(6242,38,'2012-04-24 17:21:59','2012-04-25 00:21:59','<div>\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_6231\" align=\"alignright\" width=\"150\" caption=\"A lotus flower, a common symbol in Buddhism\"]<a href=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/lotus_flickr_george-lu.jpg\"><img class=\"size-thumbnail wp-image-6231\" src=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/lotus_flickr_george-lu-150x150.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nThe house was filling with white light from the humid, but serene Sunday afternoon. I was sitting at kitchen table listening to three women and a gentleman from the Detroit Lotus Sangha, a Zen Buddhism group, talk through the remainder of their lesson together. They talked about practicing a Mindfulness Day as I munched on the deliciously tangy split pea and tomato soup that Gwen, the host, offered me.\r\n\r\n</div>\r\nNancy, one of the women at the table who is a recently retired special education teacher from Troy, Michigan, told me that she first came to the Sangha (a Buddhist word for “community”) about a year ago. After going on a retreat she came home and discovered the group. “I was sort of hooked,” she said. “Jaye, the owner of the studio where the Sangha meets, the members … They seemed to have integrity. And I felt comfortable there. Being there with them was gratifying and inspiring.”\r\n\r\nThe Detroit Lotus Sangha was founded by a Vietnamese gentleman named Si Mo about four and a half years ago. They meet every Sunday at a martial arts studio in Ferndale, Michigan. They have about one dozen regulars week-to-week and 40 members altogether.\r\n\r\nThe Detroit Lotus Sangha follows the teachings of Thich Nhat Hanh, the most well-known Buddhist in the West next to the Dalai Lama. Thich Nhat Hanh is a Zen Buddhist teacher who has written over one-hundred books, many of which are in English. He was nominated by Martin Luther King for a Nobel Peace Prize for his work towards non-violence during the Vietnam War.\r\n\r\nZen Buddhism is a section of the Mahayana school of Buddhism whose goal is to alleviate the suffering of all beings and social engagement from a non-violent perspective. “I’ve read a lot of Eastern Buddhist philosophy, which can be kind of obscure and difficult to understand. What Thich Nhat Hanh has done is he has written books with the Western perspective in mind. It makes it practical and extremely accessible for people like you and me to practice,” said Jaye.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_6233\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Thich Nhat Hanh at the Huong Son Temple\"]<a href=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/tnh_flickr_d-nelson.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-6233\" src=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/tnh_flickr_d-nelson-300x168.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"168\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nThich Nhat Hanh is one of the first real leaders for what Gwen referred to as <a href=\"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Engaged_Buddhism\">Engaged Buddhism</a>. “We aren’t a group of people just sitting on our cushions contemplating things.” Nancy, who is sitting on the other side of the table, stood up to show me the text on her Detroit Lotus Sangha chocolate brown shirt: “Compassion is a verb.”\r\n\r\n“Well, it’s actually a noun,” Nancy said, “but that’s what it’s all about. It’s becoming aware of suffering around us, finding ways to alleviate for other beings and ourselves, and it’s about the call to nonviolence and social justice.”\r\n\r\nOne of the ways that the Sangha engages in social justice is by working with local charities. One of the local charities they will be working with soon is a farmer in Detroit. They will help prepare fields, plant organic crops, and distribute food. They also work with FernCare, a set of clinics for people without health insurance, and at the year’s end they donate to a fund that Thich Naht Hanh established for post-Vietnam war children.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_6238\" align=\"alignright\" width=\"174\" caption=\"A statue of the Buddha in the snow\"]<a href=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/buddha_flickr_edward-dalmulder_v2.jpg\"><img class=\" wp-image-6238 \" src=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/buddha_flickr_edward-dalmulder_v2-290x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"174\" height=\"180\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nGwen has been regularly meditating since late 2000. She found Thich Nhat Hanh’s books in 2004 and then found the Sangha just a few short years later. “His books made Buddhism so much more doable. It provides meditation techniques and everyday practices to help with negative emotions.”\r\n\r\n“It’s not just about sitting until your legs go numb. It’s about becoming more peaceful and involved in social movement in my life,” said Jaye. She said that for her the Sangha is an important part of her practice for building relationships with other people and hearing their struggles, thoughts and ideas to better themselves with.\r\n<h2>About Buddhism</h2>\r\nBuddhism is a nontheistic religion, with roughly 350 million followers across the globe, making it the fourth largest religion in the world. Zen Buddhism is a part of the Mahayana school of Buddhism.  The main goals of Mahayana Buddhism are: <strong>to do no evil, to do good, and save all beings.</strong>\r\n\r\nThere are three main sections of beliefs for Buddhists: the <strong>Four Noble Truths</strong>, the <strong>Eightfold Path</strong>, and the <strong>Ten Grand Precepts</strong>.\r\n<h2>The Four Noble Truths</h2>\r\nBuddhists believe in a set of four principles called the Four Noble Truths that explain the universe and all that is in it. Barabara O’Brien, a practicing Zen Buddhist (but not one of the Thich Naht Hanh tradition) and writer for About.com says <a href=\"http://buddhism.about.com/od/thefournobletruths/a/fournobletruths.htm\">this</a>: “The Buddha\'s teachings on the Four Noble Truths are sometimes compared to a physician diagnosing an illness and prescribing a treatment. The first truth tells us what the illness is, and the second truth tells us what causes the illness. The Third Noble Truth holds out hope for a cure.”\r\n<ol>\r\n	<li>T<strong>he truth of suffering (<a href=\"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dukkha\">Dukkha</a>) – </strong>Most of the time, the first truth is translated as “Life is suffering.” But <em>dukkha</em>, the word used for “suffering” in this case refers to anything that is temporary, conditional, or passing. So, another way of looking at this is “Life is temporary.”</li>\r\n	<li><strong>The truth of the cause of suffering (<a href=\"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samudaya\">Samudaya</a>) – </strong>This truth means that suffering comes from a craving or thirst. We go through life trying to desperately find something to quench those cravings to fill the holes in our souls. We try to do this through things like relationships, food, clothing, power, etc. However, as much as we try, we are never satisfied. Humans have a tendency to latch onto things, whether they be material or ideas about the world. When these things come up empty and don’t satisfy our thirst, we only thirst more.</li>\r\n	<li><strong>The truth of the end of suffering (<a href=\"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nirodha\">Nirodha</a>) – </strong>Barbara O’Brien put it succinctly: “The Buddha taught that through diligent practice, we can put an end to craving. Ending the hamster-wheel chase after satisfaction is enlightenment.”</li>\r\n	<li><strong>The truth of the path that frees us from suffering (<a href=\"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magga\">Magga</a>)</strong></li>\r\n</ol>\r\n<h2>The Eightfold Path</h2>\r\nThe last of the Four Noble Truths refers to a path called the Eightfold Path. The Eightfold Path is a set of principles that lay out the way to enlightenment. Since Buddhism is more of an orthopraxy religion than orthodoxy, they focus on <em>right action</em> instead of <em>right belief</em>. Thus, the Eightfold Path serves as an impetus and a way to equip you with a focused heart and mind (click any of the following items to learn more about them):\r\n<ol>\r\n	<li><strong><a href=\"http://buddhism.about.com/od/theeightfoldpath/a/rightview.htm\">Right View</a> </strong></li>\r\n	<li><strong><a href=\"http://buddhism.about.com/od/theeightfoldpath/a/right-intention.htm\">Right Intention</a> </strong></li>\r\n	<li><strong><a href=\"http://buddhism.about.com/od/theeightfoldpath/a/rightspeech.htm\">Right Speech</a> </strong></li>\r\n	<li><strong><a href=\"http://buddhism.about.com/od/theeightfoldpath/a/right-action.htm\">Right Action</a> </strong></li>\r\n	<li><strong><a href=\"http://buddhism.about.com/od/theeightfoldpath/a/rightlivelihood.htm\">Right Livelihood</a> </strong></li>\r\n	<li><strong><a href=\"http://buddhism.about.com/od/theeightfoldpath/a/Right-Effort.htm\">Right Effort</a> </strong></li>\r\n	<li><strong><a href=\"http://buddhism.about.com/od/theeightfoldpath/a/right-mindfulness.htm\">Right Mindfulness</a> </strong></li>\r\n	<li><strong><a href=\"http://buddhism.about.com/od/theeightfoldpath/a/Right-Concentration.htm\">Right Concentration</a></strong></li>\r\n</ol>\r\n<h2>The Five Mindfulness Trainings</h2>\r\nGwen told me, “I think one of the misconceptions that people have about Buddhism is they think anything goes, like we have no moral compass. We aren’t here to condemn anyone, however we do have a set of principles regarding things like sexuality remaining within the bounds of a committed, loving, long-term relationship that has been made known to friends and family, being careful of the kinds of movies that we watch, being mindful of what we eat, etc.”\r\n\r\n“Basically we try to avoid junk food of any kind, whether that be ideas, food, how we spend our time online, entertainment—that sort of thing,” Nancy added. The set of principles that she and Gwen were referring to is contained in the Five Mindfulness Trainings (other sects of Buddhism may have more or less depending on the group).\r\n\r\nThe Five Mindfulness Trainings are expressions of the principles of The Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path:\r\n<ol start=\"1\">\r\n	<li><strong>Reverence for Life </strong>– Any form of killing to any living being is causing suffering to others, therefore causing more strife, emptiness, and harm to others, which is strictly against Buddhist goals and principles</li>\r\n	<li><strong>True Happiness </strong>– Somewhat related to the Reverence for Life, true happiness comes from helping eliminate and reduce the suffering of others</li>\r\n	<li><strong>True Love</strong> – The recognition that sexual desires and healthy, true love are very different things, one must strive to find the latter that can fill and express the former</li>\r\n	<li><strong>Loving Speech and Deep Listening</strong> – Words can damage or heal, and so the goal is to have loving, kind, and compassionate speech. Along with giving healing and warm words, one should also receive words from others in the same manner</li>\r\n	<li><strong>Nourishment and Healing – </strong>This is the principle that Nancy was speaking of when she said they try to avoid consuming junk. Toxins of all sorts are all around us, and the way to the clearest mind and spirit are to diligently fill our bodies and lives with things that promote health and clarity, not bog us down and make us sick.<strong></strong></li>\r\n</ol>\r\nI asked Gwen and Nancy if the “not killing” principle lead to vegetarianism for Buddhists. Nancy said, “It does a lot of the time. Whatever people are—vegetarian, vegan—they end up eating with more awareness.” Gwen added, “However, Buddhists leaders recognize that the principles can’t be followed 100%. Even as vegetarians by boiling vegetables we’re killing hundreds of micro-organisms.”\r\n<h2>How Buddhism Principles Are Practical for Everyone</h2>\r\nGwen said, “It might be useful for your readers to know that you don’t have to be a Buddhist to meditate. Dharma, which means ‘doctrine, teacher,’ or ‘the way to enlightenment,’ can be used to harmonize. In fact, Thich Naht Hanh said if your beliefs don’t lead you to Buddhism, then ‘Be a better ____.’ Be a better Christian, be a better Muslim. He wasn’t trying to convert anyone.”\r\n\r\nIn Thich Naht Hanh’s book “<a href=\"http://www.amazon.com/Interbeing-Fourteen-Guidelines-Engaged-Buddhism/dp/0938077597/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1334980566&amp;sr=8-1\">Interbeing: Fourteen Guidelines for Engaged Buddhism</a>” he says the following:\r\n\r\nAware of the suffering created by fanaticism and intolerance, we are determined not to be idolatrous about or bound to any doctrine, theory, or ideology, even Buddhist ones. Buddhist teachings are guiding mean to help us learn to look deeply and to develop our understanding and compassion. They are not doctrines to fight, kill, or die for.\r\n\r\nThis quote was significant to Nancy because it means they put peace <em>over the survival of their own religion</em>.\r\n\r\nThe Detroit Lotus Sangha is currently working through another one of Thich Naht Hanh’s book called “Anger”.  Jaye said, “It’s not about how to suppress anger, but how to not cause ourselves and others suffering from it. It’s not just ‘Don’t be angry, so cut it out,’ but finding out <em>why</em> we’re angry, learning to process those emotions, and trying to not let it run rampant.”\r\n\r\n“Today [at the Sangha] we used the word ‘pause’,” Nancy said.\r\n\r\n“The idea is: just stop. Stop the talking. Stop the thinking. Stop and be present. Breath,” Jaye said.\r\n\r\n“Otherwise,” Nancy added, “we have a tendency to give into Habit Energy.” (Habit Energy is any kind of emotional pattern we fall into, such as the Habit Energy to be anxious.)\r\n<h2>Conclusion</h2>\r\nJaye had to leave before the interview had concluded, but I asked Gwen and Nancy how practicing Buddhism has affected them as a person.\r\n\r\nGwen said, “I am much calmer now. I used to be very high strung, compulsively working all the time. Now, I try to express things in a much more loving, compassionate way.”\r\n\r\nNancy struggled to come up with the words, but then she said something really beautiful: “I can’t say I’ve arrived, but I think I’m more aware of my challenges. I’m not perfect, but I’m better than I used to be. Does that count for something?”\r\n\r\nWhen I first walked into Gwen’s house I was immediately struck by the group’s kindness. They offered me food, allowed me to sit at the table with them while they finished their lesson from earlier in the day, and there was great sense of serenity in the house as we talked.\r\n\r\nOne thing that made my heart warm was the fact that all three women at the table were quick to admit their own flaws. They didn’t pretend to have it all together, didn’t try to convince me they had all the answers, and didn’t try to ignore real life. Gwen, Nancy, and Jaye emphasized throughout the entire conversation that they were trying to be better.\r\n\r\nWhen Jaye left, the three women exchanged tips on how to set aside time for meditation. They spoke sweetly to each other and were completely honest about their lives and schedules. This kind of conversation spoke to me because it’s the kind of honest, constructive, and supportive conversation I want in my own life.\r\n\r\nI do plan on reading some of Thich Naht Hanh’s books because I want to emulate many of the principles  in my own life. I am so grateful for Gwen’s hospitality and the warmth and openness that she, Nancy and Jaye showed me.  I look forward to learning even more the example that they lead in their lives.\r\n\r\n<strong>Thanks to Gwen, Nancy, Jaye, Dave, Sean, and the Detroit Lotus Sangha for being so generous and for talking with me.</strong>\r\n\r\n<em>Photo credit: Flickr / <a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/gzlu/377947069/in/photostream/\" target=\"_blank\">George Lu</a> (Lotus), <a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/rezdog/450398263/in/photostream/\" target=\"_blank\">d nelson</a> (Thich Nhat Hanh), <a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/edwarddalmulder/4195135224/in/photostream/\" target=\"_blank\">Edward Dalmulder</a> (snowy Buddha)</em>','Faith Interview Series: Zen Buddhism','','inherit','open','open','','6226-revision-8','','','2012-04-24 17:21:59','2012-04-25 00:21:59','',6226,'http://provoketive.com/2012/04/24/6226-revision-8/',0,'revision','',0),(6243,38,'2012-04-24 17:24:33','2012-04-25 00:24:33','<div>\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_6231\" align=\"alignright\" width=\"150\" caption=\"A lotus flower, a common symbol in Buddhism\"]<a href=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/lotus_flickr_george-lu.jpg\"><img class=\"size-thumbnail wp-image-6231\" src=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/lotus_flickr_george-lu-150x150.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nThe house was filling with white light from the humid, but serene Sunday afternoon. I was sitting at kitchen table listening to three women and a gentleman from the Detroit Lotus Sangha, a Zen Buddhism group, talk through the remainder of their lesson together. They talked about practicing a Mindfulness Day as I munched on the deliciously tangy split pea and tomato soup that Gwen, the host, offered me.\r\n\r\n</div>\r\nNancy, one of the women at the table who is a recently retired special education teacher from Troy, Michigan, told me that she first came to the Sangha (a Buddhist word for “community”) about a year ago. After going on a retreat she came home and discovered the group. “I was sort of hooked,” she said. “Jaye, the owner of the studio where the Sangha meets, the members … They seemed to have integrity. And I felt comfortable there. Being there with them was gratifying and inspiring.”\r\n\r\nThe Detroit Lotus Sangha was founded by a Vietnamese gentleman named Si Mo about four and a half years ago. They meet every Sunday at a martial arts studio in Ferndale, Michigan. They have about one dozen regulars week-to-week and 40 members altogether.\r\n\r\nThe Detroit Lotus Sangha follows the teachings of Thich Nhat Hanh, the most well-known Buddhist in the West next to the Dalai Lama. Thich Nhat Hanh is a Zen Buddhist teacher who has written over one-hundred books, many of which are in English. He was nominated by Martin Luther King for a Nobel Peace Prize for his work towards non-violence during the Vietnam War.\r\n\r\nZen Buddhism is a section of the Mahayana school of Buddhism whose goal is to alleviate the suffering of all beings and social engagement from a non-violent perspective. “I’ve read a lot of Eastern Buddhist philosophy, which can be kind of obscure and difficult to understand. What Thich Nhat Hanh has done is he has written books with the Western perspective in mind. It makes it practical and extremely accessible for people like you and me to practice,” said Jaye.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_6233\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Thich Nhat Hanh at the Huong Son Temple\"]<a href=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/tnh_flickr_d-nelson.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-6233\" src=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/tnh_flickr_d-nelson-300x168.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"168\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nThich Nhat Hanh is one of the first real leaders for what Gwen referred to as <a href=\"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Engaged_Buddhism\">Engaged Buddhism</a>. “We aren’t a group of people just sitting on our cushions contemplating things.” Nancy, who is sitting on the other side of the table, stood up to show me the text on her Detroit Lotus Sangha chocolate brown shirt: “Compassion is a verb.”\r\n\r\n“Well, it’s actually a noun,” Nancy said, “but that’s what it’s all about. It’s becoming aware of suffering around us, finding ways to alleviate for other beings and ourselves, and it’s about the call to nonviolence and social justice.”\r\n\r\nOne of the ways that the Sangha engages in social justice is by working with local charities. One of the local charities they will be working with soon is a farmer in Detroit. They will help prepare fields, plant organic crops, and distribute food. They also work with FernCare, a set of clinics for people without health insurance, and at the year’s end they donate to a fund that Thich Naht Hanh established for post-Vietnam war children.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_6238\" align=\"alignright\" width=\"174\" caption=\"A statue of the Buddha in the snow\"]<a href=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/buddha_flickr_edward-dalmulder_v2.jpg\"><img class=\" wp-image-6238 \" src=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/buddha_flickr_edward-dalmulder_v2-290x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"174\" height=\"180\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nGwen has been regularly meditating since late 2000. She found Thich Nhat Hanh’s books in 2004 and then found the Sangha just a few short years later. “His books made Buddhism so much more doable. It provides meditation techniques and everyday practices to help with negative emotions.”\r\n\r\n“It’s not just about sitting until your legs go numb. It’s about becoming more peaceful and involved in social movement in my life,” said Jaye. She said that for her the Sangha is an important part of her practice for building relationships with other people and hearing their struggles, thoughts and ideas to better themselves with.\r\n<h2>About Buddhism</h2>\r\nBuddhism is a nontheistic religion, with roughly 350 million followers across the globe, making it the fourth largest religion in the world. Zen Buddhism is a part of the Mahayana school of Buddhism.  The main goals of Mahayana Buddhism are: <strong>to do no evil, to do good, and save all beings.</strong>\r\n\r\nThere are three main sections of beliefs for Buddhists: the <strong>Four Noble Truths</strong>, the <strong>Eightfold Path</strong>, and the <strong>Ten Grand Precepts</strong>.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_6241\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"150\" caption=\"The Dharma Wheel, a symbol of Buddhism\"]<a href=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/dharma-wheel_wikimedia-commons.png\"><img class=\"size-thumbnail wp-image-6241\" src=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/dharma-wheel_wikimedia-commons-150x150.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n<h2>The Four Noble Truths</h2>\r\nBuddhists believe in a set of four principles called the Four Noble Truths that explain the universe and all that is in it. Barabara O’Brien, a practicing Zen Buddhist (but not one of the Thich Naht Hanh tradition) and writer for About.com says <a href=\"http://buddhism.about.com/od/thefournobletruths/a/fournobletruths.htm\">this</a>: “The Buddha\'s teachings on the Four Noble Truths are sometimes compared to a physician diagnosing an illness and prescribing a treatment. The first truth tells us what the illness is, and the second truth tells us what causes the illness. The Third Noble Truth holds out hope for a cure.”\r\n<ol>\r\n	<li>T<strong>he truth of suffering (<a href=\"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dukkha\">Dukkha</a>) – </strong>Most of the time, the first truth is translated as “Life is suffering.” But <em>dukkha</em>, the word used for “suffering” in this case refers to anything that is temporary, conditional, or passing. So, another way of looking at this is “Life is temporary.”</li>\r\n	<li><strong>The truth of the cause of suffering (<a href=\"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samudaya\">Samudaya</a>) – </strong>This truth means that suffering comes from a craving or thirst. We go through life trying to desperately find something to quench those cravings to fill the holes in our souls. We try to do this through things like relationships, food, clothing, power, etc. However, as much as we try, we are never satisfied. Humans have a tendency to latch onto things, whether they be material or ideas about the world. When these things come up empty and don’t satisfy our thirst, we only thirst more.</li>\r\n	<li><strong>The truth of the end of suffering (<a href=\"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nirodha\">Nirodha</a>) – </strong>Barbara O’Brien put it succinctly: “The Buddha taught that through diligent practice, we can put an end to craving. Ending the hamster-wheel chase after satisfaction is enlightenment.”