Interfaith Spirit Quest

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Religious Characteristics, Signs & Symbols – Interfaith Spirit Quest (ISQ)

Each religion has a core value and a unique way to express it. At ISQ we seek to be a light to the truth of these other religions. The 'word' is the creative energy of God. God trusts us, we need to trust ourselves. God is in all things and so all things are holy.

Religious Characteristics of some of the world's largest Wisdom Traditions

• Christianity: T he Bible is the holy book of Christianity and includes the Old and New Testaments. From the perspective of ISQ, Jesus is the/a way to know God as the compassionate God, and we can have a personal relationship with God through death of the old life and a rebirth of the spirit into the new life. Christians love and lovingly relate to people. Love begins at birth. Christian love is giving, Jesus energizes, and God unites all power and perfection. Traditional Christianity includes various denominations, such as Catholic, Lutheran, Methodist, etc. A traditional view of Christianity would hold that Jesus is the only way to God, and that one must believe that Jesus died for our sins in order to be saved and reconciled with God. New thought or new age Christianity may also include divergent denominations such as the New Age Unity Church, Mormons, Unitarian Universalists, Christian Scientists, Jehovah's Witness, and Scientologists. These new thought movements have very different views from traditional Christianity.
• Judaism: The Hebrew Bible, or Tanakh, is the holy book of Judaism. Throughout history, Jews have experienced slavery, anarchic and theocratic self-government, conquest, occupation, exile and of course the Holocaust during WWII. Prophets are only way to learn about the moral law. Jews believe in enjoying life and being merry. Traditional Judaism includes Orthodox, Conservative, Liberal and Reform Judaism. Traditional Jews hold to Maimonides 13 principles of faith, emphasizing practices and observances rather than religious beliefs. Divergent forms of Judaism include Humanist Judaism (some say even godless), a human centered philosophy that celebrates the Jewish culture, and Kabbalah (some compare to Wicca), school of thought concerned with the mystical aspect of Rabbinic Judaism. Judaism is a religion, philosophy and a way of life. Jews believe they have a covenantal relationship with God.
• Islam: The Qur'an is the holy book of Islam. 'Islam' literally means 'submission to God'. Muslims believe that God is one and incomparable and that the purpose of life is to worship God. They believe Jesus was a prophet, but they do not believe in his resurrection. The way of Muhammad is the only way to integrate piety (devoted religious living) into everyday life, Muhammad is viewed as the 'restorer' of true religion. The majority of Muslims belong to one of two traditional denominations, the Sunni and the Shi'a.
  • From Wikipedia: Jihad means "to strive or struggle" (in the way of God) and is considered the "Sixth Pillar of Islam" by a minority of Sunni Muslim authorities. Jihad, in its broadest sense, is classically defined as "exerting one's utmost power, efforts, endeavors, or ability in contending with an object of disapprobation." Depending on the object being a visible enemy, the devil, and aspects of one's own self, different categories of Jihad are defined. Jihad, when used without any qualifier, is understood in its military aspect. Jihad also refers to one's striving to attain religious and moral perfection. Some Muslim authorities, especially among the Shi'a and Sufis, distinguish between the "greater jihad", which pertains to spiritual self-perfection, and the "lesser jihad", defined as warfare.

Hindu Symbol - Om or Aum: Essence of the entire universe.

 

 

Hindu Symbol: Swastika: In India the swastika is a symbol of well-being, is also associated with the sun, birth and rebirth, and is an emblem of Vishnu, the Supreme Being, the preserver of the universe, and the embodiment of love, truth and mercy.

 

• Hinduism: Hindu texts discuss theology, philosophy and mythology, and provide information on the practice of dharma (religious living). Hinduism has been formed by many different traditions and has no single founder. It has been called the oldest living religion in the world. Hindus believe Krisha is the only way to understand relationships between our finite self and our divine self. Hindus believe people want 4 things they already have: 1. Pleasure, 2. Success, 3. Fulfill duty to community, and 4. Liberation. Hindus may worship one God, but allow for the existence of other gods. The Hindu religion teaches that one can reach God following any path with wholehearted devotion.

