Moving Beyond (Interfaith) Fear

February 5, 2020Leave a comment

Moving Beyond (Interfaith) Fear with Wendy Goldberg

Tri-Faith Initiative is a unique and ambitious project in the field of interfaith relations in design, scale, and scope. It brings together into permanent residency a synagogue, church, mosque, and interfaith center on one 38-acre campus in the middle of America’s heartland. This unique model for peaceful co-existence, builds on America’s promise of religious freedom and a desire for understanding. In working together, their vision is to build bridges of respect, trust and acceptance, to challenge stereotypes of each other, to learn from one another, and to counter the influence of extremists and agents of hate.

[Click Here to Listen]

Wendy Goldberg is a fourth generation Omahan and a founding member of the Tri-Faith Initiative. She served on the Board of Trustees of Temple Israel for 10 years, including a two-year term as President of the congregation and was on the Temple Israel staff for seven years as Program Director. Wendy played a key role in communications, volunteer engagement, and the capital campaign during Temple Israel’s transition to the Tri-Faith Commons in 2013.

In 2016, Wendy earned a Master’s of Art in Communication and graduate certificate in Creative Writing at the University of Nebraska at Omaha after which, she joined the staff at Project Harmony as Project Manager where she partnered with agency stakeholders to custom build and implement client management software, identify program goals, measurable outcomes and build the correlating reports.

Wendy has served as Tri-Faith Communication Chair for a decade helping to develop communication policy, procedure, and plans for traditional and social media materials. She leads a communication task force initiatives to set brand guidelines, create a speakers bureau, and create video stories archives.

As a champion of interfaith efforts that build community and foster trust, Wendy will contribute to the management and implementation of the initiative’s strategic plan including fundraising, communication, and stakeholder engagement.

Wendy loves practicing and teaching yoga. She serves on the Board of Directors for Fontenelle Forest. Wendy and her husband, David, have three adult children.

Celebrating Human Unity

January 31, 2018Leave a comment

Celebrating Human Unity Across All Cultures, Creeds, Colors, and Countries with Kurt Johnson

Many around the world are weaving threads of unity within the colorful diversity of our Human Family. It is time to shift our collective consciousness and belief that “peace and unity are possible; a better world is possible.” Honoring all traditions and lineages, we can harvest the collective wisdom of humanity to foster community, connect cultures and cultivate peace. Join us as we explore interfaith harmony with Kurt Johnson.

[Click Here to Listen]

Dr. Kurt Johnson of Unity Earth has worked in professional science and comparative religion over 40 years. A prominent figure on international committees, particularly at the United Nations, he is author of the influential book The Coming Interspiritual Age (Namaste, 2013) and two award-winning books in science: Nabokov’s Blues (McGraw-Hill 2000) and Fine Lines (Yale Univ. Press, 2015).

Kurt has served on the faculty of New York’s Interfaith Seminary for 12 years and, for 25 years was associated there with the American Museum of Natural History. In 2016 he became host for Unity.Earth’s Convergence radio series at VoiceAmerica, a series featuring global change-makers. He serves on the Executive Committee of the United Nations NGO Committee on Spirituality, Values and Global Concerns.

Originally monk in the Christian contemplative tradition, Kurt has extensive training in philosophy and comparative religion and also a PhD in Evolution and Ecology. He is author of over 200 scientific articles and seven books, along with further articles at Kosmos Journal, The Contemplative Journal, Evolution Institute, Integral Life with Ken Wilber and peace studies with Philip Hellmich of the SHIFT Network.

Kurt is a member or founder of The Evolutionary Leaders, the international Contemplative Alliance, the Gaiafield and Subtle Activism Networks, the Self Care to Earth Care network, the UN NGO Committee on Spirituality, Values and Global Concerns, the NGO Forum 21 Institute, and the UN Committee for International Yoga Day, and is President of the Friends of the Institute of Noetic Sciences.

udayfestival.org/convergence-of-fire/

maestroconference.com/conference/register/

Uniting in Love

October 5, 2015Leave a comment

Uniting in Love – Three Practices to Ignite Authentic Love

“All we need is love,” instructs John Lennon’s famous lyrics. The sentiment is incredibly moving today at this pivotal time in history. Love is a unifying force that can improve the quality of life on earth, ignite planetary healing, and create global oneness.

There are many definitions of love, but let’s discuss the universal, altruistic love that is shared by most faith-based organizations. Love is central to many religions, spiritual expressions and indigenous traditions, as in the phrase, “God is Love.” Love is the ultimate grace and blessing where most do see eye to eye. This love is a divine link that can bind us together and potentially a redeeming force that can reconcile the hearts of humanity.

In the Bahá’í faith, love is the light that guides in the darkness, the living link that unites God with man, that force that assures the progress of every illumined soul. Bahá’í’s believe love reveals, with unfailing and limitless power, the mysteries latent in the universe.

