Contributed by Andra Baylus, Regional Director of the Meher Baba Spiritual Community
The First Amendment creates the very space upon which Tysons Interfaith and other interfaith organizations function as we go about the business of interfaith bridge building to create opportunities for spiritual connection, learn about different faith traditions and serve others who are part of one human family.
It is especially meaningful to be reminded of the First Amendment as we approach the installation of our new administration whose governance agenda will be bound, by law, to uphold the tenets expressed within the First Amendment guaranteeing religious freedom for all faith traditions.
The following thoughts about Religious Freedom Day, shared with me by a friend, should be a source of comfort –that the First Amendment of our Constitution will ensure the success of future interfaith bridge building activities and protect the religious freedoms of all citizens of the United States:
Honoring All Paths
National Religious Freedom Day – January 16 – is a time to remember and praise the tenets of liberty, equality, and dignity for everyone. That freedom is guaranteed in the First Amendment of the Constitution, adopted in 1791, which says: “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.” Inherent in our celebration of religious freedom, is the right to also live with freedom of speech, of the press, and the freedom of assembly.
To restrict these freedoms is to undermine the equality, dignity, and respect of our brothers and sisters. Religious freedom makes it possible – and even legal – to publicly honor all faiths, to draw wisdom from diverse spiritual paths. In essence, the New Thought philosophy – and the teaching of it – would not have been allowed without the guarantee of this freedom.
The groundwork for this liberty was established in the 17th century when thousands of Catholics, Puritans, and other religious freethinkers were facing harassment and persecution by the Church of England, which sought to inaugurate itself as the mandatory religion of the nation. The dissenters, who vowed to not be bound by these conditions, showed great dedication and courage in boarding ships for the “New World.”
This blog post is the expressed opinion of its writer and does not necessarily reflect the views of Tysons Interfaith or its members.
Contributed by Rev. Dr. Trish Hall, Center for Spiritual Living Metro.
2025 is going to be an awesome year! You know how I know that it is and will be, is because we are going to make it so! As Divine Beings expressing as human, we are powerful beyond measure. We have spiritual practices at our disposal – they are there for us to use. We know that we control how we react/respond to circumstances – we are constantly at choice. I choose (and recommend that you do as well) to remain conscious of my thoughts so that I am not swept away by awfulizing and fearmongering.
Every Sunday, we declare:
There is a Power for Good in the Universe that is greater than I am,
and I am using It now!
I am using It to do my part to create a world that works for all.
Together, we inspire individuals to awaken to their own Divinity.
We are here to make a huge difference!
I invite everyone to make this a daily (perhaps multiple times per day) habit to remind ourselves that we are the change-makers. As we sing in Karen Drucker’s song, “I am the heart, I am the hands, I am the voice of Spirit on earth.” We are called to be a stand for the amazing possibilities of 2025!
2025 IS GOING TO BE AN AWESOME YEAR BECAUSE WE ARE MAKING IT SO – STARTING RIGHT NOW!
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
This blog post is the expressed opinion of its writer and does not necessarily reflect the views of Tysons Interfaith or its members.
Contributed by Andra Baylus, Regional Director of the Meher Baba Spiritual Community
The important Hindu festival of Dattatreya Jayanti is celebrated on the Full Moon Night (Purnamasi) of the Margashirsha (Agrahayana) month. It is also known as Datta Jayanti. In 2024, it fell on December 14th.
Shri Datta Jayanti was the day Lord Dattatreya was born across the country.
As per the Hindu scriptures, Lord Dattatreya symbolizes the fusion of the three Gods of the Hindu male trinity (Trimurti)…. namely Brahma (the creator), Vishnu (the nurturer) and Mahesh (Lord Shiva, the destroyer).
” Dattatreya also signifies nature – our inner nature and nature around us. Dattareya is here to remind us who we are, where we came from and where we will return.
Three heads symbolically represent three aspects of existence – birth, life, and death; Waking state, dream state, and deep sleep state; Body, mind, and spirit; etc.
Various weapons in the hands signify the will to destroy various aspects of ignorance such as greed, lust, ownership, possessiveness, anger, hatred, jealousy, insecurities, lust, ego, pride etc.
The cow signifies purity, while the dogs represent the four Vedas (ancient scriptures) or guarding and protection of the ultimate truth.