• Buddhism: The Buddha never claimed to be a god or angel; he simply stated only that he was 'awake'. Buddha means 'awake'. The wheel symbolizes Buddhist Law, the endless cycle of birth and rebirth. Buddhism provides a way to complete self-control and mastery of suffering (or wrong desires), balance, compassion, responsibility; experienced through the 4 Noble Truths and the 8-Fold Path. Buddhism is based on non-violence, compassion and charity. Mahayana Buddhism is a much loved form of the practice and is believed to have been influenced by and been an influence on Jesus, thereby linking Buddhism and Christianity.
• Interfaith (or ISQ): Could be defined as a practice that unites and incorporates the core values of the major religions named above, and many other religions. Like other religions, 'interfaith' can be described as a spiritual discipline with love and reverence for God, love and respect for each other, and a nurturing attitude toward nature and all of creation with respect and appreciation for the cycles of life in nature and an acknowledgement and understanding of our inter-dependence and inter-connectedness.

 

Religion is alive and central to our being, everything we do is based on our belief systems. Religion calls the soul to the highest adventure it can undertake, as it journeys through the spirit, the call is to confront reality, to master the self. When we think about or speak of other religions, we can do so out of a deep concern for ourselves, and not as a way to critique other religions or criticize its followers. Think of religions as useful Wisdom Traditions.  ~Interfaith Spirit Quest

Buddhist Flag

 

 

 

 

Marriage - ancient Chinese secret

According to a book that sits on my shelf, The Illustrated Book of Signs & Symbols by Miranda Bruce-Mitford, the bonds of love are pre-destined by the Man in the Moon. 

"Chinese legend recounts how the Man in the Moon ties invisible threads around the legs of newborn boys and girls to link their destinies.  When they grow up, they are irresistibly drawn to each other, and marriage is inevitable."

The custom of wedding bands may also have arisen from this ancient Chinese secret (which is now no longer a secret since I just revealed it to you - haha).  The wedding ring stands for eternity and the cycle of life.  Some historians like to embellish this symbol by adding that it also stands more specifically for fertility, love and devotion - certainly these are also qualities we associate with marriage.  The idea that wedding bands stand for eternity makes sense when marriage is viewed through the story of the Man in the Moon, it's almost like saying we were together before we were born into this human life, we will be together while in the flesh as co-creators in the cycle of life; but we will also be together as we were, in the next life. 

Ah, but what happens when we don't feel the love within the eternal bonds of our particular relationship or marriage?  Well, perhaps we don't value our marriages and relationships as much as we should; most people are really quite lovable when they feel loved.  Maybe this area needs a little love work on our part.  Or, maybe we just haven't found our soul mate yet. 

Think about this the next time you find yourself gazing at the moon with your latest love interest.  Can you feel the strands of enveloping eternal love wrapping themselves around the two of you?  Is this the person you want to spend eternity with?  Is this the one you want to partner with as a co-creator in the cycle of life?

The Illustrated Book of Signs and Symbols

by Miranda Bruce-Mitford

Ben Davis - a man on a mission

Inspiring video showing the journey of a man on a mission to get in shape.

Ben Davis: 

My name is Ben Davis. On December 25th, 2008, I decided to get my life together. I weighed 360 pounds and was a miserable person. Then I started jogging.

Then did a 5K. The pounds started falling off.

I ran a 10K. And a sprint triathlon. Then I did a half-marathon.

I kept losing weight. And kept running. Then I did a full marathon.

I decided to keep going. Then I did an Ironman.

If you want to do something with your life, if you really want to do it, just do it.

I promise that you can.

You just have to do it. And when you do, you’ll be happier for it.

Welcome them

Welcome with open arms fellow believers who don't see things the way you do. And don't jump all over them every time they do or say something you don't agree with -- even when it seems that they are strong on opinions but weak in the faith department. Remember, they have their own history to deal with. Treat them gently.... 4 Do you have any business crossing people off the guest list or interfering with God's welcome? If there are corrections to be made or manners to be learned, God can handle that without your help.

