Deutsche - Global Balance

Concerns. The purpose was to discover and celebrate through an interfaith dialog ecological
wisdom that can be shared by all, transcending all cultural, religious boundaries. More than 100
people attended.
Rev. Dr. Thomas Downes opened the event and introduced Angelica Cubides of Women Rising
for a blessing to the four directions, assisted by Martha Gallahue, Anele Heiges, and Swamini
Sri Lalitambika Devi, all council members of URI-UN. Angelica spoke of her childhood
experiences with the indigenous mamas of Ecuador, the guardians of nature who understood
the pulsations of the Earth.
After an inspiring keynote address on the concept and urgency of reconciliation with the Earth by
Dr. Kim, all were treated to a beautiful Hindu-style dance performed by Radha Devi Dasi.
Then came the heart of the event, an “Interfaith Inquiry” on how various faith traditions relate to
and honor the Earth. Deborah Moldow, facilitator of URI-UN, moderated a wonderfully varied
panel of international experts of a wide variety of faith traditions:
Christianity: Giovanna Czander (Italy), Ph.D., Dominican College
Hinduism: Swami Parameshananda (India), Bharat Sevashram Sangha
Islam: Sunera Rahman, Upper Westchester Muslim Society
Judaism: Rabbi Roger Ross, The New Seminary
Buddhism: Chung Hyun Kyung, Ph.D. (Korea), Union Theological Seminary
Dr. Czander characterized the Christian relationship with nature as being one of “communion
and contemplation,” an attempt to look at nature through the eyes of God. Swami
Parameshananda spoke of the Vedic vision of unity, and our direct connection to infinite source.
Sunera Rahman explained that Islam proclaims the fundamental oneness of God sustaining the
universe. Nature is known as the “unwritten Koran,” so knowing nature is knowing God. In
Judaism, according to Rabbi Ross, nature is a gift of the Divine that must be revered and
protected.
In Buddhism, there is no separation between humans and nature; we are all interconnected. Dr.
Chung showed us how to see an orange as “an ambassador from the Universe.”
At the conclusion of the fascinating panel discussion, Rev. Tim Miner, OUnI, of the Council of
Interfaith Congregations of the U.S., delivered an interfaith response, comparing the religious
traditions to the colored lights produced when sunlight moves through a crystal.
Two magnificent dancers, Chung Ja Kwon and Suk Jae Yoon, performed an exquisite dance
from Korea. Then storyteller Therese Plair kept us spellbound until it was time for the final
Blessing Into the World, led by Angelica Cubides. The Women Rising working group distributed
little packets containing a rock with a message, and dried corn and beans, so that everyone
could appreciate holding these messengers from nature in our hands for the blessing.
“Reconciliation with Our Earth: Wisdom from Faith Traditions” was part of the Week of
Spirituality, Values and Global Concerns, 26–30 October 2009, with the theme, The Spirit of
the United Nations: Global Peace Through Reconciliation.
This program on was the beginning of an inquiry that will be continued in the spring of 2010.
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