By connecting to Dattatreya we connect to nature. When we are one with nature, we are healthy, balanced, and effective. Everything is part of nature. Everything has come from nature, and everything will dissolve back into nature.”
Wishing our Hindu brothers and sisters a blessed Dattatreya Jayanthi.
This blog post is the expressed opinion of its writer and does not necessarily reflect the views of Tysons Interfaith or its members.
Contributed by Susan Posey, Redeemer Lutheran, McLean
Like many Americans, I was very invested in the Presidential election. I felt that the stakes were very high. People in my family and some life-long friends did not support the candidate I did. I struggled to wrap my head around this. How could these good people, with whom I knew I shared values, come to such a starkly different conclusion about the direction our country should take? And I’m sure they must have wondered the same thing about me!
Is it possible to even talk to these people I love about any of this? And how do I find my footing when I feel like the earth beneath my feet is shifting?
A couple of things are helping me process all of this: talking with trusted friends and family; staying informed and active in my community; turning to faith and prayer. It is the third point that I wish to highlight.
Many people of all faith traditions– even people who do not necessarily consider themselves “religious” or spiritual — start their days with a moment of prayer or meditation. An App that I use is called d365. Primarily geared for students, it features commentary on scriptures that I will hear in church the coming Sunday as part of the Common Lectionary.
I am a Christian and a member of the Lutheran Church of the Redeemer in McLean. It is at church in the weeks since the election that I have been inspired and challenged by our Pastor, Sandy Kessinger, who bases her sermons on the scripture passages of the week. Here are a few excerpted/paraphrased nuggets from these sermons, obviously given from the Christian perspective, but which may be of encouragement to people of all faith traditions:
October 27: God is Our Refuge and Strength
What is the meaning of life? It should come as no surprise that my answer is God. At the end of the day, God is the one who gives our lives meaning. We can certainly live our lives apart from God, but it is a much more difficult path to follow.
We live in a world of uncertainty, where troubles seem to surround us from every direction. Psalm 46 offers comfort, encouragement, and a reminder that God is always with us.
If I had to choose my confirmation verse today it would be Psalm 46:10. “Be still and know that I am God!” When I have my doubts about the meaning of life and my purpose in this world, it is this verse that brings me back to God. It gives me the deep security I need that an all-powerful God is with me (and for me) no matter what happens in this world or in our lives.
November 10: Her Whole Life
God sees and God cares.
It is good news indeed that God sees our struggles, recognizes our challenges, and cares about us deeply. But even more, God is inviting us to look around and see each other (those in our community and those we do not know). And I mean to really see each other – the pain of those who are discriminated against, the desolation of those who cannot find work, the despair of those who lost hope.
God is inviting us to see them, to care for them, and to advocate for a system that does not leave anybody behind. God cares and God invites us to care as well. God believes that we have something to contribute, that we can make a difference, that our words and actions can help bring more fully into fruition the kingdom of God.
November 17: Do Not Be Led Astray
Time and time again we read in the Bible the words: “Do not be afraid for I am with you.”
Our lessons remind us that we are not alone in our fearful response to what we perceive as frightening and world-altering events in our own time. But then we hear the words of Jesus: “Do not be alarmed. Do not be afraid for I am with you.”
We keep our eyes on Jesus. We stay alert and remain watchful. We are not to let the widows, orphans, and others on the margins suffer. We are not to go off and wring our hands in despair, reacting to every post that crosses our screen. We are to be the people of God and be about the business of God in this world – right here and right now.
Now more than ever we need people to hear the good news and need to help people find communities of faith where they are welcome, where they can come just as they are. Now more than ever we need to sing songs of joy and hope and to act with courage and conviction.
November 24: What is Truth?
What is truth? It is a serious question. Many loud voices are calling us to heed to their “truth” which makes seeking the truth increasingly difficult these days. We try to look to those who are considered to be experts in their field but even then we are apt to receive conflicting results.
We, as Christians, hold certain things to be true and we are not to bend from these truths when challenged. We believe that God created the heavens and the earth and meant it to all be good. We believe that God created us in his image and made us stewards over his creation. We believe that Jesus is the Son of God who died and rose again to save and redeem us. We believe we are saved by grace through faith and not by the works of the law.
