Getting to the Heart of Interfaith
The Eye-Opening, Hope-Filled Friendship of a Pastor, a Rabbi and a Sheikh
Published on 16. July 2009
Book
Paperback/Softback
192 pages
978-1-59473-263-8 (ISBN)
Description
Too often religion seems to fuel more hatred than love, more conflict than collaboration. Interfaith Talk Radio's "interfaith amigos" - a pastor, a rabbi and a sheikh - provide a rich understanding of the road to interfaith collaboration by sharing their stories, challenges and the inner spiritual work necessary to go beyond tolerance to a vital, inclusive spirituality.
From their deep commitment and lived experience, they present ways we can work together to transcend the differences that have divided us historically. Together they explore:
? The five stages of the interfaith journey
? The power of our stories
? The core of our traditions
? The promises and problems of our traditions
? New dimensions of spiritual identity
? And much more
Along with inspiring insights and encouragement for tapping into the promise of interfaith dialogue, they provide practical actions, additional readings and discussion questions to help you embody their revolutionary spirit of healing.
From their deep commitment and lived experience, they present ways we can work together to transcend the differences that have divided us historically. Together they explore:
? The five stages of the interfaith journey
? The power of our stories
? The core of our traditions
? The promises and problems of our traditions
? New dimensions of spiritual identity
? And much more
Along with inspiring insights and encouragement for tapping into the promise of interfaith dialogue, they provide practical actions, additional readings and discussion questions to help you embody their revolutionary spirit of healing.
Reviews / Votes
"A masterful first-hand account of interfaith dialogue. Insightful, interesting, informative and important ... [will be] of great interest to individual readers and a rich resource for religious communities seeking to create such dialogue."-Marcus J. Borg, best-selling author, The Heart of Christianity: Rediscovering a Life of Faith and other books
"[A] very personal book ... proposes a road map for spiritual growth and interfaith cooperation. It will open [our] hearts and minds to each other and each other's faith traditions."
-Rabbi Leonard A. Schoolman, founding director, Center for Religious Inquiry, New York; author, The Changing Christian World: A Brief Introduction for Jews
"Not an ordinary book, rather the lived experience of three religious leaders and the exploration of their faith differences. Lifts up a way to peaceful living based in understanding and compassion."
-Rev. Dr. Joan Brown Campbell, former general secretary, The National Council of Churches in Christ (United States)
"Courageous.... Provides an essential and inspiring guide to religious healing and the human step to spiritual maturity."
-David Korten, board chair, YES! Magazine; author, Agenda for a New Economy and The Great Turning: From Empire to Earth Community
"Brings us something new: true and honest friendship as evidenced in tough talk and deep interspiritual sharing. Read this book and live it. Get your clergy to do the same."
-Rabbi Rami Shapiro, author, The Sacred Art of Lovingkindness: Preparing to Practice
"Important. The perfect book to introduce the world of interfaith cooperation and understanding [and] a great way for any local religious community's adult study group to safely dive in."
-Rev. Bud Heckman, director for external relations, Religions for Peace; author, InterActive Faith: The Essential Interreligious Community-Building Handbook
"Written with clarity, insight and wisdom ... provides a judicious model for developing bonds across religious boundaries. Read it-and put its recommendations into practice."
-Sr. Mary C. Boys, Skinner and McAlpin Professor of Practical Theology, Union Theological Seminary, New York City; coauthor, Christians & Jews in Dialogue: Learning in the Presence of the Other
More details
Language
English
Place of publication
Woodstock
United States
Publishing group
Jewish Lights Publishing
Dimensions
Height: 229 mm
Width: 152 mm
Thickness: 11 mm
Weight
290 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-59473-263-8 (9781594732638)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
MACKENZIE | Falcon | Imam Jamal Rahman
Getting to Heart of Interfaith
The Eye-Opening, Hope-Filled Friendship of a Pastor, a Rabbi & an Imam
E-Book
12/2010
1st Edition
SkyLight Paths
€16.49
Available for download
Persons
Pastor Don Mackenzie, PhD, Rabbi Ted Falcon, PhD, and Imam Jamal Rahman-now known as the Interfaith Amigos-started working together after 9/11. Since then, they have brought their unique blend of spiritual wisdom and humor to audiences in the US, Israel-Palestine, Japan and more. Their first book, Getting to the Heart of Interfaith: The Eye-Opening, Hope-Filled Friendship of a Pastor, a Rabbi and an Imam, brought the Interfaith Amigos international attention with coverage from the New York Times, CBS News and NPR.Their second book, Religion Gone Astray: What We Found at the Heart of Interfaith, probes more deeply into the problem aspects of our religious institutions to provide a profound understanding of the nature of what divides us. Their work is dedicated to supporting more effective interfaith dialogue that can bring greater collaboration on the major social and economic issues of our time.
