The ideas presented in the talks (listed below and often featured on CSDirectory) are those of Dr. Cavalli, derived from his diverse life experiences as a physicist, technology expert, performer and director of Biblical theater, and student of Christian Science. The talks can be presented in a two-day weekend program, giving participants the unique opportunity to understand the importance of the connections between all the talks. This event may be offered as a stand-alone event. However, it is also a nice complement to a week of vocal communication training, so that participant performances of Bible texts can be integrated into the program and discussions.
Focus Weekend: Scaling the Mental Landscape of the 21st Century
Christian Science and 21st Century Technology: Towards a Higher Concept of Man
The Language of Christian Science
Step out of your routine and participate in two days of thoughtful consideration and discussion of the nature of the times in which we live. Through his unique lens as a technology specialist, a PhD in physics, a performer of Biblical theater and a student of Christian Science Dr. Cavalli will explore with participants the changing mental landscape of the 21st century. Talks and discussion will focus particularly on the intersection of science and technology with communication and leadership. As part of the weekend, Cavalli will perform The Gospel According to St. John on Saturday night. The Paul, Face to Face show complements the talks and can be offered as an additional performance in conjunction with the weekend program, depending on what your community chooses to host. These performances bring the Bible to life and put the Word at the forefront of thought as participants engage in a variety of timely topics confronting humanity today. The five talks comprising the framework of the weekend program are listed below.
This talk can be given in conjunction with the performance, The Gospel According to St. John, or separately. The Gospel contains many important themes that flow in and out of the text, each of which is important at different times. The talk will point out these themes, how the Gospel is constructed, and the two levels on which the Gospel is always operating. The attendees should see these aspects of the Gospel during its performance.
Christian Science with its understanding of spiritual man is uniquely positioned to help the world make spiritual sense of the new technologies of the 21st Century including nanotech, biotech, cognitive science and artificial intelligence, robotics, computers, and networks. During this session we will explore these new fields and try to get to the heart of what motivates advances in science and technology and why these particular fields of endeavor are changing, not just the physical, but the mental landscape for humanity. In particular we will focus on humanity's changing concept of “man” and what this means for Christian Scientists - our prayer and our place in the world.
Every Christian Scientist experiences a moment, when talking to a non-Christian Scientist, in which the language we use (derived from the Christian Science textbooks) seems to completely confuse the individual with whom we are talking. 100 years after our textbook was finalized, the language can seem archaic and outdated. To the contrary, however, Mrs. Eddy painstakingly and carefully discovered and brought forth a scientific language with which to understand and communicate the metaphysics of Divine Science. During this conversation we will explore the nature of the scientific language and why it is still important to use the language as it was first laid down in Mrs. Eddy's writings.
Jesus and Paul provide wonderful examples of true leadership in the Bible, in contrast to some of world history's worst evidence of leadership. In this talk, we will discuss the fundamental elements of true leadership as found in the Bible, largely rooted in unselfed love, and the fundamental counterfeits of true leadership.
Humanity is discovering that it is no longer possible to separate science and technology, art, business, and theology and religion. Although mankind has tried for centuries to keep these disciplines of thought and action separate and distinct, we can no longer do so. During this conversation we'll explore, from the perspective of Christian Science, how this is happening, why it is happening, and what it means to humanity.
“The [John] talk and performance inspired me to want to go even more in-depth into this particular Gospel. I've always known this Gospel had great significance, but I didn't realize it to the degree I now do. “This Gospel is never about people, but about states of thought.” I love this idea and had never realized it before. Each talk was SO good I hope Alex isn't thinking about excluding any of them. The little discussion on thought patterns and models was phenomenal. I feel now that we need to clearly perceive the challenges of world belief before they are manifested. Our prayers must get ahead of the curve and the must be clear enough to be effective.”
“He gave an analogy that was so clear on how words change meaning over time. This same idea has made me look at Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures by Mary Baker Eddy, and also at various Bible translations on a whole new light! This workshop gave me new ways to see what's going on, and be able to help stand watch and help people wake up from the mesmerism.”
“The weekend with Alex Cavalli I found to be enlightening, inspirational, and the spiritual boost we all can use. His insights on leadership are needed and applicable. I came away from the weekend more thoughtful of the words I use and inspired to work harder with the gift we are so grateful and fortunate to have. His captivating evening performance brought the Book of John to life. Thank you for a wonderful weekend, like no other.”
“It was good having the John performance after Saturday's workshops, because I saw and felt more connections with the workshop topics and the theme of Oneness and the Christ.”
“I was reminded of the admonition to “look beneath the surface of things” to detect challenges that we as Christian Scientists are so aptly equipped to handle through our study, prayer, and practice. It was lovely to be among fellow thinking, and eager Christian Scientists who want to be aware of where we stand in our times. It was an uplifting and positive weekend, well spent.”
“This workshop is proving invaluable to my practice of Christian Science. Eye-opening in its exposing of error's seeming developments in the 21st century, and edifying in its exploration of the Christlike man, this event is a must for anyone wanting to pray effectively for the world today.”
“Despite a snowstorm of historic proportions, I would not have missed this for the world, and it was valuable beyond what I could have imagined. Alex Cavalli's unique background in physics and technology coupled with his communications skills and knowledge of the Bible, particularly the New Testament, provide a highly unique experience. I will be thinking about what I learned over the weekend for a long time to come.”
“I came away with a huge uplift of thought, buoyed up and inspired.”
“It was exciting and inspiring to look at various cutting edge developments in the world around us today with a CS perspective. Being raised in CS I've always taken for granted that it was something to be used in every aspect of my life, but I'd never thought about how applicable it is to living in the 21st century--just as something that didn't matter what time or place you were in--but this weekend made me think about how specifically some of the challenges today can be faced with prayer.”