Discovering One's Spiritual DNA

Inter-Faith versus Inner-Faith
A Reflection of Personal Discernment*

An August (of 2008) retreat at Picture Rocks (a Redemptorist Retreat center) perked my senses. It had all the right words in its definition – meditation, silence, vegetarian meals, teachings by the "master", etc. It would be a nice 4-day August break from the concrete summer heat of Phoenix into the “cool” Tucson Sonoran desert. I was comfortable with this retreat style – so, I thought. My previous experiences were called “Contemplative Intensive” retreats with a mixture of Christian and Eastern contemplative techniques which were very enriching. But, this new adventure would be a Zen retreat – a pure Zen Buddhist Sesshin – Japanese style.

Everything seemed to be the same – the 25-minute sittings interspersed with very slow meditative walks – but, the worship liturgy and prayers were Buddhist. The prayers, toned in the Japanese language and the rhythm of the chants were comforting. But, the adoration (prostration – full floor bow) to Buddha was soul-stopping. During one of the first liturgy sessions, we (the participants) were invited to prostrate before and be prayerful to the Buddha. In a freeze-frame of time, my body tried to move into prostration but the spirit said “stop.”

I am a follower of the "teacher" Jesus aka a Christian, but yet, drawn into an inter-faith connection with Eastern (i.e. Tao) and Buddhist things – meditation, the theology of compassion, Zen architecture, etc.; and, always finding, and looking for, similar messages to Jesus’ gospel. So what was this impulse? After this “frozen in motion” experience, and at the first opportunity to enter the chapel at the retreat center, in a deep bow, I fell to my knees before the sanctuary’s large Corpus cross of dark carved wood – feeling humbled and almost ashamed. It was a wakeup call to my inner-faith. It was a discernment call to look more deeply into my spiritual living that feeds into my inner-faith. It is my interfaith relationships, whether Buddhist, Islamic, etc. that are the tools which feed, strengthen and validate my inner-faith as a Christian. Jesus’ messages of love, doing justice and feeling compassion are universal, and that it is “Jesus” who is embedded into my DNA.

Postscript (3/14/2009): The serenity of the Buddhist statues continue to draw my attention. The slight smile or Happy Buddha's joy --- these are the silent looks of compassion and wisdom. Jesus smiled but unfortunately it's not written in the scriptures!


* NOTE: This text is from my "Diaconal Annual Report 2008" to Bishop Kirk Smith

Mindlessness

These pseudo-Haiku lines are from some mindless observations during a recent Zen sessin. The first is during “rest” while waiting for the next “sitting”. The second is during a short “walk” after a “sitting.”

#1
Grasshopper on table
Rock on gravel
Lizard on rock
Stillness in dust *

[* Remember that you are dust. . . ]


#2
Foot in motion
Board squeaks
Embrace is complete

Garment of Faith

Design the Garment of Faith

Project Runaway is a popular reality television show about persons seeking stardom as fashion designers. It is a process of many weeks. It is the designing of a garment with a variety of criteria, being evaluated and eliminated by noted existing designers, and then, the TV viewers have the final vote and select the winner. It is interesting to watch the creativity of putting together various pieces of fabric, threads, fasteners, etc. into a wearable garment – on short notice.

The styles of our garments in the Western world are made of many parts (i.e. sleeves, pockets, collars, etc.) and much stitching. But, it is not unusual in the Middle Eastern regions, today, or during the time of Jesus, where a garment could be a one “un-seamed” piece of fabric. The gospel reading says, “They [soldiers] took this tunic; now the tunic was seamless, woven in one piece from the top.”

If your “faith” was a garment, how would it be designed? Multi-colored? Glittery? Tailored? Simple one-piece? In our own spiritual exploration, the “design” of our faith may be any one of these and/or other designs.

Over time as we become comfortable in wearing this garment of faith the threads may start to ravel, and there are those in our lives and culture who may want to cast lots to pull at the “seams and fabric” and challenge our beliefs.

Good Friday invites us to take a look at our garment of faith. Does it need repairing? Or, does it need a total redesign? Or, does it need to be replaced with something brand new? What ever the outcome, the “thread” to be used, is woven with the message of Jesus Christ; for as Paul said to the Hebrews: “Let us hold fast to the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who has promised is faithful. And let us consider how to provoke one another to love and good deeds. . .”

Our garment of faith does not need to be judged by others for the perfect fit, or approved for some major runaway display. Our garment of faith is our individual composite relationship with Jesus. And, it is Jesus who drapes the garment of faith upon us from the Cross!

St Seeds

The list of the names were read numerous times throughout the, All Saints, All Souls and All Saints Sunday, days. The names included family, friends, teachers and "saints" of our own recognition. The names were attached to human beings (homo sapiens)! There were no names of animals -- "O beasts of the wild" or pets -- those of God's creation that offer unconditional love and/or work without ceasing. There were no names of plants or seeds of plants - roses or weeds or "all that grows upon the earth" -- those of God's creation that re-create the earth. There were no names of stars or sea creatures! Where is St Seed? Where is St Whale? Where is St Canine? etc., etc., etc. Yes there is Earth Day and St Francis Day (Blessing of Animals)! And yes, it is understood that All Saints and All Souls days, are meant to allow us to honor the human connections in our lives. But the human species is a small percentage in relation to the vastness of the global universe. So let St. Seed, St. Whale, St. Mule, etc. also be remembered as one "knit together ... in one communion and fellowship in the mystical body..." [from All Saints' Day Collect BCP 245]

Learning to Blog

I'm sitting next to the Bishop and learning to blog from the Dean. The creating juices have started to flow. BUT, how will I use this blog? What kind of content? Oh well; time will tell!