</li>\r\n	<li><strong>The truth of the path that frees us from suffering (<a href=\"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magga\">Magga</a>)</strong></li>\r\n</ol>\r\n<h2>The Eightfold Path</h2>\r\nThe last of the Four Noble Truths refers to a path called the Eightfold Path. The Eightfold Path is a set of principles that lay out the way to enlightenment. Since Buddhism is more of an orthopraxy religion than orthodoxy, they focus on <em>right action</em> instead of <em>right belief</em>. Thus, the Eightfold Path serves as an impetus and a way to equip you with a focused heart and mind (click any of the following items to learn more about them):\r\n<ol>\r\n	<li><strong><a href=\"http://buddhism.about.com/od/theeightfoldpath/a/rightview.htm\">Right View</a> </strong></li>\r\n	<li><strong><a href=\"http://buddhism.about.com/od/theeightfoldpath/a/right-intention.htm\">Right Intention</a> </strong></li>\r\n	<li><strong><a href=\"http://buddhism.about.com/od/theeightfoldpath/a/rightspeech.htm\">Right Speech</a> </strong></li>\r\n	<li><strong><a href=\"http://buddhism.about.com/od/theeightfoldpath/a/right-action.htm\">Right Action</a> </strong></li>\r\n	<li><strong><a href=\"http://buddhism.about.com/od/theeightfoldpath/a/rightlivelihood.htm\">Right Livelihood</a> </strong></li>\r\n	<li><strong><a href=\"http://buddhism.about.com/od/theeightfoldpath/a/Right-Effort.htm\">Right Effort</a> </strong></li>\r\n	<li><strong><a href=\"http://buddhism.about.com/od/theeightfoldpath/a/right-mindfulness.htm\">Right Mindfulness</a> </strong></li>\r\n	<li><strong><a href=\"http://buddhism.about.com/od/theeightfoldpath/a/Right-Concentration.htm\">Right Concentration</a></strong></li>\r\n</ol>\r\n<h2>The Five Mindfulness Trainings</h2>\r\nGwen told me, “I think one of the misconceptions that people have about Buddhism is they think anything goes, like we have no moral compass. We aren’t here to condemn anyone, however we do have a set of principles regarding things like sexuality remaining within the bounds of a committed, loving, long-term relationship that has been made known to friends and family, being careful of the kinds of movies that we watch, being mindful of what we eat, etc.”\r\n\r\n“Basically we try to avoid junk food of any kind, whether that be ideas, food, how we spend our time online, entertainment—that sort of thing,” Nancy added. The set of principles that she and Gwen were referring to is contained in the Five Mindfulness Trainings (other sects of Buddhism may have more or less depending on the group).\r\n\r\nThe Five Mindfulness Trainings are expressions of the principles of The Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path:\r\n<ol start=\"1\">\r\n	<li><strong>Reverence for Life </strong>– Any form of killing to any living being is causing suffering to others, therefore causing more strife, emptiness, and harm to others, which is strictly against Buddhist goals and principles</li>\r\n	<li><strong>True Happiness </strong>– Somewhat related to the Reverence for Life, true happiness comes from helping eliminate and reduce the suffering of others</li>\r\n	<li><strong>True Love</strong> – The recognition that sexual desires and healthy, true love are very different things, one must strive to find the latter that can fill and express the former</li>\r\n	<li><strong>Loving Speech and Deep Listening</strong> – Words can damage or heal, and so the goal is to have loving, kind, and compassionate speech. Along with giving healing and warm words, one should also receive words from others in the same manner</li>\r\n	<li><strong>Nourishment and Healing – </strong>This is the principle that Nancy was speaking of when she said they try to avoid consuming junk. Toxins of all sorts are all around us, and the way to the clearest mind and spirit are to diligently fill our bodies and lives with things that promote health and clarity, not bog us down and make us sick.<strong></strong></li>\r\n</ol>\r\nI asked Gwen and Nancy if the “not killing” principle lead to vegetarianism for Buddhists. Nancy said, “It does a lot of the time. Whatever people are—vegetarian, vegan—they end up eating with more awareness.” Gwen added, “However, Buddhists leaders recognize that the principles can’t be followed 100%. Even as vegetarians by boiling vegetables we’re killing hundreds of micro-organisms.”\r\n<h2>How Buddhism Principles Are Practical for Everyone</h2>\r\nGwen said, “It might be useful for your readers to know that you don’t have to be a Buddhist to meditate. Dharma, which means ‘doctrine, teacher,’ or ‘the way to enlightenment,’ can be used to harmonize. In fact, Thich Naht Hanh said if your beliefs don’t lead you to Buddhism, then ‘Be a better ____.’ Be a better Christian, be a better Muslim. He wasn’t trying to convert anyone.”\r\n\r\nIn Thich Naht Hanh’s book “<a href=\"http://www.amazon.com/Interbeing-Fourteen-Guidelines-Engaged-Buddhism/dp/0938077597/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1334980566&amp;sr=8-1\">Interbeing: Fourteen Guidelines for Engaged Buddhism</a>” he says the following:\r\n<blockquote>Aware of the suffering created by fanaticism and intolerance, we are determined not to be idolatrous about or bound to any doctrine, theory, or ideology, even Buddhist ones. Buddhist teachings are guiding mean to help us learn to look deeply and to develop our understanding and compassion. They are not doctrines to fight, kill, or die for.</blockquote>\r\nThis quote was significant to Nancy because it means they put peace <em>over the survival of their own religion</em>.\r\n\r\nThe Detroit Lotus Sangha is currently working through another one of Thich Naht Hanh’s book called “Anger”.  Jaye said, “It’s not about how to suppress anger, but how to not cause ourselves and others suffering from it. It’s not just ‘Don’t be angry, so cut it out,’ but finding out <em>why</em> we’re angry, learning to process those emotions, and trying to not let it run rampant.”\r\n\r\n“Today [at the Sangha] we used the word ‘pause’,” Nancy said.\r\n\r\n“The idea is: just stop. Stop the talking. Stop the thinking. Stop and be present. Breath,” Jaye said.\r\n\r\n“Otherwise,” Nancy added, “we have a tendency to give into Habit Energy.” (Habit Energy is any kind of emotional pattern we fall into, such as the Habit Energy to be anxious.)\r\n<h2>Conclusion</h2>\r\nJaye had to leave before the interview had concluded, but I asked Gwen and Nancy how practicing Buddhism has affected them as a person.\r\n\r\nGwen said, “I am much calmer now. I used to be very high strung, compulsively working all the time. Now, I try to express things in a much more loving, compassionate way.”\r\n\r\nNancy struggled to come up with the words, but then she said something really beautiful: “I can’t say I’ve arrived, but I think I’m more aware of my challenges. I’m not perfect, but I’m better than I used to be. Does that count for something?”\r\n\r\nWhen I first walked into Gwen’s house I was immediately struck by the group’s kindness. They offered me food, allowed me to sit at the table with them while they finished their lesson from earlier in the day, and there was great sense of serenity in the house as we talked.\r\n\r\nOne thing that made my heart warm was the fact that all three women at the table were quick to admit their own flaws. They didn’t pretend to have it all together, didn’t try to convince me they had all the answers, and didn’t try to ignore real life. Gwen, Nancy, and Jaye emphasized throughout the entire conversation that they were trying to be better.\r\n\r\nWhen Jaye left, the three women exchanged tips on how to set aside time for meditation. They spoke sweetly to each other and were completely honest about their lives and schedules. This kind of conversation spoke to me because it’s the kind of honest, constructive, and supportive conversation I want in my own life.\r\n\r\nI do plan on reading some of Thich Naht Hanh’s books because I want to emulate many of the principles  in my own life. I am so grateful for Gwen’s hospitality and the warmth and openness that she, Nancy and Jaye showed me.  I look forward to learning even more the example that they lead in their lives.\r\n\r\n<strong>Thanks to Gwen, Nancy, Jaye, Dave, Sean, and the Detroit Lotus Sangha for being so generous and for talking with me.</strong>\r\n\r\n<em>Photo credit: Flickr / <a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/gzlu/377947069/in/photostream/\" target=\"_blank\">George Lu</a> (Lotus), <a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/rezdog/450398263/in/photostream/\" target=\"_blank\">d nelson</a> (Thich Nhat Hanh), <a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/edwarddalmulder/4195135224/in/photostream/\" target=\"_blank\">Edward Dalmulder</a> (snowy Buddha)</em>','Faith Interview Series: Zen Buddhism','','inherit','open','open','','6226-revision-9','','','2012-04-24 17:24:33','2012-04-25 00:24:33','',6226,'http://provoketive.com/2012/04/24/6226-revision-9/',0,'revision','',0),(6244,38,'2012-04-24 17:27:44','2012-04-25 00:27:44','','dalai-lama_flickr_abhikram','His Holiness the Dalai Lama','inherit','open','open','','dalai-lama_flickr_abhikram','','','2012-04-24 17:27:44','2012-04-25 00:27:44','',6226,'http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/dalai-lama_flickr_abhikram.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(6245,38,'2012-04-24 17:25:25','2012-04-25 00:25:25','<div>\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_6231\" align=\"alignright\" width=\"150\" caption=\"A lotus flower, a common symbol in Buddhism\"]<a href=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/lotus_flickr_george-lu.jpg\"><img class=\"size-thumbnail wp-image-6231\" src=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/lotus_flickr_george-lu-150x150.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nThe house was filling with white light from the humid, but serene Sunday afternoon. I was sitting at kitchen table listening to three women and a gentleman from the Detroit Lotus Sangha, a Zen Buddhism group, talk through the remainder of their lesson together. They talked about practicing a Mindfulness Day as I munched on the deliciously tangy split pea and tomato soup that Gwen, the host, offered me.\r\n\r\n</div>\r\nNancy, one of the women at the table who is a recently retired special education teacher from Troy, Michigan, told me that she first came to the Sangha (a Buddhist word for “community”) about a year ago. After going on a retreat she came home and discovered the group. “I was sort of hooked,” she said. “Jaye, the owner of the studio where the Sangha meets, the members … They seemed to have integrity. And I felt comfortable there. Being there with them was gratifying and inspiring.”\r\n\r\nThe Detroit Lotus Sangha was founded by a Vietnamese gentleman named Si Mo about four and a half years ago. They meet every Sunday at a martial arts studio in Ferndale, Michigan. They have about one dozen regulars week-to-week and 40 members altogether.\r\n\r\nThe Detroit Lotus Sangha follows the teachings of Thich Nhat Hanh, the most well-known Buddhist in the West next to the Dalai Lama. Thich Nhat Hanh is a Zen Buddhist teacher who has written over one-hundred books, many of which are in English. He was nominated by Martin Luther King for a Nobel Peace Prize for his work towards non-violence during the Vietnam War.\r\n\r\nZen Buddhism is a section of the Mahayana school of Buddhism whose goal is to alleviate the suffering of all beings and social engagement from a non-violent perspective. “I’ve read a lot of Eastern Buddhist philosophy, which can be kind of obscure and difficult to understand. What Thich Nhat Hanh has done is he has written books with the Western perspective in mind. It makes it practical and extremely accessible for people like you and me to practice,” said Jaye.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_6233\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Thich Nhat Hanh at the Huong Son Temple\"]<a href=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/tnh_flickr_d-nelson.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-6233\" src=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/tnh_flickr_d-nelson-300x168.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"168\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nThich Nhat Hanh is one of the first real leaders for what Gwen referred to as <a href=\"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Engaged_Buddhism\">Engaged Buddhism</a>. “We aren’t a group of people just sitting on our cushions contemplating things.” Nancy, who is sitting on the other side of the table, stood up to show me the text on her Detroit Lotus Sangha chocolate brown shirt: “Compassion is a verb.”\r\n\r\n“Well, it’s actually a noun,” Nancy said, “but that’s what it’s all about. It’s becoming aware of suffering around us, finding ways to alleviate for other beings and ourselves, and it’s about the call to nonviolence and social justice.”\r\n\r\nOne of the ways that the Sangha engages in social justice is by working with local charities. One of the local charities they will be working with soon is a farmer in Detroit. They will help prepare fields, plant organic crops, and distribute food. They also work with FernCare, a set of clinics for people without health insurance, and at the year’s end they donate to a fund that Thich Naht Hanh established for post-Vietnam war children.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_6238\" align=\"alignright\" width=\"174\" caption=\"A statue of the Buddha in the snow\"]<a href=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/buddha_flickr_edward-dalmulder_v2.jpg\"><img class=\" wp-image-6238 \" src=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/buddha_flickr_edward-dalmulder_v2-290x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"174\" height=\"180\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nGwen has been regularly meditating since late 2000. She found Thich Nhat Hanh’s books in 2004 and then found the Sangha just a few short years later. “His books made Buddhism so much more doable. It provides meditation techniques and everyday practices to help with negative emotions.”\r\n\r\n“It’s not just about sitting until your legs go numb. It’s about becoming more peaceful and involved in social movement in my life,” said Jaye. She said that for her the Sangha is an important part of her practice for building relationships with other people and hearing their struggles, thoughts and ideas to better themselves with.\r\n<h2>About Buddhism</h2>\r\nBuddhism is a nontheistic religion, with roughly 350 million followers across the globe, making it the fourth largest religion in the world. Zen Buddhism is a part of the Mahayana school of Buddhism.  The main goals of Mahayana Buddhism are: <strong>to do no evil, to do good, and save all beings.</strong>\r\n\r\nThere are three main sections of beliefs for Buddhists: the <strong>Four Noble Truths</strong>, the <strong>Eightfold Path</strong>, and the <strong>Ten Grand Precepts</strong>.\r\n<h2>The Four Noble Truths</h2>\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_6241\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"90\" caption=\"The Dharma Wheel, a symbol of Buddhism\"]<a href=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/dharma-wheel_wikimedia-commons.png\"><img class=\" wp-image-6241 \" src=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/dharma-wheel_wikimedia-commons-150x150.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"90\" height=\"90\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nBuddhists believe in a set of four principles called the Four Noble Truths that explain the universe and all that is in it. Barabara O’Brien, a practicing Zen Buddhist (but not one of the Thich Naht Hanh tradition) and writer for About.com says <a href=\"http://buddhism.about.com/od/thefournobletruths/a/fournobletruths.htm\">this</a>: “The Buddha\'s teachings on the Four Noble Truths are sometimes compared to a physician diagnosing an illness and prescribing a treatment. The first truth tells us what the illness is, and the second truth tells us what causes the illness. The Third Noble Truth holds out hope for a cure.”\r\n<ol>\r\n	<li>T<strong>he truth of suffering (<a href=\"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dukkha\">Dukkha</a>) – </strong>Most of the time, the first truth is translated as “Life is suffering.” But <em>dukkha</em>, the word used for “suffering” in this case refers to anything that is temporary, conditional, or passing. So, another way of looking at this is “Life is temporary.”</li>\r\n	<li><strong>The truth of the cause of suffering (<a href=\"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samudaya\">Samudaya</a>) – </strong>This truth means that suffering comes from a craving or thirst. We go through life trying to desperately find something to quench those cravings to fill the holes in our souls. We try to do this through things like relationships, food, clothing, power, etc. However, as much as we try, we are never satisfied. Humans have a tendency to latch onto things, whether they be material or ideas about the world. When these things come up empty and don’t satisfy our thirst, we only thirst more.</li>\r\n	<li><strong>The truth of the end of suffering (<a href=\"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nirodha\">Nirodha</a>) – </strong>Barbara O’Brien put it succinctly: “The Buddha taught that through diligent practice, we can put an end to craving. Ending the hamster-wheel chase after satisfaction is enlightenment.”</li>\r\n	<li><strong>The truth of the path that frees us from suffering (<a href=\"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magga\">Magga</a>)</strong></li>\r\n</ol>\r\n<h2>The Eightfold Path</h2>\r\nThe last of the Four Noble Truths refers to a path called the Eightfold Path. The Eightfold Path is a set of principles that lay out the way to enlightenment. Since Buddhism is more of an orthopraxy religion than orthodoxy, they focus on <em>right action</em> instead of <em>right belief</em>. Thus, the Eightfold Path serves as an impetus and a way to equip you with a focused heart and mind (click any of the following items to learn more about them):\r\n<ol>\r\n	<li><strong><a href=\"http://buddhism.about.com/od/theeightfoldpath/a/rightview.htm\">Right View</a> </strong></li>\r\n	<li><strong><a href=\"http://buddhism.about.com/od/theeightfoldpath/a/right-intention.htm\">Right Intention</a> </strong></li>\r\n	<li><strong><a href=\"http://buddhism.about.com/od/theeightfoldpath/a/rightspeech.htm\">Right Speech</a> </strong></li>\r\n	<li><strong><a href=\"http://buddhism.about.com/od/theeightfoldpath/a/right-action.htm\">Right Action</a> </strong></li>\r\n	<li><strong><a href=\"http://buddhism.about.com/od/theeightfoldpath/a/rightlivelihood.htm\">Right Livelihood</a> </strong></li>\r\n	<li><strong><a href=\"http://buddhism.about.com/od/theeightfoldpath/a/Right-Effort.htm\">Right Effort</a> </strong></li>\r\n	<li><strong><a href=\"http://buddhism.about.com/od/theeightfoldpath/a/right-mindfulness.htm\">Right Mindfulness</a> </strong></li>\r\n	<li><strong><a href=\"http://buddhism.about.com/od/theeightfoldpath/a/Right-Concentration.htm\">Right Concentration</a></strong></li>\r\n</ol>\r\n<h2>The Five Mindfulness Trainings</h2>\r\nGwen told me, “I think one of the misconceptions that people have about Buddhism is they think anything goes, like we have no moral compass. We aren’t here to condemn anyone, however we do have a set of principles regarding things like sexuality remaining within the bounds of a committed, loving, long-term relationship that has been made known to friends and family, being careful of the kinds of movies that we watch, being mindful of what we eat, etc.”\r\n\r\n“Basically we try to avoid junk food of any kind, whether that be ideas, food, how we spend our time online, entertainment—that sort of thing,” Nancy added. The set of principles that she and Gwen were referring to is contained in the Five Mindfulness Trainings (other sects of Buddhism may have more or less depending on the group).\r\n\r\nThe Five Mindfulness Trainings are expressions of the principles of The Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path:\r\n<ol start=\"1\">\r\n	<li><strong>Reverence for Life </strong>– Any form of killing to any living being is causing suffering to others, therefore causing more strife, emptiness, and harm to others, which is strictly against Buddhist goals and principles</li>\r\n	<li><strong>True Happiness </strong>– Somewhat related to the Reverence for Life, true happiness comes from helping eliminate and reduce the suffering of others</li>\r\n	<li><strong>True Love</strong> – The recognition that sexual desires and healthy, true love are very different things, one must strive to find the latter that can fill and express the former</li>\r\n	<li><strong>Loving Speech and Deep Listening</strong> – Words can damage or heal, and so the goal is to have loving, kind, and compassionate speech. Along with giving healing and warm words, one should also receive words from others in the same manner</li>\r\n	<li><strong>Nourishment and Healing – </strong>This is the principle that Nancy was speaking of when she said they try to avoid consuming junk. Toxins of all sorts are all around us, and the way to the clearest mind and spirit are to diligently fill our bodies and lives with things that promote health and clarity, not bog us down and make us sick.<strong></strong></li>\r\n</ol>\r\nI asked Gwen and Nancy if the “not killing” principle lead to vegetarianism for Buddhists. Nancy said, “It does a lot of the time. Whatever people are—vegetarian, vegan—they end up eating with more awareness.” Gwen added, “However, Buddhists leaders recognize that the principles can’t be followed 100%. Even as vegetarians by boiling vegetables we’re killing hundreds of micro-organisms.”\r\n<h2>How Buddhism Principles Are Practical for Everyone</h2>\r\nGwen said, “It might be useful for your readers to know that you don’t have to be a Buddhist to meditate. Dharma, which means ‘doctrine, teacher,’ or ‘the way to enlightenment,’ can be used to harmonize. In fact, Thich Naht Hanh said if your beliefs don’t lead you to Buddhism, then ‘Be a better ____.’ Be a better Christian, be a better Muslim. He wasn’t trying to convert anyone.”\r\n\r\nIn Thich Naht Hanh’s book “<a href=\"http://www.amazon.com/Interbeing-Fourteen-Guidelines-Engaged-Buddhism/dp/0938077597/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1334980566&amp;sr=8-1\">Interbeing: Fourteen Guidelines for Engaged Buddhism</a>” he says the following:\r\n<blockquote>Aware of the suffering created by fanaticism and intolerance, we are determined not to be idolatrous about or bound to any doctrine, theory, or ideology, even Buddhist ones. Buddhist teachings are guiding mean to help us learn to look deeply and to develop our understanding and compassion. They are not doctrines to fight, kill, or die for.</blockquote>\r\nThis quote was significant to Nancy because it means they put peace <em>over the survival of their own religion</em>.\r\n\r\nThe Detroit Lotus Sangha is currently working through another one of Thich Naht Hanh’s book called “Anger”.  Jaye said, “It’s not about how to suppress anger, but how to not cause ourselves and others suffering from it. It’s not just ‘Don’t be angry, so cut it out,’ but finding out <em>why</em> we’re angry, learning to process those emotions, and trying to not let it run rampant.”\r\n\r\n“Today [at the Sangha] we used the word ‘pause’,” Nancy said.\r\n\r\n“The idea is: just stop. Stop the talking. Stop the thinking. Stop and be present. Breath,” Jaye said.\r\n\r\n“Otherwise,” Nancy added, “we have a tendency to give into Habit Energy.” (Habit Energy is any kind of emotional pattern we fall into, such as the Habit Energy to be anxious.)\r\n<h2>Conclusion</h2>\r\nJaye had to leave before the interview had concluded, but I asked Gwen and Nancy how practicing Buddhism has affected them as a person.\r\n\r\nGwen said, “I am much calmer now. I used to be very high strung, compulsively working all the time. Now, I try to express things in a much more loving, compassionate way.”\r\n\r\nNancy struggled to come up with the words, but then she said something really beautiful: “I can’t say I’ve arrived, but I think I’m more aware of my challenges. I’m not perfect, but I’m better than I used to be. Does that count for something?”\r\n\r\nWhen I first walked into Gwen’s house I was immediately struck by the group’s kindness. They offered me food, allowed me to sit at the table with them while they finished their lesson from earlier in the day, and there was great sense of serenity in the house as we talked.\r\n\r\nOne thing that made my heart warm was the fact that all three women at the table were quick to admit their own flaws. They didn’t pretend to have it all together, didn’t try to convince me they had all the answers, and didn’t try to ignore real life. Gwen, Nancy, and Jaye emphasized throughout the entire conversation that they were trying to be better.\r\n\r\nWhen Jaye left, the three women exchanged tips on how to set aside time for meditation. They spoke sweetly to each other and were completely honest about their lives and schedules. This kind of conversation spoke to me because it’s the kind of honest, constructive, and supportive conversation I want in my own life.\r\n\r\nI do plan on reading some of Thich Naht Hanh’s books because I want to emulate many of the principles  in my own life. I am so grateful for Gwen’s hospitality and the warmth and openness that she, Nancy and Jaye showed me.  I look forward to learning even more the example that they lead in their lives.\r\n\r\n<strong>Thanks to Gwen, Nancy, Jaye, Dave, Sean, and the Detroit Lotus Sangha for being so generous and for talking with me.</strong>\r\n\r\n<em>Photo credit: Flickr / <a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/gzlu/377947069/in/photostream/\" target=\"_blank\">George Lu</a> (Lotus), <a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/rezdog/450398263/in/photostream/\" target=\"_blank\">d nelson</a> (Thich Nhat Hanh), <a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/edwarddalmulder/4195135224/in/photostream/\" target=\"_blank\">Edward Dalmulder</a> (snowy Buddha)</em>','Faith Interview Series: Zen Buddhism','','inherit','open','open','','6226-revision-10','','','2012-04-24 17:25:25','2012-04-25 00:25:25','',6226,'http://provoketive.com/2012/04/24/6226-revision-10/',0,'revision','',0),(6246,38,'2012-04-24 17:30:11','2012-04-25 00:30:11','','buddhist-temple_flickr_devadath','A Buddhist Temple in Sikkim','inherit','open','open','','buddhist-temple_flickr_devadath','','','2012-04-24 17:30:11','2012-04-25 00:30:11','',6226,'http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/buddhist-temple_flickr_devadath.