Rothko Chapel

Cantor Rollin Simmons, Reflection and Renewal in the Wake of Hurricane Harvey September 6, 2017 For the month of September, the Rothko Chapel presented a meditation in the Judaic tradition with the theme of "Reflection and Renewal in the wake of Hurricane Harvey." Led by Cantor Rollin Simmons of Congregation Emanu El, this session explored prayer, song, and meditation and addressed individual and...

Ann Friedman, Mindfulness for Parents and Children August 2, 2017 "We are told in school to pay attention! Yet, nobody ever teaches us how to do this. Like the adults around them, children's minds wander. Their thoughts often create anxiety: What if I fail the test? What if mom is late to pick me up? Why are mom and dad arguing? Nobody likes me." Mindfulness is a training to let go of these unhelp...

Presented in partnership with MasterWord Services, this program featuring Alejandro Chaoul and David Leslie explored techniques, tools and resources to create balance and minimize or mitigate the effects of vicarious trauma. MasterWord Services, a leading provider of language support solutions, sponsored this event as part of their third annual Wellness Connection Workshop for interpreters and any...

Stephen Findley, Laughter Meditation July 5, 2017 During the months of July and August, the Twelve Moments Series will be tailored toward families and children. Join MD Anderson Chaplain and Certified Laughter Yoga Teacher Stephen Findley for an exploration of the history and role of laughter and silence in this experiential family-friendly meditation. Together with Findley individuals of all ages...

Ryan Makhani and Shaida Adatia, Sufi meditation Wedensday, June 7, 2017 Ryan Makhani and Shaida Adatia discussed and led participants through a diverse range of Sufi meditative traditions with an emphasis on spiritual and mystical practices from around the world, highlighting the ideas of compassion and prayer. Participants were exposed to Islamic traditions from countries as far ranging as Turkey...

Twilight Meditation for World Environment Day Natasha Burrowes "Connecting People to Nature" is the theme nations throughout the world will explore in honor of World Environment Day 2017. Science has confirmed that our connection to Earth is ancient and many of the world’s wisdom traditions have taught that our connection to Earth is sacred. Much of our work in this post-industrial era is to culti...

Conversation with Asma Uddin, moderated by Nabila Mansoor How does a Muslim woman's perspective of the Divine shape a person's faith and commitment to religious liberty and social equity? Asma Uddin is at the forefront of this conversation, creating the space for women to make their faith their own. Uddin is the Director of Strategy for the Center on Islam and Religious Freedom. She is also the fo...

The Menil Collection and surrounding nonprofit organizations presented their annual Menilfest community arts festival, a free afternoon of exhibitions, performances, and readings that extends across the Menil neighborhood. In collaboration with Menilfest, the Rothko Chapel activated the Chapel and the plaza between the hours of 11am-6pm with a music performance, interactive labyrinth dance, on-sit...

Concert Chamber ensemble Loop38 Described as a “masterpiece” and “monumental work” by the New York Times and The Guardian, respectively, Austrian composer Georg Friedrich Haas’ hour-long work for twenty-four musicians, in vain (2000), creates an unforgettable listening experience. Just as “the natural light that illuminates the murals...accurately show the nuances and subtleties of [Rothko’s] colo...

Myokei Caine-Barrett, Shonin, Buddhist Meditation Wednesday, May 3, 2017 Current Bishop of the Nichiren Order of North America, Myokei Caine-Barrett is also Resident Priest and Guiding Teacher of the Nichiren Buddhist Sangha of Texas and Myoken-ji Temple. She is the first Western woman in the world, and first person of African-Japanese descent, to be ordained in the Nichiren Shu tradition as well...

Adam Tendler shared an ambitious program of works that provoke, challenge, thrill, and ultimately move the listener. The program included works by Nico Muhly, Earle Brown, Marina Poleukhina, Charlie Sdraulig, Morton Feldman, and Philip Glass. About Adam Tendler: Adam Tendler has been called "an exuberantly expressive pianist" who "vividly displayed his enthusiasm for every phrase" by The Los Angel...

Father Serge Veselinovich, Serbian Orthodox Tradition Wednesday April 5, 2017 Father Serge Veselinovich was born on October 5th, 1968, in Frankfurt, (West) Germany. He moved to Australia in 1969 with his parents Elijah and Bojka née Matovich whereupon he graduated Fairfield High School in 1986 in the western suburbs of Sydney. He moved to Chicago in 1987, where he entered into seminary at Saint Sa...

