About
Here is a bit of information about Gloria Mahin, the creator of the Mystics for Peace, and a seeker of and collaborator with other mystics for peace throughout the world.
Gloria Mahin, MA, LPC, is an Iranian-American who brings her cultural background and love of the arts into her work as a community witness, activist, and group facilitator. She continually explores the intersection of the performing arts, various spiritual paths, including Shamanism, Sufism, and Buddhism, and political, environmental, and social activism. She aims to cultivate the art of personal integrity and authenticity as a catalyst for cultural evolution. Gloria earned her masters degree in Expressive Arts Therapies and integrates the arts in her work as a psychotherapist with children and adults. She currently lives in Sebastian, Florida.
Training and Accomplishments
Counseling
- Licensed Professional Counselor in North Carolina, 2007.
- Masters of Arts in Expressive Arts Therapy and Mental Health Counseling, Lesley University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, 2006.
- Ten years experience in health and human services with a range of populations, including stroke recovery, children with cancer, developmentally disabled adults, at-risk children and teens, and individuals struggling with mental health concerns, relational problems, substance abuse, trauma, and life transitions.
Creative Arts
- Bachelors of Arts in Theatre, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV -1997.
- Musical training in voice, piano, and percussion; Recording and performances with Dhruva', Steve Amdahl, Sid Brown, and Abraham and Halima Sussman.
- Eight years training, performance, and teaching in multiple styles of Middle Eastern dance including classical Persian, Turkish, Egyptian Cabaret, American Tribal Style belly dance, and Spiritual Belly Dance.
- Four years dance studies and performance in South Indian classical dance, Bharata Natyam with Padma Chebrolu, Deepa Raghavan, and Sridevi Jagganath.
- West African dance with Paschal Younge and Stella Torgbede
- Ancient Hawaiian Hula with Mahea Uchiyama
- Odissi Classical Dance with Vishnu Tattva Das
- Sufi studies with Sherif Baba of the Rifai Marufi lineage, Imam Bilal Hyde, Abraham and Halima Sussman of the Ruhaniat Order
- Neoshamanism training and internship with Frank Natale
- Readings and Dharma talks with Thich Nhat Hanh
- TranceDance Facilitator Certification Training with Wilbert Alix
- Roth 5Rhythms and Sweat Your Prayers with Gabrielle Roth and Jane Selzer
- Developmental Movement and Ritual Theatre with Fanchon Shur
- Dance Meditation with Dunya and Adnan Sarhan
Activism
- Facilitator of the Awakening the Dreamer, Changing the Dream symposium.
- Facilitator of The Veil, The Symbol of Islamic Covering.
- North Carolina State Coordinator for grassroots campaign for Dennis Kucinich for President, 2008. Created promotional slide show with original song:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KOSNO969OsA&NR=1 - Article submission for the National Iranian American Council.
- Dance performances for the benefit of Oregon PeaceWorks, a Women and Children's Shelter, and progressive political campaigns.
- Participation in civil disobedience demonstration for the preservation of Blackwater Canyon in West Virginia.
Artist Statement
As part of our quest for a global culture of peace and harmony, every step we take, every breath we breathe matters. We are now doing our part to infuse every moment we live with the purest intentions for healing personal and societal wounds and moving toward our natural capacity for joy and wisdom. I offer myself as an ally and a resource for all who quest after the same.