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(6247,38,'2012-04-24 17:28:01','2012-04-25 00:28:01','<div>\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_6231\" align=\"alignright\" width=\"150\" caption=\"A lotus flower, a common symbol in Buddhism\"]<a href=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/lotus_flickr_george-lu.jpg\"><img class=\"size-thumbnail wp-image-6231\" src=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/lotus_flickr_george-lu-150x150.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nThe house was filling with white light from the humid, but serene Sunday afternoon. I was sitting at kitchen table listening to three women and a gentleman from the Detroit Lotus Sangha, a Zen Buddhism group, talk through the remainder of their lesson together. They talked about practicing a Mindfulness Day as I munched on the deliciously tangy split pea and tomato soup that Gwen, the host, offered me.\r\n\r\n</div>\r\nNancy, one of the women at the table who is a recently retired special education teacher from Troy, Michigan, told me that she first came to the Sangha (a Buddhist word for “community”) about a year ago. After going on a retreat she came home and discovered the group. “I was sort of hooked,” she said. “Jaye, the owner of the studio where the Sangha meets, the members … They seemed to have integrity. And I felt comfortable there. Being there with them was gratifying and inspiring.”\r\n\r\nThe Detroit Lotus Sangha was founded by a Vietnamese gentleman named Si Mo about four and a half years ago. They meet every Sunday at a martial arts studio in Ferndale, Michigan. They have about one dozen regulars week-to-week and 40 members altogether.\r\n\r\nThe Detroit Lotus Sangha follows the teachings of Thich Nhat Hanh, the most well-known Buddhist in the West next to the Dalai Lama. Thich Nhat Hanh is a Zen Buddhist teacher who has written over one-hundred books, many of which are in English. He was nominated by Martin Luther King for a Nobel Peace Prize for his work towards non-violence during the Vietnam War.\r\n\r\nZen Buddhism is a section of the Mahayana school of Buddhism whose goal is to alleviate the suffering of all beings and social engagement from a non-violent perspective. “I’ve read a lot of Eastern Buddhist philosophy, which can be kind of obscure and difficult to understand. What Thich Nhat Hanh has done is he has written books with the Western perspective in mind. It makes it practical and extremely accessible for people like you and me to practice,” said Jaye.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_6233\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Thich Nhat Hanh at the Huong Son Temple\"]<a href=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/tnh_flickr_d-nelson.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-6233\" src=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/tnh_flickr_d-nelson-300x168.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"168\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nThich Nhat Hanh is one of the first real leaders for what Gwen referred to as <a href=\"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Engaged_Buddhism\">Engaged Buddhism</a>. “We aren’t a group of people just sitting on our cushions contemplating things.” Nancy, who is sitting on the other side of the table, stood up to show me the text on her Detroit Lotus Sangha chocolate brown shirt: “Compassion is a verb.”\r\n\r\n“Well, it’s actually a noun,” Nancy said, “but that’s what it’s all about. It’s becoming aware of suffering around us, finding ways to alleviate for other beings and ourselves, and it’s about the call to nonviolence and social justice.”\r\n\r\nOne of the ways that the Sangha engages in social justice is by working with local charities. One of the local charities they will be working with soon is a farmer in Detroit. They will help prepare fields, plant organic crops, and distribute food. They also work with FernCare, a set of clinics for people without health insurance, and at the year’s end they donate to a fund that Thich Naht Hanh established for post-Vietnam war children.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_6238\" align=\"alignright\" width=\"174\" caption=\"A statue of the Buddha in the snow\"]<a href=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/buddha_flickr_edward-dalmulder_v2.jpg\"><img class=\" wp-image-6238 \" src=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/buddha_flickr_edward-dalmulder_v2-290x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"174\" height=\"180\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nGwen has been regularly meditating since late 2000. She found Thich Nhat Hanh’s books in 2004 and then found the Sangha just a few short years later. “His books made Buddhism so much more doable. It provides meditation techniques and everyday practices to help with negative emotions.”\r\n\r\n“It’s not just about sitting until your legs go numb. It’s about becoming more peaceful and involved in social movement in my life,” said Jaye. She said that for her the Sangha is an important part of her practice for building relationships with other people and hearing their struggles, thoughts and ideas to better themselves with.\r\n<h2>About Buddhism</h2>\r\nBuddhism is a nontheistic religion, with roughly 350 million followers across the globe, making it the fourth largest religion in the world. Zen Buddhism is a part of the Mahayana school of Buddhism.  The main goals of Mahayana Buddhism are: <strong>to do no evil, to do good, and save all beings.</strong>\r\n\r\nThere are three main sections of beliefs for Buddhists: the <strong>Four Noble Truths</strong>, the <strong>Eightfold Path</strong>, and the <strong>Ten Grand Precepts</strong>.\r\n<h2>The Four Noble Truths</h2>\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_6241\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"90\" caption=\"The Dharma Wheel, a symbol of Buddhism\"]<a href=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/dharma-wheel_wikimedia-commons.png\"><img class=\" wp-image-6241 \" src=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/dharma-wheel_wikimedia-commons-150x150.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"90\" height=\"90\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nBuddhists believe in a set of four principles called the Four Noble Truths that explain the universe and all that is in it. Barabara O’Brien, a practicing Zen Buddhist (but not one of the Thich Naht Hanh tradition) and writer for About.com says <a href=\"http://buddhism.about.com/od/thefournobletruths/a/fournobletruths.htm\">this</a>: “The Buddha\'s teachings on the Four Noble Truths are sometimes compared to a physician diagnosing an illness and prescribing a treatment. The first truth tells us what the illness is, and the second truth tells us what causes the illness. The Third Noble Truth holds out hope for a cure.”\r\n<ol>\r\n	<li>T<strong>he truth of suffering (<a href=\"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dukkha\">Dukkha</a>) – </strong>Most of the time, the first truth is translated as “Life is suffering.” But <em>dukkha</em>, the word used for “suffering” in this case refers to anything that is temporary, conditional, or passing. So, another way of looking at this is “Life is temporary.”</li>\r\n	<li><strong>The truth of the cause of suffering (<a href=\"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samudaya\">Samudaya</a>) – </strong>This truth means that suffering comes from a craving or thirst. We go through life trying to desperately find something to quench those cravings to fill the holes in our souls. We try to do this through things like relationships, food, clothing, power, etc. However, as much as we try, we are never satisfied. Humans have a tendency to latch onto things, whether they be material or ideas about the world. When these things come up empty and don’t satisfy our thirst, we only thirst more.</li>\r\n	<li><strong>The truth of the end of suffering (<a href=\"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nirodha\">Nirodha</a>) – </strong>Barbara O’Brien put it succinctly: “The Buddha taught that through diligent practice, we can put an end to craving. Ending the hamster-wheel chase after satisfaction is enlightenment.”</li>\r\n	<li><strong>The truth of the path that frees us from suffering (<a href=\"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magga\">Magga</a>)</strong></li>\r\n</ol>\r\n<h2>The Eightfold Path</h2>\r\nThe last of the Four Noble Truths refers to a path called the Eightfold Path. The Eightfold Path is a set of principles that lay out the way to enlightenment. Since Buddhism is more of an orthopraxy religion than orthodoxy, they focus on <em>right action</em> instead of <em>right belief</em>. Thus, the Eightfold Path serves as an impetus and a way to equip you with a focused heart and mind (click any of the following items to learn more about them):\r\n<ol>\r\n	<li><strong><a href=\"http://buddhism.about.com/od/theeightfoldpath/a/rightview.htm\">Right View</a> </strong></li>\r\n	<li><strong><a href=\"http://buddhism.about.com/od/theeightfoldpath/a/right-intention.htm\">Right Intention</a> </strong></li>\r\n	<li><strong><a href=\"http://buddhism.about.com/od/theeightfoldpath/a/rightspeech.htm\">Right Speech</a> </strong></li>\r\n	<li><strong><a href=\"http://buddhism.about.com/od/theeightfoldpath/a/right-action.htm\">Right Action</a> </strong></li>\r\n	<li><strong><a href=\"http://buddhism.about.com/od/theeightfoldpath/a/rightlivelihood.htm\">Right Livelihood</a> </strong></li>\r\n	<li><strong><a href=\"http://buddhism.about.com/od/theeightfoldpath/a/Right-Effort.htm\">Right Effort</a> </strong></li>\r\n	<li><strong><a href=\"http://buddhism.about.com/od/theeightfoldpath/a/right-mindfulness.htm\">Right Mindfulness</a> </strong></li>\r\n	<li><strong><a href=\"http://buddhism.about.com/od/theeightfoldpath/a/Right-Concentration.htm\">Right Concentration</a></strong></li>\r\n</ol>\r\n<h2>The Five Mindfulness Trainings</h2>\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_6244\" align=\"alignright\" width=\"150\" caption=\"His Holiness the Dalai Lama\"]<a href=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/dalai-lama_flickr_abhikram.jpg\"><img class=\"size-thumbnail wp-image-6244\" src=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/dalai-lama_flickr_abhikram-150x150.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nGwen told me, “I think one of the misconceptions that people have about Buddhism is they think anything goes, like we have no moral compass. We aren’t here to condemn anyone, however we do have a set of principles regarding things like sexuality remaining within the bounds of a committed, loving, long-term relationship that has been made known to friends and family, being careful of the kinds of movies that we watch, being mindful of what we eat, etc.”\r\n\r\n“Basically we try to avoid junk food of any kind, whether that be ideas, food, how we spend our time online, entertainment—that sort of thing,” Nancy added. The set of principles that she and Gwen were referring to is contained in the Five Mindfulness Trainings (other sects of Buddhism may have more or less depending on the group).\r\n\r\nThe Five Mindfulness Trainings are expressions of the principles of The Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path:\r\n<ol start=\"1\">\r\n	<li><strong>Reverence for Life </strong>– Any form of killing to any living being is causing suffering to others, therefore causing more strife, emptiness, and harm to others, which is strictly against Buddhist goals and principles</li>\r\n	<li><strong>True Happiness </strong>– Somewhat related to the Reverence for Life, true happiness comes from helping eliminate and reduce the suffering of others</li>\r\n	<li><strong>True Love</strong> – The recognition that sexual desires and healthy, true love are very different things, one must strive to find the latter that can fill and express the former</li>\r\n	<li><strong>Loving Speech and Deep Listening</strong> – Words can damage or heal, and so the goal is to have loving, kind, and compassionate speech. Along with giving healing and warm words, one should also receive words from others in the same manner</li>\r\n	<li><strong>Nourishment and Healing – </strong>This is the principle that Nancy was speaking of when she said they try to avoid consuming junk. Toxins of all sorts are all around us, and the way to the clearest mind and spirit are to diligently fill our bodies and lives with things that promote health and clarity, not bog us down and make us sick.<strong></strong></li>\r\n</ol>\r\nI asked Gwen and Nancy if the “not killing” principle lead to vegetarianism for Buddhists. Nancy said, “It does a lot of the time. Whatever people are—vegetarian, vegan—they end up eating with more awareness.” Gwen added, “However, Buddhists leaders recognize that the principles can’t be followed 100%. Even as vegetarians by boiling vegetables we’re killing hundreds of micro-organisms.”\r\n<h2>How Buddhism Principles Are Practical for Everyone</h2>\r\nGwen said, “It might be useful for your readers to know that you don’t have to be a Buddhist to meditate. Dharma, which means ‘doctrine, teacher,’ or ‘the way to enlightenment,’ can be used to harmonize. In fact, Thich Naht Hanh said if your beliefs don’t lead you to Buddhism, then ‘Be a better ____.’ Be a better Christian, be a better Muslim. He wasn’t trying to convert anyone.”\r\n\r\nIn Thich Naht Hanh’s book “<a href=\"http://www.amazon.com/Interbeing-Fourteen-Guidelines-Engaged-Buddhism/dp/0938077597/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1334980566&amp;sr=8-1\">Interbeing: Fourteen Guidelines for Engaged Buddhism</a>” he says the following:\r\n<blockquote>Aware of the suffering created by fanaticism and intolerance, we are determined not to be idolatrous about or bound to any doctrine, theory, or ideology, even Buddhist ones. Buddhist teachings are guiding mean to help us learn to look deeply and to develop our understanding and compassion. They are not doctrines to fight, kill, or die for.</blockquote>\r\nThis quote was significant to Nancy because it means they put peace <em>over the survival of their own religion</em>.\r\n\r\nThe Detroit Lotus Sangha is currently working through another one of Thich Naht Hanh’s book called “Anger”.  Jaye said, “It’s not about how to suppress anger, but how to not cause ourselves and others suffering from it. It’s not just ‘Don’t be angry, so cut it out,’ but finding out <em>why</em> we’re angry, learning to process those emotions, and trying to not let it run rampant.”\r\n\r\n“Today [at the Sangha] we used the word ‘pause’,” Nancy said.\r\n\r\n“The idea is: just stop. Stop the talking. Stop the thinking. Stop and be present. Breath,” Jaye said.\r\n\r\n“Otherwise,” Nancy added, “we have a tendency to give into Habit Energy.” (Habit Energy is any kind of emotional pattern we fall into, such as the Habit Energy to be anxious.)\r\n<h2>Conclusion</h2>\r\nJaye had to leave before the interview had concluded, but I asked Gwen and Nancy how practicing Buddhism has affected them as a person.\r\n\r\nGwen said, “I am much calmer now. I used to be very high strung, compulsively working all the time. Now, I try to express things in a much more loving, compassionate way.”\r\n\r\nNancy struggled to come up with the words, but then she said something really beautiful: “I can’t say I’ve arrived, but I think I’m more aware of my challenges. I’m not perfect, but I’m better than I used to be. Does that count for something?”\r\n\r\nWhen I first walked into Gwen’s house I was immediately struck by the group’s kindness. They offered me food, allowed me to sit at the table with them while they finished their lesson from earlier in the day, and there was great sense of serenity in the house as we talked.\r\n\r\nOne thing that made my heart warm was the fact that all three women at the table were quick to admit their own flaws. They didn’t pretend to have it all together, didn’t try to convince me they had all the answers, and didn’t try to ignore real life. Gwen, Nancy, and Jaye emphasized throughout the entire conversation that they were trying to be better.\r\n\r\nWhen Jaye left, the three women exchanged tips on how to set aside time for meditation. They spoke sweetly to each other and were completely honest about their lives and schedules. This kind of conversation spoke to me because it’s the kind of honest, constructive, and supportive conversation I want in my own life.\r\n\r\nI do plan on reading some of Thich Naht Hanh’s books because I want to emulate many of the principles  in my own life. I am so grateful for Gwen’s hospitality and the warmth and openness that she, Nancy and Jaye showed me.  I look forward to learning even more the example that they lead in their lives.\r\n\r\n<strong>Thanks to Gwen, Nancy, Jaye, Dave, Sean, and the Detroit Lotus Sangha for being so generous and for talking with me.</strong>\r\n\r\n<em>Photo credit: Flickr / <a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/gzlu/377947069/in/photostream/\" target=\"_blank\">George Lu</a> (Lotus), <a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/rezdog/450398263/in/photostream/\" target=\"_blank\">d nelson</a> (Thich Nhat Hanh), <a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/edwarddalmulder/4195135224/in/photostream/\" target=\"_blank\">Edward Dalmulder</a> (snowy Buddha), <a href=\"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Dharma_Wheel.svg\" target=\"_blank\">Wikimedia Commons</a> (Dharma Wheel), Flickr / <a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/36668473@N05/4133002232/in/photostream/\" target=\"_blank\">abhikrama</a> (His Holiness the Dalai Lama)</em>','Faith Interview Series: Zen Buddhism','','inherit','open','open','','6226-revision-11','','','2012-04-24 17:28:01','2012-04-25 00:28:01','',6226,'http://provoketive.com/2012/04/24/6226-revision-11/',0,'revision','',0),(6248,38,'2012-04-24 17:33:12','2012-04-25 00:33:12','','peace-bell_flickr_ferdy001','Ven. Thich Thong Hai rings the peace bell','inherit','open','open','','peace-bell_flickr_ferdy001','','','2012-04-24 17:33:12','2012-04-25 00:33:12','',6226,'http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/peace-bell_flickr_ferdy001.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(6249,38,'2012-04-24 17:31:06','2012-04-25 00:31:06','<div>\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_6231\" align=\"alignright\" width=\"150\" caption=\"A lotus flower, a common symbol in Buddhism\"]<a href=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/lotus_flickr_george-lu.jpg\"><img class=\"size-thumbnail wp-image-6231\" src=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/lotus_flickr_george-lu-150x150.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nThe house was filling with white light from the humid, but serene Sunday afternoon. I was sitting at kitchen table listening to three women and a gentleman from the Detroit Lotus Sangha, a Zen Buddhism group, talk through the remainder of their lesson together. They talked about practicing a Mindfulness Day as I munched on the deliciously tangy split pea and tomato soup that Gwen, the host, offered me.\r\n\r\n</div>\r\nNancy, one of the women at the table who is a recently retired special education teacher from Troy, Michigan, told me that she first came to the Sangha (a Buddhist word for “community”) about a year ago. After going on a retreat she came home and discovered the group. “I was sort of hooked,” she said. “Jaye, the owner of the studio where the Sangha meets, the members … They seemed to have integrity. And I felt comfortable there. Being there with them was gratifying and inspiring.”\r\n\r\nThe Detroit Lotus Sangha was founded by a Vietnamese gentleman named Si Mo about four and a half years ago. They meet every Sunday at a martial arts studio in Ferndale, Michigan. They have about one dozen regulars week-to-week and 40 members altogether.\r\n\r\nThe Detroit Lotus Sangha follows the teachings of Thich Nhat Hanh, the most well-known Buddhist in the West next to the Dalai Lama. Thich Nhat Hanh is a Zen Buddhist teacher who has written over one-hundred books, many of which are in English. He was nominated by Martin Luther King for a Nobel Peace Prize for his work towards non-violence during the Vietnam War.\r\n\r\nZen Buddhism is a section of the Mahayana school of Buddhism whose goal is to alleviate the suffering of all beings and social engagement from a non-violent perspective. “I’ve read a lot of Eastern Buddhist philosophy, which can be kind of obscure and difficult to understand. What Thich Nhat Hanh has done is he has written books with the Western perspective in mind. It makes it practical and extremely accessible for people like you and me to practice,” said Jaye.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_6233\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Thich Nhat Hanh at the Huong Son Temple\"]<a href=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/tnh_flickr_d-nelson.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-6233\" src=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/tnh_flickr_d-nelson-300x168.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"168\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nThich Nhat Hanh is one of the first real leaders for what Gwen referred to as <a href=\"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Engaged_Buddhism\">Engaged Buddhism</a>. “We aren’t a group of people just sitting on our cushions contemplating things.” Nancy, who is sitting on the other side of the table, stood up to show me the text on her Detroit Lotus Sangha chocolate brown shirt: “Compassion is a verb.”\r\n\r\n“Well, it’s actually a noun,” Nancy said, “but that’s what it’s all about. It’s becoming aware of suffering around us, finding ways to alleviate for other beings and ourselves, and it’s about the call to nonviolence and social justice.”\r\n\r\nOne of the ways that the Sangha engages in social justice is by working with local charities. One of the local charities they will be working with soon is a farmer in Detroit. They will help prepare fields, plant organic crops, and distribute food. They also work with FernCare, a set of clinics for people without health insurance, and at the year’s end they donate to a fund that Thich Naht Hanh established for post-Vietnam war children.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_6238\" align=\"alignright\" width=\"174\" caption=\"A statue of the Buddha in the snow\"]<a href=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/buddha_flickr_edward-dalmulder_v2.jpg\"><img class=\" wp-image-6238 \" src=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/buddha_flickr_edward-dalmulder_v2-290x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"174\" height=\"180\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nGwen has been regularly meditating since late 2000. She found Thich Nhat Hanh’s books in 2004 and then found the Sangha just a few short years later. “His books made Buddhism so much more doable. It provides meditation techniques and everyday practices to help with negative emotions.”\r\n\r\n“It’s not just about sitting until your legs go numb. It’s about becoming more peaceful and involved in social movement in my life,” said Jaye. She said that for her the Sangha is an important part of her practice for building relationships with other people and hearing their struggles, thoughts and ideas to better themselves with.\r\n<h2>About Buddhism</h2>\r\nBuddhism is a nontheistic religion, with roughly 350 million followers across the globe, making it the fourth largest religion in the world. Zen Buddhism is a part of the Mahayana school of Buddhism.  The main goals of Mahayana Buddhism are: <strong>to do no evil, to do good, and save all beings.</strong>\r\n\r\nThere are three main sections of beliefs for Buddhists: the <strong>Four Noble Truths</strong>, the <strong>Eightfold Path</strong>, and the <strong>Ten Grand Precepts</strong>.\r\n<h2>The Four Noble Truths</h2>\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_6241\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"90\" caption=\"The Dharma Wheel, a symbol of Buddhism\"]<a href=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/dharma-wheel_wikimedia-commons.png\"><img class=\" wp-image-6241 \" src=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/dharma-wheel_wikimedia-commons-150x150.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"90\" height=\"90\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nBuddhists believe in a set of four principles called the Four Noble Truths that explain the universe and all that is in it. Barabara O’Brien, a practicing Zen Buddhist (but not one of the Thich Naht Hanh tradition) and writer for About.com says <a href=\"http://buddhism.about.com/od/thefournobletruths/a/fournobletruths.htm\">this</a>: “The Buddha\'s teachings on the Four Noble Truths are sometimes compared to a physician diagnosing an illness and prescribing a treatment. The first truth tells us what the illness is, and the second truth tells us what causes the illness. The Third Noble Truth holds out hope for a cure.”\r\n<ol>\r\n	<li>T<strong>he truth of suffering (<a href=\"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dukkha\">Dukkha</a>) – </strong>Most of the time, the first truth is translated as “Life is suffering.” But <em>dukkha</em>, the word used for “suffering” in this case refers to anything that is temporary, conditional, or passing. So, another way of looking at this is “Life is temporary.”