And because we believe these things, it helps us then to make good and right moral decisions: We must love our neighbors.
….Jesus said that he came into this world to witness to the truth, the truth that God is love. So how, then can we reflect that truth to others?
For those who want more than theory today, I offer a practical list:
We are called to value all people. Grounded in God’s love we start by valuing ourselves and seeing ourselves through the lens of God.
We are called to hang out with people who may not sound like us and who may not agree with us. Jesus has a saying that our faith is not characterized by how deeply we love our friends. Our faith is characterized by how deeply we love our enemies.
We are called to remember that truth and love are bound together in hope. We are called to remember to be the church – keep confessing. Stay accountable. Take responsibility. Stop blaming. Keep hoping. Listen, and above all, keep loving. We (and everyone around us) will benefit.
By turning to God, I am beginning to find my footing again after the election. I want to be in relationship with people who voted differently than me, and to have a say in the future direction of our country. I will endeavor in all my interactions to speak truth as I see it in love. I won’t always get it right, but I am grateful for my faith, my church community, and for my extended family of believers at Tysons Interfaith – who inspire me and help me navigate every day.
This blog post is the expressed opinion of its writer and does not necessarily reflect the views of Tysons Interfaith or its members.
Contributed by: Lois Herr — First Church of Christ, Scientist, McLean
Many people set aside time in their day for prayer, reflection, or meditation. As a Christian Science practitioner, I often find inspiration in daily audio reflections, called the Daily Lift, and presented by members of our church.
A recent timely Daily Lift by Nhung McLeland from Newton, Massachusetts, is entitled, “Free of Mental Turmoil at Election Time.” In this segment, Nhung shares about her anxiety during election years, comparing what she is was experiencing to an item being tossed about in her washing machine in dirty water! A realization that she can entrust all to God provided her relief and peace.
The Daily Lift is comprised of audio presentations contributed by Christian Science church members worldwide – with the majority coming from the U.S. This particular Lift will remain on the website for thirty days before being retired.
May this segment bring you peace and encouragement.
This blog post is the expressed opinion of its writer and does not necessarily reflect the views of Tysons Interfaith or its members.
Contributed by Yerusalem Work
May your children be the coolness of your eyes! This Arabic expression qurrata a’yun (قُرَّةَ أَعْيُنٍ) conveys a message of love and joy. It refers to tears that flow from a sense of comfort after having achieved refuge.
Quran 25:74 includes a prayer that Allah makes our spouses and children the coolness of our eyes. May Allah (swt) bless our families. The home is a sacred space. It is where we offer fervent prayer. It is where we ought to feel peace.
When we hear the Adhan (the Call to Prayer), we come across the saying, “Hasten to prayer. Hasten to success.” This wakes us up on the inside. It helps us to ponder our true responsibility in life: to worship Allah (swt).
Our families prepare us for life in the outside world. We cherish our families because they shape our lives. Truly, Allah (swt) guides and provides, but we must remember to be grateful for the safety and stability of our inner sanctum, our home. We can cultivate knowledge and wisdom, but without practical application, we are at a loss. Let us learn how to hold space for each other in our hearts, graciously showing hospitality through generosity. We can hold space for each other by sharing a kind word or filling up an empty cup. We can meet a pressing need.
Our parents raise us and most often intend the best for us. We can show our appreciation by caring for them and ourselves and the world around us. Is it a perfect world? No, but that makes it no less deserving of our attention. Keep your eyes on those you love. Watch them sing and dance. Watch them change over the course of life—ideally for the better. We are very devoted to famous people, but are we watchful of those in our inner circles? What about the distance between us and the hearts nearest to us? We must bridge the gap and eliminate the divide between us and those genuinely deserving of our trust. A warm smile or a simple hug can melt hearts, heal wounds, or demonstrate compassion.
So, remember the small screen does not deserve all our time. Bond with those worthy of your care and concern. Time is precious. Utilize it wisely. There is an African proverb that states, “If you cut your chains, you free yourself. If you cut your roots, you die.” Nurture your roots and you will grow strong. Plant seeds of good deeds and meditation. You can rise above anything with love and hope. Stay inspired! Hold onto who and what matter most. Never forget that you deserve to be treasured.
