The spiritual path is lifelong and often winding.Byline: FROM HEART TO HEART By Bethel Bethel, in the Bible Bethel (bĕth`əl) [Heb.,=house of God]. 1 Ancient city of central Palestine, the modern Baytin, the West Bank, N of Jerusalem. Evans For The Register-Guard The other night, the people in my Interfaith Dialogue group were sharing our individual faith traditions. My turn came. I am often stumped about what to say. This night, I flashed on a bumper sticker bumper sticker n. A sticker bearing a printed message for display on a vehicle's bumper. bumper sticker n → Aufkleber m that I saw the night before: "I do whatever my Rice Krispies Rice Krispies (known as Rice Bubbles in Australia) is a brand of breakfast cereal that has been produced by Kellogg's since 1928. They are made of rice grain which is cooked, dried and toasted. These kernels bubble and rise in a manner which forms very thin walls. tell me to do." Perhaps I shocked my friends, but I think they are getting used to me. In this phase of my life, I am enjoying humor and being a free spirit. And I appreciate the warmth and acceptance of the deep spiritual orientation and understanding of all who share at the interfaith gatherings on the 11th of each month at First Christian Church First Christian Church can refer to:
At these gatherings, I enjoy both the formal and informal fellowship. I also have begun to participate in the activities at Spiritual Growth Center, where freedom of belief and expression is encouraged. In the spirit of the interfaith gatherings and dialogue, I am not advocating that anyone follow my wanderings. As a wayfarer, I appreciate the experience of community and acceptance I have found. My spiritual path began with my childhood in a traditional Christian family and I went on to complete a degree at Northwest Christian College Northwest Christian College is a private, liberal arts college located in Eugene, Oregon and is affiliated with the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and the Independent Christian Churches/Churches of Christ. , but even before graduating I began to explore other traditions. I began to question any one path as the only way to attain salvation or spiritual enlightenment. As I opened my eyes to other traditions, I have become enchanted en·chant tr.v. en·chant·ed, en·chant·ing, en·chants 1. To cast a spell over; bewitch. 2. To attract and delight; entrance. See Synonyms at charm. by the beautiful imagery created by the Baha'i scriptures, the chants of the Eastern religions, the grounded and earthy earth·y adj. earth·i·er, earth·i·est 1. Of, consisting of, or resembling earth: an earthy smell. 2. Of or characteristic of this world; worldly. 3. practices of the Native Americans and Pagans, the peaceful writings of Thich Nat Hahn. I also appreciate the humorous and thoughtful teachings of Pema Chodron. I have found a whole new view of the Christian faith through reading Emmanuel Swedenborg, an 18th-century Christian mystic who explored heaven and hell through his extraordinary meditative med·i·ta·tive adj. Characterized by or prone to meditation. See Synonyms at pensive. med  i·ta trances.
And then there is the complicated teaching of G.I. Gurdjeiff.
Through the gatherings on the 11th of every month, I have remembered "feeling" Jewish as a child and I have discovered the Islamic devotion to Allah. Everywhere I turn I find spirit calling to me, expressing wisdom, beauty and completeness. This does not mean that I have studied these teachings in depth, but I have tasted enough to know that whatever comes to me, I must take it in at a heart level and find a way to use what I have absorbed for my daily practice as I expand my own divine expression. My spiritual practice involves standing in The Presence as I listen to or create music, as I write prose and poetry, as I read or sit quietly in my home, walk in nature, or visit with a friend. Whatever my heart moves me to do becomes my spiritual practice. I accept that the divine expresses through my own essence and I am in awe and gratitude for this gift as it flows through me and as I experience it in others. Bethel Evans is active in the monthly interfaith prayer services, Dialogue meetings and Spiritual Growth Center, and also is a member of Acchord, a group of musicians who promote the healing benefits of music. This column is coordinated by Two Rivers Two Rivers, city (1990 pop. 13,030), Manitowoc co., E Wis., on Lake Michigan at the mouth of the Twin River; inc. 1878. Two Rivers is closely associated with its twin city, Manitowoc, both of which are highly industrialized. Interfaith Ministries, a network of faith communities in the Eugene-Springfield area. For more information, call 344-5693. |
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