|
The Interfaith Meditation Initiative is a non-religious, non-sectarian 501(c)(3) public charity based in Washington, D.C. The Initiative has no opinion on matters of public policy or religious creed and is not aligned with any politics or any single religion. There are no required fees to participate. Our primary intention is to facilitate ongoing transformation across religious lines.
© 2013 Interfaith Meditation Initiative |
|
VOLUNTEERING
If you feel drawn to participate in this interfaith initiative through offering time and energy, whether on a one-time basis, or over a period of time, please drop us a note. Info@InterfaithGatherings.org
ORIGINS
One afternoon in April 2009, while staying in a religious community in Haridwar, India, I was introduced to an Indian man from Calcutta. Despite a thousand mile journey, he routinely has been visiting this community for years and is known and embraced by its residents. And, while making daily use of a Hindu spiritual practice, he refers to himself not as a Hindu, but as a Christian. He talked openly and serenely about using a Hindu spiritual practice and continuing in his Christian faith. The next morning, immediately upon gaining consciousness, I became aware of stunning thoughts: of assembling religious leaders of various faiths to guide one another in their traditions' unique spiritual practices for connecting with their own God. I related these ecstatic thoughts to a college-age daughter and her mother, both of Indian descent, both residing in the United States, and visiting the neighboring university. Happily, the daughter somewhat misunderstood what I was relating, and so was born the added inspiration of bringing together religious leaders of various faiths to guide public audiences in their traditions' unique spiritual practices. In this collective endeavor that is the Interfaith Meditation Initiative, I bow to this anonymous man from Calcutta, my spiritual brother.
-Andrew Stern, Founder
|
