Father Francis will be touring Canada and the United States this summer giving lectures to raise funds for Ashray.
Frans Baartmans received his Masters degree from Nijmegen University, The Netherlands in Anthropology and Ethnic Theology.  Frans also received a Ph. D. in Indian Hindu Philosophy and Theology specializing in Symbology, from Benares Hindu Universtiy, Varanasi, India.

Father Francis has lived in India for thirty years and has a vast array of knowledge, theoretical as well as practical.  His experience lends to speak about various issues.  The following is a list of topics Frans is well versed in.

Indian Traditions:

* The Mandala
* Mantra
* Om – Aum
* Gayatri Mantra (Most sacred Sun verse)
* Brahman – The “God” Concept
* Shiva – The cycles of Myths
* Vishnu – What came first the created or the Creator?
* Stri – The Woman, Womanhood – Stritva
* The Sacred Bath
* Deva/Devi – Gods and Goddesses
* The Widow
* The Tree
* Tat Tvam Asi – That Are You
* The Elements – Fire, Water, Earth, Air, Ether
* Water Symbolism and Mythical Consciousness
* Samskara – The Rights of Passage such as birth and marriage
* Puja – Worship
* Non Violence – Buddha and Mahatma Gandhi
* Varna – Caste
* The Wheel of the Law of Buddha
* Dowry
* Rudraksa – Shiva’s Beads

Other topics:

* Symbolism  
* Mythology 
* The Ganges 
* Varanasi
* Mother Theresa – A personal friend
* Catholicism post Mother Theresa & Pope John Paul
* Poverty – Cultural Poverty – Poverty & Corruption
* World Politics – Unequal Sharing of the Worlds Riches
* Gender Issues – Role of Women in Indian Culture
* Human Rights

If you would like to invite Frans Baartmans to speak for your group, church, or community or if you are interested in assisting in the fundraising for Ashray please contact: Krystina@ashray.org