“A Time to Heal”
The following is a synopsis of “A Time To Heal,” an article prepared for Pathways Magazine by Rev. Dr. Trish Hall, Center for Spiritual Living Metro.
It’s time to be gentle with ourselves and others. We have demonstrated resilience coming through the pandemic and the election year. We barely recovered from one cataclysmic siege before being thrust into the into the next iteration. Grief at times like this is natural. Feelings need to be acknowledged, and yet we each have within us greater strength, resilience, flexibility, flow and tenacity than we may have ever imagined.
Knowing that people hold views diametrically opposed to our own may have caused us to question why their views are so different. Very often, because of the fear of volatility, instead of asking and seeking connection, we withdraw and hide from conversations about such topics. It’s time for us to be the initiators of reconciliation conversations.
Simply because someone embraces a different view does not warrant discarding them. There is a lot to learn about why someone holds a view. By sharing, by conversing, we can learn the basis for those opinions. We can meet in a middle ground that includes agreeing to disagree – embracing the healing power of Love. When we are willing to open our hearts and deeply listen, we may find commonalities. When we release our pre-judgments about others and their opinions, we are granted the opportunity to learn. When we learn we expand our capacity to love. We embrace loving kindness so that when we engage in so called difficult conversations, we do so in ways that invite people into conversations.
This may not feel easy. Many things in life that are of the utmost value aren’t easy. They require commitment and trust. They require the commitment of the participants to remember that relationships are far more valuable than opinions. Opinions may or may not change. Ultimate values such as connection far exceed any opinion every embraced.
Now is our time to heal. Now is our time of reconciliation. Now is our time to learn new ways of communicating. Now is our time to build up – to exhibit compassion. This is the time to recognize Oneness.
Here are some questions to ask yourself to become clear about what really matters to you.
- Do you value your relationships or your opinions more?
- Are you okay if no one else shares your opinion?
- Are you okay allowing others to have their own opinions?
- Are you willing to hold your opinion loosely so that you can hear and feel the opinions of others?
- Do you want to be a catalyst – a healing presence in the world?
- Are you willing to listen to others to learn why they think what they think?
- Are you willing to share without trying to convince others?
If your responses to these questions reinforce your priority of relationships over opinions and you are willing to join with others as transformative presences in the world, then begin today. This approach is not for the faint of heart. The attributes of those who are willing include: being “heart centered;” embracing Oneness; being courageous; mediating – being a reconciler.
So, where are you with all of this? Are you committed to doing your part to change the world for good, mending relationships and causing a tsunami of healing ripples across the world? If so, I invite you to come change the world with 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 Andra Baylus, Regional Director of the Meher Baba Spiritual Community
A PRAYER FOR THE WORLD
Let the rain come and wash away
the ancient grudges, the bitter hatreds
held and nurtured over generations.
Let the rain wash away the memory
of the hurt, the neglect.
Then let the sun come out and
fill the sky with rainbows.
Let the warmth of the sun heal us
wherever we are broken.
Let it burn away the fog so that
we can see each other clearly.
So that we can see beyond labels,
beyond accents, gender or skin color.
Let the warmth and brightness
of the sun melt our selfishness.
So that we can share the joys and
feel the sorrows of our neighbors.
And let the light of the sun
be so strong that we will see all
people as our neighbors.
Let the earth, nourished by rain,
bring forth flowers
to surround us with beauty.
And let the mountains teach our hearts
to reach upward to heaven.
Amen.
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 Rev. Dr. Trish Hall, Center for Spiritual Living, Metro
As the daily news bombards us with images of war and natural disasters, and anxiety attendant to the upcoming Presidential election swirls around us, I invite you to take a moment to consider the following blessing that I shared at a recent interfaith gathering. I believe this benediction lifts up the values so many of us share, and I hope brings you a renewed sense of purpose and peace.
Gathered as our varied faiths, we share our deepest hope to be of service to a transforming world and our common dream of:
- Homes and schools where children thrive,
- Neighborhoods that are safe and clean,
- Cities rich in colors and cultures,
- An economy where no one is expendable,
- A beloved community where all people have the
opportunity for a dignified and productive life; and - A community in which all churches, mosques, synagogues, spiritual centers and temples are respected essential members
We give thanks for the blessings of the world community and turn our thoughts toward peace and inclusiveness as we dedicate our hearts and hands to unconditional love and commit to creating and sustaining thriving inclusive and peaceful communities, now.