“Dismantling the System: What Juvenile Decarceration can Teach us About Undoing Mass Incarceration” Keynote address by Vincent Schiraldi, Senior Research Fellow, Criminal Justice Policy and Management at Harvard University Using the Juvenile Justice System as a starting point, Schiraldi will uncover why the number of young people locked up has declined by more than 50% since the beginning of this...

An Act of Justice: Undoing the Legacy of Mass Incarceration Symposium "Decriminalization and Decarceration: Getting There from Here” Keynote Address by Margaret Burnham, Northeastern University School of Law Professor Welcome and Overview by Daivd Leslie, Executive Director, Rothko Chapel. Poetry performed by Audrey M., Writers in the Schools. Burnham explores the legacy of mass incarceration in t...

Join us for a Twilight Meditation honoring International Women's Day, with a focus on the unique challenges that displaced refugee women face throughout the world. Women who are refugees and immigrants will share their personal stories and testimonies. The evening will close with a community conversation about the importance of individual and collective efforts to advocate for and support just and...

Imam Mohammad Khan, Muslim Meditation Wednesday, March 3, 2017 Join us for an Muslim meditation with a focus on "Oneness." The meditation will include a recitation and discussion of verses, and instructions for prayer. Mohammad Ahmad Khan was born and raised in Houston, Texas. In 2007, he memorized the Qur’an. He then went on mastering the recitation and articulation of the Qur'an under the tutela...

Imam Mohammad Khan, Islamic Meditation Wednesday, March 1, 2017 Join us for a Islamic meditation with a focus on "Oneness." The meditation will include a recitation and discussion of verses, and instructions for prayer. Mohammad Ahmad Khan was born and raised in Houston, Texas. In 2007, he memorized the Qur’an. He then went on mastering the recitation and articulation of the Qur'an under the tutel...

Poetry Reading and Conversation Willis Barnstone, Aliki Barnstone, and Tony Barnstone Presented in partnership with Saint Julian Press Poetry offers a window to the Holy that dialogue cannot, reflecting essential human truths in artful form. Join a unique opportunity to engage with three acclaimed and evocative poets from the Barnstone family in a sacred place that is also rich with family history...

Alejandro Chaoul, Ph. D led a meditation in the ancient Bon-Buddhist tradition of Tibet, showing how it can be a "medicine" for our mind-wandering and emotional entanglements. Participants practiced simple techniques of "Meditation Precious Pills" for every day life, and focused on the importance of community support. Dr. Alejandro Chaoul is an assistant professor and director of education at M. D...

To celebrate the Houston Museum District Association's Museum Experience, the Rothko Chapel hosted a day full of events in conjunction with The Menil Collection and Houston Center for Photography. The Da Camera Young Artists - a group of emerging professional vocalists, instrumentalists, and composers - descended on the Museum Experience in Zone 1 to present nine concerts in the span of two hours....

In honor of the life and work of the Rev. Dr. King, our Annual Celebration began with a ceremony on the plaza to welcome the return of the Broken Obelisk by Barnett Newman after a year away for conservation. The event included words by Rev. Dr. Marcus Cosby, Wheeler Baptist Church Senior Pastor; Harris County Precinct One Commissioner Rodney Ellis; Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee; Gary Tinterow,...

Dana Shamas, New Year's Day Crystal Bowl Meditation Sunday, January 1, 2017 The Rothko Chapel honored the start of the New Year with the sound of crystal bowls resonating throughout the Chapel, led by yoga teacher and Bayou Bliss Yoga founder Dana Shamas. Twelve Moments: Experiencing Spiritual and Faith Traditions is offered monthly and is co-sponsored by Ligmincha Texas Institute, The Jung Center...

How can a shared concept of the Divine inspire faith leaders to collaboratively address issues of social justice in Houston? The “three amigos” Archbishop Joseph Fiorenza, Rabbi Samuel Karff, and Rev. William Lawson (who was unable to attend due to a recent surgery) share their interfaith work and how it’s influenced their own spirituality and ministry in service to the community, moderated by Mel...

Sister Mary Adeline O'Donoghue, Christian Tradition Wednesday, December 7, 2016 An act of contemplation, Centering is a way to open oneself to the active presence of God within. Sr. Mary Adeline O’Donoghue, CCVI was born in Ireland to a family of farmers. From an early age, she had a deep sense of God’s presence and spiritual gifts that led to her vocation. She came to Houston to enter the Congreg...

In commemoration of World AIDS Day, the Rothko Chapel held a Twilight Meditation, offered in partnership with Avenue 360 Health and Wellness, formerly known Houston Area Community Services and Bering Omega. Join us in showing your support and solidarity with the millions of people living with and impacted by HIV/AIDS. Listen to a guided meditation led by local meditation facilitator Gabriel Clark.