Pastor Don Mackenzie, PhD, is former minister and head of staff at University Congregational United Church of Christ in Seattle.
Pastor Don Mackenzie, PhD, Rabbi Ted Falcon, PhD, and Imam Jamal Rahman-now known as the Interfaith Amigos-started working together after 9/11. Since then, they have brought their unique blend of spiritual wisdom and humor to audiences in the US, Israel-Palestine, Japan and more. Their first book, Getting to the Heart of Interfaith: The Eye-Opening, Hope-Filled Friendship of a Pastor, a Rabbi and an Imam, brought the Interfaith Amigos international attention with coverage from the New York Times, CBS News and NPR.Their second book, Religion Gone Astray: What We Found at the Heart of Interfaith, probes more deeply into the problem aspects of our religious institutions to provide a profound understanding of the nature of what divides us. Their work is dedicated to supporting more effective interfaith dialogue that can bring greater collaboration on the major social and economic issues of our time.
Rabbi Ted Falcon, PhD, founder of meditative synagogues in Los Angeles and Seattle, is author of A Journey of Awakening: Kabbalistic Meditations on the Tree of Life and coauthor of Judaism For Dummies.
Imam Jamal Rahman is a beloved teacher and retreat leader whose passion for helping people deepen their spiritual lives and cultivate interfaith understanding has inspired audiences throughout the world. He has been featured in the New York Times, on CBS News, the BBC and many NPR programs. He is cofounder and Muslim Sufi minister at Interfaith Community Sanctuary, adjunct faculty at Seattle University and a former host of Interfaith Talk Radio. He is author of Sacred Laughter of the Sufis: Awakening the Soul with the Mulla's Comic Teaching Stories & Other Islamic Wisdom and Spiritual Gems of Islam: Insights & Practices from the Qur'an, Hadith, Rumi & Muslim Teaching Stories to Enlighten the Heart & Mind (both SkyLight Paths) and The Fragrance of Faith: The Enlightened Heart of Islam; and coauthor of Getting to the Heart of Interfaith: The Eye-Opening, Hope-Filled Friendship of a Pastor, a Rabbi & an Imam and Religion Gone Astray: What We Found at the Heart of Interfaith (both SkyLight Paths), among other books.
Pastor Don Mackenzie, PhD, is former minister and head of staff at University Congregational United Church of Christ in Seattle.
Pastor Don Mackenzie, PhD, Rabbi Ted Falcon, PhD, and Imam Jamal Rahman-now known as the Interfaith Amigos-started working together after 9/11. Since then, they have brought their unique blend of spiritual wisdom and humor to audiences in the US, Israel-Palestine, Japan and more. Their first book, Getting to the Heart of Interfaith: The Eye-Opening, Hope-Filled Friendship of a Pastor, a Rabbi and an Imam, brought the Interfaith Amigos international attention with coverage from the New York Times, CBS News and NPR.Their second book, Religion Gone Astray: What We Found at the Heart of Interfaith, probes more deeply into the problem aspects of our religious institutions to provide a profound understanding of the nature of what divides us. Their work is dedicated to supporting more effective interfaith dialogue that can bring greater collaboration on the major social and economic issues of our time.
Rabbi Ted Falcon, PhD, founder of meditative synagogues in Los Angeles and Seattle, is author of A Journey of Awakening: Kabbalistic Meditations on the Tree of Life and coauthor of Judaism For Dummies.
Imam Jamal Rahman is a beloved teacher and retreat leader whose passion for helping people deepen their spiritual lives and cultivate interfaith understanding has inspired audiences throughout the world. He has been featured in the New York Times, on CBS News, the BBC and many NPR programs. He is cofounder and Muslim Sufi minister at Interfaith Community Sanctuary, adjunct faculty at Seattle University and a former host of Interfaith Talk Radio. He is author of Sacred Laughter of the Sufis: Awakening the Soul with the Mulla's Comic Teaching Stories & Other Islamic Wisdom and Spiritual Gems of Islam: Insights & Practices from the Qur'an, Hadith, Rumi & Muslim Teaching Stories to Enlighten the Heart & Mind (both SkyLight Paths) and The Fragrance of Faith: The Enlightened Heart of Islam; and coauthor of Getting to the Heart of Interfaith: The Eye-Opening, Hope-Filled Friendship of a Pastor, a Rabbi & an Imam and Religion Gone Astray: What We Found at the Heart of Interfaith (both SkyLight Paths), among other books.
