Interfaith experiences

I was reading this page  - Interfaith experiences and it reminded me of a few Interfaith experiences. Perhaps others have some to share.

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When I was quite new on the path I went to an interfaith event in London. Bhavani Torpy, had organised for the Sri Chinmoy Centre to participate. I remember quite a few people from different religions spoke about harmony and tolerance and some nice things. The Sri Chinmoy Centre’s contribution was to just offer a few songs of soulful music, composed by Sri Chinmoy. The performance of the soulful music really touched people’s hearts. I was struck by one attendee who said to me afterwards - the music was definitely the highlight of the day!

For an example, listen to Christ Songs by Agnikana

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Sanjaya - Thought of the Day

Sanjaya is a unique personality; he is both the quintessential English gentleman, and also the embodiment of the interfaith ideal. He has been involved in local interfaith initiatives for many decades, sitting on innumerable committees and making a real practical difference - not just to talk, but to actually create harmony.

I once spent a few days with Sanjaya in Ipswich, and was inspired by how he could effortlessly get on with people from different religious backgrounds. What struck me is that people from different religions seemed to very easily claim Sanjaya as one of their own. In fact the local Hindu temple made Sanjaya President because he is so knowledgeable about Hinduism and the Mahabharata. We were once invited to perform some bhajans at the Hindu Temple; it was sweet to see how the Hindu members would be asking Sanjaya for advice on aspects of Hinduism!  Any other Englishman who was made President of a Hindu society may feel a little pride, but with Sanjaya I’m sure that is impossible -  he is modesty incarnate.

You can listen to some of Sanjaya's contributions to local radio.

Thought of the Day

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Sri Chinmoy

Sri Chinmoy with President Premadasa.

Being with Sanjaya reminds me of how effortlessly Sri Chinmoy could identify with particular religions. For example, when he met Buddhist monks, Sri Chinmoy would identify with Buddhism, and he had such reverence for Lord Buddha that other Buddhists would feel Sri Chinmoy truly understood the spiritual essence of Buddhism. It was exactly the same when Sri Chinmoy would meet Christian priests, such as Father Tom, Jewish ministers such as Rabbi Marc Gelman, and adherents of the Muslim Religion.

Interfaith at Sri Chinmoy.org

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Recently, a British French joy weekend was held in a chateau owned by the Ramakrishna society. It was a very nice spiritual atmosphere, and much quieter than your typical inner city accommodation on a Saturday night.

Whilst there, I saw a couple of new French boy disciples, wearing white clothes. One wasn’t fully clean shaved, but I thought - perhaps new disciples haven’t got into that routine. Anyway I worried a little no one seemed to be making an effort to speak to the new disciples. So I spent time chatting to this new disciple. His English was pretty good, though he looked mildly surprised by some questions I asked. He seemed to have a lot of inner poise. Anyway, as I was leaving, some one told me both those boys were actually disciples of Sri Ramakrishna - but I never twigged. I don’t know why I assumed they were new French disciples of Sri Chinmoy!

On the Sunday, a British group Ananda performed a concert in part of the chateaux, and a good group of people came to listen to the music, including some followers and friends of the Sri Ramakrishna Mission. At the end, Ananda sang a couple of bhajans about Sri Ramakrishna that Sri Chinmoy had composed. It also included a bhajan which included the immortal words of Sri Ramakrishna, which he said on his death bed to Swami Vivekananda.

“He who was Rama. He who was Krishna. is now Ramakrishna in this body.”

This was sung many times and moved many who were in attendance.

Sri Chinmoy praying at a Sri Ramakrishna Temple.

Sri Chinmoy had such love for Swami Vivekananda and Sri Ramakrishna. I believe Sri Chinmoy once said that, inwardly, Sri Ramakrishna’s path was the closest to his. Of course, outwardly there are many differences, and when it comes to spiritual practise, it doesn’t work to mix paths and mix spiritual disciplines. It is important to follow just one path, one Master.

But, when fate gives an opportunity to meet adherents from other paths and religions it can be a very rewarding activity - if we can feel the underlying unity of spiritual experience.

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Peace Run.

Part of the Peace Run whilst visiting York Minister

I haven’t been on the Sri Chinmoy Peace-Run very much, just a few days here and there. But, it is a tremendous vehicle for giving opportunities to meet people from different religious paths and share a common goal of peace and understanding. It is humbling to be really welcomed by people from different religions. I remember a very nice visit to a Buddhist temple in Milton Keynes. Last year, we visited York Minster - one of the greatest Cathedrals in Great Britain. The Minister who met us was so kind and big-hearted. He said he was so happy to meet us because, many years ago, he had bought Sri Chinmoy’s book on meditation and found it very useful to help him meditate. It’s amazing the experiences you can have when you meet different people on the Peace Run.

Tejvan

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• Religion and spirituality
• Interfaith experiences