Inclusive, Word, Silence, Understanding

I’ve been re-reading Sharif Abdullah’s book “Creating a World That Works For All”.

His main message is inclusivity. The way in which he presents his philosophy of inclusivity stemming from the root teaching of the ‘golden rule’ in all religions, he seeks to raise the consciousness of individuals and communities, that we are all interconnected and interdependent and we need to reaffirm this basic value that we all possess, loving your neighbor as yourself. Included in this message is the need to affirm a commitment to non-violence in our daily commerce with people, as individuals, as communities, as nations.

What I particularly like about Sharif’s philosophy (which is integral) is not that we all have to homogenize into a single body, but that we are able to recognize, encourage, and respect diversity. The problem is not that we are all different, but that we entertain a mentality of exclusion with those who are different from us. This must give way to the higher consciousness that is taught in every major religion. So the appeal is not to convert to a new way, but to rediscover the old way and apply it fresh to our world. And practice it in every aspect of our lives, not just in religious circles, but to every person with whom we have business. Sharif talks about a Mender consciousness, as an alternative to the Breaker, and Keeper forces of our past. Inclusivity is the essence of spiritual Love.

And as an aside, but related note, I recently have been introduced to Brother DavidSteindl-Rast, a Benedictine monk who is author of “Gratefulness, the Heart of Prayer”.

In an online article at http://www.gratefulness.org/readings/dsr_word.htm Br. David makes the statement, “Our own confrontation with mystery gives us thus, the key for understanding of the relationship between spiritual traditions. Just as silence, understanding, and word imply one another so do the Buddhist, Hindu, and Christian traditions. The Understanding which is the life-breath of Hinduism cannot be separated from Word and Silence which it dynamically unites. The Silence into which Buddhists drop down their thoughts can be separated neither from the Word to which it gives birth nor from the Understanding through which the Word is brought home. Thus a true Buddhist is Hindu and Christian, whether s/he knows it or not. A true Hindu is Christian and Buddhist whether s/he knows it or not. And let us add: a true Christian is Buddhist and Hindu, whether s/he knows it or not. To know it becomes increasingly more timely and important.”