The Dalai Lama said, “Love, compassion and tolerance are necessities, not luxuries. Without them, humanity cannot survive.” In Buddhism, love is unconditional and requires considerable self-acceptance. They believe this is quite different from “ordinary” love, which is usually about attachment and rarely occurs without self-interest. Instead, it refers to detachment and unselfish interest in the welfare of others.

In the Jewish tradition followers are encouraged to show mercy, love, and compassion to their brother and, as the Torah commands, love God “with all your heart, with all your soul and with all your might.” In the Christian faith, there are numerous references from “love your enemies” to the greatest commandment: love one another. It is said, “God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God in him.”

Sufism explains the essence of God as love and the Sufi path is a path of love. Love is to see what is good and beautiful in everything. The aim is to be accepted as a lover by the Beloved God. Love encompasses the Islamic view of life as universal brotherhood that applies to all who hold faith.

Love can be considered an inter-faith, universal virtue. This magnificent and beautiful imperative is swelling and pulsing within the hearts of humanity. There is a collective awakening stirring within us and contributing to a global shift in consciousness. The conclusion? We are ONE. Therefore, love ONE another.

Listen to the beautifully crafted preamble of United Religions Initiative (URI): “We, people of diverse religions, spiritual expressions and indigenous traditions throughout the world, hereby establish the United Religions Initiative to promote enduring, daily interfaith cooperation, to end religiously motivated violence and to create cultures of peace, justice and healing for the Earth and all living beings.” URI has created Cooperation Circles all around the world, who are transcending religious and cultural divisions to create inclusive, on-the-ground solutions to critical issues facing their communities and regions — at the top of the list: peace-building, global advocacy, youth, women and the environment. Their preamble goes on to echo, “We unite…”

“We unite…” Join hearts uniting around the world. From, and through, this inclusive love, start with yourself. This love is a critical key to healing the planet. Self-acceptance and unconditional love for oneself is foundational. They say you cannot love God or others completely without loving yourself first. In loving yourself completely, you will activate a healing resonance greater than yourself and prepare the way for all other love. Rumi wrote, “Your task is not to seek for love, but merely to seek and find all the barriers within yourself that you have built against it.” Love yourself and you open the floodgates for universal, altruistic love to permeate every cell of your being and every corner of the universe. You pave the way to “Love your enemies.”

PRACTICE HEART COHERENCE: There’s a visceral yearning inside each of us to love. Take a few minutes everyday and focus on universal love with the intention of increasing your electromagnetic field of love. Breathe into your heart and allow it to expand… open… and guide you. Direct your attention to your heart and rest in the awareness of universal LOVE. Try this Quick Coherence Technique from HeartMath:

PRACTICE LOVING KINDNESS: Next, imagine sending love to your loved ones, neighbors, community, and expand this field of love to all beings on our planet. Include all races, religions, and those different from you. And, yes, include any “enemies” you may have. This powerful intention will assist you to embody universal love. And, there’s another benefit to this practice: all sacred wisdom and guidance comes from this place! You are strengthening your soul’s navigation system. Here’s a beautiful Loving Kindness Metta Meditation by Sharon Salzberg:

https://youtu.be/W3uLqt69VyI

PRACTICE EXPRESSING YOUR DIVINITY: Imagine loving with so much exuberance and heart that it spills out from within. It’s easy when we think about someone we love, a baby, a pet, or the beauty we experience in nature, art, music, etc.. Developing this kind of practice starts by aligning with our soul’s expression. Attune to your own sense of divinity. Stabilize the essential self and learn to express from this place with every thought, word, and deed. When live life as an expression of your higher self, you begin moving at the speed of guidance and co-creating in the resonance of love.

“All we need is love!” This day, right here, right now, allow your heart to embrace this world with all its amazing beauty, diversity, and need. We are called to deeply love those who are different from ourselves. It’s time to break down the walls that divide us, love one another, and BE in the heart of God. Kahlil Gibran, writes:

When you love you should not say,

“God is in my heart,” but rather, “I am in the heart of God.”

Come join in the co-creative path of love… I’ll meet you in the heart of God where we will unite and ignite loving peace on earth!

A World of Love,

Julie

Return to JulieKrull.com

Love Thy Neighbor

June 12, 2015Leave a comment

“Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.” ~ Judaism

“A new commandment I give to you. That you love one another; even as I have loved you… By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”
~ Christianity

“A man obtains a proper rule of action by looking on his neighbor as himself.” ~ Hinduism

“Full of love for all things in the world, practicing virtue in order to benefit others, this man alone is happy.” ~ Buddhism

“Seek to be in harmony with all your neighbors, live in amity with your brethren.”
~ Confucianism

“No one is a believer until he loves for his neighbor, and for his brother, what he loves for himself.” ~ Islam

My Colorful Greek Garbanzo Bean Prayer

April 18, 2015Leave a comment

I love to make up my own recipes. I was in the mood for a Greek salad with “substance.” That called for my famous Greek garbanzo bean concoction: a colorful celebration of nature’s most delicious flavors beautifully combined in a visual pallet that is sure to please the other pallet. I opened my new jar of Calamata olives and popped one into my mouth. Ugh, they were not pitted! How was I going to make my Greek salad without Calamata olives? I was not! More importantly, how was I going to pit them? Cutting them off the pit was not efficient. And then I noticed: when I smashed them, they naturally separated from the pit. Then I could squeeze the pit out one end. It was messy, but appeared to be the solution. As I stood smashing and squeezing, the juice ran freely through my fingers and onto my cutting board. The smell was heavenly Greek. When I was done, I chopped them so no one would ever know I smashed them.

