spirituality

The International Interfaith Centre's Interfaith Music Gala provided one situation where people from different faiths came together to share religious and spiritual music. here is an extract from a report was written by Anuradha devi dasi:

Some had written their own songs, or composed their own music while others chose more traditional expressions. It was clear that all were offerings of the heart. The first Jewish song took me by surprise. It was an experience of Judaism I had never before encountered in interfaith gatherings and set the mood for what was to follow. I felt engaged in interfaith at a level beyond verbal presentation or dogmatic overviews. This sharing of intimate devotional practice was an awakening for me. It was an engagement not just of the mind but of the heart and although the styles and melodies varied greatly, the underlying mood and intent was re-echoed in each contribution......(Read more)

Navleen Kaur and friends chant and pray at IIC's Interfaith Gala.

Through all three of the tutors I gained a better insight into the issues and challenges facing inter-religious dialogue. But one particular section engendered a new realisation. Ebrahim Patel was covering the subject of ´Practical dialogue for daily life in plural societies` in the eighth week. He asked all the course delegates to choose a personal symbol of their particular faith tradition and to discuss this in pairs. Eachdelegate was then asked to describe his or her chosen symbol and explain what it meant to them. The ensuing discussion was fascinating. Symbols ranged from a lighted candle to a particular stained glass window to music, chanting God`s name, air and nature, the cross bearing the words ´Father forgive` that was made out of the ruins of Coventry cathedral and others. Each person´s feeling for their chosen symbol was deeply personal and had a powerful spiritual resonance that was particular to them. I was struck by Eboo´s summing-up of this session:

Photo: Eboo Patel

´There are a variety of symbolic languages that have been given to us`.

Suddenly I saw the diversity of religions and their expressions in language, art, music, poetry etc. as an extraordinary gift. In a way, it seemed to me, that our world and its universe provides us with an almost infinite number of keys to the door that opens onto spiritual enlightenment. My focus on Interfaith work changed subtly in this moment..... (Read more)