Romans 14:1,4 The Message

Respect for the beliefs of others without advocating

Interfaith Spirit Quest

From our Interfaith Spirit Quest blog post today in the Appleton Post Crescent, our local paper: 

We can respect without advocating.  This philosophy applies to many other areas in life besides religion; such as politics, lifestyle, sports... that about covers it, right?  There are those who are opposed to the 'without advocating' part; they demand that we accept, adore, affirm, and applaud what they deem to be true, right and good.  But we don't have to do this.  Doing so begins an equivalent retaliation; 'if I have to affirm your beliefs, then you have to affirm mine'.  This is not possible.   People conveniently ignore the truth of the other.  We can live in peace with each other when we share a mutual respect for each others belief systems without becoming their advocates or number one fans. 

After a dozen years studying religion and spirituality it became quite clear that there are many paths to developing a better understanding of God (Creator, Energy, Force b-with-u, choose your term).  In fact, I have come to believe that the path we are on is the path to God.  The more deeply we reflect and contemplate our inner nature and being, the better we come to understand 'the will' or desire of God.  Accountability for our actions come in the form of consequences (in this life or the next).  Actions opposed to the will or desire of God create the opportunity for personal development through a natural and divine process designed to produce a whole and harmonious personality.  Love, truth, beauty, goodness and grace are consequences of sincere and right (righteous?) efforts.

I respect the beliefs of others, including Christians, Muslims, Buddhists, Hindus and others.  In fact, advocating somewhat, I even incorporate many of their spiritual practices into my personal spirituality; feeling most comfortable with the Christian tradition since it is my personal heritage.  I also respect the choice of others to worship exactly as their faith teaches, and not in general terms, but rather because these spiritual practices and disciplines more often than not produce well-balanced individuals who really try to love others as they believe God loves them. 

Sheila
Interfaith Spirit Quest
Calendar:  Meetup.com/interfaith
Appleton, WI

Creation Calls and I Believe

The Universe and Planet Earth provide for all of our needs; physical, mental, emotional and spiritual.  Caring about the natural creation is as important as taking care of our own family, our friends, and our own lives.  God cares for us, I believe God carefully prepared this place for us to discover who we are and what we are to God.  We are magnificent spiritual beings and children of God.  God has entrusted us with the Earth, a fascinating, adventurous, magnificent address to call home.  How do you respond to this awesome gift?  Do you look at this earth as something to be conquered, take all you can and give nothing back?  Or do you look at the earth as your lifeblood, as something to be cherished and cared for?  All of nature is interconnected and creates new life, new energy, everyday.  Are we part of this new life process, or are we a destructive force that tramples over the earth?    

Whether you believe the universe was formed out of nothing over billions of years, or whether you believe God said, "Let there be...."  and it was so; I hope this video inspires you to reconnect with nature, because nature offers tremendous healing benefits.  Nature renews the spirit, refreshes and nourishes the body, it gives unconditionally without taking, it trusts you to do the same - we're on the honor system here, folks. 

The magnificent video below was created by the Farmers Branch Church of Christ of Dallas, Texas.  The name of the song is 'Creation Calls' and is sung by Brian Doerksen.  See lyrics below the video.  For a higher quality version of the video, click here.  May your spirit be rejuvenated with new energy and joy, and may it renew your appreciation for the Earth and the life it produces.

Creation Calls

Lyrics

I have felt the wind blow,
Whispering your name…
I have seen your tears fall,
When I watch the rain.

(Refrain)
How could I say there is no God?
When all around creation calls!!
A singing bird, a mighty tree,
The vast expanse of open sea…

(Musical interlude)

Gazing at a bird in flight,
Soaring through the air.
Lying down beneath the stars,
I feel your presence there.

I love to stand at ocean shore
And feel the thundering breakers roar,
To walk through golden fields of grain
With endless bloom horizons fray.