Vibrant hues filled my glass bowl as I added bright yellow peperoncini, regal red peppers, stately green cucumbers, those deep purple olives, and finely chopped red onions to my pallid garbanzo beans. Next, the aromatic mix of olive oil, balsamic vinegar, lemon juice, garlic, basil, sea salt, and my favorite pepper blend. Oops, I almost forgot the Feta Cheese. Yum… it was calling my name! I stirred it all together with love and lifted my spoon to my lips. Disappointment! It tasted like nothing special. In fact, I would say it didn’t taste like much of anything at all. The secret ingredient of many good things is time. And, like fine wine, my gregarious Greek medley deserved a moment to merge, mingle and unite in melodious glory; time to transform – imbued with delightful new succulent flavors.

Ah, yes… a little time proved to be the answer! It was delicious. As I looked at the beautiful salad I wondered if there was a way to imbue peace, harmony and unity in a world of many colors, races, religions, beliefs, and politics. Stirred with LOVE, maybe time will tell. That is my colorful Greek garbanzo bean prayer.

All We Need is Love

December 9, 2011Leave a comment

“All we need is love,” instructs John Lennon’s famous lyrics. The sentiment is incredibly moving today as we enter this holiday season as well as this pivotal time in history. Love is a unifying force that can improve the quality of life on earth, ignite planetary healing, and create global oneness.

There are many definitions of love, but let’s discuss the universal, altruistic love that is shared by most faith-based organizations. Love is central to many religions, as in the phrase, “God is Love.” Love is the ultimate grace and blessing where most do see eye to eye. This love is a divine link that can bind us together and the redeeming force that can reconcile the hearts of humanity.

In the Bahá’í faith, love is the light that guides in the darkness, the living link that unites God with man, that force that assures the progress of every illumined soul. Bahá’í’s believe love reveals, with unfailing and limitless power, the mysteries latent in the universe.

The Dalai Lama said, “Love, compassion and tolerance are necessities, not luxuries. Without them, humanity cannot survive.” In Buddhism, love is unconditional and requires considerable self-acceptance. They believe this is quite different from “ordinary” love, which is usually about attachment and rarely occurs without self-interest. Instead, it refers to detachment and unselfish interest in the welfare of others.

In the Jewish tradition followers are encouraged to show mercy, love, and compassion to their brother and, as the Torah commands, love God “with all your heart, with all your soul and with all your might.” In the Christian faith, there are numerous references from “love your enemies” to the greatest commandment: love one another. It is said, “God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God in him.”

Sufism explains the essence of God as love and the Sufi path is a path of love. Love is to see what is good and beautiful in everything. The aim is to be accepted as a lover by the Beloved God. Love encompasses the Islamic view of life as universal brotherhood that applies to all who hold faith.

Love is an inter-faith, universal virtue. This magnificent and beautiful imperative is swelling and pulsing within the hearts of humanity. There is a collective awakening stirring within us and contributing to a global shift in consciousness. The conclusion? We are ONE. Therefore, love ONE another.

Be a part of the global shift. From, and through, the love of your divine source, start with yourself. This love is a critical key to healing the planet. Self-acceptance and unconditional love for oneself is foundational. You cannot love God or others completely without loving yourself first. It doesn’t work that way. In loving yourself completely, you will activate a healing resonance greater than yourself and prepare the way for all other love.

Rumi wrote, “Your task is not to seek for love, but merely to seek and find all the barriers within yourself that you have built against it.” Love yourself and you open the floodgates for universal, altruistic love to permeate every cell of your being and every corner of the universe. You pave the way to “Love your enemies.”

There’s a visceral yearning inside each of us to love. Take a few minutes everyday and focus on universal love with the intention of increasing your energetic field of love. Breathe into your heart and allow it to expand… open… and guide you. Direct your attention to your heart and rest in the awareness of universal LOVE.

Next, imagine sending love to your loved ones, neighbors, community, and expand this field of love to all beings on our planet. Include all races, religions, and those different from you. And, yes, include any “enemies” you may have. This powerful intention will assist you to embody universal love. And, there’s another benefit to this practice: all sacred wisdom and guidance comes from this place! You are building your soul’s navigation system.

“All we need is love!” Today is a great day to allow your heart to embrace this world with all its amazing beauty, diversity, and need. We are called to deeply love those who are different from ourselves. It’s time to break down the walls that divide us, love one another, and BE in the heart of God. Kahlil Gibran, writes, “When you love you should not say, “God is in my heart,” but rather, “I am in the heart of God.” Come join in the co-creative path of love… I’ll meet you in the heart of God where we will unite and ignite loving peace on earth!