The InterFaith Conference of Metropolitan Washington is trying to transform the world towards greater mutual understanding and compassion by spreading interfaith dialogue. To increase their reach, the plan is to train people who will facilitate such dialogues all over the greater Washington area. In other words, they are training the trainers and I have volunteered to be one of them.
The training has gone alright. The assembled group of volunteers is knowledgeable and enthusiastic and Mark and Nicole have shared insightful techniques and suggestions on how to have a true dialogue, as opposed to a debate or even a discussion. But throughout there was this feeling that we wouldn't really know how to do this unless we'd experienced it for ourselves. And so this evening that's what we did. The facilitators broke into groups and had a dialogue.
The question that we got to get us started was "Describe a most spiritual moment of your life." I was momentarily appalled. I understood why the question was asked - because the answers would not center on beliefs and therefore be subject to dispute - but I thought to myself that if I were participating with a group of strangers for the first time there is no way that I would feel comfortable sharing something that personal to me. If I put out a concept that I hold, like panentheism, and someone shot it down that would be one thing. But if I shared what was most meaningful to me and people didn't respond appropriately (whatever that was), I might be devastated. I couldn't imagine being able to do this, and as it was I was the last person to share.
As I sat and listened to the stories of others - all wonderfully different - I marveled at their bravery and/or trust. But then something amazing happened. I got so into one woman's story about her Hajj that I forgot about my concerns, forgot about the possibility of criticism, forgot any kind of judgment other than awe. Seriously, not even a positive judgment like "that's a good story." Simply awe. I felt the Spirit moving through us and fill the room.
I listened to the others, shared my story, and savoured the moment of profound intimacy. And it was clear that everyone in the room felt it. Not the superficial pollyannaism of "We're all one." But a feeling of oneness even as we recognized how different and unique our stories were. If we can get to that feeling even once during our real dialogues "out there" this will indeed be a powerful, spiritual force.
