TR - Sundas, July 8, 1990 - North Shore News

SPIRITUALLY SPEAKING

Residents explain
their faiths

TODAY, SPURITUALLY Speaking continues to look at
the many religious traditions that are active in) Canada.

and on the North Shore.

Last week. Christian, Native
Indian, Sikh, Bahati and Buddhist
People shared wath readers why
their faith is important to thenr.
This week, we hear from a
Hindu and a’ Unitarian.

VENI SISODRAKER
HINDU

“What is life? Food, sex and
securities. Or is it subtleties of
mind like envy, ambition, passion,
fear and anniety?

“Different religions have tried
to answer this question in’ dif-
ferent ways, according to region,
environment, culture and upbring-
ing.

“Hinduism accepts both life
and death as different sides of the
same coin. Traditionally, Hindus
have trodden the path of their el-
ders. They try to live their philos-
ophy and accept religion as an in-
ference of philosophy.

‘*Philosophers in Hinduism are
considered great saints and sages
who uphold the foundation of
life, truth, patience, forgiveness
and non-greed.

**Hindus’ ultimate aim is to re-
alize something nobler, greater
and more sublime than mere liv-
ing, aiming for the unchangeable,
eternal, trancendental Reality,
where unmolested, untarnished
joy abides without limitations and
boundaries.

“For him, the Real, which is at
the heart of existence, is reflected
in the infinite depth of the Self.
This awareness enables him to see
unity in the multiplicity of cre-

“on. His vision broadens, makes
hint more tolerant of other
religions, and improves his rela-
tions with other fellow men.

“‘His collaboration with nature
becomes of partnership rather
than dominion. As the Vedas
state, knowingly or unknowingly
every creature is moving to the
same goal, namely the attainment
of the Self as the Ultimate Reali-
ty.

‘*This basic understanding
deepens his love for his fellow
man and even nature. Such love
takes its stand on the universal
brotherhood, as all creation is the
abode of one Atman.

“*Love eliminates all differences
and composes a universal sym-
phony. As the Bhagavad Gita, the
most well-known Hindu scripture,
states: ‘Worry not about other
ways. Take shelter in me! | guar-
antee to rescue you.’

‘For a Hindu, awareness of
God is the first stage, while the
union with God is the ultimate
goal.’’

HAROLD ROSEN
UNITARIAN

“‘When | was ai child, my
mother was an open-minded
Catholic and my father was an
open-minded Jew. They taught me
respect for both of these traditions
(as well as others) without impos-
ing any single faith perspective.

**They cncouraged me to ex-
plore — suggesting that reality,
truth and God are greater than the
beliefs and rituals of any religion.
And since each person has ‘some
of the light,” we should listen and
share with an open mind and
heart.

‘. rf:
Veni Sisodraker ...For Hindu,
union with God is the ultimate
goal.

Harold Rosen ...Unitarian faith
provides freedom.

“Today, | am the kind of per-
son who needs ‘religious freedom’
— the freedom to explore the
many meanings and purposes of
human life ... the freedom to
search out the universa! truths in
various faiths ... the freedom to
change and grow with new experi-
ence ... the freedom to find, de-
velop and offer my spiritual gifts
to others.

“My Unitarian faith provides
this freedom, and encourages me
to offer the same to others.

“It is a ‘responsible freedom,’
requiring that I seek truth and de-
velop spiritual values as reason
and conscience demand, that I
respect the beliefs of others, and
that 1 contribute to the betterment
of society in ways that reflect my
growing understanding and abili-
ties.

“T find that I am incomplete
without a ‘tribe?’ — an extended
religious family, a community of
faith — to nurture and challenge
me through the journey of life.

“ft meed to hear the laughter
and vitality of children and youth,
as well as the wise counsel of
maturity. I am a Unitarian
because ethical and spiritual ques-
tions are sacred to me, and | can
make steady progress toward
wholeness in a community of
honest and sincere seckers.

“! choose to be part of a
teligious institution that embodies
my higher commitments: the quest
for wisdom ... spiritual develop-
ment ... multi-culturalism and in-
ter-faith dialogue ... peace and
justice ... and reverence for the
living earth.

‘I choose to give my best to a
religious institution that can ex-
tend these values out into the
world, and also beyond my life-
time.”

This week's religious events

Sunday, July 15:

e Music and Theology — a special
tribute to the choir and organist
Dan Forbes at St. David's United
Church, Everyone welcome. 10:30
a.m. [525 Taylor Way, West
Vancouver, 922-3961. (Childcare
available.)

A ERROR occurred in the
religious calendar on page 17 of
the July of issue of the North
Shore News. In the listing for the
Festival of Sacriftee the name
Ishmael should have read Isaac.
The News regrets the error.

ia
Sure

! THE VOICE OF NORTH AND WEST VANCOUVE

north shore