Sarah Oliver Environment, Interfaith, Peace

Prayer is not a part time pass time. It is a full time awareness.

On the 14th May, CTII responded to the call from the The Higher Committee of Human Fraternity (HCHF), calling on religious leaders and faithful around the world to a day of fasting, prayers and supplications for the good of all humanity for an end to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

Kirtanya Lutchminarayan, shared these powerful words below as part of this event: 

Namaste, the divine in me greets the divine in you.

On this International Day of prayer I’d like to start by first questioning, what is prayer? Growing up I always wondered whether God would punish me if I didn’t light the lamp, go to the temple or pray daily. But as I grew and learnt and delved deeper into my faith and that of those around me, I realised what prayer is not. Prayer is not a fear-based practice, it is not just specific to a time or place, it is not licensed beggary, and it is not remembering God when it is just convenient to us.

Prayer is not a part time pass time. It is a full time awareness.

The most loved people I have met were those living not out of fear, but with love, those who have questioned and acted in devotion of what was important, those who can say that the sky is the roof of their temple and the earth is the floor. Prayer is in the daily values we live, treating others as your very own. Prayer is the kindness you show to others, it is also your actions once you leave your place of worship. Prayer is thinking about those with less than ourselves and acting to help them, even if their beliefs are different. Prayer goes beyond the seen, beyond logic and rationality and can change you and touch lives in ways unimaginable.

As an environmentalist, taking care of nature is my greatest worship, and as a born Hindu, it aligns with the belief that the divine dwells within every being and in every atom. I believe that the absence of a reverence for life and nature is a major reason we find our world in its current state. The primary cause of the current pandemic is that we are commodifying nature more rapidly than ever before. Head over heart is not a winning formula in this case. Humanity has seen animals as resources, we are discarding the living libraries locked in our ancestors and advancing at a rate faster than we can cope.

Our minds have become enlightened by science and technology yet dulled by a system steeped in power, status, selfishness and. We have forgotten the Fibbonacci, a connecting thread running through us and our planet, the sacredness of everything around us, of ourselves, and what makes us human. Our seemingly small actions have amassed to chaos and we have created a mountain with our molehills. The world around is reflective of our inner worlds and actions.

This is called the Butterfly Effect. The phenomenon whereby a minute localized change in a complex system can have large effects elsewhere. It refers to a situation in which an action or change that does not seem important has a very large effect, especially in other places or around the world: Even slight imbalances in starting conditions, lead to huge final variations in outcome because of the instability of the system. It is sometimes said that the flapping of a butterfly’s wings in one part of the world can cause a hurricane on the other side of the globe. A simple event (a wing flap) can cause a cascade of other events.

Likewise good vibrations, especially collective prayer and intention, can achieve mass benefits for humanity spreading a wave of peace and healing, that we need so desperately.

Indigenous cultures and civilisations like the Mayans, the Incas, Khoi San, Maoris, Native Americans and Indian Rishis all had similarities in their ways of living- they had a reverence and connection with the Earth and each other and this is being eroded in current times. In the book, The Tippping Point, by Malcom Gladwell, he speaks about the ‘The Law of the Few’ which explains that a very select group of people is responsible for the “tipping” of almost all social epidemics. We are those people- global citizens and people of faith – it’s time to keep tapping into our heart intelligence. Heart intelligence is to do with the term “Coherence” which used by scientists to describe a highly efficient physiological state in which the following systems, nervous, cardiovascular, hormonal and immune, are all working efficiently and harmoniously. It is the highest level of function where all our bodies are working together as one at an optimal performance level.

This happens when we use heart intelligence, or “flow of intuitive awareness”. When our emotions and mind are brought into coherent alignment with the heart, our brain and heart are operating in a synergetic way, it almost changes the cellular chemistry in our body and extends our energetic field. We then experience a deeper intuitive inner guidance. In other words, heart intelligence can also be defined as the ability of our heart to sync all of the systems of our body, mind and spirit to bring a higher state of awareness, and to bring more clarity and focus to our lives. When this happens, we can heal, and with this clarity and purity we have the ability for prayers to be answered and to be able to bless others.

Now is the time to use our hearts to heal, to bless, to pray and to act.

To conclude and really unpack what it takes to exude the divinity we so need on our world there are qualities of a divine person from scripture, The Bhagavad Gita. These are: fearlessness, purity of heart, perseverance in knowledge, charity, sense restraint, sacrifice, austerity, honesty, nonviolence, truthfulness, absence of anger, renunciation, equanimity, abstaining from malicious talk, compassion for all creatures, freedom from greed, gentleness, modesty, splendor, forgiveness, fortitude, cleanliness, absence of malice, and absence of pride; These are the qualities of those endowed with divine virtues, and qualities that we can all aspire to for a healed world.

In Sanskrit we refer to Sankalpa, which refers to an intention formed by the heart and mind, but more a vow or commitment we make to support our highest truth. Today may we take a sankalpa of imbibing the above qualities and doing our best to be a beacon of light to those around us during challenging times.

