FROM CONTEMPLATIVE WISDOM TO COMPASSIONATE ACTION
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NICO (Northwest Interfaith Community Outreach) is committed to Celebrating Spirit Through Interfaith Collaboration and Compassionate Action for Justice in the World. Together with CAN (Compassionate Action Network), we are committed to cultivating an InterSpiritual, community-wide movement grounded in practical, compassionate action for the Common Good. The reality is there is much work to be done to realize these goals and we need more models of how to transcend the church documents, canons, scriptures and customs that so often represent hurdles to authentic dialogue.
One experiment that holds promise is that of the Global Peace Initiative of Women (www.gpiw.org). Their recent summit (Gathering the Spiritual Voice of America To Deepen Our Knowing of Oneness and Our Compassion as a Nation) convened leaders and practitioners from all the world's great contemplative traditions to consider what it means to move from "Contemplative Wisdom to Compassionate Action." Sr. Joan Chittister offers her perspectives on the summit in the attached article and full details are available on the summit website: http://gpiw.org/aspen.html.
Could it be that by focusing on the healing functions of contemplation and compassion, the nutrients of all our religious and spiritual traditions, we can help scale ecumenical/interfaith/InterSpiritual collaboration to a level of significant practical influence in our communities and the world?
What are your thoughts? What possibilities can you imagine? If this is a priority for you, how would you suggest we frame an authentic local initiative?
NICO (Northwest Interfaith Community Outreach) is committed to Celebrating Spirit Through Interfaith Collaboration and Compassionate Action for Justice in the World. Together with CAN (Compassionate Action Network), we are committed to cultivating an InterSpiritual, community-wide movement grounded in practical, compassionate action for the Common Good. The reality is there is much work to be done to realize these goals and we need more models of how to transcend the church documents, canons, scriptures and customs that so often represent hurdles to authentic dialogue.
One experiment that holds promise is that of the Global Peace Initiative of Women (www.gpiw.org). Their recent summit (Gathering the Spiritual Voice of America To Deepen Our Knowing of Oneness and Our Compassion as a Nation) convened leaders and practitioners from all the world's great contemplative traditions to consider what it means to move from "Contemplative Wisdom to Compassionate Action." Sr. Joan Chittister offers her perspectives on the summit in the attached article and full details are available on the summit website: http://gpiw.org/aspen.html.
Could it be that by focusing on the healing functions of contemplation and compassion, the nutrients of all our religious and spiritual traditions, we can help scale ecumenical/interfaith/InterSpiritual collaboration to a level of significant practical influence in our communities and the world?
What are your thoughts? What possibilities can you imagine? If this is a priority for you, how would you suggest we frame an authentic local initiative?
Tags: InterSpiritual, action, compassion, contemplation, interfaith, wisdom
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Permalink Reply by Jon Ramer on -
Thanks, Jon. The work of the Global Peace Initiative of Women is stellar. Here is their vision statement:
"The Global Peace Initiative of Women (GPIW) was founded by a group of women religious and spiritual leaders to provide a global platform through which women and men, working in partnership, can foster the spiritual values of global unity, peacebuilding and the development of all the peoples of the world. GPIW is an international network of women and men who come together to tap our collective spiritual wisdom to stimulate reconciliation and healing in areas of conflict and post-conflict, and to deepen understanding of oneness, compassion and the principles of ahimsa (non-harm) as central tenets of life. We believe that a shift in consciousness is needed, a change in heart and mind, if we are as a global community to meet the challenges of climate change, environmental degradation, poverty and hunger, violence and conflict. Central to our work is the belief that the feminine qualities of wholeness, inclusion, and integration have a vital role to play in facilitating this shift and bringing greater balance to our world. Thus we make great effort to draw upon the resources of women spiritual leaders as we seek to empower these vital qualities.
Our work aims to foster respect for all peoples on Earth and for the Earth’s natural environment. We highlight humanity’s shared values, even as we profoundly appreciate the diversity of human culture and belief. We realize the importance of transmitting such values to the next generation. Thus, in our sacred work, we place special emphasis on tapping inter-spiritual wisdom and developing leadership in young adults around the world, listening to the perspectives of all as we seek together to create a more caring and compassionate world community." -
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Permalink Reply by Philip Gerson on -
John,
I look forward clarifying our strategies for the new year and getting on with widening our circle.
Phil -
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