemented locally and nationally. Given the global interconnectedness of the climate crisis, the symposium explored how best to move to a zero emission, low carbon economy thr

3/2/19 10:45am-12:15pm Communicating Climate Change Our current climate crisis demands that we identify new modes of communication to convey the urgent moment we find ourselves in and to demonstrate why people should care. This presentation and conversation followed the work and perspectives of an artist, former coal miner, environmental journalist and Indigenous leader. Tiokasin Ghosthorse, Founder, Host and Producer of First Voices Indigenous Radio and a member of the Cheyenne River Lakota Nation of South Dakota Jim Morris, journalist and interim CEO of the Center for Public Integrity Eve Mosher, artist and creator of the HighWaterLine project Nick Mullins, former Appalachian coal miner and founder of Breaking Clean, an environmental communication firm working to develop messaging strategies across sociocultural and political divides Moderator: Christie Manning, PhD, Assistant Professor of Environmental Studies and Psychology at Macalester College The Rothko Chapel and University of St. Thomas hosted a t

3/2/19 2:30-3pm Closing Reflections and Moving Forward David Leslie, Executive Director of the Rothko Chapel, and Dr. Shivas Amin, Associate Professor of Biology at the University of St. Thomas, reflected with symposium attendees on the range of topics covered and discussed some of the many opportunities for action and advocacy. The Rothko Chapel and University of St. Thomas hosted a three day symposium exploring the current climate crisis, its impact on vulnerable communities, and mitigation efforts being implemented locally and nationally. Given the global interconnectedness of the climate crisis, the symposium explored how best to move to a zero emission, low carbon economy through the engagement of presenters from religious, Indigenous, public health, energy, government, philanthropic, academic and arts sectors and communities. A central focus was on individual and institutional actions, practices and policies that must be taken to create a more livable and equitable future.

3/1/19 2-5:15pm The Science, Policy, Technology, and Economics of Climate Change: Past, Present and Future This cross-sector, interactive session shined a light on the perspectives and work of scientists, economists, policy makers, environmentalists, and engineers, and included presentations, breakout discussions and a moderated conversation. Jim Blackburn, Co-Director of Severe Storm Predication, Education, and Evacuation from Disaster (SSPEED) Center Mark Boling, Founder and CEO of 2C Energy, LLC Astrid Caldas, Senior Climate Scientist at Union of Concerned Scientists Maha N. Haji, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Department of Mechanical Engineering, Research Affiliate Amy Myers Jaffe, David M. Rubenstein Senior Fellow for Energy and Environment and Director of the Program on Energy Security and Climate Change at the Council on Foreign Relations Michael Skelly, Senior Advisor of Renewable Energy & Sustainability at Lazard The Rothko Chapel and University of St. Thomas hosted a three day symp

3/2/19 12:35-12:55pm Remarks from the Mayor of Houston The Honorable Mayor Sylvester Turner gave a short address on climate initiatives in the city of Houston. The Rothko Chapel and University of St. Thomas hosted a three day symposium exploring the current climate crisis, its impact on vulnerable communities, and mitigation efforts being implemented locally and nationally. Given the global interconnectedness of the climate crisis, the symposium explored how best to move to a zero emission, low carbon economy through the engagement of presenters from religious, Indigenous, public health, energy, government, philanthropic, academic and arts sectors and communities. A central focus was on individual and institutional actions, practices and policies that must be taken to create a more livable and equitable future.