May we have an intention of healing for the world, for our individual minds and collective consciousness, to move toward righteous action and for the best of all beings, so that we may live in peace, safety, health and unity.

Lokah Samastah Sukhino Bhavantu

“May all beings be happy and free from suffering. And may the thoughts, words, and actions
in my own life in some way contribute to that happiness and freedom for all.”

 – Kirtanya Lutchminarayan, 14 May 2020

Sarah Oliver Interfaith

Faith Leaders Respond to COVID-19 and the Lockdown

We asked faith leaders what they have been doing to keep themselves spiritually strong during the lockdown, which has changed the face of ministry and forced faith leaders to think deeply about finding creative ways to reach their communities. Here are some of the videos that were submitted. It’s not too late – please send a short 2 – 5 minute clip of your lockdown thrival tips if you would like to participate. We’d love to hear from you!

Sarah Oliver Cape Town activities, Interfaith

Interfaith Pilgrimage in District Six

The Annual Interfaith Pilgrimage on Reconciliation Day took place in District Six. Organised by Faith leaders in District Six, Cape Town Interfaith Initiative, the Jewish Board of Deputies, the Groote Kerk and The Restitution Foundation.

The walk acknowledged the injustices, pain, and deprivation in the area and hoped to bring light and healing to the communities, uniting them with respect and dignity.

Sheikh Moerat warmly welcomed the 2-300 pilgrims of all cultures, faiths, ages in the Muir Street Mosque, giving a brief history of his community and the mosque celebrating its centenary this year.

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Walking on to the New Apostolic Church next, Minister Mike Van Hagt was thrilled to welcome us and give the story of his changing congregants in the area, and the development of the church. Like Sheikh Moerat he also prayed for the group and the Day and peace for the future in this area.

To the wonderful singing of the choir we moved on our way up the hill to Zonnebloem Estate. John Ramsdale gave a fascinating and amusing history of the College, celebrating 160 years of existence. He highlighted some of the outstanding past pupils, and judging from the ovation this was so appreciated.

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Back down Hanover Street we headed for the Moravian Hill, we made new friends, listening to stories and reflecting on what we had heard. Sitting under the shade on the lawns outside the Moravian Church we enjoyed some refreshment and Bishop Augustus Joemath concluded the morning.

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Pilgrims were impressed visiting the different Houses of worship and learning more history they were not aware of in their own City.

Written by Mary Frost – December 2019

Sarah Oliver Cape Town activities, Interfaith

A celebration of Interfaith Iftar meals this Ramadan

During this holy month of Ramadan, we have witnessed the love and hospitality of the Muslim community across Cape Town, who have opened their doors and dinner tables to host non-muslim friends for Iftar, the evening meal that breaks the day’s fast. These dinners have been opportunities for connecting, sharing and learning about our different traditions, and particularly the significance of Ramadan.

As Stuart Diamond, Director of the Cape SA Jewish Board of Deputies and CTII Board Member said, speaking at the Turquoise Harmony Institute’s annual Friendship and Dialogue Iftar on the 28th May,

“When we share bread and break bread, and we start to speak as people, over something as simple as food, we break down the boundaries and the walls that keep us apart” 

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Here we have a collection of photographs from various Interfaith Iftar meals hosted during this holy month.

Berry Behr and Mary Frost join members of the Turquoise Harmony Institute for the Home Iftar
Berry Behr and Mary Frost join members of the Turquoise Harmony Institute for the Home Iftar
Interfaith Iftar at the Ahlul Bait Islamic Centre, 19th May.
Interfaith Iftar at the Ahlul Bait Islamic Centre, 19th May.
A special interfaith young women's Iftar with students from the THI Star College student house
A special young women’s Iftar with students from the THI Star College student house 
The Unitarian Church opens their doors to an Iftar meal
The Unitarian Church opens their doors to an Iftar meal
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The NGK in town, also hosted an Iftar Dinner 
A huge turn out for the Shabbat Chessed Ramadan Iftar at Temple Israel in Wynberg
A wonderful turn out for the Shabbat Chessed Ramadan Iftar at Temple Israel in Wynberg
Sarah Oliver Interfaith

The Role of Religion in Developing a Nation

A speech for the Ahmadiyya Conference at Chrysalis Academy, Tokai – Saturday 13 April 2019

Murrabi, honoured guests and friends in Interfaith Assalamu alaykum, I greet you in the name of all that is Good and True and Holy. Thank you for giving us this opportunity to share our hearts.

South Africa, the rainbow nation, is a place of rich diversity. We have so much of it, from our varied
landscapes to our animal life to our beaches, our seasons, our food. And our people.

We speak about Diversity as something we have. As if it were a thing you could put in a wheelbarrow
or an illness that could be cured. It’s a thing that politicians say they do; but we have learned that
sometimes what people say, and what they do and what they think they do, are three different
things. Our Nation is particularly Diverse, which is why Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu called it
the Rainbow Nation. The most diverse garden is often the most beautiful, so our diversity is a good
thing.

