Dear Friends,
Today is the last of our week of reflections for Interfaith Harmony Week. This week of reflections is dedicated in remembrance of the love and wisdom shared with us by Rev. Andrea J. Goodman, Co-founder and President of The Interfaith Peace Project.
World Interfaith Harmony Week is an annual event observed during the first week of February. The General Assembly of the United Nations designated this week to point out that mutual understanding and interreligious dialogue constitute important dimensions of a culture of peace. The General Assembly established World Interfaith Harmony Week as a way to promote harmony between all people regardless of their faith.
REV. ANDREA J. GOODMAN
August 30, 1950 – December 31, 2021
Cofounder and President of
The Interfaith Peace Project
May her memory be for a blessing!
THE HINDU TRADITION
Interfaith Harmony Week
February 4, 2022
The same stream of life that runs
through my veins night and day runs
through the world and dances in rhythmic measures.
It is the same life that shoots in joy
through the dust of the earth in numberless blades of grass and
breaks into tumultuous waves of leaves and flowers.
It is the same life that is rocked in the ocean-cradle
of birth and of death, in ebb and in flow.
I feel my limbs are made glorious by the touch of this world
of life. And my pride is from the life-throb of ages
dancing in my blood this moment.
Rabindranath Tagore
RESPONSE
Andrea internalized the splendor of the Traditions
Deep in the heart of my own spiritual practice, is the love for all traditions of humankind. I am inspired by the prayers, rituals, and songs of the great traditions. Their wisdom inspires my heart to delight.
Today I will build an Altar of the wisdom of the great traditions. Perhaps I shall light an incense stick, ring a bell, spread a sacred cloth on a table dedicating space in a sacred way. I shall arrange flowers, pictures of my ancestors. The sacred stones of texts will touch my heart anew. I might sprinkle water, break bread, or sip a sacred drink. I will remember and make wisdom present, the wisdom of the ages.
My humble Altar will be a crossroad, an intersection of delight and welcome. Here all will find peace and welcome. As I light my candle, I will manifest the light in my heart so others might be consoled, be transformed and be cherished.
As I unfold my sacred tablecloth, I open my heart in welcome to those who feel alone and abandoned. I will unlock the doors of my heart in case someone comes looking for my love.
I will realize my true Altar is my heart, a table always set for the welcome of others.
I shall live this day as if it is my last so I might never forget my love of others. I realize anew my self-care was not an act of selfishness but self-giving. May my last day be the day on which I completely give of myself so others might remember how much I love them.
I am striving in this moment to be what I hope the World might soon be. I am grateful for this moment in ways only eternity can know.
REFLECTION
Lead us from Dying to Living,
From Illusion to Truth,
Lead us from Despair to Hope,
Lead us from Hatred and Unlove
through Forgiveness and Reconciliation
to Cooperation and Peace,
May Love and Peace fill ourselves,
Our neighbor, the world, our universe.
Om Shanti, Shalom, Salaam, Peace
Hindu Universal Prayer for Peace
Off