CAMPUSPEAK

You have to move deeper, beyond basic diversity training, to create a truly inclusive and thriving campus community.

Christian de la Huerta provides a deeper, more thoughtful discussion about critical issues surrounding religion, sexual orientation and the role of women in modern society.

• Keynotes

• The Soul of Leadership
• Coming Out Spiritually
• Beyond Belief: The Importance of Religion in Today’s World

The Soul of Leadership

Increasingly, the old command and control style of leadership is becoming less appropriate for today’s student leaders. In this keynote or advanced leadership workshop, Christian explores and expands how we look at and relate to the nature of power and its expression. There is much confusion in the world about power: what it is, who holds it, how it works. There are also many misconceptions about power: that only the wealthy, the famous or the politically connected wield it, or that it always corrupts. No wonder so many have a push-pull, love-hate, ambivalent relationship with power! In contrast to worldly or egoic power, soulful power is humble, quiet and unassuming, not abusive, arrogant or self-aggrandizing. It guides and inspires rather than dominates, controls or manipulates. Its source and reference are internal, rather than external. It’s about authentic self-expression, service and making a difference, and is not agenda-driven, selfish or self-serving. It is love-based rather than fear-based, inclusive rather than hierarchical. Not needing to exert itself over others, it stands freely on its own. It simply is. And, it is mighty.

Through this presentation, your student leaders and staff will understand the difference between worldly and soulful power. They will learn clear and practical steps to deconstruct their relationship to power and discover new ways of expressing power that match their values. Everyone will receive invaluable insight about what makes us tick as leaders and as humans.

This program can be adapted for any leadership event, but it may be especially fitting for leadership programs sponsored by campus ministry, diversity/multicultural offices, ethics programs, and others where a connection to the “human side” of leadership is in focus.

Coming Out Spiritually

A keynote on the relationship between homosexuality and spirituality. Publishers Weekly named Christian’s book, Coming Out Spiritually, one of its top ten religion books of 1999. Now, in its eighth printing, the book has provided gays and lesbians hope for a thoughtful synthesis of their queer and spiritual selves.

In his campus keynote, Christian introduces his audiences to many of the world’s religions, and emphasizes the importance of religious diversity in today’s world. He shares an understanding of the teachings of religious traditions and their attitudes toward homosexuality. Offering a fresh outlook on gay spirituality and how to assert it, Christian gives gay and straight audiences new foundations from which to build a spiritual life.

Born in Cuba, Christian is a passionate proponent of the special role he sees gays and lesbians playing in today’s society. He believes that gays and lesbians are meant to be catalysts for our planet’s spiritual evolution, and that it’s time they embraced this joyous responsibility.

Beyond Belief: The Importance of Religion in Today’s World

Race. Gender. Sexual Orientation. All are aspects of humanity’s grand and wild diversity, and all are important to learn about and consider in today’s increasingly diverse, and globally connected, world. Yet in today’s climate, perhaps no other aspect is more crucial to our future than our understanding of religious diversity.

In fact, it might be said that the fate of our world depends upon our ability to understand and even embrace religious differences. As evidenced by 9/11 and the ongoing strife in the Middle East, Northern Ireland and other spots on the globe, most of the conflict and war in our world can be attributed to religious differences. If there is to be any chance for peace on Earth, it is crucial now—for the sake of all humanity—that we deepen our understanding about, and develop a sense of respect for, each others’ religious beliefs. Otherwise we risk global annihilation all in the name of God.

The main challenge we face is spiritual arrogance and self-righteousness—the belief that there is only one way to speak to or worship the Divine, and that “our way” is “the only true way” to do so. For better or for worse, such one-sided beliefs are no longer sustainable in a multicultural, multi-faith world filled with weapons of mass destruction, bio terrorism, and other horrors. If we are to survive as a species, we must now learn to respect religious diversity.

In this informative and challenging keynote, Christian combines his studies of and personal experience with various religious traditions to present a message both timely and important.

Christian offers ways to open our own minds to religious diversity, as well as teaching interactive strategies that can be used to begin to open the minds of others, and slowly turn the world away from religious intolerance and towards mutual acceptance and understanding.

Note from the speaker:

I have spent the better part of my adult life questioning the beliefs I was raised with, and seeking answers to spiritual questions that have plagued humanity. I truly believe there is no greater challenge than learning how to accept, and find congruence with, the religious beliefs of others. Religious tolerance is the bare minimum of what is called for, and certainly beats intolerance. Yet what is truly needed is deep acceptance and mutual respect for different belief systems. That only comes about as a result of self-inquiry, an open mind and heart, and the willingness to question our beliefs. Whatever is true will still be there on the other side of the questioning process.

Christian's Bio

Christian has been a writer, speaker and retreat and group facilitator for the past 19 years. Author of the award-winning and critically acclaimed Coming out Spiritually, he is currently working on his next book, The Soul of Power.

Christian is creator and teacher of several self-development programs focusing on personal growth and awareness, advanced transformational practices, understanding sex and relationships, mechanisms of ego and projection, life purpose and reclaiming personal power.

He is an acclaimed speaker at universities, conferences and spiritual communities nationwide, where audiences find Christian’s message particularly relevant in these times. Christian also practices as spiritual coach and a leadership development consultant whose work ranges from individuals and couples in private practice to major corporate engagements and non-profit groups.

Retreats, workshops and other events led by Christian are known for their life-changing experience and for their inspiring and transformative exploration of our inner human potential.