But on the other hand, we also have this thing called Religion. Very often, our religion informs our
idea of what diversity is and how we should do it. We can become quite defensive around our
religions and we tend to stick with like minded people. It becomes a very important part of our identity.

Politicians like Religion when it wins them votes.

But the same Religion that was their friend in voting season becomes the enemy of the politician
when it stands up and calls out our elected leaders for behaviour that is not compatible with the
morals and values taught in all of our Sacred Texts.

And so Religion, by which we mean those who practice it in all its many sacred forms, needs to be
very careful to maintain its integrity, its independence and its clarity. Religion can easily be
manipulated by those who would like to use it for their own ends. We do not have to look too far
into the past for a prime example. White Afrikaaners used their Religion to justify their domination
and subversion of other races in Apartheid South Africa and the truly sad thing is that many
followers believed the lie with every fibre of their being. For them, it was a truth. And that is how far
they were from the truth, that they could not even recognise its face. Ours is not the only example
of an ideology gone rogue and carrying an entire people with it. Every nation that has experienced
genocide can say the same – we look at Nazi Germany, we look at America, Australia. There are so
many others.

And all of them believed they could justify their inhuman behaviour because they were building a
nation and God was on their side. And so religion was the foundational theology of this kind of
nation building.

How on earth are we going to put that right and create a new paradigm? Barbara Marx Hubbard
who passed to Spirit this week spent years teaching about the New World and the New Humanity
that needed to be birthed out of the pain of the past. I wonder what that could look like? It is up to
us to start to create something new, not only for our children but for our own sakes.

I have heard it said again and again that politics and religion do not mix. But nobody has ever told
me how to separate them. While human politicians serve a human proletariate, separation of the two seems impossible. Some years ago, ANC politician Pallo Jordan was quoted in the Sunday Times
as saying that he saw no value in spiritual leadership. The issue at hand was the denial of a visa to
the Dalai Lama, who wanted to visit Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu for his 80 th Birthday. It was
one of the saddest statements I had ever read and I was afraid then that our leadership had become
spiritually bankrupt.

Just last month my faith in a system of aligned political and spiritual leadership was restored when
we watched with the rest of the world as NZ Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern fearlessly showed us
how it is done.

And that is how we will do it.

The nation that we are building now cannot be built on the tears and blood and broken hearts of any
part of us. We are one nation. All people here belong to this nation – and that includes those who
have taken shelter within our borders when they found themselves unsafe within their own. All life
here belongs to this nation. That includes our mountains and rivers, our beaches, our wildlife from
lions to crayfish. They do not belong to us, they are part of us. They are us.

Nation building demands that we look to who we are, who we want to be and to what it is that we
want. We look to our sacred texts to inform us, but we know in our hearts what is right.
How do we express the very best of our religious spirit in the building of our nation? A nation is
always a work in progress, it is never a done thing. I am so grateful for new, clear religious leaders
like Rev Riaan De Villiers of Groote Kerk who not only has the moral courage to stand up for an
inclusive way of thinking and being, but also has the clarity to stand firm and guide his congregation
into a new world. This is where political and spiritual leadership are showing up in our country and it
is powerful! It asks only: Where is the Love, and then it is completely loyal to the answer.
Religion has often, in the past, been practiced in communities away from the prying eyes of other
communities. We have been a mystery to each other, and we all know that mystery can breed
amazing urban tales because the human imagination has space, in a place of not knowing, to really
be very creative.

Our greatest asset, in this world, is each other. Let us make friends, let us meet each other and share
our joys and our challenges in our lives and in our traditions. Religion is not easy. It sometimes has
rough edges that challenge us in our changing times. Our work is to keep it relevant and alive and
dynamic so that these are the courageous, lion hearted attributes we bring to our nation. Our
religion informs everything we do and everything we are, not only in the sanctuary of our mosques
and temples but also in our schools and in our parks and in our places of work.

Our religion is not only about us, in our specific communities. It is about us, all of us, in the broader
sense and I urge you with all my heart to guard it carefully so that it may remain a positive and
bright, illuminating force of compassion and unity and never a dark and heavy force of repression.
Let us be true to our religions, our God, our hearts and let us never allow the curse of unnatural
separation to push us apart from each other and allow one to cause pain to any other. And when we
are in doubt, let us simply ask: “Where is the Love?”

I end with this prayer which was created by Alice Bailey in the mid 1930’s, but which seems so
relevant today:

The Great Invocation

From the point of Light within the Mind of God
Let light stream forth into the minds of men.
Let Light descend on Earth.
From the point of Love within the Heart of God
Let love stream forth into the hearts of men.
May The One return to Earth.
From the centre where the Will of God is known
Let purpose guide the little wills of men –
The purpose which the Masters know and serve.
From the centre which we call the race of men
Let the Plan of Love and Light work out
And may it seal the door where evil dwells.
Let Light and Love and Power restore the Plan on Earth

Berry
April 2019