</li>\r\n	<li><strong>The truth of the cause of suffering (<a href=\"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samudaya\">Samudaya</a>) – </strong>This truth means that suffering comes from a craving or thirst. We go through life trying to desperately find something to quench those cravings to fill the holes in our souls. We try to do this through things like relationships, food, clothing, power, etc. However, as much as we try, we are never satisfied. Humans have a tendency to latch onto things, whether they be material or ideas about the world. When these things come up empty and don’t satisfy our thirst, we only thirst more.</li>\r\n	<li><strong>The truth of the end of suffering (<a href=\"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nirodha\">Nirodha</a>) – </strong>Barbara O’Brien put it succinctly: “The Buddha taught that through diligent practice, we can put an end to craving. Ending the hamster-wheel chase after satisfaction is enlightenment.”</li>\r\n	<li><strong>The truth of the path that frees us from suffering (<a href=\"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magga\">Magga</a>)</strong></li>\r\n</ol>\r\n<h2>The Eightfold Path</h2>\r\nThe last of the Four Noble Truths refers to a path called the Eightfold Path. The Eightfold Path is a set of principles that lay out the way to enlightenment. Since Buddhism is more of an orthopraxy religion than orthodoxy, they focus on <em>right action</em> instead of <em>right belief</em>. Thus, the Eightfold Path serves as an impetus and a way to equip you with a focused heart and mind (click any of the following items to learn more about them):\r\n<ol>\r\n	<li><strong><a href=\"http://buddhism.about.com/od/theeightfoldpath/a/rightview.htm\">Right View</a> </strong></li>\r\n	<li><strong><a href=\"http://buddhism.about.com/od/theeightfoldpath/a/right-intention.htm\">Right Intention</a> </strong></li>\r\n	<li><strong><a href=\"http://buddhism.about.com/od/theeightfoldpath/a/rightspeech.htm\">Right Speech</a> </strong></li>\r\n	<li><strong><a href=\"http://buddhism.about.com/od/theeightfoldpath/a/right-action.htm\">Right Action</a> </strong></li>\r\n	<li><strong><a href=\"http://buddhism.about.com/od/theeightfoldpath/a/rightlivelihood.htm\">Right Livelihood</a> </strong></li>\r\n	<li><strong><a href=\"http://buddhism.about.com/od/theeightfoldpath/a/Right-Effort.htm\">Right Effort</a> </strong></li>\r\n	<li><strong><a href=\"http://buddhism.about.com/od/theeightfoldpath/a/right-mindfulness.htm\">Right Mindfulness</a> </strong></li>\r\n	<li><strong><a href=\"http://buddhism.about.com/od/theeightfoldpath/a/Right-Concentration.htm\">Right Concentration</a></strong></li>\r\n</ol>\r\n<h2>The Five Mindfulness Trainings</h2>\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_6244\" align=\"alignright\" width=\"150\" caption=\"His Holiness the Dalai Lama\"]<a href=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/dalai-lama_flickr_abhikram.jpg\"><img class=\"size-thumbnail wp-image-6244\" src=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/dalai-lama_flickr_abhikram-150x150.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nGwen told me, “I think one of the misconceptions that people have about Buddhism is they think anything goes, like we have no moral compass. We aren’t here to condemn anyone, however we do have a set of principles regarding things like sexuality remaining within the bounds of a committed, loving, long-term relationship that has been made known to friends and family, being careful of the kinds of movies that we watch, being mindful of what we eat, etc.”\r\n\r\n“Basically we try to avoid junk food of any kind, whether that be ideas, food, how we spend our time online, entertainment—that sort of thing,” Nancy added. The set of principles that she and Gwen were referring to is contained in the Five Mindfulness Trainings (other sects of Buddhism may have more or less depending on the group).\r\n\r\nThe Five Mindfulness Trainings are expressions of the principles of The Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path:\r\n<ol start=\"1\">\r\n	<li><strong>Reverence for Life </strong>– Any form of killing to any living being is causing suffering to others, therefore causing more strife, emptiness, and harm to others, which is strictly against Buddhist goals and principles</li>\r\n	<li><strong>True Happiness </strong>– Somewhat related to the Reverence for Life, true happiness comes from helping eliminate and reduce the suffering of others</li>\r\n	<li><strong>True Love</strong> – The recognition that sexual desires and healthy, true love are very different things, one must strive to find the latter that can fill and express the former</li>\r\n	<li><strong>Loving Speech and Deep Listening</strong> – Words can damage or heal, and so the goal is to have loving, kind, and compassionate speech. Along with giving healing and warm words, one should also receive words from others in the same manner</li>\r\n	<li><strong>Nourishment and Healing – </strong>This is the principle that Nancy was speaking of when she said they try to avoid consuming junk. Toxins of all sorts are all around us, and the way to the clearest mind and spirit are to diligently fill our bodies and lives with things that promote health and clarity, not bog us down and make us sick.<strong></strong></li>\r\n</ol>\r\nI asked Gwen and Nancy if the “not killing” principle lead to vegetarianism for Buddhists. Nancy said, “It does a lot of the time. Whatever people are—vegetarian, vegan—they end up eating with more awareness.” Gwen added, “However, Buddhists leaders recognize that the principles can’t be followed 100%. Even as vegetarians by boiling vegetables we’re killing hundreds of micro-organisms.”\r\n<h2>How Buddhism Principles Are Practical for Everyone</h2>\r\nGwen said, “It might be useful for your readers to know that you don’t have to be a Buddhist to meditate. Dharma, which means ‘doctrine, teacher,’ or ‘the way to enlightenment,’ can be used to harmonize. In fact, Thich Naht Hanh said if your beliefs don’t lead you to Buddhism, then ‘Be a better ____.’ Be a better Christian, be a better Muslim. He wasn’t trying to convert anyone.”\r\n\r\nIn Thich Naht Hanh’s book “<a href=\"http://www.amazon.com/Interbeing-Fourteen-Guidelines-Engaged-Buddhism/dp/0938077597/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1334980566&amp;sr=8-1\">Interbeing: Fourteen Guidelines for Engaged Buddhism</a>” he says the following:\r\n<blockquote>Aware of the suffering created by fanaticism and intolerance, we are determined not to be idolatrous about or bound to any doctrine, theory, or ideology, even Buddhist ones. Buddhist teachings are guiding mean to help us learn to look deeply and to develop our understanding and compassion. They are not doctrines to fight, kill, or die for.</blockquote>\r\nThis quote was significant to Nancy because it means they put peace <em>over the survival of their own religion</em>.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_6246\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"150\" caption=\"A Buddhist Temple in Sikkim\"]<a href=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/buddhist-temple_flickr_devadath.jpg\"><img class=\"size-thumbnail wp-image-6246\" src=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/buddhist-temple_flickr_devadath-150x150.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nThe Detroit Lotus Sangha is currently working through another one of Thich Naht Hanh’s book called “Anger”.  Jaye said, “It’s not about how to suppress anger, but how to not cause ourselves and others suffering from it. It’s not just ‘Don’t be angry, so cut it out,’ but finding out <em>why</em> we’re angry, learning to process those emotions, and trying to not let it run rampant.”\r\n\r\n“Today [at the Sangha] we used the word ‘pause’,” Nancy said.\r\n\r\n“The idea is: just stop. Stop the talking. Stop the thinking. Stop and be present. Breath,” Jaye said.\r\n\r\n“Otherwise,” Nancy added, “we have a tendency to give into Habit Energy.” (Habit Energy is any kind of emotional pattern we fall into, such as the Habit Energy to be anxious.)\r\n<h2>Conclusion</h2>\r\nJaye had to leave before the interview had concluded, but I asked Gwen and Nancy how practicing Buddhism has affected them as a person.\r\n\r\nGwen said, “I am much calmer now. I used to be very high strung, compulsively working all the time. Now, I try to express things in a much more loving, compassionate way.”\r\n\r\nNancy struggled to come up with the words, but then she said something really beautiful: “I can’t say I’ve arrived, but I think I’m more aware of my challenges. I’m not perfect, but I’m better than I used to be. Does that count for something?”\r\n\r\nWhen I first walked into Gwen’s house I was immediately struck by the group’s kindness. They offered me food, allowed me to sit at the table with them while they finished their lesson from earlier in the day, and there was great sense of serenity in the house as we talked.\r\n\r\nOne thing that made my heart warm was the fact that all three women at the table were quick to admit their own flaws. They didn’t pretend to have it all together, didn’t try to convince me they had all the answers, and didn’t try to ignore real life. Gwen, Nancy, and Jaye emphasized throughout the entire conversation that they were trying to be better.\r\n\r\nWhen Jaye left, the three women exchanged tips on how to set aside time for meditation. They spoke sweetly to each other and were completely honest about their lives and schedules. This kind of conversation spoke to me because it’s the kind of honest, constructive, and supportive conversation I want in my own life.\r\n\r\nI do plan on reading some of Thich Naht Hanh’s books because I want to emulate many of the principles  in my own life. I am so grateful for Gwen’s hospitality and the warmth and openness that she, Nancy and Jaye showed me.  I look forward to learning even more the example that they lead in their lives.\r\n\r\n<strong>Thanks to Gwen, Nancy, Jaye, Dave, Sean, and the Detroit Lotus Sangha for being so generous and for talking with me.</strong>\r\n\r\n<em>Photo credit: Flickr / <a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/gzlu/377947069/in/photostream/\" target=\"_blank\">George Lu</a> (Lotus), <a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/rezdog/450398263/in/photostream/\" target=\"_blank\">d nelson</a> (Thich Nhat Hanh), <a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/edwarddalmulder/4195135224/in/photostream/\" target=\"_blank\">Edward Dalmulder</a> (snowy Buddha), <a href=\"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Dharma_Wheel.svg\" target=\"_blank\">Wikimedia Commons</a> (Dharma Wheel), Flickr / <a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/36668473@N05/4133002232/in/photostream/\" target=\"_blank\">abhikrama</a> (His Holiness the Dalai Lama), <a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/devadath/238333921/in/photostream/\" target=\"_blank\">devadath</a> (Buddhist temple)</em>','Faith Interview Series: Zen Buddhism','','inherit','open','open','','6226-revision-12','','','2012-04-24 17:31:06','2012-04-25 00:31:06','',6226,'http://provoketive.com/2012/04/24/6226-revision-12/',0,'revision','',0),(6250,38,'2012-04-24 17:33:38','2012-04-25 00:33:38','<div>\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_6231\" align=\"alignright\" width=\"150\" caption=\"A lotus flower, a common symbol in Buddhism\"]<a href=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/lotus_flickr_george-lu.jpg\"><img class=\"size-thumbnail wp-image-6231\" src=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/lotus_flickr_george-lu-150x150.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nThe house was filling with white light from the humid, but serene Sunday afternoon. I was sitting at kitchen table listening to three women and a gentleman from the Detroit Lotus Sangha, a Zen Buddhism group, talk through the remainder of their lesson together. They talked about practicing a Mindfulness Day as I munched on the deliciously tangy split pea and tomato soup that Gwen, the host, offered me.\r\n\r\n</div>\r\nNancy, one of the women at the table who is a recently retired special education teacher from Troy, Michigan, told me that she first came to the Sangha (a Buddhist word for “community”) about a year ago. After going on a retreat she came home and discovered the group. “I was sort of hooked,” she said. “Jaye, the owner of the studio where the Sangha meets, the members … They seemed to have integrity. And I felt comfortable there. Being there with them was gratifying and inspiring.”\r\n\r\nThe Detroit Lotus Sangha was founded by a Vietnamese gentleman named Si Mo about four and a half years ago. They meet every Sunday at a martial arts studio in Ferndale, Michigan. They have about one dozen regulars week-to-week and 40 members altogether.\r\n\r\nThe Detroit Lotus Sangha follows the teachings of Thich Nhat Hanh, the most well-known Buddhist in the West next to the Dalai Lama. Thich Nhat Hanh is a Zen Buddhist teacher who has written over one-hundred books, many of which are in English. He was nominated by Martin Luther King for a Nobel Peace Prize for his work towards non-violence during the Vietnam War.\r\n\r\nZen Buddhism is a section of the Mahayana school of Buddhism whose goal is to alleviate the suffering of all beings and social engagement from a non-violent perspective. “I’ve read a lot of Eastern Buddhist philosophy, which can be kind of obscure and difficult to understand. What Thich Nhat Hanh has done is he has written books with the Western perspective in mind. It makes it practical and extremely accessible for people like you and me to practice,” said Jaye.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_6233\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Thich Nhat Hanh at the Huong Son Temple\"]<a href=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/tnh_flickr_d-nelson.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-6233\" src=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/tnh_flickr_d-nelson-300x168.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"168\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nThich Nhat Hanh is one of the first real leaders for what Gwen referred to as <a href=\"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Engaged_Buddhism\">Engaged Buddhism</a>. “We aren’t a group of people just sitting on our cushions contemplating things.” Nancy, who is sitting on the other side of the table, stood up to show me the text on her Detroit Lotus Sangha chocolate brown shirt: “Compassion is a verb.”\r\n\r\n“Well, it’s actually a noun,” Nancy said, “but that’s what it’s all about. It’s becoming aware of suffering around us, finding ways to alleviate for other beings and ourselves, and it’s about the call to nonviolence and social justice.”\r\n\r\nOne of the ways that the Sangha engages in social justice is by working with local charities. One of the local charities they will be working with soon is a farmer in Detroit. They will help prepare fields, plant organic crops, and distribute food. They also work with FernCare, a set of clinics for people without health insurance, and at the year’s end they donate to a fund that Thich Naht Hanh established for post-Vietnam war children.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_6238\" align=\"alignright\" width=\"174\" caption=\"A statue of the Buddha in the snow\"]<a href=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/buddha_flickr_edward-dalmulder_v2.jpg\"><img class=\" wp-image-6238 \" src=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/buddha_flickr_edward-dalmulder_v2-290x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"174\" height=\"180\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nGwen has been regularly meditating since late 2000. She found Thich Nhat Hanh’s books in 2004 and then found the Sangha just a few short years later. “His books made Buddhism so much more doable. It provides meditation techniques and everyday practices to help with negative emotions.”\r\n\r\n“It’s not just about sitting until your legs go numb. It’s about becoming more peaceful and involved in social movement in my life,” said Jaye. She said that for her the Sangha is an important part of her practice for building relationships with other people and hearing their struggles, thoughts and ideas to better themselves with.\r\n<h2>About Buddhism</h2>\r\nBuddhism is a nontheistic religion, with roughly 350 million followers across the globe, making it the fourth largest religion in the world. Zen Buddhism is a part of the Mahayana school of Buddhism.  The main goals of Mahayana Buddhism are: <strong>to do no evil, to do good, and save all beings.</strong>\r\n\r\nThere are three main sections of beliefs for Buddhists: the <strong>Four Noble Truths</strong>, the <strong>Eightfold Path</strong>, and the <strong>Ten Grand Precepts</strong>.\r\n<h2>The Four Noble Truths</h2>\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_6241\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"90\" caption=\"The Dharma Wheel, a symbol of Buddhism\"]<a href=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/dharma-wheel_wikimedia-commons.png\"><img class=\" wp-image-6241 \" src=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/dharma-wheel_wikimedia-commons-150x150.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"90\" height=\"90\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nBuddhists believe in a set of four principles called the Four Noble Truths that explain the universe and all that is in it. Barabara O’Brien, a practicing Zen Buddhist (but not one of the Thich Naht Hanh tradition) and writer for About.com says <a href=\"http://buddhism.about.com/od/thefournobletruths/a/fournobletruths.htm\">this</a>: “The Buddha\'s teachings on the Four Noble Truths are sometimes compared to a physician diagnosing an illness and prescribing a treatment. The first truth tells us what the illness is, and the second truth tells us what causes the illness. The Third Noble Truth holds out hope for a cure.”\r\n<ol>\r\n	<li>T<strong>he truth of suffering (<a href=\"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dukkha\">Dukkha</a>) – </strong>Most of the time, the first truth is translated as “Life is suffering.” But <em>dukkha</em>, the word used for “suffering” in this case refers to anything that is temporary, conditional, or passing. So, another way of looking at this is “Life is temporary.”</li>\r\n	<li><strong>The truth of the cause of suffering (<a href=\"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samudaya\">Samudaya</a>) – </strong>This truth means that suffering comes from a craving or thirst. We go through life trying to desperately find something to quench those cravings to fill the holes in our souls. We try to do this through things like relationships, food, clothing, power, etc. However, as much as we try, we are never satisfied. Humans have a tendency to latch onto things, whether they be material or ideas about the world. When these things come up empty and don’t satisfy our thirst, we only thirst more.</li>\r\n	<li><strong>The truth of the end of suffering (<a href=\"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nirodha\">Nirodha</a>) – </strong>Barbara O’Brien put it succinctly: “The Buddha taught that through diligent practice, we can put an end to craving. Ending the hamster-wheel chase after satisfaction is enlightenment.”</li>\r\n	<li><strong>The truth of the path that frees us from suffering (<a href=\"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magga\">Magga</a>)</strong></li>\r\n</ol>\r\n<h2>The Eightfold Path</h2>\r\nThe last of the Four Noble Truths refers to a path called the Eightfold Path. The Eightfold Path is a set of principles that lay out the way to enlightenment. Since Buddhism is more of an orthopraxy religion than orthodoxy, they focus on <em>right action</em> instead of <em>right belief</em>. Thus, the Eightfold Path serves as an impetus and a way to equip you with a focused heart and mind (click any of the following items to learn more about them):\r\n<ol>\r\n	<li><strong><a href=\"http://buddhism.about.com/od/theeightfoldpath/a/rightview.htm\">Right View</a> </strong></li>\r\n	<li><strong><a href=\"http://buddhism.about.com/od/theeightfoldpath/a/right-intention.htm\">Right Intention</a> </strong></li>\r\n	<li><strong><a href=\"http://buddhism.about.com/od/theeightfoldpath/a/rightspeech.htm\">Right Speech</a> </strong></li>\r\n	<li><strong><a href=\"http://buddhism.about.com/od/theeightfoldpath/a/right-action.htm\">Right Action</a> </strong></li>\r\n	<li><strong><a href=\"http://buddhism.about.com/od/theeightfoldpath/a/rightlivelihood.htm\">Right Livelihood</a> </strong></li>\r\n	<li><strong><a href=\"http://buddhism.about.com/od/theeightfoldpath/a/Right-Effort.htm\">Right Effort</a> </strong></li>\r\n	<li><strong><a href=\"http://buddhism.about.com/od/theeightfoldpath/a/right-mindfulness.htm\">Right Mindfulness</a> </strong></li>\r\n	<li><strong><a href=\"http://buddhism.about.com/od/theeightfoldpath/a/Right-Concentration.htm\">Right Concentration</a></strong></li>\r\n</ol>\r\n<h2>The Five Mindfulness Trainings</h2>\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_6244\" align=\"alignright\" width=\"150\" caption=\"His Holiness the Dalai Lama\"]<a href=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/dalai-lama_flickr_abhikram.jpg\"><img class=\"size-thumbnail wp-image-6244\" src=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/dalai-lama_flickr_abhikram-150x150.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nGwen told me, “I think one of the misconceptions that people have about Buddhism is they think anything goes, like we have no moral compass. We aren’t here to condemn anyone, however we do have a set of principles regarding things like sexuality remaining within the bounds of a committed, loving, long-term relationship that has been made known to friends and family, being careful of the kinds of movies that we watch, being mindful of what we eat, etc.”\r\n\r\n“Basically we try to avoid junk food of any kind, whether that be ideas, food, how we spend our time online, entertainment—that sort of thing,” Nancy added. The set of principles that she and Gwen were referring to is contained in the Five Mindfulness Trainings (other sects of Buddhism may have more or less depending on the group).\r\n\r\nThe Five Mindfulness Trainings are expressions of the principles of The Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path:\r\n<ol start=\"1\">\r\n	<li><strong>Reverence for Life </strong>– Any form of killing to any living being is causing suffering to others, therefore causing more strife, emptiness, and harm to others, which is strictly against Buddhist goals and principles</li>\r\n	<li><strong>True Happiness </strong>– Somewhat related to the Reverence for Life, true happiness comes from helping eliminate and reduce the suffering of others</li>\r\n	<li><strong>True Love</strong> – The recognition that sexual desires and healthy, true love are very different things, one must strive to find the latter that can fill and express the former</li>\r\n	<li><strong>Loving Speech and Deep Listening</strong> – Words can damage or heal, and so the goal is to have loving, kind, and compassionate speech. Along with giving healing and warm words, one should also receive words from others in the same manner</li>\r\n	<li><strong>Nourishment and Healing – </strong>This is the principle that Nancy was speaking of when she said they try to avoid consuming junk. Toxins of all sorts are all around us, and the way to the clearest mind and spirit are to diligently fill our bodies and lives with things that promote health and clarity, not bog us down and make us sick.<strong></strong></li>\r\n</ol>\r\nI asked Gwen and Nancy if the “not killing” principle lead to vegetarianism for Buddhists. Nancy said, “It does a lot of the time. Whatever people are—vegetarian, vegan—they end up eating with more awareness.” Gwen added, “However, Buddhists leaders recognize that the principles can’t be followed 100%. Even as vegetarians by boiling vegetables we’re killing hundreds of micro-organisms.”\r\n<h2>How Buddhism Principles Are Practical for Everyone</h2>\r\nGwen said, “It might be useful for your readers to know that you don’t have to be a Buddhist to meditate. Dharma, which means ‘doctrine, teacher,’ or ‘the way to enlightenment,’ can be used to harmonize. In fact, Thich Naht Hanh said if your beliefs don’t lead you to Buddhism, then ‘Be a better ____.’ Be a better Christian, be a better Muslim. He wasn’t trying to convert anyone.”\r\n\r\nIn Thich Naht Hanh’s book “<a href=\"http://www.amazon.com/Interbeing-Fourteen-Guidelines-Engaged-Buddhism/dp/0938077597/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1334980566&amp;sr=8-1\">Interbeing: Fourteen Guidelines for Engaged Buddhism</a>” he says the following:\r\n<blockquote>Aware of the suffering created by fanaticism and intolerance, we are determined not to be idolatrous about or bound to any doctrine, theory, or ideology, even Buddhist ones. Buddhist teachings are guiding mean to help us learn to look deeply and to develop our understanding and compassion. They are not doctrines to fight, kill, or die for.</blockquote>\r\nThis quote was significant to Nancy because it means they put peace <em>over the survival of their own religion</em>.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_6246\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"150\" caption=\"A Buddhist Temple in Sikkim\"]<a href=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/buddhist-temple_flickr_devadath.jpg\"><img class=\"size-thumbnail wp-image-6246\" src=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/buddhist-temple_flickr_devadath-150x150.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nThe Detroit Lotus Sangha is currently working through another one of Thich Naht Hanh’s book called “Anger”.  