Listening to a river run,
Watering the Earth.
Fragrance of a rose in bloom,
A newborns cry at birth.

(Refrain)

I love to stand at ocean shore
And feel the thundering breakers roar,
To walk through golden fields of grain
With endless bloom horizons fray

I believe
I believe
I believe

(Interlude)

I believe
I believe

I believe just like a child

(Choir I believe…..)

I believe

~ ~ ~

This song is featured on the Christian music CD 'Today'

by Brian Doerksen - available for purchase here.

Online activity and mental health of teenagers

The headline in an online newspaper reads: 

Online night-owls risk mental illness:  Sleepless nights blamed for rise in teen depression - read more here.

The mental health risk applies to people of all ages, but particularly to still growing young brains.  Whether it's being on the computer, watching TV, playing video games, or texting on a cell phone; all these electronic activities have been shown to over-stimulate the brain.   This over-stimulation keeps us awake at night when we should be sleeping.  Sleep is necessary, in case you didn't know, because the body needs rest, it needs to process the days activities and heal itself.  Lack of sleep presents a concern not only about the onset of mental illness, but also about our general overall health.  Some of these activities have been compared to taking drugs.  This article on video gaming compares 2 hours of video gaming to taking a line of cocaine.  Wow.

So what's a parent to do?  Slowly, but surely now, step away from the (computer, TV, cell phone...) screen.  In my personal observations, I have noted a difference in teens, and grown-ups too, that when they are away from their electronics, they are different people.  Connected to nature, the differences are even more noticeable.  Perhaps a non-scientific experiment is in order.  :)  Take a day trip or weekend trip without the computer laptop, without the cell phone, without the video game system; without any distracting, time occupying electronics of any kind.  If you can't go cold turkey, then settle for a TV set or radio.  Visit a natural area, go camping or stay in a cabin.  Have planned nature activities from the early morning until supper time in the evening.  Teaching and learning together is also an important part of the process.  Of course I believe a little spirituality is good for the soul, perhaps the beautiful creation will inspire you to comment on the Creator here and there.  If the activities are productive, that might even be better; ie chop wood, carry water.  But if home life is all work and no play, then I would definitely opt for a little play time. 

See if you don't notice a difference in their attitude, even a slight one.  The first day might be all about missing their electronics and complaining about everything, or they may surprise you right off the bat.  Hopefully, you will begin to see the real child poking through before the trip is over.  Your personal experience is the only evidence you will need to understand the effect all these electronics are having on us and our children.  

The best way to make any sort of change in your everyday personal habits is to incorporate one thing at a time.  For example, turn off all electronics one hour before bedtime.  Just relax in the living room with your children, talk about the day, read books, get ready for tomorrow, showers, clothes, etc.  It is as much for your benefit as it is theirs.  Drink a glass of water before bedtime to help your body perform its healing magic during your sleep time.  Hug and kiss your kids goodnight and tell them you love them.  This is the beginning of something wonderful.  Amen.

See the following related article on Interfaith Spirit Quest:

Positive results with this daily routine

Ask the Planet, fun nature music for kids

Fun nature music for kids - this Ask the Planet CD features the Missoula Coyote Choir and friends with songs written by Amy Martin.  What a fun way to teach kids about nature, naturally through song.  The CD features 16 original songs including:

• Ask the Planet
• The Great TV Rebellion (see video below)
• School of the Wild
• What Kind of Animal are You
• Outside Get Out

Age group:  Toddlers to Tweens

From Amazon:  Ask the Planet is a musical celebration of nature's genius. A joyously written and produced recording of 18 songs where the music and lyrics are designed to connect children to nature, create a sense of awe for the environment and teach them about the concept of biomimicry. Biomimicry is a practice that studies nature s best ideas then imitates them to solve human problems. What better way to introduce children and their parents to the concept than to set it all to music. 

 

Watch the Great TV Rebellion music video from the CD Ask the Planet

Purchase the CD here on Amazon: