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

• Coming Out Spiritually
• Beyond Belief: The Importance of Religion in Today’s World
• Women, Sex and Power

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.

Women, Sex and Power

There is much confusion in the world about power—what it is, how it works, how we get it, who holds it. There are also a great many misconceptions about power—that only the wealthy or the famous or the politically or religiously connected wield it, for example.

For women, in particular, there is another layer of obstacles, such as the belief that power is not feminine, or that all men are threatened by powerful women. Consequently, too many women shy away from their own power, compounding the great imbalance between the genders in our world when it comes to power. One could claim that most, if not all, of the problems we face as a species can be connected to this. Experts tell us, for example, that if we want to end hunger and overpopulation the way to do it is by educating women. This imbalance is no longer acceptable nor sustainable.

It’s important that American college women step into power consciously—with clarity and intention—to avoid a life of unfulfilled potential and soul-devouring mediocrity. If you don’t, you will fall prey to power games, such as manipulation and passive-aggressiveness and be stuck in a prison of victim consciousness.

The world needs you. It needs everyone—all of us who have an even an inkling or suspicion that we have some kind of role to play to advance our collective evolution on this planet. The clarion call has been issued. The world needs us now. As healers, teachers, activists, catalysts of change. Now is the time. There has never been a more critical time in the history of humanity. Our very survival as a species is at stake here, and the quality of life on this planet.

Christian believes that the empowerment of women is the single most important thing that needs to happen in the world today. His unique, thought-provoking keynote is the ultimate women’s empowerment program—both inspiring and challenging women to step into power soulfully, with grace and courage.

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.