Jaye said, “It’s not about how to suppress anger, but how to not cause ourselves and others suffering from it. It’s not just ‘Don’t be angry, so cut it out,’ but finding out <em>why</em> we’re angry, learning to process those emotions, and trying to not let it run rampant.”\r\n\r\n“Today [at the Sangha] we used the word ‘pause’,” Nancy said.\r\n\r\n“The idea is: just stop. Stop the talking. Stop the thinking. Stop and be present. Breath,” Jaye said.\r\n\r\n“Otherwise,” Nancy added, “we have a tendency to give into Habit Energy.” (Habit Energy is any kind of emotional pattern we fall into, such as the Habit Energy to be anxious.)\r\n<h2>Conclusion</h2>\r\nJaye had to leave before the interview had concluded, but I asked Gwen and Nancy how practicing Buddhism has affected them as a person.\r\n\r\nGwen said, “I am much calmer now. I used to be very high strung, compulsively working all the time. Now, I try to express things in a much more loving, compassionate way.”\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_6248\" align=\"alignright\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Ven. Thich Thong Hai rings the peace bell\"]<a href=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/peace-bell_flickr_ferdy001.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-6248\" src=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/peace-bell_flickr_ferdy001-300x175.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"175\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nNancy struggled to come up with the words, but then she said something really beautiful: “I can’t say I’ve arrived, but I think I’m more aware of my challenges. I’m not perfect, but I’m better than I used to be. Does that count for something?”\r\n\r\nWhen I first walked into Gwen’s house I was immediately struck by the group’s kindness. They offered me food, allowed me to sit at the table with them while they finished their lesson from earlier in the day, and there was great sense of serenity in the house as we talked.\r\n\r\nOne thing that made my heart warm was the fact that all three women at the table were quick to admit their own flaws. They didn’t pretend to have it all together, didn’t try to convince me they had all the answers, and didn’t try to ignore real life. Gwen, Nancy, and Jaye emphasized throughout the entire conversation that they were trying to be better.\r\n\r\nWhen Jaye left, the three women exchanged tips on how to set aside time for meditation. They spoke sweetly to each other and were completely honest about their lives and schedules. This kind of conversation spoke to me because it’s the kind of honest, constructive, and supportive conversation I want in my own life.\r\n\r\nI do plan on reading some of Thich Naht Hanh’s books because I want to emulate many of the principles  in my own life. I am so grateful for Gwen’s hospitality and the warmth and openness that she, Nancy and Jaye showed me.  I look forward to learning even more the example that they lead in their lives.\r\n\r\n<strong>Thanks to Gwen, Nancy, Jaye, Dave, Sean, and the Detroit Lotus Sangha for being so generous and for talking with me.</strong>\r\n\r\n<em>Photo credit: Flickr / <a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/gzlu/377947069/in/photostream/\" target=\"_blank\">George Lu</a> (Lotus), <a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/rezdog/450398263/in/photostream/\" target=\"_blank\">d nelson</a> (Thich Nhat Hanh), <a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/edwarddalmulder/4195135224/in/photostream/\" target=\"_blank\">Edward Dalmulder</a> (snowy Buddha), <a href=\"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Dharma_Wheel.svg\" target=\"_blank\">Wikimedia Commons</a> (Dharma Wheel), Flickr / <a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/36668473@N05/4133002232/in/photostream/\" target=\"_blank\">abhikrama</a> (His Holiness the Dalai Lama), <a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/devadath/238333921/in/photostream/\" target=\"_blank\">devadath</a> (Buddhist temple), <a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/26524277@N04/6698468445/in/photostream/\" target=\"_blank\">ferdy001</a> (Ringing the peace bell)</em>','Faith Interview Series: Zen Buddhism','','inherit','open','open','','6226-revision-13','','','2012-04-24 17:33:38','2012-04-25 00:33:38','',6226,'http://provoketive.com/2012/04/24/6226-revision-13/',0,'revision','',0),(6251,38,'2012-04-24 17:36:11','2012-04-25 00:36:11','<div>\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_6231\" align=\"alignright\" width=\"150\" caption=\"A lotus flower, a common symbol in Buddhism\"]<a href=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/lotus_flickr_george-lu.jpg\"><img class=\"size-thumbnail wp-image-6231\" src=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/lotus_flickr_george-lu-150x150.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nThe house was filling with white light from the humid, but serene Sunday afternoon. I was sitting at kitchen table listening to three women and a gentleman from the Detroit Lotus Sangha, a Zen Buddhism group, talk through the remainder of their lesson together. They talked about practicing a Mindfulness Day as I munched on the deliciously tangy split pea and tomato soup that Gwen, the host, offered me.\r\n\r\n</div>\r\nNancy, one of the women at the table who is a recently retired special education teacher from Troy, Michigan, told me that she first came to the Sangha (a Buddhist word for “community”) about a year ago. After going on a retreat she came home and discovered the group. “I was sort of hooked,” she said. “Jaye, the owner of the studio where the Sangha meets, the members … They seemed to have integrity. And I felt comfortable there. Being there with them was gratifying and inspiring.”\r\n\r\nThe Detroit Lotus Sangha was founded by a Vietnamese gentleman named Si Mo about four and a half years ago. They meet every Sunday at a martial arts studio in Ferndale, Michigan. They have about one dozen regulars week-to-week and 40 members altogether.\r\n\r\nThe Detroit Lotus Sangha follows the teachings of Thich Nhat Hanh, the most well-known Buddhist in the West next to the Dalai Lama. Thich Nhat Hanh is a Zen Buddhist teacher who has written over one-hundred books, many of which are in English. He was nominated by Martin Luther King for a Nobel Peace Prize for his work towards non-violence during the Vietnam War.\r\n\r\nZen Buddhism is a section of the Mahayana school of Buddhism whose goal is to alleviate the suffering of all beings and social engagement from a non-violent perspective. “I’ve read a lot of Eastern Buddhist philosophy, which can be kind of obscure and difficult to understand. What Thich Nhat Hanh has done is he has written books with the Western perspective in mind. It makes it practical and extremely accessible for people like you and me to practice,” said Jaye.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_6233\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Thich Nhat Hanh at the Huong Son Temple\"]<a href=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/tnh_flickr_d-nelson.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-6233\" src=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/tnh_flickr_d-nelson-300x168.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"168\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nThich Nhat Hanh is one of the first real leaders for what Gwen referred to as <a href=\"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Engaged_Buddhism\">Engaged Buddhism</a>. “We aren’t a group of people just sitting on our cushions contemplating things.” Nancy, who is sitting on the other side of the table, stood up to show me the text on her Detroit Lotus Sangha chocolate brown shirt: “Compassion is a verb.”\r\n\r\n“Well, it’s actually a noun,” Nancy said, “but that’s what it’s all about. It’s becoming aware of suffering around us, finding ways to alleviate for other beings and ourselves, and it’s about the call to nonviolence and social justice.”\r\n\r\nOne of the ways that the Sangha engages in social justice is by working with local charities. One of the local charities they will be working with soon is a farmer in Detroit. They will help prepare fields, plant organic crops, and distribute food. They also work with FernCare, a set of clinics for people without health insurance, and at the year’s end they donate to a fund that Thich Naht Hanh established for post-Vietnam war children.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_6238\" align=\"alignright\" width=\"174\" caption=\"A statue of the Buddha in the snow\"]<a href=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/buddha_flickr_edward-dalmulder_v2.jpg\"><img class=\" wp-image-6238 \" src=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/buddha_flickr_edward-dalmulder_v2-290x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"174\" height=\"180\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nGwen has been regularly meditating since late 2000. She found Thich Nhat Hanh’s books in 2004 and then found the Sangha just a few short years later. “His books made Buddhism so much more doable. It provides meditation techniques and everyday practices to help with negative emotions.”\r\n\r\n“It’s not just about sitting until your legs go numb. It’s about becoming more peaceful and involved in social movement in my life,” said Jaye. She said that for her the Sangha is an important part of her practice for building relationships with other people and hearing their struggles, thoughts and ideas to better themselves with.\r\n<h2>About Buddhism</h2>\r\nBuddhism is a nontheistic religion, with roughly 350 million followers across the globe, making it the fourth largest religion in the world. Zen Buddhism is a part of the Mahayana school of Buddhism.  The main goals of Mahayana Buddhism are: <strong>to do no evil, to do good, and save all beings.</strong>\r\n\r\nThere are three main sections of beliefs for Buddhists: the <strong>Four Noble Truths</strong>, the <strong>Eightfold Path</strong>, and the <strong>Ten Grand Precepts</strong>.\r\n<h2>The Four Noble Truths</h2>\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_6241\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"90\" caption=\"The Dharma Wheel, a symbol of Buddhism\"]<a href=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/dharma-wheel_wikimedia-commons.png\"><img class=\" wp-image-6241 \" src=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/dharma-wheel_wikimedia-commons-150x150.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"90\" height=\"90\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nBuddhists believe in a set of four principles called the Four Noble Truths that explain the universe and all that is in it. Barabara O’Brien, a practicing Zen Buddhist (but not one of the Thich Naht Hanh tradition) and writer for About.com says <a href=\"http://buddhism.about.com/od/thefournobletruths/a/fournobletruths.htm\">this</a>: “The Buddha\'s teachings on the Four Noble Truths are sometimes compared to a physician diagnosing an illness and prescribing a treatment. The first truth tells us what the illness is, and the second truth tells us what causes the illness. The Third Noble Truth holds out hope for a cure.”\r\n<ol>\r\n	<li>T<strong>he truth of suffering (<a href=\"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dukkha\">Dukkha</a>) – </strong>Most of the time, the first truth is translated as “Life is suffering.” But <em>dukkha</em>, the word used for “suffering” in this case refers to anything that is temporary, conditional, or passing. So, another way of looking at this is “Life is temporary.”</li>\r\n	<li><strong>The truth of the cause of suffering (<a href=\"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samudaya\">Samudaya</a>) – </strong>This truth means that suffering comes from a craving or thirst. We go through life trying to desperately find something to quench those cravings to fill the holes in our souls. We try to do this through things like relationships, food, clothing, power, etc. However, as much as we try, we are never satisfied. Humans have a tendency to latch onto things, whether they be material or ideas about the world. When these things come up empty and don’t satisfy our thirst, we only thirst more.</li>\r\n	<li><strong>The truth of the end of suffering (<a href=\"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nirodha\">Nirodha</a>) – </strong>Barbara O’Brien put it succinctly: “The Buddha taught that through diligent practice, we can put an end to craving. Ending the hamster-wheel chase after satisfaction is enlightenment.”</li>\r\n	<li><strong>The truth of the path that frees us from suffering (<a href=\"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magga\">Magga</a>)</strong></li>\r\n</ol>\r\n<h2>The Eightfold Path</h2>\r\nThe last of the Four Noble Truths refers to a path called the Eightfold Path. The Eightfold Path is a set of principles that lay out the way to enlightenment. Since Buddhism is more of an orthopraxy religion than orthodoxy, they focus on <em>right action</em> instead of <em>right belief</em>. Thus, the Eightfold Path serves as an impetus and a way to equip you with a focused heart and mind (click any of the following items to learn more about them):\r\n<ol>\r\n	<li><strong><a href=\"http://buddhism.about.com/od/theeightfoldpath/a/rightview.htm\">Right View</a> </strong></li>\r\n	<li><strong><a href=\"http://buddhism.about.com/od/theeightfoldpath/a/right-intention.htm\">Right Intention</a> </strong></li>\r\n	<li><strong><a href=\"http://buddhism.about.com/od/theeightfoldpath/a/rightspeech.htm\">Right Speech</a> </strong></li>\r\n	<li><strong><a href=\"http://buddhism.about.com/od/theeightfoldpath/a/right-action.htm\">Right Action</a> </strong></li>\r\n	<li><strong><a href=\"http://buddhism.about.com/od/theeightfoldpath/a/rightlivelihood.htm\">Right Livelihood</a> </strong></li>\r\n	<li><strong><a href=\"http://buddhism.about.com/od/theeightfoldpath/a/Right-Effort.htm\">Right Effort</a> </strong></li>\r\n	<li><strong><a href=\"http://buddhism.about.com/od/theeightfoldpath/a/right-mindfulness.htm\">Right Mindfulness</a> </strong></li>\r\n	<li><strong><a href=\"http://buddhism.about.com/od/theeightfoldpath/a/Right-Concentration.htm\">Right Concentration</a></strong></li>\r\n</ol>\r\n<h2>The Five Mindfulness Trainings</h2>\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_6244\" align=\"alignright\" width=\"150\" caption=\"His Holiness the Dalai Lama\"]<a href=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/dalai-lama_flickr_abhikram.jpg\"><img class=\"size-thumbnail wp-image-6244\" src=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/dalai-lama_flickr_abhikram-150x150.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nGwen told me, “I think one of the misconceptions that people have about Buddhism is they think anything goes, like we have no moral compass. We aren’t here to condemn anyone, however we do have a set of principles regarding things like sexuality remaining within the bounds of a committed, loving, long-term relationship that has been made known to friends and family, being careful of the kinds of movies that we watch, being mindful of what we eat, etc.”\r\n\r\n“Basically we try to avoid junk food of any kind, whether that be ideas, food, how we spend our time online, entertainment—that sort of thing,” Nancy added. The set of principles that she and Gwen were referring to is contained in the Five Mindfulness Trainings (other sects of Buddhism may have more or less depending on the group).\r\n\r\nThe Five Mindfulness Trainings are expressions of the principles of The Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path:\r\n<ol start=\"1\">\r\n	<li><strong>Reverence for Life </strong>– Any form of killing to any living being is causing suffering to others, therefore causing more strife, emptiness, and harm to others, which is strictly against Buddhist goals and principles</li>\r\n	<li><strong>True Happiness </strong>– Somewhat related to the Reverence for Life, true happiness comes from helping eliminate and reduce the suffering of others</li>\r\n	<li><strong>True Love</strong> – The recognition that sexual desires and healthy, true love are very different things, one must strive to find the latter that can fill and express the former</li>\r\n	<li><strong>Loving Speech and Deep Listening</strong> – Words can damage or heal, and so the goal is to have loving, kind, and compassionate speech. Along with giving healing and warm words, one should also receive words from others in the same manner</li>\r\n	<li><strong>Nourishment and Healing – </strong>This is the principle that Nancy was speaking of when she said they try to avoid consuming junk. Toxins of all sorts are all around us, and the way to the clearest mind and spirit are to diligently fill our bodies and lives with things that promote health and clarity, not bog us down and make us sick.<strong></strong></li>\r\n</ol>\r\nI asked Gwen and Nancy if the “not killing” principle lead to vegetarianism for Buddhists. Nancy said, “It does a lot of the time. Whatever people are—vegetarian, vegan—they end up eating with more awareness.” Gwen added, “However, Buddhists leaders recognize that the principles can’t be followed 100%. Even as vegetarians by boiling vegetables we’re killing hundreds of micro-organisms.”\r\n<h2>How Buddhism Principles Are Practical for Everyone</h2>\r\nGwen said, “It might be useful for your readers to know that you don’t have to be a Buddhist to meditate. Dharma, which means ‘doctrine, teacher,’ or ‘the way to enlightenment,’ can be used to harmonize. In fact, Thich Naht Hanh said if your beliefs don’t lead you to Buddhism, then ‘Be a better ____.’ Be a better Christian, be a better Muslim. He wasn’t trying to convert anyone.”\r\n\r\nIn Thich Naht Hanh’s book “<a href=\"http://www.amazon.com/Interbeing-Fourteen-Guidelines-Engaged-Buddhism/dp/0938077597/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1334980566&amp;sr=8-1\">Interbeing: Fourteen Guidelines for Engaged Buddhism</a>” he says the following:\r\n<blockquote>Aware of the suffering created by fanaticism and intolerance, we are determined not to be idolatrous about or bound to any doctrine, theory, or ideology, even Buddhist ones. Buddhist teachings are guiding mean to help us learn to look deeply and to develop our understanding and compassion. They are not doctrines to fight, kill, or die for.</blockquote>\r\nThis quote was significant to Nancy because it means they they value Peace, <em>even elevating it above the survival of their own religion</em>.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_6246\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"150\" caption=\"A Buddhist Temple in Sikkim\"]<a href=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/buddhist-temple_flickr_devadath.jpg\"><img class=\"size-thumbnail wp-image-6246\" src=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/buddhist-temple_flickr_devadath-150x150.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nThe Detroit Lotus Sangha is currently working through another one of Thich Naht Hanh’s book called “Anger”.  Jaye said, “It’s not about how to suppress anger, but how to not cause ourselves and others suffering from it. It’s not just ‘Don’t be angry, so cut it out,’ but finding out <em>why</em> we’re angry, learning to process those emotions, and trying to not let it run rampant.”\r\n\r\n“Today [at the Sangha] we used the word ‘pause’,” Nancy said.\r\n\r\n“The idea is: just stop. Stop the talking. Stop the thinking. Stop and be present. Breath,” Jaye said.\r\n\r\n“Otherwise,” Nancy added, “we have a tendency to give into Habit Energy.” (Habit Energy is any kind of emotional pattern we fall into, such as the Habit Energy to be anxious.)\r\n<h2>Conclusion</h2>\r\nJaye had to leave before the interview had concluded, but I asked Gwen and Nancy how practicing Buddhism has affected them as a person.\r\n\r\nGwen said, “I am much calmer now. I used to be very high strung, compulsively working all the time. Now, I try to express things in a much more loving, compassionate way.”\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_6248\" align=\"alignright\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Ven. Thich Thong Hai rings the peace bell\"]<a href=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/peace-bell_flickr_ferdy001.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-6248\" src=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/peace-bell_flickr_ferdy001-300x175.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"175\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nNancy struggled to come up with the words, but then she said something really beautiful: “I can’t say I’ve arrived, but I think I’m more aware of my challenges. I’m not perfect, but I’m better than I used to be. Does that count for something?”\r\n\r\nWhen I first walked into Gwen’s house I was immediately struck by the group’s kindness. They offered me food, allowed me to sit at the table with them while they finished their lesson from earlier in the day, and there was great sense of serenity in the house as we talked.\r\n\r\nOne thing that made my heart warm was the fact that all three women at the table were quick to admit their own flaws. They didn’t pretend to have it all together, didn’t try to convince me they had all the answers, and didn’t try to ignore real life. Gwen, Nancy, and Jaye emphasized throughout the entire conversation that they were trying to be better.\r\n\r\nWhen Jaye left, the three women exchanged tips on how to set aside time for meditation. They spoke sweetly to each other and were completely honest about their lives and schedules. This kind of conversation spoke to me because it’s the kind of honest, constructive, and supportive conversation I want in my own life.\r\n\r\nI do plan on reading some of Thich Naht Hanh’s books because I want to emulate many of the principles  in my own life. I am so grateful for Gwen’s hospitality and the warmth and openness that she, Nancy and Jaye showed me.  I look forward to learning even more the example that they lead in their lives.\r\n\r\n<strong>Thanks to Gwen, Nancy, Jaye, Dave, Sean, and the Detroit Lotus Sangha for being so generous and for talking with me.</strong>\r\n\r\n<em>Photo credit: Flickr / <a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/gzlu/377947069/in/photostream/\" target=\"_blank\">George Lu</a> (Lotus), <a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/rezdog/450398263/in/photostream/\" target=\"_blank\">d nelson</a> (Thich Nhat Hanh), <a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/edwarddalmulder/4195135224/in/photostream/\" target=\"_blank\">Edward Dalmulder</a> (snowy Buddha), <a href=\"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Dharma_Wheel.svg\" target=\"_blank\">Wikimedia Commons</a> (Dharma Wheel), Flickr / <a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/36668473@N05/4133002232/in/photostream/\" target=\"_blank\">abhikrama</a> (His Holiness the Dalai Lama), <a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/devadath/238333921/in/photostream/\" target=\"_blank\">devadath</a> (Buddhist temple), <a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/26524277@N04/6698468445/in/photostream/\" target=\"_blank\">ferdy001</a> (Ringing the peace bell)</em>','Faith Interview Series: Zen Buddhism','','inherit','open','open','','6226-revision-14','','','2012-04-24 17:36:11','2012-04-25 00:36:11','',6226,'http://provoketive.com/2012/04/24/6226-revision-14/',0,'revision','',0),(6252,38,'2012-04-24 17:38:00','2012-04-25 00:38:00','<div>\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_6231\" align=\"alignright\" width=\"150\" caption=\"A lotus flower, a common symbol in Buddhism\"]<a href=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/lotus_flickr_george-lu.jpg\"><img class=\"size-thumbnail wp-image-6231\" src=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/lotus_flickr_george-lu-150x150.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nThe house was filling with white light from the humid, but serene Sunday afternoon. I was sitting at kitchen table listening to three women and a gentleman from the Detroit Lotus Sangha, a Zen Buddhism group, talk through the remainder of their lesson together. They talked about practicing a Mindfulness Day as I munched on the deliciously tangy split pea and tomato soup that Gwen, the host, offered me.\r\n\r\n</div>\r\nNancy, one of the women at the table who is a recently retired special education teacher from Troy, Michigan, told me that she first came to the Sangha (a Buddhist word for “community”) about a year ago. After going on a retreat she came home and discovered the group. “I was sort of hooked,” she said. “Jaye, the owner of the studio where the Sangha meets, the members … They seemed to have integrity. And I felt comfortable there. Being there with them was gratifying and inspiring.”\r\n\r\nThe Detroit Lotus Sangha was founded by a Vietnamese gentleman named Si Mo about four and a half years ago. They meet every Sunday at a martial arts studio in Ferndale, Michigan. They have about one dozen regulars week-to-week and 40 members altogether.\r\n\r\nThe Detroit Lotus Sangha follows the teachings of Thich Nhat Hanh, the most well-known Buddhist in the West next to the Dalai Lama. Thich Nhat Hanh is a Zen Buddhist teacher who has written over one-hundred books, many of which are in English. He was nominated by Martin Luther King for a Nobel Peace Prize for his work towards non-violence during the Vietnam War.\r\n\r\nZen Buddhism is a section of the Mahayana school of Buddhism whose goal is to alleviate the suffering of all beings and social engagement from a non-violent perspective. “I’ve read a lot of Eastern Buddhist philosophy, which can be kind of obscure and difficult to understand. What Thich Nhat Hanh has done is he has written books with the Western perspective in mind. It makes it practical and extremely accessible for people like you and me to practice,” said Jaye.