Building a vocabulary of faith.

Byline: FROM HEART TO HEART By Ginny Nilsen For The Register-Guard

As I talk with people at the community's monthly interfaith gatherings, a spiritual vocabulary is developing in me. The privilege of hearing what others are sharing of their spiritual devotion reinforces for me the presence of a Divine Love operating and expressing Itself in human affairs. It gives me hope that if people of different religions in our community can come to understand each other and work together in respect and kindness, it is possible for governments, cultures and ethnic groups to do the same.

Interfaith work opens up opportunities to learn a language that dissolves barriers, expresses appreciation of others and builds unity of purpose. Whether in song, chant, prayers or presentations, the community not only learns about others' beliefs and practices but also is lifted in thought and conversation to a higher level of consideration.

Interfaith dialogue promotes the understanding of one another's beliefs, not trying to prove any theological points.

With the choices of expression that arise out of the vocabulary of different religions, one can find new ways to acknowledge compassion and clarity. I believe these opportunities to care for mankind are a cause worth working for.

However, this interfaith work is still a relatively new endeavor. It is not always effortless to articulate in a way that's immediately understood by everyone. We also, at times, graciously "agree to disagree."

I remember being questioned one time about a term I used as a synonym for God. I assumed, incorrectly, that everyone would know that I was referring to the Divine source of intelligence, wisdom and love.

I got a first-hand lesson in what dialogue is all about. We listened, questioned and clarified until that moment of understanding. It reinforced my respect and joy for the spiritual maturity we are all striving for as a healthy community.

Some people think learning about other's beliefs may weaken or show disrespect for one's own spiritual practice. But I have found this opportunity for dialogue has caused me to look even deeper into my own beliefs.

Many times I have come home from interfaith dialogue and delved into research with my Bible, concordance and reference books to clarify and strengthen my capacity to reason from the standpoint of God's omnipotence, omniscience and omnipresence. I have had to prayerfully open my mental lens and heart to Spirit.

I've been grateful for the opportunity to see the nature of Divine Love more clearly. I think I have become an even more effective healer in my own life. Monthly community interfaith dialogue meetings and the interfaith prayer and reflection services on the 11th of each month offer a kind of translator that speaks to my heart in words that reinforce the comfort, security and happiness I feel on a daily basis.

The ring of Truth is universal. Some people with no spiritual community are making these events their place of prayer and learning. The friendships that blossom from interfaith activities also reveal to me that "we are all the children of light," and that, in Spirit, we do speak the same language.

Ginny Nilsen is a member of the planning committee for the interfaith prayer and reflection services. This column, "From Heart to Heart," is coordinated by the Two Rivers Interfaith Ministries, a network of faith communities in the Eugene-Springfield area. For more information, call 344-5693.