Content
Introduction 1
1. THE INTERFAITH JOURNEY: Stages of Interfaith Dialogue and Collaboration 5
What Is Interfaith? 5
Five Stages on the Interfaith Journey 7
The Next Step 26
2. THE POWER OF OUR STORIES: Moving Beyond Separation and Suspicion 27
Interfaith from the Inside Out 27
Pastor Don's Journey to Interfaith 29
Rabbi Ted's Journey to Interfaith 34
Sheikh Jamal's Journey to Interfaith 38
How We Got Together 43
Forging a Path 48
3. THE CORE OF OUR TRADITIONS: Inquiring More Deeply 51
Timeless Teachings 51
Pastor Don: Love 53
Rabbi Ted: Sh'ma 60
Sheikh Jamal: Basmala 69
Finding Common Ground 77
4. THE PROMISES AND PROBLEMS OF OUR TRADITIONS: Sharing Both the Easy and the Difficult Parts 79
Honest Dialogue 79
Living into Deeper Sharing 103
5. PERSPECTIVES ON ISRAEL AND PALESTINE: Moving Beyond Safe Territory 105
The Elephant in the Room 105
A Christian in Israel and Palestine 107
A Jew in Israel and Palestine 114
A Muslim in Israel and Palestine 121
Blessings at the Galilee 129
Expanding Our View 131
6. NEW DIMENSIONS OF SPIRITUAL IDENTITY: Exploring Spiritual Practices from Other Traditions 135
A Deeper Taste 135
Pastor Don's Practices 136
Rabbi Ted's Practices 141
Sheikh Jamal's Practices 147
Healing through Spiritual Practices 152
7. THERE IS ALWAYS MORE: The Conclusion Is Also a Beginning 155
Authentic Spiritual Paths 155
Inclusive Spirituality 159
Don's Reflections 160
Ted's Reflections 162
Jamal's Reflections 163
Honoring the Spirit 164
The Future of Interfaith Dialogue and Celebration 168
Discussion Questions 171
Suggestions for Further Reading 178
Acknowledgments 180
Credits 183
1. THE INTERFAITH JOURNEY: Stages of Interfaith Dialogue and Collaboration 5
What Is Interfaith? 5
Five Stages on the Interfaith Journey 7
The Next Step 26
2. THE POWER OF OUR STORIES: Moving Beyond Separation and Suspicion 27
Interfaith from the Inside Out 27
Pastor Don's Journey to Interfaith 29
Rabbi Ted's Journey to Interfaith 34
Sheikh Jamal's Journey to Interfaith 38
How We Got Together 43
Forging a Path 48
3. THE CORE OF OUR TRADITIONS: Inquiring More Deeply 51
Timeless Teachings 51
Pastor Don: Love 53
Rabbi Ted: Sh'ma 60
Sheikh Jamal: Basmala 69
Finding Common Ground 77
4. THE PROMISES AND PROBLEMS OF OUR TRADITIONS: Sharing Both the Easy and the Difficult Parts 79
Honest Dialogue 79
Living into Deeper Sharing 103
5. PERSPECTIVES ON ISRAEL AND PALESTINE: Moving Beyond Safe Territory 105
The Elephant in the Room 105
A Christian in Israel and Palestine 107
A Jew in Israel and Palestine 114
A Muslim in Israel and Palestine 121
Blessings at the Galilee 129
Expanding Our View 131
6. NEW DIMENSIONS OF SPIRITUAL IDENTITY: Exploring Spiritual Practices from Other Traditions 135
A Deeper Taste 135
Pastor Don's Practices 136
Rabbi Ted's Practices 141
Sheikh Jamal's Practices 147
Healing through Spiritual Practices 152
7. THERE IS ALWAYS MORE: The Conclusion Is Also a Beginning 155
Authentic Spiritual Paths 155
Inclusive Spirituality 159
Don's Reflections 160
Ted's Reflections 162
Jamal's Reflections 163
Honoring the Spirit 164
The Future of Interfaith Dialogue and Celebration 168
Discussion Questions 171
Suggestions for Further Reading 178
Acknowledgments 180
Credits 183