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_6233\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Thich Nhat Hanh at the Huong Son Temple\"]<a href=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/tnh_flickr_d-nelson.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-6233\" src=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/tnh_flickr_d-nelson-300x168.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"168\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nThich Nhat Hanh is one of the first real leaders for what Gwen referred to as <a href=\"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Engaged_Buddhism\">Engaged Buddhism</a>. “We aren’t a group of people just sitting on our cushions contemplating things.” Nancy, who is sitting on the other side of the table, stood up to show me the text on her Detroit Lotus Sangha chocolate-brown shirt: “Compassion is a verb.”\r\n\r\n“Well, it’s actually a noun,” Nancy said, “but that’s what it’s all about. It’s becoming aware of suffering around us, finding ways to alleviate for other beings and ourselves, and it’s about the call to nonviolence and social justice.”\r\n\r\nOne of the ways that the Sangha engages in social justice is by working with local charities. One of the local charities they will be working with soon is a farmer in Detroit. They will help prepare fields, plant organic crops, and distribute food. They also work with FernCare, a set of clinics for people without health insurance, and at the year’s end they donate to a fund that Thich Nhat Hanh established for post-Vietnam war children.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_6238\" align=\"alignright\" width=\"174\" caption=\"A statue of the Buddha in the snow\"]<a href=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/buddha_flickr_edward-dalmulder_v2.jpg\"><img class=\" wp-image-6238 \" src=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/buddha_flickr_edward-dalmulder_v2-290x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"174\" height=\"180\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nGwen has been regularly meditating since late 2000. She found Thich Nhat Hanh’s books in 2004 and then found the Sangha just a few short years later. “His books made Buddhism so much more doable. It provides meditation techniques and everyday practices to help with negative emotions.”\r\n\r\n“It’s not just about sitting until your legs go numb. It’s about becoming more peaceful and involved in social movement in my life,” said Jaye. She said that for her the Sangha is an important part of her practice for building relationships with other people and hearing their struggles, thoughts and ideas to better themselves with.\r\n<h2>About Buddhism</h2>\r\nBuddhism is a nontheistic religion, with roughly 350 million followers across the globe, making it the fourth largest religion in the world. Zen Buddhism is a part of the Mahayana school of Buddhism.  The main goals of Mahayana Buddhism are: <strong>to do no evil, to do good, and save all beings.</strong>\r\n\r\nThere are three main sections of beliefs for Buddhists: the <strong>Four Noble Truths</strong>, the <strong>Eightfold Path</strong>, and the <strong>Ten Grand Precepts</strong>.\r\n<h2>The Four Noble Truths</h2>\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_6241\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"90\" caption=\"The Dharma Wheel, a symbol of Buddhism\"]<a href=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/dharma-wheel_wikimedia-commons.png\"><img class=\" wp-image-6241 \" src=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/dharma-wheel_wikimedia-commons-150x150.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"90\" height=\"90\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nBuddhists believe in a set of four principles called the Four Noble Truths that explain the universe and all that is in it. Barbara O’Brien, a practicing Zen Buddhist (but not one of the Thich Nhat Hanh tradition) and writer for About.com says <a href=\"http://buddhism.about.com/od/thefournobletruths/a/fournobletruths.htm\">this</a>: “The Buddha\'s teachings on the Four Noble Truths are sometimes compared to a physician diagnosing an illness and prescribing a treatment. The first truth tells us what the illness is, and the second truth tells us what causes the illness. The Third Noble Truth holds out hope for a cure.”\r\n<ol>\r\n	<li>T<strong>he truth of suffering (<a href=\"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dukkha\">Dukkha</a>) – </strong>Most of the time, the first truth is translated as “Life is suffering.” But <em>dukkha</em>, the word used for “suffering” in this case refers to anything that is temporary, conditional, or passing. So, another way of looking at this is “Life is temporary.”</li>\r\n	<li><strong>The truth of the cause of suffering (<a href=\"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samudaya\">Samudaya</a>) – </strong>This truth means that suffering comes from a craving or thirst. We go through life trying to desperately find something to quench those cravings to fill the holes in our souls. We try to do this through things like relationships, food, clothing, power, etc. However, as much as we try, we are never satisfied. Humans have a tendency to latch onto things, whether they be material or ideas about the world. When these things come up empty and don’t satisfy our thirst, we only thirst more.</li>\r\n	<li><strong>The truth of the end of suffering (<a href=\"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nirodha\">Nirodha</a>) – </strong>Barbara O’Brien put it succinctly: “The Buddha taught that through diligent practice, we can put an end to craving. Ending the hamster-wheel chase after satisfaction is enlightenment.”</li>\r\n	<li><strong>The truth of the path that frees us from suffering (<a href=\"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magga\">Magga</a>)</strong></li>\r\n</ol>\r\n<h2>The Eightfold Path</h2>\r\nThe last of the Four Noble Truths refers to a path called the Eightfold Path. The Eightfold Path is a set of principles that lay out the way to enlightenment. Since Buddhism is more of a orthopraxy religion than orthodoxy, they focus on <em>right action</em> instead of <em>right belief</em>. Thus, the Eightfold Path serves as an impetus and a way to equip you with a focused heart and mind (click any of the following items to learn more about them):\r\n<ol>\r\n	<li><strong><a href=\"http://buddhism.about.com/od/theeightfoldpath/a/rightview.htm\">Right View</a> </strong></li>\r\n	<li><strong><a href=\"http://buddhism.about.com/od/theeightfoldpath/a/right-intention.htm\">Right Intention</a> </strong></li>\r\n	<li><strong><a href=\"http://buddhism.about.com/od/theeightfoldpath/a/rightspeech.htm\">Right Speech</a> </strong></li>\r\n	<li><strong><a href=\"http://buddhism.about.com/od/theeightfoldpath/a/right-action.htm\">Right Action</a> </strong></li>\r\n	<li><strong><a href=\"http://buddhism.about.com/od/theeightfoldpath/a/rightlivelihood.htm\">Right Livelihood</a> </strong></li>\r\n	<li><strong><a href=\"http://buddhism.about.com/od/theeightfoldpath/a/Right-Effort.htm\">Right Effort</a> </strong></li>\r\n	<li><strong><a href=\"http://buddhism.about.com/od/theeightfoldpath/a/right-mindfulness.htm\">Right Mindfulness</a> </strong></li>\r\n	<li><strong><a href=\"http://buddhism.about.com/od/theeightfoldpath/a/Right-Concentration.htm\">Right Concentration</a></strong></li>\r\n</ol>\r\n<h2>The Five Mindfulness Trainings</h2>\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_6244\" align=\"alignright\" width=\"150\" caption=\"His Holiness the Dalai Lama\"]<a href=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/dalai-lama_flickr_abhikram.jpg\"><img class=\"size-thumbnail wp-image-6244\" src=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/dalai-lama_flickr_abhikram-150x150.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nGwen told me, “I think one of the misconceptions that people have about Buddhism is they think anything goes, like we have no moral compass. We aren’t here to condemn anyone, however we do have a set of principles regarding things like sexuality remaining within the bounds of a committed, loving, long-term relationship that has been made known to friends and family, being careful of the kinds of movies that we watch, being mindful of what we eat, etc.”\r\n\r\n“Basically we try to avoid junk food of any kind, whether that be ideas, food, how we spend our time online, entertainment—that sort of thing,” Nancy added. The set of principles that she and Gwen were referring to is contained in the Five Mindfulness Trainings (other sects of Buddhism may have more or less depending on the group).\r\n\r\nThe Five Mindfulness Trainings are expressions of the principles of The Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path:\r\n<ol start=\"1\">\r\n	<li><strong>Reverence for Life </strong>– Any form of killing to any living being is causing suffering to others, therefore causing more strife, emptiness, and harm to others, which is strictly against Buddhist goals and principles</li>\r\n	<li><strong>True Happiness </strong>– Somewhat related to the Reverence for Life, true happiness comes from helping eliminate and reduce the suffering of others</li>\r\n	<li><strong>True Love</strong> – The recognition that sexual desires and healthy, true love are very different things, one must strive to find the latter that can fill and express the former</li>\r\n	<li><strong>Loving Speech and Deep Listening</strong> – Words can damage or heal, and so the goal is to have loving, kind, and compassionate speech. Along with giving healing and warm words, one should also receive words from others in the same manner</li>\r\n	<li><strong>Nourishment and Healing – </strong>This is the principle that Nancy was speaking of when she said they try to avoid consuming junk. Toxins of all sorts are all around us, and the way to the clearest mind and spirit are to diligently fill our bodies and lives with things that promote health and clarity, not bog us down and make us sick.<strong></strong></li>\r\n</ol>\r\nI asked Gwen and Nancy if the “not killing” principle lead to vegetarianism for Buddhists. Nancy said, “It does a lot of the time. Whatever people are—vegetarian, vegan—they end up eating with more awareness.” Gwen added, “However, Buddhists leaders recognize that the principles can’t be followed 100%. Even as vegetarians by boiling vegetables we’re killing hundreds of micro-organisms.”\r\n<h2>How Buddhism Principles Are Practical for Everyone</h2>\r\nGwen said, “It might be useful for your readers to know that you don’t have to be a Buddhist to meditate. Dharma, which means ‘doctrine, teacher,’ or ‘the way to enlightenment,’ can be used to harmonize. In fact, Thich Nhat Hanh said if your beliefs don’t lead you to Buddhism, then ‘Be a better ____.’ Be a better Christian, be a better Muslim. He wasn’t trying to convert anyone.”\r\n\r\nIn Thich Nhat Hanh’s book “<a href=\"http://www.amazon.com/Interbeing-Fourteen-Guidelines-Engaged-Buddhism/dp/0938077597/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1334980566&amp;sr=8-1\">Interbeing: Fourteen Guidelines for Engaged Buddhism</a>” he says the following:\r\n<blockquote>Aware of the suffering created by fanaticism and intolerance, we are determined not to be idolatrous about or bound to any doctrine, theory, or ideology, even Buddhist ones. Buddhist teachings are guiding mean to help us learn to look deeply and to develop our understanding and compassion. They are not doctrines to fight, kill, or die for.</blockquote>\r\nThis quote was significant to Nancy because it means they value Peace, <em>even elevating it above the survival of their own religion</em>.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_6246\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"150\" caption=\"A Buddhist Temple in Sikkim\"]<a href=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/buddhist-temple_flickr_devadath.jpg\"><img class=\"size-thumbnail wp-image-6246\" src=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/buddhist-temple_flickr_devadath-150x150.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nThe Detroit Lotus Sangha is currently working through another one of Thich Nhat Hanh’s book called “Anger”.  Jaye said, “It’s not about how to suppress anger, but how to not cause ourselves and others suffering from it. It’s not just ‘Don’t be angry, so cut it out,’ but finding out <em>why</em> we’re angry, learning to process those emotions, and trying to not let it run rampant.”\r\n\r\n“Today [at the Sangha] we used the word ‘pause’,” Nancy said.\r\n\r\n“The idea is: just stop. Stop the talking. Stop the thinking. Stop and be present. Breath,” Jaye said.\r\n\r\n“Otherwise,” Nancy added, “we have a tendency to give into Habit Energy.” (Habit Energy is any kind of emotional pattern we fall into, such as the Habit Energy to be anxious.)\r\n<h2>Conclusion</h2>\r\nJaye had to leave before the interview had concluded, but I asked Gwen and Nancy how practicing Buddhism has affected them as a person.\r\n\r\nGwen said, “I am much calmer now. I used to be very high-strung, compulsively working all the time. Now, I try to express things in a much more loving, compassionate way.”\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_6248\" align=\"alignright\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Ven. Thich Thong Hai rings the peace bell\"]<a href=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/peace-bell_flickr_ferdy001.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-6248\" src=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/peace-bell_flickr_ferdy001-300x175.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"175\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nNancy struggled to come up with the words, but then she said something really beautiful: “I can’t say I’ve arrived, but I think I’m more aware of my challenges. I’m not perfect, but I’m better than I used to be. Does that count for something?”\r\n\r\nWhen I first walked into Gwen’s house I was immediately struck by the group’s kindness. They offered me food, allowed me to sit at the table with them while they finished their lesson from earlier in the day, and there was great sense of serenity in the house as we talked.\r\n\r\nOne thing that made my heart warm was the fact that all three women at the table were quick to admit their own flaws. They didn’t pretend to have it all together, didn’t try to convince me they had all the answers, and didn’t try to ignore real life. Gwen, Nancy, and Jaye emphasized throughout the entire conversation that they were trying to be better.\r\n\r\nWhen Jaye left, the three women exchanged tips on how to set aside time for meditation. They spoke sweetly to each other and were completely honest about their lives and schedules. This kind of conversation spoke to me because it’s the kind of honest, constructive, and supportive conversation I want in my own life.\r\n\r\nI do plan on reading some of Thich Nhat Hanh’s books because I want to emulate many of the principles  in my own life. I am so grateful for Gwen’s hospitality and the warmth and openness that she, Nancy and Jaye showed me.  I look forward to learning even more the example that they lead in their lives.\r\n\r\n<strong>Thanks to Gwen, Nancy, Jaye, Dave, Sean, and the Detroit Lotus Sangha for being so generous and for talking with me.</strong>\r\n\r\n<em>Photo credit: Flickr / <a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/gzlu/377947069/in/photostream/\" target=\"_blank\">George Lu</a> (Lotus), <a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/rezdog/450398263/in/photostream/\" target=\"_blank\">d nelson</a> (Thich Nhat Hanh), <a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/edwarddalmulder/4195135224/in/photostream/\" target=\"_blank\">Edward Dalmulder</a> (snowy Buddha), <a href=\"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Dharma_Wheel.svg\" target=\"_blank\">Wikimedia Commons</a> (Dharma Wheel), Flickr / <a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/36668473@N05/4133002232/in/photostream/\" target=\"_blank\">abhikrama</a> (His Holiness the Dalai Lama), <a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/devadath/238333921/in/photostream/\" target=\"_blank\">devadath</a> (Buddhist temple), <a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/26524277@N04/6698468445/in/photostream/\" target=\"_blank\">ferdy001</a> (Ringing the peace bell)</em>','Faith Interview Series: Zen Buddhism','','inherit','open','open','','6226-revision-15','','','2012-04-24 17:38:00','2012-04-25 00:38:00','',6226,'http://provoketive.com/2012/04/24/6226-revision-15/',0,'revision','',0),(6253,38,'2012-05-17 19:11:15','2012-05-18 02:11:15','[caption id=\"attachment_6188\" align=\"alignright\" width=\"150\" caption=\"Rev. Rob Henderson\"]<a href=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/rob-henderson_stand.jpg\"><img class=\"size-thumbnail wp-image-6188\" src=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/rob-henderson_stand-150x150.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" /></a>[/caption]\n\nThe sun was out in Downtown Plymouth. The town was full of people bearing possibility and happiness. It was late Saturday afternoon the day before the Christian holiday, Easter. The park in the center of town was full of dogs, families, and people climbing in trees and the restaurants had their sidewalk tables out. The sun warmed the skin on my face as I walked down the street to Starbucks.\n\nI found Rev. Rob Henderson, Senior Druid of <a href=\"http://www.shininglakes.org/\">Shining Lakes Grove, ADF</a> sitting to one side of the store on his laptop. He has lived in Michigan as long as he can remember. He grew up in the Ann Arbor area and studied Computer Science at the University of Michigan.\n\nShining Lakes Grove was founded in 1993 and it was well established by the time Rob joined the group in 1996. They currently have about fifteen members spread across lower Michigan. He was raised Catholic but his family “had pretty much exited the faith by the time I was ten or eleven, and then I wandered around aimlessly for a bit,” he told me.\n\nRob first became interested in Druidism when he met some pagans in his teen years. They told him about paganism and explained the beliefs. “It seemed to be who I was, and I thought ‘Well, they seem like nice, stable, well-adjusted people,’” Rob chuckled. “You know, I think I’ve reached the point where I’ve been a Druid for half my lifetime.” He also dabbled in occultist/ceremonial magic for a while, but quickly realized it wasn’t for him before moving completely into Neopagan Druidism.\n\n“So, what exactly do you believe?” I asked him.\n“Well, we are a orthopraxis belief system, so it’s more about right worship and practice than right belief,” he said.\n<h2>About Shining Lakes Grove</h2>\n[caption id=\"attachment_6698\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"150\" caption=\"The SLG Banner\"]<a href=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/SLG_banner.jpg\"><img class=\"size-thumbnail wp-image-6698\" src=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/SLG_banner-150x150.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" /></a>[/caption]\n\nShining Lakes Grove is a part of the ADF, which stands for A Druid Fellowship, the largest Neopagan Druidism organization in the world. According to <a href=\"http://www.adf.org/\">their website</a> ADF is “a completely independent Druid tradition” with over 4500 cumulative and 1100 current members across the globe.\n\nOn their website, <a href=\"http://www.adf.org/about/basics/beliefs.html\">ADF says</a> that “We believe in a multiplicity of gods and goddesses, as well as lesser beings, many of whom are worthy of respect, love and worship. […] While some of us believe in a ‘Supreme Being,’ Neopagan Druidism is emphatically polytheistic.”\n<h2>Neopagan Druid Beliefs</h2>\nRob explained to me that there are three types of entities that he and his fellow Druids worship, which are collectively referred to as “the Kindreds”: nature spirits, ancestors (direct, inspired, local, etc.), and deities, the latter of which includes Indo-European gods of the Celtic, Norse, Hellenic, Roman, Vedic and Slavic traditions.\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_6196\" align=\"alignright\" width=\"150\" caption=\"&quot;It must be Beltaine, the trilliums are everywhere!&quot;\"]<a href=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/trillium_flickr_tasitch.jpg\"><img class=\"size-thumbnail wp-image-6196\" src=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/trillium_flickr_tasitch-150x150.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" /></a>[/caption]\n\nDruids have home worship on a weekly—or in Rob’s case, daily—basis by doing things like burning incense or lighting and candle and praying or meditation. They don’t gather as a group on a weekly basis because distance is an obstacle, so they gather for eight High Days throughout the year.\n\nThree Cranes Grove, another ADF Grove located in Columbus, Ohio explains what the eight High Days celebrate:\n<ul>\n	<li><a href=\"http://www.threecranes.org/hhd.html#samhain\">Samhain</a> (November 1<sup>st</sup>) – The New Year celebration related to Halloween, The Festival of the Dead, and in the Greek tradition the beginning of Demeter’s mourning during her daughter’s six month spell in Hades</li>\n	<li><a href=\"http://www.threecranes.org/hhd.html#wisolstice\">Winter Solstice</a> (around December 22<sup>nd</sup>) – The celebration of the return from darkness and rituals are performed to bring back the sun that has been hidden, and God was conceived on the Winter Solstice</li>\n	<li><a href=\"http://www.threecranes.org/hhd.html#imbolc\">Imbolc</a> (February 1<sup>st</sup>) – This celebration focused on the fact that the first signs of life are starting to come back into the world, and it’s important to join with friends to warm your heart even if the Earth will remain cold for a while.</li>\n	<li><a href=\"http://www.threecranes.org/hhd.html#spequinox\">Spring Equinox</a> (around March 21<sup>st</sup>) – This is the celebration of the start of the light half of the year, gardening and planting is commenced, and according to some traditions, the God begins to court the Goddess.</li>\n	<li><a href=\"http://www.threecranes.org/hhd.html#beltaine\">Beltaine</a> (May 1<sup>st</sup>) – This holiday focuses around fertility and the joining of new life (which is said to be the marriage date of God and Goddess and is chosen to be the wedding day of many Neopagans), many times includes a maypole dance.</li>\n	<li><a href=\"http://www.threecranes.org/hhd.html#susolstice\">Summer Solstice</a> (June 22<sup>nd</sup>) – Height of the year, celebration of the middle of the year and the hill downward toward Autumn and Samhain</li>\n	<li><a href=\"http://www.threecranes.org/hhd.html#lughnassad\">Lughnassad</a> (August 1<sup>st</sup>) - Beginning of the harvest, is associated with the god Laugh, and the continuing marriage of the God and Goddess</li>\n	<li><a href=\"http://www.threecranes.org/hhd.html#auequinox\">Autumnal Equinox</a> (around September 22<sup>nd</sup>) – The beginning of the dark half of the year, the approach and the beauty of Fall, and preparations for the chill that is coming.</li>\n</ul>\n[caption id=\"attachment_6203\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"150\" caption=\"A maypole during Beltaine\"]<a href=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/maypole_flickr_intangiblearts.jpg\"><img class=\"size-thumbnail wp-image-6203\" src=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/maypole_flickr_intangiblearts-150x150.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" /></a>[/caption]\n\nShining Lakes Grove is about to celebrate Beltaine in a few weeks. “We just celebrated Spring Equinox a couple of weeks ago, so my friends and I remark that we were confused when grocery stores still had egg dying kits around. ‘Why are these still here? We already celebrated! Oh, that’s right, Easter!’”\n\n“Is Beltaine the one with the Maypole?” I asked. Rob said, “Yes!” He told me the Norse had a mythical concept of a World Tree, which in modern times is represented by a wooden pole, called a bilé, used in all Druid rituals including the Maypole celebrations. According to Norse traditions the bilé was made out of an Ash tree, but the members of the Shining Lakes Grove didn’t want to kill a tree to create one. Instead, they used a Quaking Aspen, which has multiple trunks, so they were able to create a bilé while leaving the tree remain intact and alive.\n\nRob isn’t sure whether or not his community will have a maypole dance as the owner of their sacred grove passed away and they have to relocate, “which is a shame, because I really liked the owner and we had developed good relationships with the land spirits there.”\n<h2>Misconceptions</h2>\nHe talked about how people were kind towards him when they find out he is a pagan, but he thinks that might be part of living in Ann Arbor, a rather spiritually open city. I mentioned that the influx of college students from the nearby university probably helped, but he said, “Actually, we don’t get that many college-aged students. It seems like college-aged people want more <em>energy-</em>based types of spirituality, with stuff like Chi and combining personal energy and focusing it on something.”\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_6208\" align=\"alignright\" width=\"150\" caption=\"Druids out for a dance during Beltaine\"]<a href=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/druids-dance_flickr_Shadowgate.jpg\"><img class=\"size-thumbnail wp-image-6208 \" src=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/druids-dance_flickr_Shadowgate-150x150.