Salaam, Shalom, Namasté, Ashanti, Amen and So it is.
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
As much as some might disparage public broadcasting, the BBC provides a wonderful service allowing members of the British faith community to share their thoughts.
I was reminded of this over the weekend when the BBC “Thought For the Day” covered the latest developments in what some call empathy education. www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/
In fact, when I looked online, I noticed that the word empathy appears quite frequently in BBC podcasts from religious leaders of all backgrounds.
In this particular podcast, the presenter (the Reverend Dr. Rob Marshall) made the point that empathy has a spiritual as well as a physical and mental dimension. While his point was directed at developments in elementary education, it also has a broader application. Too many of us find it very difficult to empathize with people who have starkly different points of view.
As we head into an election season in a very polarized society it is especially important for us to think about how best we can empathize with people who hold vastly different points of view from ours. Please join us at Tyson’s Interfaith on October 6th when we talk about these issues with professor Al Fuertes of George Mason University, who will discuss how spirituality can help us overcome our differences and be more empathetic toward people holding different points of views.
To learn more about and to register for the Tysons Interfaith/George Mason University October 6 event, please visit: LINK.
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
“Be Imitators of God” was the title of our Pastor’s recent sermon. My thought was, “Well, that’s a pretty tall order – exactly how are we to do that?” Pastor Sandy Kessinger’s sermon was based on Paul’s instructions in Ephesians 4:25 – 5:2. What are these instructions and how do they apply to the here and now when many of us are overwhelmed by current events and simply cannot understand the political views of some of our friends, neighbors and family members?
Is feeling anger ever appropriate? Yes! Pastor Kessinger’s take is that, “It is the emotion that kicks in when we fight injustice or unfairness, when we need to defend our rights or the rights of others.” She goes on to say that it is what we do with our anger that makes it either destructive or instructive. According to Paul, we are to, “speak the truth to our neighbors, for we are members of one another. Be angry but do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and do not make room for the devil.” (Ephesians 4: 25-27). Our challenge, according to Pastor Kessinger, is to “express our needs in such a way that we show respect to others and ourselves.” “We are not to tell lies but always speak the truth in love. It is okay to be angry but we are not to let our anger linger or turn into sin.”
And if that is not challenge enough, Pastor Kessinger went on to say:
“On the heels of dealing with anger in good and healthy ways, we hear the call to be kind, tender-hearted, and forgiving. I believe it is that element of forgiveness that helps to distinguish us from others. We are to forgive each other as God forgives us. We are to love each other as God loves us. We are to lead selfless, God-pleasing lives. It is in these ways that we stand in union with the grace-filled activity of God. It is in these ways that we are imitators of God. We are all created to be like God so let that light shine for the world to see.”
All of Ephesians Chapter 4, Pastor Kessinger surmises, is Paul making the point that who we are is reflected in what we do. “Simply put, Paul says, we are to be imitators of God.”
On October 6, Tysons Interfaith will partner with Dr. Al Fuertes of George Mason to present a webinar discussion about how our spiritual side or our religious traditions can help us bridge emotional divisions. I hope many will join us for this timely and important conversation. In the meantime, Pastor Kessinger’s commentary on Paul’s letter to the Ephesians is an example of one Christian community’s take on how to handle today’s difficult conversations. For me, this message is a great source of instruction, inspiration and hope for the future. I hope it is for you as well.
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
Earlier this summer, I was blessed to attend a reunion on the Eastern Shore. Unfortunately, while there, I got into two heated conversations about politics—one with the husband of a friend of 60 years and the other with a total stranger in a bar. While I was away, I missed the wise words of our Deacon in training from the pulpit. You can read the full text of her message HERE. And, upon returning, I received in my inbox a wonderful podcast interview with Krista Tibbit that was hosted by Sarah Jones and offers a hopeful way to approach these difficult conversations. (It’s entitled: “Are You There God with Krista Tippet.” A link to the recording and transcript can be found HERE.)
