SACRED JOURNEYS INTO SILENCE

Saturday June 28, 2008 – Multi Faith Centre, University of Toronto

Pictures and story by Terry Weller

“The Multi Faith Centre is not a large hall; rather it is a medium size comfortable meeting area. And yet for a few short hours it held the representation of 13 faith groups working harmoniously together in an invitation to silence.

The program began with a consecration and blessing by representatives of the Native First Nations House. This was followed by the sound of a flutist inviting Quietude. Rev. Leslie Mezei opened with a welcome.

The Venerable Swami Veda Bharati spoke of our need to go inward to the silence. And as if to lead us he himself maintained silent meditation throughout the two and half hours acting as a beacon to the audience as he sat in lotus position at the front.

Leaders from Jainism, Catholicism, Buddhism, Islam, Quaker, Sufism, Judaism, Pagan-Wiccan, Presbyterianism, Zoroastrianism, Hinduism and Universal Worship each played a separate role. Each spoke in turn to silence:  in ceremony, verbal meditation, prayer or chant, to lead the audience into a two and half minute meditation. Each meditation opened up to the next presenter who led into the next meditative period.

The event was part of the Canada Day Celebrations. It demonstrated the potential for Interspiritual effort between the world religions. And for those who took part, audience and participants, it was an experience of the depth of their own inner peace.”

Picured above:  Father Michael Traher and Swami Veda Bharati.

For more pictures of the event go to:  http://picasaweb.google.com/Interfaith.Unity/SacredJourneysIntoSilence

For a video presentation with commentary go to:  http://soultv.net/index.php?program=558

 

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