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" /></a>[/caption]\n\nEnergy combining was the only concept of paganism that I really had, so I asked Rob how the energy-based types differed from Druidism. He said “We are building a modern religion based on Indo-European cultures by incorporating elements from their languages, beliefs and practices because none of them really left us a robust enough system to have a standalone religion. Druidism is based on of the concept of giving and receiving and building relationships.” Giving and receiving is exhibited through giving offerings and forms of worship (which include song, dance, group and individual praise) so the Kindreds will help the Druids in their lives. The building of relationships takes place with the Kindreds and with each other as a community.\n\nThere are several misconceptions about the Neopagan Druid community, one of which is that all Druids are men. “There is evidence in ancient texts that there were female Druids. We believe in the equality of women. They are welcome to participate equally and be clergy,” which almost half of the Shining Lakes Grove Clergy are. Druids have no prejudice as far as race, gender, or sexual orientation. “All are welcome to be a part of our community,” he told me.\n\nThe other misconception is that people think when Druids use the words “offerings” or “sacrifices” that they mean blood offerings. “The ADF specifically bans blood offerings. Any kind of blood offering: animal, human, and even cutting yourself for rituals is prohibited. One of the ADF’s main goals is to be a religion for the 21<span style=\"font-size: 11px\">st </span>century.” ADF Druids use grains, incense, oils, and even art as offerings.\n<h2>Conclusion</h2>\nOn <a href=\"http://adf.livejournal.com/151342.html\">ADF’s Livejournal</a>, a member by the username <em>filiavallis</em> <a href=\"http://adf.livejournal.com/151342.html\">said</a>:\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_6205\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"150\" caption=\"A Druid at the Stonehenge Summer Solstice (2009)\"]<a href=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/druid_flickr_vintagedepot.jpg\"><img class=\"size-thumbnail wp-image-6205 \" src=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/druid_flickr_vintagedepot-150x150.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" /></a>[/caption]\n\n“And the last time a couple of representatives of one of our local churches came around […] we stood and talked about Druidism for about forty-five minutes. They’d never met or talked to anyone on a Druid path before. So now, for good or ill, whatever preconceptions they had of ‘Pagan’ are at least partially superseded by the picture of a slightly grubby, cheerfully talkative, and generally rather ordinary suburban housewife-and-mom with some unusual but rational &amp; understandable ideas &amp; beliefs.”\n\nThis is what I found in Rob Henderson. While I was completely unfamiliar with the Druid path before speaking to him, I found Rob to be a very thoughtful, kind, and intelligent person. His beliefs, while very different from the traditions I grew up in, were rooted in the understanding and study of ancient cultures that allow him to appreciate nature, seasons, history and the way the world works together.\n\nRight before we parted ways, Rob added that Shining Lakes Groves is open and welcomes visitors even if they are unfamiliar with pagan practices. “You don’t have to know how to do rituals or know how to meditate to be a part of our community. We want people to know that we welcome them and that you don’t have to be an experienced Druid to join.”\n\n<strong>Thanks to Rob Henderson for being willing to meet with me, and for talking to be about the Druid path, ADF, and his own community, Shining Lakes Grove, ADF. I look forward to future interactions and conversations with him and his fellow Druids.</strong>\n\n<em><strong>Find out what robins have to do with Christianity in our next article with a pastor and author from Troy, and a teacher and elder from Waterford, Michigan.</strong></em>\n\n<em>Photo credit: Mannanan Shrine, Rev. Rob Henderson, SLG Banner (used with permission courtesy of Shining Lakes Grove, ADF), Flickr / <a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tasitch/24606530/in/photostream/\" target=\"_blank\">Tasitch</a> (Trilliums), <a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/intangible/2467735011/in/photostream/\" target=\"_blank\">IntangibleArts</a> (Maypole), <em> <a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/shadowgate/3512844987/in/photostream/\" target=\"_blank\">Shadowgate</a> (Beltaine dancing),</em> <a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/vintagedept/3645742207/in/photostream/\" target=\"_blank\">vintagedepot</a> (Stonehenge Druid)</em>','Faith Interview Series: Neopagan Druid','','inherit','open','open','','6187-autosave','','','2012-05-17 19:11:15','2012-05-18 02:11:15','',6187,'http://provoketive.com/2012/04/24/6187-autosave/',0,'revision','',0),(6254,38,'2012-04-24 16:23:30','2012-04-24 23:23:30','[caption id=\"attachment_6188\" align=\"alignright\" width=\"150\" caption=\"Rev. Rob Henderson\"]<a href=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/rob-henderson_stand.jpg\"><img class=\"size-thumbnail wp-image-6188\" src=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/rob-henderson_stand-150x150.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nThe sun was out in Downtown Plymouth. The town was full of people bearing possibility and happiness. It was late Saturday afternoon the day before the Christian holiday, Easter. The park in the center of town was full of dogs, families, and people climbing in trees and the restaurants had their sidewalk tables out. The sun warmed the skin on my face as I walked down the street to Starbucks.\r\n\r\nI found Rev. Rob Henderson, Senior Druid of <a href=\"http://www.shininglakes.org/\">Shining Lakes Grove, ADF</a> sitting to one side of the store on his laptop. He has lived in Michigan as long as he can remember. He grew up in the Ann Arbor area and studied Computer Science at the University of Michigan.\r\n\r\nShining Lakes Grove was founded in 1993 and it was well established by the time Rob joined the group in 1996. They currently have about fifteen members spread across lower Michigan. He was raised Catholic but his family “had pretty much exited the faith by the time I was ten or eleven, and then I wandered around aimlessly for a bit,” he told me.\r\n\r\nRob first became interested in Druidism when he met some pagans in his teen years. They told him about paganism and explained the beliefs. “It seemed to be who I was, and I thought ‘Well, they seem like nice, stable, well-adjusted people,’” Rob chuckled. “You know, I think I’ve reached the point where I’ve been a Druid for half my lifetime.” He also dabbled in occultist/ceremonial magic for a while, but quickly realized it wasn’t for him before moving completely into Neopagan Druidism.\r\n\r\n“So, what exactly do you believe?” I asked him.\r\n“Well, we are a orthopraxis belief system, so it’s more about right worship and practice than right belief.”\r\n<h2>About Shining Lakes Grove</h2>\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_6193\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"150\" caption=\"The SLG banner\"]<a href=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/convo02banner.jpg\"><img class=\"size-thumbnail wp-image-6193\" src=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/convo02banner-150x150.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nShining Lakes Grove is a part of the ADF, which stands for A Druid Fellowship, the largest Neopagan Druidism organization in the world. According to <a href=\"http://www.adf.org/\">their website</a> ADF is “a completely independent Druid tradition” with over 4500 cumulative and 1100 current members across the globe.\r\n\r\nOn their website, <a href=\"http://www.adf.org/about/basics/beliefs.html\">ADF says</a> that “We believe in a multiplicity of gods and goddesses, as well as lesser beings, many of whom are worthy of respect, love and worship. […] While some of us believe in a ‘Supreme Being,’ Neopagan Druidism is emphatically polytheistic.”\r\n<h2>Neopagan Druid Beliefs</h2>\r\nRob explained to me that there are three types of entities that he and his fellow Druids worship, which are\r\n\r\ncollectively referred to as “the Kindreds”: nature spirits, ancestors (direct, inspired, local, etc.), and deities, the latter of which includes Indo-European gods of the Celtic, Norse, Hellenic, Roman, Vedic and Slavic traditions.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_6196\" align=\"alignright\" width=\"150\" caption=\"&quot;It must be Beltaine, the trilliums are everywhere!&quot;\"]<a href=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/trillium_flickr_tasitch.jpg\"><img class=\"size-thumbnail wp-image-6196\" src=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/trillium_flickr_tasitch-150x150.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nDruids have home worship on a weekly—or in Rob’s case, daily—basis by doing things like burning incense or lighting and candle and praying or meditation. They don’t gather as a group on a weekly basis because distance is an obstacle, so they gather for eight High Days throughout the year.\r\n\r\nThree Cranes Grove, another ADF Grove located in Columbus, Ohio explains what the eight High Days celebrate:\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li><a href=\"http://www.threecranes.org/hhd.html#samhain\">Samhain</a> (November 1<sup>st</sup>) – The New Year celebration related to Halloween, The Festival of the Dead, and in the Greek tradition the beginning of Demeter’s mourning during her daughter’s six month spell in Hades</li>\r\n	<li><a href=\"http://www.threecranes.org/hhd.html#wisolstice\">Winter Solstice</a> (around December 22<sup>nd</sup>) – The celebration of the return from darkness and rituals are performed to bring back the sun that has been hidden, and God was conceived on the Winter Solstice</li>\r\n	<li><a href=\"http://www.threecranes.org/hhd.html#imbolc\">Imbolc</a> (February 1<sup>st</sup>) – This celebration focused on the fact that the first signs of life are starting to come back into the world, and it’s important to join with friends to warm your heart even if the Earth will remain cold for a while.</li>\r\n	<li><a href=\"http://www.threecranes.org/hhd.html#spequinox\">Spring Equinox</a> (around March 21<sup>st</sup>) – This is the celebration of the start of the light half of the year, gardening and planting is commenced, and according to some traditions, the God begins to court the Goddess.</li>\r\n	<li><a href=\"http://www.threecranes.org/hhd.html#beltaine\">Beltaine</a> (May 1<sup>st</sup>) – This holiday focuses around fertility and the joining of new life (which is said to be the marriage date of God and Goddess and is chosen to be the wedding day of many Neopagans), many times includes a maypole dance.</li>\r\n	<li><a href=\"http://www.threecranes.org/hhd.html#susolstice\">Summer Solstice</a> (June 22<sup>nd</sup>) – Height of the year, celebration of the middle of the year and the hill downward toward Autumn and Samhain</li>\r\n	<li><a href=\"http://www.threecranes.org/hhd.html#lughnassad\">Lughnassad</a> (August 1<sup>st</sup>) - Beginning of the harvest, is associated with the god Laugh, and the continuing marriage of the God and Goddess</li>\r\n	<li><a href=\"http://www.threecranes.org/hhd.html#auequinox\">Autumnal Equinox</a> (around September 22<sup>nd</sup>) – The beginning of the dark half of the year, the approach and the beauty of Fall, and preparations for the chill that is coming.</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_6203\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"150\" caption=\"A maypole during Beltaine\"]<a href=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/maypole_flickr_intangiblearts.jpg\"><img class=\"size-thumbnail wp-image-6203\" src=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/maypole_flickr_intangiblearts-150x150.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nShining Lakes Grove is about to celebrate Beltaine in a few weeks. “We just celebrated Spring Equinox a couple of weeks ago, so my friends and I remark that we were confused when grocery stores still had egg dying kits around. ‘Why are these still here? We already celebrated! Oh, that’s right, Easter!’”\r\n\r\n“Is Beltaine the one with the Maypole?” I asked. Rob said, “Yes!” He told me the Norse had a mythical concept of a World Tree, which in modern times is represented by a wooden pole, called a bilé, used in all Druid rituals including the Maypole celebrations. According to Norse traditions the bilé was made out of an Ash tree, but the members of the Shining Lakes Grove didn’t want to kill a tree to create one. Instead, they used a Quaking Aspen, which has multiple trunks, so they were able to create a bilé while leaving the tree remain intact and alive.\r\n\r\nRob isn’t sure whether or not his community will have a maypole dance as the owner of their sacred grove passed away and they have to relocate, “which is a shame, because I really liked the owner and we had developed good relationships with the land spirits there.”\r\n<h2>Misconceptions</h2>\r\nHe talked about how people were kind towards him when they find out he is a pagan, but he thinks that might be part of living in Ann Arbor, a rather spiritually open city. I mentioned that the influx of college students from the nearby university probably helped, but he said, “Actually, we don’t get that many college-aged students. It seems like college-aged people want more <em>energy-</em>based types of spirituality, with stuff like Chi and combining personal energy and focusing it on something.”\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_6208\" align=\"alignright\" width=\"150\" caption=\"Druids out for a dance during Beltaine\"]<a href=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/druids-dance_flickr_Shadowgate.jpg\"><img class=\"size-thumbnail wp-image-6208 \" src=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/druids-dance_flickr_Shadowgate-150x150.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nEnergy combining was the only concept of paganism that I really had, so I asked Rob how the energy-based types differed from Druidism. He said “We are building a modern religion based on Indo-European cultures by incorporating elements from their languages, beliefs and practices because none of them really left us a robust enough system to have a standalone religion. Druidism is based on of the concept of giving and receiving and building relationships.” Giving and receiving is exhibited through giving offerings and forms of worship (which include song, dance, group and individual praise) so the Kindreds will help the Druids in their lives. The building of relationships takes place with the Kindreds and with each other as a community.\r\n\r\nThere are several misconceptions about the Neopagan Druid community, one of which is that all Druids are men. “There is evidence in ancient texts that there were female Druids. We believe in the equality of women. They are welcome to participate equally and be clergy,” which almost half of the Shining Lakes Grove Clergy are. Druids have no prejudice as far as race, gender, or sexual orientation. “All are welcome to be a part of our community,” he told me.\r\n\r\nThe other misconception is that people think when Druids use the words “offerings” or “sacrifices” that they mean blood offerings. “The ADF specifically bans blood offerings. Any kind of blood offering: animal, human, and even cutting yourself for rituals is prohibited. One of the ADF’s main goals is to be a religion for the 21<span style=\"font-size: 11px\">st </span>century.” ADF Druids use grains, incense, oils, and even art as offerings.\r\n<h2>Conclusion</h2>\r\nOn <a href=\"http://adf.livejournal.com/151342.html\">ADF’s Livejournal</a>, a member by the username <em>filiavallis</em> <a href=\"http://adf.livejournal.com/151342.html\">said</a>:\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_6205\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"150\" caption=\"A Druid at the Stonehenge Summer Solstice (2009)\"]<a href=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/druid_flickr_vintagedepot.jpg\"><img class=\"size-thumbnail wp-image-6205 \" src=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/druid_flickr_vintagedepot-150x150.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n“And the last time a couple of representatives of one of our local churches came around […] we stood and talked about Druidism for about forty-five minutes. They’d never met or talked to anyone on a Druid path before. So now, for good or ill, whatever preconceptions they had of ‘Pagan’ are at least partially superseded by the picture of a slightly grubby, cheerfully talkative, and generally rather ordinary suburban housewife-and-mom with some unusual but rational &amp; understandable ideas &amp; beliefs.”\r\n\r\nThis is what I found in Rob Henderson. While I was completely unfamiliar with the Druid path before speaking to him, I found Rob to be a very thoughtful, kind, and intelligent person. His beliefs, while very different from the traditions I grew up in, were rooted in the understanding and study of ancient cultures that allow him to appreciate nature, seasons, history and the way the world works together.\r\n\r\nRight before we parted ways, Rob added that Shining Lakes Groves is open and welcomes visitors even if they are unfamiliar with pagan practices. “You don’t have to know how to do rituals or know how to meditate to be a part of our community. We want people to know that we welcome them and that you don’t have to be an experienced Druid to join.”\r\n\r\n<strong>Thanks to Rob Henderson for being willing to meet with me, and for talking to be about the Druid path, ADF, and his own community, Shining Lakes Grove, ADF. I look forward to future interactions and conversations with him and his fellow Druids.</strong>\r\n\r\n<em>Photo credit: Mannanan Shrine, Rev. Rob Henderson, SLG Banner (used with permission courtesy of Shining Lakes Grove, ADF), Flickr / <a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tasitch/24606530/in/photostream/\" target=\"_blank\">Tasitch</a> (Trilliums), <a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/intangible/2467735011/in/photostream/\" target=\"_blank\">IntangibleArts</a> (Maypole), <em> <a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/shadowgate/3512844987/in/photostream/\" target=\"_blank\">Shadowgate</a> (Beltaine dancing),</em> <a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/vintagedept/3645742207/in/photostream/\" target=\"_blank\">vintagedepot</a> (Stonehenge Druid)</em>','Faith Interview Series: Neopagan Druidism','','inherit','open','open','','6187-revision-17','','','2012-04-24 16:23:30','2012-04-24 23:23:30','',6187,'http://provoketive.com/2012/04/24/6187-revision-17/',0,'revision','',0),(6435,160,'2012-05-06 21:04:31','2012-05-07 04:04:31','<a href=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/cinco4.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-thumbnail wp-image-6436\" src=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/cinco4-150x150.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" /></a>\r\nDid you know that the first Cinco de Mayo celebration was not in Mexico, but in California in 1863?   To this day, the date is still more celebrated in the US than in Mexico.  While that probably has more to do with tequila and beer corporations marketing the holiday, there is a good reason for (North) Americans to remember Cinco de Mayo.  Contrary to popular belief, May 5th is not Mexico’s Independence Day.  It actually commemorates one of the most important battles in the <em>US</em> Civil War and played a part in Lincoln being able to preserve the Union.\r\n\r\nAfter a series of exhausting and expensive wars from 1846 to 1860 (including the Mexican-American War), Mexico was bankrupt.   Mexican President Juarez issued a memorandum that all debt payments would have to be suspended for two years.  That was enough for the English, Spanish and the French to load their respective armies on their ships to come looking for payment.  While the English and Spanish worked out an agreement with Mexico and turned back, Napoleon III (Napoleon I’s nephew) saw an opportunity to make a land grab and establish “The Second Mexican Empire.”\r\n\r\nThe French ships landed in Veracruz in 1861 and 8,000 heavily armed French soldiers began their march toward Mexico City…. At the time, France had one of the best trained armies in the world.  They had been undefeated for fifty years, since Waterloo.   However, on their way to the capital city, they ran into General Ignacio Zaragoza and the 4,000 men he had recruited, many of whom were local farmers armed with nothing more than machetes.  When the dust settled in the foothills of Puebla, the elite French army was in full retreat.\r\n\r\nWord of the shocking upset spread throughout the countryside and to the entire world.  Relishing their miraculous victory, beleaguered Mexicans were instilled with a renewed sense of national unity and pride.   Unfortunately, the victory was mostly symbolic.  While the French did suffer a major setback, their superior firepower eventually won out.  It took over a year and 30,000 troops, but France took control of Mexico City and installed “Maximilian I” as the new (French approved) emperor of Mexico.\r\n\r\nSo how did “Cinco de Mayo” help to preserve the Union?   In 1862, the Civil War was also raging in the United States.   Many believe Napoleon III’s endgame was to break up the Union by providing arms and money to the Confederate Army.  In fact, if France had taken the region of central/Northern Mexico of Puebla, they would have been in position to begin supporting the Confederacy at a critical time in the Civil War.  When the Mexicans defeated the French on May 5th, it bought the Union Army fourteen more months to get to Gettysburg and end the war before the French could weigh in.\r\n\r\nOnce the Civil War was finally over, a grateful Abraham Lincoln was able to provide guns and ammunition to Mexico’s rebels who were fighting to take their country back.  Two years later, the French were expelled by the Mexican army and Maximilian I was executed on orders of President Juarez.  The US and Mexico have never been invaded by a European power since.\r\n\r\nSo, what are the lessons we can learn from Cinco de Mayo?\r\n<ol>\r\n	<li>Empire building is usually not very good foreign policy.   Invading countries half way around the world and expecting them to remain in submission rarely works out.  Napoleon learned that the hard way, as have many Emperors and Presidents throughout history… even recent history.</li>\r\n	<li>While we’ve had our differences, Mexico and the US have had a longstanding, mutually beneficial relationship.   Maybe we should remember that when we consider immigration reform and decide how to deal with the 10 to 12 million “undocumented” men and women who mostly just want to work really hard to feed their families.</li>\r\n	<li>Finally, Cinco de Mayo is a great opportunity to celebrate the rich Mexican heritage and embrace the many ways our neighbors have enriched our own country.   And yeah, it’s a pretty good excuse to hoist a Margarita or two, dip some guacamole, and kick up your heels.</li>\r\n</ol>\r\nJeff Fulmer lives in Nashville Tennessee and is the author of the blog and the book <a href=\"http://www.amazon.com/Hometown-Prophet-Jeff-Fulmer/dp/1463632312/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1312940193&amp;sr=8-1\">Hometown Prophet</a>. <em> If God spoke through a prophet today, would we really want to hear what he has to say?</em>   For more information, visit the <a href=\"http://www.hometownprophetbook.com/\">Hometown Prophet website</a>.   Follow on <a href=\"https://twitter.com/hometownprophet\">Twitter</a> or like on <a href=\"http://www.facebook.com/HometownProphet\">Facebook</a>.','Why We Celebrate Cinco de Mayo','','publish','open','open','','why-we-celebrate-cinco-de-mayo','','','2012-05-06 21:04:31','2012-05-07 04:04:31','',0,'http://provoketive.com/?p=6435',0,'post','',1),(6256,38,'2012-03-25 19:02:57','2012-03-26 02:02:57','I’ve been trying to write this article for a week. I thought it would be as simple as “Hello, you might have met me before, this is what I’m doing” kind of quick post. What I am doing: over the next couple of weeks I am going to be posting a series of interviews with religious leaders and congregants of different religions from the metro Detroit area.\r\n\r\nWhy? Well, that’s a complicated answer.\r\n\r\nI’ve been trying to pin down when I first became interested in interfaith relations. I can look back to a couple of years ago picking up a book of poetry by the Sufi poet Rumi. The way he spoke of God was so beautiful and different from what I had heard before.\r\n<blockquote>This lion of God\r\nwatches over me,\r\nI sing as he roars.</blockquote>\r\n(From “I’ve Got You Now” from <a href=\"http://www.amazon.com/Hush-Dont-Say-Anything-God/dp/0875730841/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1332704201&amp;sr=8-1\"><em>Hush, Don’t Say Anything to God: Passionate Poems by Rumi</em></a>.)\r\n\r\nI can think back to the World Religion class that I took a few semesters back that I inhaled. I think back to when I flew from Miami to Detroit and asked lots of questions to a Baha’i gentleman I was sitting next to. I have been in multiple workshops about comparative religion. And this is only the short list; world religion has captured my interest for a long time.