This
week I’m at the 2015 Parliament of the World’s Religions in Salt Lake City, Utah (U.S.A) with ten thousand others.
I arrived just in time to hear two powerful, soulful women - Vandana Shiva and Terry Tempest Williams - speak as
members of a panel at the Inaugural Women’s Assembly.
Opening
ceremonies last night were beautiful, beginning with a procession of people
from fifty faiths and eighty nations, dressed in the greatly varying and intriguing
holy clothes of their spiritual traditions and countries. Prayers, speeches,
encouragements to faith-based peacemakers, as well as calls for sacred,
cooperative action were offered to the thousands gathered. I cuddled on my lap a
friendly two-year old Native American boy with long, black ponytail who had
waved me over to sit next to him as I entered the massive hall.
The
most striking thing of all yesterday, though, included the way in which people
at this gathering offered smiles, hugs, and handshakes conveying the real sense
of community that seems to be alive here. People would suddenly just stop, say
“hello,” and begin a conversation as if we knew one another already. Each
conversation was layered with the rich stuff that grows from hearts
communicating.
The
Parliament nametags hanging around everyone’s necks seemed like an invitation
to put aside whatever obvious outer appearances might normally cause us to shy
away from “difference” and “other” in deference to the seeming ease of outer
similarity. But this is a truly intercultural community with the added depth of
the divine at work within each of us and collectively: international interfaith
peace.
Along
with several hundred others over the next four days, I’m presenting my work. Here’s my write-up
in the Parliament program…slotted for 10:00 AM on Sunday 18th.
“Exploring our Spiritual Roots: The Inner/Outer Landscape”
Jennifer J. Wilhoit: Writing Mentor, Spiritual Ecologist,
Author, TEALarbor stories
Using creative modalities, the presenter will offer an
opportunity to participants to engage their values and perceptions about the
human/nature relationship as it relates to their spiritual practices. Primarily
through writing and discussion, participants will be given the chance to
journey through their inner landscapes retrieving the gems of their insights as
a means to personal and global sustainability. Nature and natural images will
be used as referent and fodder for writing, exploration, and discussion as it
leads to a more informed practice of respect and reverence for all creation.
Jennifer J. Wilhoit, PhD founded TEALarbor stories &
is a published author of books & articles about the human/nature
relationship. She compassionately mentors writers, facilitates story &
nature guiding experiences, supports people in life transition, & mediates
conflicts. Jennifer has spent four decades actively engaged in volunteerism,
having dedicated the last fifteen years to hospice service. Her interfaith
spiritual practice is deeply rooted in the sacred in the natural world
& the divine in human nature. TEALarbor stories is an approved
partner of the Charter for Compassion & Jennifer is active in local as well
as international compassionate cities efforts.
I'll be posting on Facebook and Twitter occasionally throughout the weekend.
Live streaming is available for major sessions. You can follow the speakers and program at:
All blog images created & photographed by Jennifer J. Wilhoit unless otherwise noted. Please circulate images with photo credit: "©2015 JenniferJWilhoit/TEALarbor stories. AllRightsReserved."
