“I wish all churches could be like this…” runs through my mind as I walk through the gardens of an old hall, in the hedge-lined countryside of Somerset.
A Buddhist prayer is punctuated by singular claps that ring out in the afternoon.
A reading from the Tao in front of a Zen landscape garden humbles my thoughts.
“Shalom” greets me as I go to hear a heart-felt sharing on Judaism under a tree, with a Star of David made from branches.
I am offered mala beads to occupy my left hand during the Hindu mantra of Om Namah Shivaya.
I am invited to pick an Angel card in front of a white statue of the Christian Virgin Mary and I join those there in saying what I remember of the Hail Mary prayer in gratitude.
On a majestic beech tree, centuries old, hangs a Shaman’s bundle, and by the roots, a colourful piece of cloth displays semi-precious stones, leaves and even a conker. I am told that the leaves are Shamanism’s holy scriptures, and the wisdom of the tree is in the bark.
Later on, I return to that tree with a willing accomplice and climb up into its huge and high branches. A very hands-on experience of Faith – I cannot remember the last time I climbed the steeple of a place of worship…
I connect with Islam and Sufism as I am reminded of the poems of Hafiz on the green lawn at the top of a sloping bank with wide views of fields and forests stretching to the horizon.
[quote]”I have learnt so much from God
That I can no longer call myself
A Christian, a Hindu, a Muslim, a Buddhist, a Jew.
The Truth has shared so much of itself with me
That I can no longer call myself
A man, a woman, an angel
Or even pure soul.
Love has befriended Hafiz so completely
It had turned to ash
And freed me
Of every concept and image
My mind has ever known.”
— Hafiz of Shiraz[/quote]
This is the summer retreat after the first year of InterFaith Ministry studies.
Inside me, there is peace and calm, and a sense that all is exactly as it needs to be. The teachers and mentors who have so beautifully and mindfully prepared the portals of Faith, spread across these gardens, hold the energy of each Faith with exquisiteness. This is how I learn best, and check the extent of my previous learning too: I go to where it is being modelled and I feel into it. I could sit in any one of those Faith portals today for hours, days, years even.
And as I walk the space between them, I have a sense of excitement, flowing life force and complete acceptance and joy in my being. All of me is so welcome here, all the portals of my soul playing and honouring these portals of soulful expression of human faith.
“I wish all churches could be like this…” Open, warm, spacious, personal, inviting me to come, sit, listen, reflect — and go as I please. Filling each of my curiosities, my wonderings, with just the right line of scripture – or leaf in the case of Shamanism – at the perfect time.
Flowing fluid faith, forming into One.
In one year’s time, I will be ordained as an InterFaith minister, and it will be time to offer my ministry to all humanity. The prospect of such service is truly joyous in my heart.
Come, let us walk in the garden together… and see what we find.