3/1/19 12:30-1:45pm Environmental Injustices faced by Frontline, Indigenous and Vulnerable Communities This presentation and conversation included a pre-recorded message and poetry video from Marshall Islander poet Kathy Jetñil-Kijiner. From oyster beds in Louisiana, to the Quinault Indian Nation in Washington state, low income communities and communities of color are disproportionately impacted by the changing climate. This presentation and discussion shared firsthand accounts of the realities three specific communities currently face, including their work toward change and the creative opportunities that arise to combat these injustices. Jim Morris, journalist and interim CEO of the Center for Public Integrity Bryan Parras, Co-Founder of the Texas Environmental Justice Advocacy Services (t.e.j.a.s.) and Dirty Fuels Gulf Coast Organizer at Sierra Club Fawn Sharp, President of the Quinault Indian Nation in the Pacific Northwest Moderator: Earthea Nance, PhD, PE, CFM, Associate Professor in the Department

2/28/19 Toward a Better Future: Transforming the Climate Crisis "The Human Toll of Climate Change: A Reporter's Reflections" Opening Keynote Address by Somini Sengupta, The New York Times International Climate Reporter and George Polk Award-winning foreign correspondent Climate change is not only about the planet -- it's about the past, present, and future of the people who live here. Sengupta shares reflections from her writings about the human toll of climate change on vulnerable communities around the world. The Rothko Chapel and University of St. Thomas hosted a three day symposium exploring the current climate crisis, its impact on vulnerable communities, and mitigation efforts being implemented locally and nationally. Given the global interconnectedness of the climate crisis, the symposium explored how best to move to a zero emission, low carbon economy through the engagement of presenters from religious, Indigenous, public health, energy, government, philanthropic, academic and arts sectors and com

3/1/19 Toward a Better Future: Transforming the Climate Crisis "Impact of Climate Change on Mind, Body, and Spirit" Panel Tiokasin Ghosthorse, Founder, Host, and Executive Producer of First Voices Indigenous Radio and member of the Cheyenne River Lakota of South Dakota Christie Manning, PhD, Assistant Professor of Environmental Studies and Psychology at Macalester College Umair A. Shah, Executive Director and Local Health Authority for Harris County Public Health Department Moderator: Alejandro Chaoul, Director of The Jung Center’s Mind Body Spirit Institute and Director of Education at the Integrative Medicine program at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center The impact of climate change is vast—impacting our countries, cities, communities, homes and each of us on a personal level. This conversation will explore the physical, psychological and spiritual effects of the changing climate, engaging the perspectives of a public health official, a research psychologist, and an Indigenous leader from

3/2/19 Toward a Better Future: Transforming the Climate Crisis 8:45-9am Morning Observance and Poetry "Multiple Choice Test after the Hurricane" by Jackson Neal, Houston Youth Poet Laureate and National Youth Poet Laureate Ambassador "Young Activists Speak Out" Panel Juan Elizondo, 31-year-old from Houston, Texas, Partnerships Coordinator and Instructional Specialist at Furr High School Jayden Foytlin, 15-year-old from Rayne, Louisiana, an indigenous climate activist, and a plaintiff in the case, Juliana v. United States Nadia Nazar, 16-year old from Baltimore, Maryland, Co-Founder, Co-Executive Director, and Art Director of Zero Hour Moderator: Estrella Sainburg, GreenFaith Organizer The people who are the least responsible for climate change are the ones who will be the most impacted long-term. Knowing this, they are taking the lead in making their demands for a livable climate known to the leaders of our cities and countries. This panel will explore what young leaders from different parts of the country

This interfaith conversation explores the map of climate change and how to navigate it through the lenses of Christian, Jewish, Hindu and Sikh traditions. Panelists spoke about what they see as possible paths to take, and whether we might reimagine new ones going forward. Vijaya Nagarajan, Associate Professor in Department of Theology and Religious Studies and the Program of Environmental Studies at University of San Francisco Sister Damien Marie Savino, FSE, PhD, Dean of Science and Sustainability at Aquinas College Rajwant Singh, President at EcoSikh and Executive Director of Guru Gobind Singh Foundation Rabbi Daniel Swartz, Executive Director of Coalition on the Environment and Jewish Life (COEJL) and Spiritual Leader at Temple Hesed Moderator: Steve Kolmes, Chair of the Environmental Studies Department and Molter Chair in Science at the University of Portland This program was a part of "Toward a Better Future: Transforming the Climate Crisis." The Rothko Chapel and University of St. Thomas hosted a thre