Our Deacon, Mary Cushing, offers practical advice. We should “recognize that every single person we encounter is a beloved child of God, even the person who most raises our political hackles. That doesn’t mean we can’t disagree. It doesn’t mean that we need to be silent. What it does mean is that the way we engage needs to be the way of Jesus: the way of love….extending others some grace. In non-church-y words, that means giving them the benefit of the doubt. People in ‘the other’ political camp probably aren’t loony or brainwashed. For the most part, they arrived at their positions the same way ‘we’ did, by a thoughtful process.”
Krista observes: “[I]f we can overcome our very unreasonable desire that people be simple, and we can just decide their one thing or the other and dismiss them or call them our friend, then we could say, okay, you believe this one thing that really feels, can even feel harmful to my identity and harmful to our world. And yet here’s this thing that we are both passionate about, that is good for our world. Can we at least be in conversation or even some kind of partnership around that?”
We at Tysons Interfaith are working with Dr. Al Fuertes of George Mason University on a webinar to be held October 6, right in the middle of a heated election season, to talk about how our spiritual side or our religious traditions can help bridge these emotional divisions. Please put this date on your calendar and join us in conversation.
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 Michael Goldberg, the Baha’i Community
In 1945, delegates from all over the world met in San Francisco to establish the United Nations. On May 19, they traveled to Muir Woods to honor the memory of President Franklin Delano Roosevelt.
President Roosevelt believed in the value of national parks as sources of inspiration and human renewal. He also believed that good forestry practices and sustainable development of natural resources were keystones to lasting peace around the world.
Organizers of the event hoped that the profound beauty and serenity of Muir Woods would inspire the delegates to pursue the president’s program for world peace.
Dag Hammarskjold, Secretary-General of the United Nations upon visiting Muir Woods in 1955 said, “Persons who love nature find a common basis for understanding people of other countries, since the love of nature is universal among men of all nations”.
We live in a polarized society with news and social media playing on our lower nature, causing feelings of anger and divisiveness. This is not healthy for our physical and spiritual well-being. If you turn your attention to the things that unite us, you will find yourself more tranquil and calm.
Connecting with nature can bring countless benefits. It can inspire questions about our purpose, our earthly existence. We experience awe and wonder at the beauty, magnificence and complexity of creation. Being in nature or even viewing scenes of nature reduces anger, fear, and stress and increases pleasant feelings. It gives you a sense of connection to something bigger than yourself. Countless studies have shown that nature has many therapeutic benefits for the mind, body, and spirit. Nature can make people feel more energized and less stressed while also increasing levels of happiness.
Communing with nature is not very complicated. You only have to go outdoors and attune yourself to the abundant life already there waiting for you. Treat yourself to happiness. You deserve it.
This blog post is the expressed opinion of its writer and does not necessarily reflect the views of Tysons Interfaith or its members.
By Yerusalem Work
You stood castle-high, singing on the midnight-moonlit balcony
Your voice reached across the vast, star-scattered skies
Tears poured from my eyes
You left a palace to address the issue of contentment
You gave us light—a messenger of the messengers
My thoughts took flight
The height of a hummingbird, the rhythm complete with hope inside me
You elevate me
I face you and my soul smiles,
the kiss of peace greeting you with solemnity
In a labyrinth of faith-filled promises,
I push against the walls of fear and regret.
I travel with poetry as my guide.
You illuminate the day and night
with your heart’s meditation
The fire you put in me makes me rise to my feet–
I see shadows repeat in a cave of my doing,
but nothing can compare to your presence
Only now can I breathe
with depth and freedom,
only now do I discover the unveiling of life, the mystery of being
Through love,
I become human
Through prayer,
I experience divine union and
the absence of time.
You, the cliff’s edge, are sublime.
You, a decorated hero, are the friend I find by the riverside.
Dipping in our consciousness…never the same feeling twice.
Happiness. Lovingkindness.
Splashing in knowledge, refreshing, an awakening,
I ask you to dream with me and carry me with you through our journey.
I am a butterfly alight on your shoulder.
Graceful movement. Grateful conclusions.
Reading into you. I believe in forgotten truths.
I pray the Lord heals me and you.
After terrible loss,
having a hand to hold is proof of God’s mercy.
I am on my knees and only He can hear me.
Who truly knows me?
To hear the author read this poem, please visit: https://www.facebook.com/100004823402356/posts
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 short stories and poetry have been published in Muslim Matters 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.