Let right deeds be thy motive, not the fruit which comes from them. And live in action! Labour! Make thine acts thy piety, casting all self aside, condemning gain and merit.
― Lord Krishna, Bhagavad-Gita
The Action of Unified Prayer
Rev. Berry Behr, Interfaith Minister
Early in January, I presented online at a hybrid conference hosted by the Madras Institute for Development Studies in Chennai, India. The conference was called Cultivating Transformative Faith and a New Ecology of Hope.
The speakers were mostly highly accomplished anthropologists who spoke eloquently from their broad knowledge and deep inquiry into what drives humans to either unite or choose the path of separation. Professor Ananta Giri, the convenor of the conference, said in his opening remarks that we should never forget that faith and hope are verbs. They require action.
That got me thinking about a current trend in the global interfaith community to move away from dialogue and toward projects that require focused action. I know at least two interfaith groups that have identified the social issue of homelessness as their project. They are co-creating practical solutions in their communities by widening their circles to include secular resources and local government. Somehow, the unity of diverse faiths in action provides a vision and focal point for real social change. Common purpose is a key factor. It’s an exciting perspective on the call to reorder our world toward radical inclusivity and a real experience of the greater good.
The potential downside to all this “doing,” no matter how constructive, is that people may forget to talk with each other about the issues of faith that provide the spiritual motivation for their excellent actions. Losing the practice of dialog could stunt spiritual intimacy. Why we do what we do may be as important as doing it, because the deepest intentions we hold will always affect the outcome of an action.
The real magic takes place beyond the physical, in the heart of the Creative Source that gathers all our prayers together and weaves them like sparkling strands into a soothing container for our embattled world. Prayer has no faith and no god. Sometimes it has no words. It is breath, it is communion with Divine flow that some refer to as the Tao. It is the most profound action of all, the release of all thought into the stillness—it is trusting that Thy will be done remains the very best option we have.
About Open Windows
We, the authors of this blog, dedicate it to the transparent exploration of the world’s sacred scripture and enlightened spiritual thought. We believe that the original inspiration of all faiths comes from a common source, named and revered in a myriad of ways. With that understanding, the innumerable symbols, beliefs, and practices of faith cease to divide. They become open windows to a common reality that inspires and unifies us. We find deeper insight and nourishment in our own faith and from the expression of faith from others.
We hope these weekly quotations and meditations speak to your heart and soul.
Yes. THY WILL BE DONE leads to right action, attitude, and radiation. How wonderful. THANK YOU, Berry. Love, Tom
Jerry Kvasnicka
1 day ago
You have identified the real magic, Berry, and it is simply the Divine Flow that emanates from the Source of Being within each of us. Human action that springs from this flow is creative. Human action that in some measure distorts or dilutes this flow is in some measure destructive.
As laudable as providing homes for the homeless may be, we are not here to fix the world but to regenerate and transform it.
Katie-Grace
1 day ago
Agreed – Thy Will Be Done is the true way it is done – the true way of Being – and agreed also – dialogue cannot be lost – every time I see the photos of a number of school children leaning against a wall – side by side but interacting only with their cell-phones – one wants to cry – and that scene is everywhere from home to school to restaurants – I love that almost everything I do involves interactive conversation – how lucky can one be!!!!
Yes. THY WILL BE DONE leads to right action, attitude, and radiation. How wonderful. THANK YOU, Berry. Love, Tom
You have identified the real magic, Berry, and it is simply the Divine Flow that emanates from the Source of Being within each of us. Human action that springs from this flow is creative. Human action that in some measure distorts or dilutes this flow is in some measure destructive.
As laudable as providing homes for the homeless may be, we are not here to fix the world but to regenerate and transform it.
Agreed – Thy Will Be Done is the true way it is done – the true way of Being – and agreed also – dialogue cannot be lost – every time I see the photos of a number of school children leaning against a wall – side by side but interacting only with their cell-phones – one wants to cry – and that scene is everywhere from home to school to restaurants – I love that almost everything I do involves interactive conversation – how lucky can one be!!!!