A Kaleidoscope of Light: Christianity & Other Faiths

Event description

‘There is no Christian way of perfection that is better or worse than anybody else’s: the actual Gospel is that we do not need it since God is taking humankind, the human race, to himself.’ Herbert McCabe OP

In the fourteenth chapter of St John’s Gospel, Jesus says, ‘Nobody comes to the Father but by me.’ How are we to understand those words? How should Christians view other faith and spiritual traditions?

In 1965, the Catholic Church issued a Declaration on its relationship with other faiths. It explains that the Church “rejects nothing that is true and holy in these religions. [The Church] regards with sincere reverence those ways of conduct and of life, those precepts and teaching which, though different in many aspects from the ones she holds and sets forth, nonetheless often reflect a ray of that Truth which enlightens all men and women.”

In the Parable of the Good Samaritan, Jesus chooses an outsider — an enemy and religious apostate — to exemplify the embodiment of the unconditional love of God. He praises the faith of a Roman centurion above anyone he has met in Israel.

What are we to make of all this?

All the major religions that believe in God say that all of humanity has knowledge of God in one form or another. St Paul affirms in his letter to the Romans that what can be known of God is already plain to all (1:19–20).

In this special online workshop, we’ll explore how we might understand the different religious and spiritual traditions of the world as different approaches to and expressions of a single Truth – as a kaleidoscope of light. We will be hosting the event from Dharamsala, the hill town in northern India where the Dalai Lama and the Tibetan government-in-exile have been based since 1959.

My teacher, Sylvester Houédard OSB, embodied a unique synthesis of deep Christian contemplative wisdom with a profound openness to other spiritual traditions. A pioneer in interfaith dialogue, he coined the phrase “the wider ecumenism.” He believed that the contemplative dimension of religion is a common thread that can draw traditions closer together — not by diluting their differences, but by meeting in their shared depth.

‘I don’t believe that any religion as such saves. Christianity doesn’t save. God saves. And I don’t believe grace is confined to any specific community.’ David Bentley Hart

Who is this for?

The day retreat has been carefully crafted to be inclusive and accessible, welcoming anyone interested in exploring these questions from a Christian contemplative perspective, regardless of their own faith, beliefs or previous experience of meditation.

What to expect

Drawing on the teachings of David Bentley Hart, Herbert McCabe, Dom Sylvester Houédard and others, the day will involve a flow of short talks, silent meditation practice and conversation.

Practical information

• The day retreat will be held at St Paul's Convent, 94 Selly Park Road, Selly Park, Birmingham, B29 7LL
• Please bring a packed lunch.
• Refreshments during the morning and afternoon break will be provided.
• Tickets cost £30 or £40 including a £10 donation
  

For those travelling by car, there is plenty of free parking on site. By train, Selly Oak is the nearest convenient railway station, with regular services from Birmingham New Street; the Convent is a short onward taxi journey. By bus, services 61 and 63 run regularly from Birmingham city centre along the nearby Bristol Road, from where the Convent can be reached on foot.

Event leader

Chris Whittington is the Founder of The School of Contemplative Life. He was introduced to contemplative practice during several years of formation when he lived at the Benedictine monastery of Prinknash Abbey in Gloucestershire. Chris’ monastic teachers taught meditation as a universal wisdom found within all the great spiritual traditions, a pathway to peace and solidarity with people of all faiths and none. Following an introduction by the Abbot of the Prinknash community, Chris subsequently studied at the Dalai Lama’s monastery in Dharamsala, India.

The School of Contemplative Life is home to a free online Christian meditation practice community, with live teaching and shared silence every Saturday (08:30–09:30) and Wednesday (20:00–20:45). More than 350 people now gather each week to meditate together. Practising alongside others provides encouragement, rhythm and a sense of belonging that helps establish meditation as part of daily life.

If you would like to explore this ancient contemplative tradition and join others seeking to cultivate the peace that begins within and flows out into the world, you are very welcome to join us - click here for more information.

Chris is the author of The Missing Peace – Meditation as a Spiritual Path to Peace, Community and Oneness published by Canterbury Press

Terms

In accordance with our Terms and Conditions (available in full here), our events should be understood as only providing spiritual guidance and advice to help participants deepen their own meditation practice and understanding. Many people report subjective improvements in general wellbeing through meditation practice. However, if you or anyone you intend to book a ticket for suffer from any mental, emotional or physical health conditions, please ask your medical practitioner if it is advisable for you/them to attend an event with us.

All income from donations will support The School of Contemplative Life – a UK registered charity.