Jennifer Kavanagh has been a Quaker for twelve years. Her father was a Roman Catholic convert, her mother is a Kabbalist. Mystical inclinations run in the family.  Jennifer spent nearly thirty years in publishing, the last fourteen as an independent literary agent. After selling her business in 1997 she was led to work with Quaker Homeless Action, starting a mobile library for homeless people, and for Quaker Social Action for whom she started a community centre in London’s East End and a microcredit programme to help women into self-employment. In 2001, she and her then partner spent a year backpacking round the world, resulting in her first book, Call of the Bell Bird (Quaker Books, 2004). On her return, Jennifer offered her services to the Prison Reform Trust. This is her current work, as well as setting up microcredit programmes in other countries when asked. To date she has worked in Madagascar and South Africa, with possibilities in Ghana and India. She is also deeply involved in Quaker Quest and the Alternatives to Violence Project. Jennifer tries to balance periods of intensive work with times of withdrawal and contemplation. Her second book, The World is our Cloister (O Books, 2007), explores the dilemmas of living a devotional life in the world, and the mystic core at the heart of all religions.

Brian Gill - theme to be announced

Brian is a Transpersonal Psychologist with many years of experience as a psychotherapist and conductor of groups, lectures and seminars. His work explores and questions the Authenticity of Being and encourages creative access to the psycho-spiritual self. Though he prefers to work in environments that he himself has created, his work has taken him into universities, prison, psychiatric hospitals, adult education institutes and private groups and societies. He is the originator of material that many now incorporate into the cannon of their psychotherapeutic practice.

In response to needs expressed by his clientele he developed a range of unique activities involving voice, rhythm and touch contact, using non-invasive techniques devised to extend, develop and deepen communication whilst augmenting awareness.

His research into the nature of consciousness brought him into contact with Sir Peter Wright O.B.E, Director Laureate of the Royal Ballet, rehearsals of whose productions he was able to attend. He also incorporates experience gained when working with John Dexter, John Osbourne and Alan Bates in his formative years in the theatre. He continues to maintain contact with his university and to develop and extend his understanding of the psyche and the nature of consciousness.

Whilst being intensely practical and experiential in his approach to these subjects, he is seen by many as an inspirational mystic. Nevertheless he feels a need to be able to validate his work with reference to scientific research and current scientific theory. His masters degree is in Consciousness and Transpersonal Psychology.

--------------------------------

The Annual General Meeting of QUG will take place during the conference.

HOW TO BOOK

Click here for a booking form and details of the conference fees.

--------------------------------------

Click here to read the report and view photographs of the event.

------------------------------------------------------