Photo Courtesy of Arlene Shechet

June 27 at 7p.m.

 

Federal Hall 

26 Wall St
New York, NY 10005

Capacity is limited. Free with RSVP. Click here to RSVP.

All events in the River To River Festival are free and open to the public.

The Agitated Now

The Agitated Now is an invitation to explore our presence in these fast-paced contemporary realities. Carol Becker, Dean of Faculty and Professor of the Arts at Columbia University School of the Arts, and Mark Epstein, renowned author and psychotherapist, offer an evening of reflection around the idea of slowing down to reflect and imagine.

The Agitated Now is borrowed from Carol Becker’s text of the same title in which she explores the many complexities of TIME that exist in consciousness, often simultaneously. Mark Epstein will speak on the way in which artist and musician John Cage has inspired him, drawing one’s attention to overlooked aspects of our experience in order to arrive at a place of acceptance, faith and trust in the boundless unknown. The evening will lead to an understanding that awareness is transformational, affording an empowerment, acceptance and surrender that opens space for calm, reflection, rational thought and effective action.

Carol Becker Portrait
About Carol Becker

Carol Becker is Professor of the Arts and Dean of Columbia University School of the Arts. She lectures widely on art, culture and the place of art and artists in society. Becker is the author of numerous articles and several books including Thinking in Place: Art Action and Cultural Production and Losing Helen.

Mark Epstein - Photo Credit_Larry Bercow
About Mark Epstein

Mark Epstein, M.D. is a psychiatrist in private practice in New York City and the author of a number of books about the interface of Buddhism and psychotherapy, including Thoughts without a Thinker, Going to Pieces without Falling Apart, Going on Being, Open to Desire, Psychotherapy without the Self and The Trauma of Everyday Life. His latest work is Advice Not Given: A Guide to Getting Over Yourself (Penguin Press). He received his undergraduate and medical degrees from Harvard University.