Yerusalem Work, a creative writer and the membership director of the Congregational Library Association, has a heart for interfaith dialogue and is a passionate community builder. A holder of a master’s degree in library science and prolific author, she regularly blogs and self-publishes her writing. Her writing has been published in Muslim Matters, Islamic Horizons, and Tysons Interfaith. She considers it an honor and a pleasure to write on Islamic themes.
This blog post is the expressed opinion of its writer and does not necessarily reflect the views of Tysons Interfaith or its members.
Contributed by: Susan Posey, Redeemer Lutheran, McLean
Many people set aside time in their day for prayer, reflection, or meditation, and there are so many wonderful resources for this type of daily grounding. One such resource is the Daily Lift, a daily audio reflection provided on-line by the Christian Science Church.
This week, I was blessed to hear a Daily Lift offered by Lois Herr, who is a local Christian Science Practitioner and Teacher, an active member of Tysons Interfaith, and my dear friend. In this segment entitled No such thing as “all by myself,” Lois shares an experience from her own life that illustrates her belief that by consistently turning to God for guidance, one can come to the spiritual reality that God’s care is always ready to appear in ways that we can understand.
The Daily Lift is comprised of audio presentations contributed by Christian Science church members worldwide – with the majority coming from the U.S. This particular “Lift” will remain on the website for thirty days before being retired.
As my friend Lois would say, “may this segment bring you peace and encouragement.” It did so for me.
This blog post is the expressed opinion of its writer and does not necessarily reflect the views of Tysons Interfaith or its members.
Contributed by Stephen Wickman, St. Thomas Episcopal, McLean
Sometimes, when I have trouble sleeping, I listen to the BBC. A recent segment entitled Mary’s Pain, a Lenten Talk offered by Dr. Selina Stone, touched me deeply.
Dr. Stone uses the period of Lent to come to terms with grief and loss she experienced in the untimely death of her mother to cancer. She shares Mary’s story as encouragement to all who mourn or struggle with the large problems facing our world.
This particular offering was first broadcast on March 11 and will be available for twenty-seven days.
As Christians prepare to enter holy week, may it offer anyone who cares to listen, peace.
This blog post is the expressed opinion of its writers and does not necessarily reflect the views of Tysons Interfaith or its members.
Contributed by Stephen Wickman, St. Thomas Episcopal, McLean
“The mind is involved in religion, but in more subtle ways. Christian traditions have many objects, rituals, and gorgeous buildings that create a spiritual atmosphere that helps the heart along. Judaism is perhaps the most embodied religion of all, requiring hundreds of specified obligations and actions governing dress and food, marital relations and business dealings, even the structure and society of prayer. In the Jewish tradition these are not separate from but an expression of a covenantal relationship with the creator of the universe.”
As we move further into Ramadan and Lent, I was struck by this message that came into my inbox. The author (Johnathan Silver, the author of Mosaic Magazine) takes issue with those who “have a very abstracted view of what religion is and the role it plays in human life,” and seem to believe: “The key to religious devotion is the acceptance of a tenet of faith.”
Nothing could be further from the truth.
To read the article in full, please visit:
https://manage.kmail-lists.com/subscriptions
This blog post is the expressed opinion of its writers and does not necessarily reflect the views of Tysons Interfaith or its members.
Contributed by Stephen Wickman, St. Thomas Episcopal
I received this beautiful message from NPR highlighting their listeners prayers this Ramadan, which begins today or tomorrow, depending on the sighting of the new moon in Saudi Arabia. https://www.npr.org/2024/03/10/1237049818/ramadan-prayers-2024-eid-muslims-peace-gaza-empathy. This is a powerful reminder to non-Muslims everywhere of the humanity and spiritual depth of Islam as practiced in our great nation today, and I hope everyone will take a moment to reflect on what our Muslim neighbors are saying.
My son was born in Riyadh, where I worked in the U.S. embassy, so I have very fond remembrances of the kingdom. As a non-Muslim, I could not visit Mecca and Medina, but I could share in the daily call of the muezzins and the deep spirituality of this most sacred season.
I hope you will join us in celebrating this most holy month of fasting, prayer, and fellowship,
This blog post is the expressed opinion of its writers and does not necessarily reflect the views of Tysons Interfaith or its members.