…waited for the room to fill. They had a story to tell.
Don Mackenzie, Jamal Rahman, and Ted Falcon were leading a break-out session at the 2010 Spiritual Directors International Conference in Atlanta based on their book, Getting to the Heart of Interfaith: The Eye-Opening, Hope-Filled Friendship of a Pastor, a Rabbi & a Sheikh. These three men came together in their community after 9/11. First they got to know each other; then they included others in their interfaith discussions.
I could have listened to them all day. Their well-practiced “act” was informative and funny. They laughed at each others’ jokes and listened carefully to each other as they taught. The speakers described their faiths, emphasizing how each incorporates compassion (the theme of the conference).
The Book of Mormon Girl filled my morning reading time last week. Joanna Brooks, the author, is a Mormon mom who supports a woman’s right to choose and gay marriage, not the usual Mormon positions. Her book describes her childhood as a Mormon in Southern California and the evolution of her faith as she matured.
Julie Peeples, my pastor, suggested Twelve Steps to a Compassionate Life by Karen Armstrong. These Twelve Steps include: (3) Compassion for Yourself, (4) Empathy, (5) Mindfulness, (8) How Should We Speak to One Another?, (11) Recognition, (12) Love Your Enemies. Armstrong never says the Steps are easy, just necessary.
I watched the Republican convention and the Democratic convention is on as I write. I know who I will vote for in November and why. As a lifelong learner, I enjoy listening to and reading about others’ values and beliefs, even when I strongly disagree.
We are all children of God doing the best we can. We may worship differently (or not at all). We may take different stands on issues. We must all live together on this planet and in this nation.
Everyone has a story to tell. Listening leads us to our commonalities rather than the contentious issues.
Please, listen to each other, respect each other, get to know each other. We can and should let go of the anger.
Children are watching and listening.
Amma Ponders 