\r\n\r\nAs I have written about before, the environment I grew up in was very isolated from and very ignorant to other religions. At the end of high school I had my own journey with disillusionment/migration from one church to another and I started to see how hurtful my previous views of other religions had been.\r\n\r\nI know how important, devastating, crucial, life-changing and transformational religion had been in my life, and people of other faiths feel that way about theirs, why would I brush them off?\r\n\r\nWhen I was younger I was always told to go to a Christian university because if I went to any kind of secular university I would surely be barraged with professors who would try to dissuade me from my faith, and therefore weren’t supposed to give more than a passing glance at learning about other religions because they would dissuade me too.\r\n\r\n“If that were true, that means that your faith was not very strong to begin with,” Bob Cornwall, pastor of Central Woodward Christian Church who leads an interfaith group, said to me when I asked him “How do you deal with people who think that you are losing your faith by participating in interfaith activities?” (You’ll get to hear more from Bob soon.)\r\n\r\nThe things that I have learned about other religions do not weaken my faith but they <em>enhance it</em>.\r\n\r\nWhen I learned about the ninety-nine names that Muslims have for God, they made me think of my God. Would I have thought to refer to my creator as \"The Repeatedly Forgiving\" or \"The Irresistible, The Compeller\" or \"The All-Embracing\"? No, but by getting outside of the traditional nomenclature that my religious background thrusts upon me, I was able to find new descriptions and a new way of seeing my own God. My God is the one who is the repeatedly forgiving, who is all-embracing according to John 3:16, and is irresistible and compels me to follow him.\r\n\r\nI have a deep personal belief that all people want the same basic things. They want to be: heard, seen, understood, loved, represented (fought for/have an ally) and accepted. Inside each person, all of humanity, each religion is a way of finding those things and giving those things to others.\r\n\r\nIf you haven’t watched the TV series LOST, there\'s a point where after enough division, the main character, Jack, gives this beautiful speech and says \"We either live together, or die alone.\" It\'s not a perfect analogy, but if we start are able to start seeing each other as people seeking love as a humans first, there is a lot more we have in common. We’ll have a lot more to appreciate, a lot more to learn, and a lot more to express and explore with each other.\r\n\r\nIf we can learn about each other and hear each other’s stories we won’t have to be afraid anymore. We’ll be able to see each other as neighbors, as doctors, as teachers, as friends, as real estate agents, and not as terrorists, liars, or aliens. We’ll be able to see each other as God sees us: his beautiful creation.\r\n\r\nThe point of this series is to call out what is good in each of these faith perspectives because at the core of all of them is love. I want to find the expressions of their journeys that bring meaning to my journey and to your journey.\r\n\r\nThis allows us to give more grace, redemption and honor to each other as humans without having to agree on logistics or trying to get everyone to believe in one faith.\r\n\r\nAfter all, everyone is created and born long before they have a religious affiliation. If we start to view each other as humans <em>first</em>, it takes the teeth of these heated, damaging religious conversations and redeems us all.\r\n\r\n<em>First up we will hear from Carl, the Baha\'i gentleman from Detroit, Michigan.</em>\r\n\r\n<em>Photo credit: Flickr / <a href=\"Why It All Matters\" target=\"_blank\">macisaguy</a></em>','Faith Interview Series: Why It All Matters','','inherit','open','open','','5638-revision-4','','','2012-03-25 19:02:57','2012-03-26 02:02:57','',5638,'http://provoketive.com/2012/03/25/5638-revision-4/',0,'revision','',0),(6257,38,'2012-04-24 18:09:39','2012-04-25 01:09:39','Over the next couple of weeks I am going to be posting a series of interviews with religious leaders and congregants of different religions from the metro Detroit area.\r\n\r\nWhy? Well, that’s a complicated answer.\r\n\r\nI’ve been trying to pin down when I first became interested in interfaith relations. I can look back to a couple of years ago picking up a book of poetry by the Sufi poet Rumi. The way he spoke of God was so beautiful and different from what I had heard before.\r\n<blockquote>This lion of God\r\nwatches over me,\r\nI sing as he roars.</blockquote>\r\n(From “I’ve Got You Now” from <a href=\"http://www.amazon.com/Hush-Dont-Say-Anything-God/dp/0875730841/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1332704201&amp;sr=8-1\"><em>Hush, Don’t Say Anything to God: Passionate Poems by Rumi</em></a>.)\r\n\r\nI took a World Religion class a few semesters ago. I inhaled it. However, it was missing the <em>guts</em>. What I mean is that I got all the textbook facts and explanations of the different world religions, but it was missing what it\'s like to be a Buddhist in the world today. It was missing how it feels to be a young Muslim in Detroit. It was missing how it feels to be a Sikh living in the Midwest. I loved the textbook stuff, but I wanted to hear the stories for myself.\r\n\r\nI grew up completely in the dark about other religions. They were this kind of scary blob out there somewhere in the distance. I didn\'t know anyone of other religons, let alone other sects, but I was told very early on that they were dangerous. So, when I grew up and moved out of my beginnings, I started to meet new people around me. They weren\'t Christian, but spoke of faith and god the same way I did. It still meant a lot to them, they still went to worship, and they still had things they could or couldn\'t do because of their convictions.\r\n\r\nThey were just like me.\r\n\r\nI grew up in was very isolated from and very ignorant to other religions. At the end of high school I had my own journey with disillusionment/migration from one church to another and I started to see how hurtful my previous views of other religions had been. I know how important, devastating, crucial, life-changing and transformational religion had been in my life, and people of other faiths feel that way about theirs, so how could I be so callous to brush theirs off?\r\n\r\nThe things that I have learned about other religions do not weaken my faith but they <em>enhance it</em>. The more I know about other religions, the more it gives me new perspectives about belief, discipline, love, peace, and faith. How would my faith be stronger if I prayed five times a day? If I committed to not harming other beings? If I stuck to a strong stance of non-violence? These are all principles that are in other religions, but they could be used as tools to understand my own faith better if applied to my own God and faith.\r\n\r\nWe are living in a crucial point in history. Whether we like it or not, we have to share the space on this planet with others. If we cannot learn to live together, we will rip this planet to shreds.\r\n\r\nWhat I found from doing these interviews is that it liberated me. Why?\r\n\r\n<strong>It liberated me because... I can offer dignity to the people I had taken it away from.</strong>\r\n\r\nI have said hateful things to people of other religions in my former life. I am not proud of them and I wish I could take them back because I know how misinformed I was. I know now how hurtful I was. So now, I get the chance to show the people around me where I was wrong, and how we can all move forward in a more compassionate, loving way.\r\n\r\n<strong>It liberated me because... I can be the bearer of truth.</strong>\r\n\r\nNope, not everyone wearing something on their head is a terrorist. Catholics do not worship Mary. No, they don\'t have mushy beliefs. Nope, they don\'t advocate murder. No, they don\'t do blood offerings.\r\n\r\nIf you know the truth about other people, about your global neighbors, about the people in your community, you will be able to communicate that to your friends and family. You can correct the conversation, right the injustice, and wipe away the discrimination. If you know the truth, you have the power to change the conversation and bring light back into the room.\r\n\r\nThis is about the golden rule. If someone said some blind accusation about you that was clearly false, wouldn\'t you want that cleared up? Wouldn\'t you wish they had taken an extra minute to learn <em>why</em> you do the things you do? Why then shouldn\'t we extend that to other people?\r\n\r\n<strong>It liberated me because... I have learned to appreciate diversity.</strong>\r\n\r\nI don\'t remember who said this to me recent, but they said that people are like a garden. If we were all one flower of the same color, the garden would be pretty but wouldn\'t be significant. But if we are a garden of different flowers, of different shapes, colors, scents, and functions, the garden comes to life. We are beautiful because of our diversity.\r\n\r\n<strong>It liberated me because... I don\'t have to be afraid anymore.</strong>\r\n\r\nThis is the piece that has truely changed my life. If you find out that your coworker has a different faith and you get context to what they believe, you start to care about them. They stop being these scary people on the news. They stop being these people you have to clutch your purse closer when you walk by. They stop being unknown.\r\n\r\nThey come to life. They start becoming human.\r\n\r\nThey believe just like I do. They care about life, love, and their families just like I do. They aren\'t an Other. They are my neighbor and I care about them now because they aren\'t something in the distance. They have a face, a personality, a name, an accent and a story. Instead of being able to insult something in the darkness, I melt in the gaze of their eyes because I know them.\r\n\r\nYou may never get the chance or desire to meet a Druid from Plymouth, Michigan. But now that you can connect a face to a story, to a faith, to a religion, you hopefully will be slower to paint hateful things about them or any other member of faith with your words. I wanted to do this series to bring <em>you</em> the stories. I wanted <em>you</em> to hear it straight from the horse\'s mouth.\r\n\r\nWe don\'t have to agree and we don\'t have to convert. But we do need to inform ourselves so we don\'t spread lies about our neighbors and we need to learn how to share this space safely and kindly.\r\n\r\nIf you haven’t watched the TV series LOST, there\'s a point where after enough division, the main character, Jack, gives this beautiful speech and says \"We either live together, or die alone.\" It\'s not a perfect analogy, but if we start are able to start seeing each other as people seeking love as a humans first, there is a lot more we have in common. We’ll have a lot more to appreciate, a lot more to learn, and a lot more to express and explore with each other.\r\n\r\nIf we can learn about each other and hear each other’s stories we won’t have to be afraid anymore. We’ll be able to see each other as neighbors, as doctors, as teachers, as friends, as real estate agents, and not as terrorists, liars, or aliens. We’ll be able to see each other as God sees us: his beautiful creation.\r\n\r\nThe point of this series is to call out what is good in each of these faith perspectives because at the core of all of them is <em>love</em>. I want to find the expressions of their journeys that bring meaning to our journeys. This allows us to give more grace, redemption and honor to each other as humans without having to agree on logistics or trying to get everyone to believe in one faith.\r\n\r\nAfter all, everyone is created and born long before they have a religious affiliation. If we start to view each other as humans <em>first</em>, it takes the teeth of those heated, damaging religious conversations and redeems us all.\r\n\r\n<em>Photo credit: Flickr / <a href=\"Why It All Matters\" target=\"_blank\">macisaguy</a></em>','Faith Interview Series: Why It All Matters','','inherit','open','open','','5638-revision-5','','','2012-04-24 18:09:39','2012-04-25 01:09:39','',5638,'http://provoketive.com/2012/04/24/5638-revision-5/',0,'revision','',0),(6258,38,'2012-05-23 08:00:04','2012-05-23 15:00:04','Padma Kuppa, a Hindu woman from Troy, Michigan, was born in India. Her family moved to the United States where they remained until the 80’s when her family moved back to India. It wasn’t easy adjusting to being uprooted and moving back to mainstream Indian culture, since she was a teenager when her family moved.\r\n\r\nPadma attended engineering school in India, which is an extremely competitive program. In an <a href=\"http://www.blitzkriegpublishing.com/Indian%20Culture.htm\">article for Metro Parent Magazine</a>, she said, “I was at the highest levels in math and science when I returned to India after 10th grade, but that was the norm for students there.”\r\n<h2>The National Day of Prayer</h2>\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_6262\" align=\"alignright\" width=\"150\" caption=\"A Hindu woman and boy\"]<a href=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/hindu-woman-boy_flickr_tejal-patel.jpg\"><img class=\"size-thumbnail wp-image-6262\" src=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/hindu-woman-boy_flickr_tejal-patel-150x150.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nPadma’s story of living her faith in the public square begins in May of 2005, when she heard about a National Day of Prayer event being put on in her area. She volunteered to help organize the event but was denied. A year later, when the next National Day of Prayer was coming up, Padma approached the overall coordinator for the National Day of Prayer to ask again if she could help organize the event and participate. She was denied a once again, but this time she found it was a specifically Judeo-Christian event.\r\n\r\nThis caused a stir in local media. To prevent people like Padma from interfering again, the National Day of Prayer Task Force tried to get the city of Troy to declare the holiday to be a strictly Christian observance. The city exploded into controversy with threats of lawsuits in violation of the First Amendment. “I was not used to my faith being such a public thing before that. Faith had been so private to me, but then overnight I was on the front page of the Free Press,” she said.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_6264\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"276\" caption=\"Statues of Hindu gods at Batu Caves, a famous Hindu Temple\"]<a href=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/batu-caves-statues_flickr_auswandern-malaysia.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-6264\" src=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/batu-caves-statues_flickr_auswandern-malaysia-276x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"276\" height=\"300\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nPadma then decided to join forces with a few other people and begin the Troy Interfaith Group. On May 4<span style=\"font-size: 11px;\">th</span>, 2006, the Troy Interfaith Group held its first National Day of Prayer celebration at St. Anastasia Roman Catholic Church in Troy, Michigan. As a result, Harvard University approached Padma about using the National Day of Prayer situation a case study for <a href=\"http://pluralism.org/reports/view/66\">The Pluralism Project</a>.\r\n\r\nPadma was born into the Hindu faith. She grew up in a family with a lot of religious variety with close family members who were Catholic, Jewish, and Hindu. She and her family had appreciation and respect for people of other faiths, so her involvement in the interfaith arena was natural. “When I went off for college, my father sent me with the Gita,” (one of the Hindu scriptures) “the Bible, and Shakespeare.”\r\n\r\nIn 2008, Padma lost a close friend and began a blog called “Seeking Shanti” in her honor. Her blog was eventually moved to <a href=\"http://www.patheos.com/About-Patheos/Padma-Kuppa.html\">Patheos</a>, where she is an advocate for Hinduism online. In 2009 she also began work with <a href=\"http://www.interfaithwisdom.com/\">WISDOM</a> (Women’s Interfaith Solutions for Dialogue and Outreach in Metro Detroit). Additionally, Padma is a part of her local Hindu Temple’s outreach committee and works with the National Temple Organization.\r\n\r\n“Hinduism isn’t a religion for us; it’s a way of living,” Padma said.\r\n<h2>About Hinduism</h2>\r\nHinduism is the third largest religion in the world with around one billion followers. It’s a religion that does not fall into one category as it is monotheistic, polytheistic, and also pantheistic. It’s monotheistic because Hindus have a belief in an ultimate being called Brahman, but it’s polytheistic because they believe in multiple deities, whose numbers range in the thousands and beyond who all express different aspects of Brahman. Hinduism is also pantheistic because they often worship spirits and believe that all people and nature are of divine nature.\r\n\r\n“There’s a lot of misinformation about Hinduism in this country,” Padma told me while we sat at a table in Starbucks. There was an egregious error in one of her son’s textbooks from school. “It said that ‘Hindus worship cows.’ Right there in his book! Hindus do not worship cows,” she said. “We revere cows; just like we do all of nature because we believe that the divine is in all things.”\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_6266\" align=\"alignright\" width=\"150\" caption=\"Hindu Temple of Shri Venkateswara in Tividale\"]<a href=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/hindu-temple_flickr_ahisgett.jpg\"><img class=\"size-thumbnail wp-image-6266\" src=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/hindu-temple_flickr_ahisgett-150x150.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nAs it has with Sikhs, cross-discrimination has affected Hindus since 9/11. She told me, “One time when I was at an airport I was approached by someone and was asked, ‘So, are you Shi’ite or Sunni?’ And he was a well-educated man!”\r\n\r\nIn an <a href=\"http://www.freep.com/article/20110911/OPINION05/109110480/Commentary-Learning-how-faith-can-divide-unite\">article in the Detroit Free Press</a> Padma said “What happened on 9/11, and in any instance where religion is called into play, teaches us that faith is something that has the potential to divide or unite. It is in us to choose the latter to make a more peaceful world for ourselves, by learning more about our neighbors and examining our own belief systems. To that end, 9/11 had a domino effect on my life.”\r\n\r\nShe said that the misinformation is not without reason: “I admit that we as a Hindu community have not done a good job of educating the public as to what we are about, and I’m trying to help change that with my work with the HAF [Hindu American Foundation].” The Hindu American Foundation is an advocacy group which offers education resources about Hinduism that works for the interests of Hindu Americans across the country.\r\n\r\nWhile the specific beliefs and practices of the Hindu faith vary wildly between individuals, families, and geographic areas, it can be understood through <a href=\"http://hinduism.about.com/od/basics/a/principles.htm\">5 main principles and 10 disciplines</a> as taught by Dr. Gangadhar Choudhury.\r\n<h2><strong>5 Main Principles (Beliefs)</strong></h2>\r\nThe first principle is that God exists. According to <a href=\"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brahman\">Wikipedia</a>, Brahman is “is the unchanging, infinite, immanent, and transcendent reality which is the Divine Ground of all matter, energy, time, space, being, and everything beyond in this Universe; that is the one supreme, universal spirit.”\r\n\r\nHinduism has a Great Trinity, the Trimurti, which consists of Brahma (creator), Vishnu (the maintainer or preserver), and Shiva (the destroyer). These three deities use their various manifestations to keep the cosmos in balance.\r\n\r\nThe remaining four principles are:\r\n<ol>\r\n	<li><strong>All human beings are divine</strong> – Because Brahman is the divine matter that makes up the universe, the divine is in everything.</li>\r\n	<li><strong>Unity of existence through</strong> <strong>love</strong></li>\r\n	<li><strong>Religious harmony</strong> – This principle is greatly evidenced through Padma’s life and her work to unify the hearts and celebrate people of different faiths in metro Detroit.</li>\r\n	<li><strong>Knowledge of 3 Gs</strong> – <a href=\"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ganges_in_Hinduism\">Ganga</a> (sacred river), <a href=\"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gita\">Gita</a> (sacred scripture), <a href=\"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gayatri\">Gayatri</a> (sacred mantra)</li>\r\n</ol>\r\n<h2><strong>10 Disciplines (Ways of Living)</strong></h2>\r\n<ol>\r\n	<li><strong><em>Satya</em></strong> – Truth, which includes social justice and environmentalism</li>\r\n	<li><a href=\"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ahimsa#Hinduism\"><strong><em>Ahimsa</em></strong></a> – Non-violence, including towards animals, making Hindus vegetarian</li>\r\n	<li><a href=\"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brahmacharya\"><strong><em>Brahmacharya</em></strong></a> – Celibacy, sobriety, self-control, non-adultery (also one of the <a href=\"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ashrama_(stage)\">four stages of life</a>)</li>\r\n	<li><a href=\"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asteya\"><strong><em>Asteya</em></strong></a> – No desire to possess or steal (also a main principle of Jainism)</li>\r\n	<li><a href=\"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aparigraha\"><strong><em>Aparighara</em></strong></a> – Non-corrupt, living simply and not being obsessed with material acquisition (another main principle that Jainism and Hinduism share)</li>\r\n	<li><a href=\"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shaucha\"><strong><em>Shaucha</em></strong></a><em> </em>– Cleanliness, purity</li>\r\n	<li><a href=\"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Santosh\"><strong><em>Santosh</em></strong></a> – Contentment, gratefulness, happiness</li>\r\n	<li><a href=\"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swadhyaya\"><strong><em>Swadhyaya</em></strong></a> – Gathering and reading of scriptures</li>\r\n	<li><a href=\"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tapas_(Sanskrit)\"><strong><em>Tapas</em></strong></a> – Austerity, perseverance, penance, discipline, spiritual enlightenment</li>\r\n	<li><a href=\"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ishvarapranidhana\"><strong><em>Ishwarpranidhan</em></strong></a> – Regular prayers</li>\r\n</ol>\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_6268\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"90\" caption=\"The symbol for Hinduism\"]<a href=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/hindu-symbol_flickr_ahisgett.jpg\"><img class=\"wp-image-6268 \" src=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/hindu-symbol_flickr_ahisgett-150x150.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"90\" height=\"90\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nAs far as worship on a daily basis, devout followers observe at home through things like: chores and food preparation for the family shrine, lighting lamps, meditation, recitation of scripture and mantras, and singing hymns.\r\n\r\nAdditionally, there is an emphasis on celebration special events and periods in one’s life in Hinduism, with rituals and rites to boot. Among others, Hindus celebrate birth, first feeding, marriage, and death.\r\n\r\nOne of the practices that the world has picked up on from Hinduism is the tradition of <em>yoga</em>. In Hinduism, yoga simply means “path” or “way of knowing God”. There are several paths or approaches to learning about God:\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li><strong>Bhakti</strong> – Path of devotion, which includes <a href=\"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asana\">Asana</a>, among other things, which is what the physical activity of Westernized yoga is derived from.</li>\r\n	<li><strong>Gñāna</strong> – Path of knowledge</li>\r\n	<li><strong>Dhyana</strong> – Path of meditation</li>\r\n	<li><strong>Karma</strong> – Path of action</li>\r\n</ul>\r\nPadma had an equal representation of all of the paths while she was growing up. “I used to tell people that my mother was Bhakti, my father was Gñāna, my aunt was Dhyana and my uncle was Karma.”\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_6271\" align=\"alignright\" width=\"150\" caption=\"Hindu god statues\"]<a href=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/hindu-statues_flickr_chem7.jpg\"><img class=\"size-thumbnail wp-image-6271\" src=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/hindu-statues_flickr_chem7-150x150.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nAnother piece of Hinduism that people seem to misunderstand is reincarnation. One of the beliefs of Hinduism and other Eastern religions that came out of India is that we are all trapped in the cycle of <em>Samsara</em>. <em>Samsara</em> is the cycle of life and death. The way to escape S<em>amsara</em> is through <em>karma</em>, <em>dharma</em>, and <em>yoga</em>.\r\n\r\nOnce you achieve purity and spiritual enlightenment you can finally escape <em>Samsara </em>(and attain liberation), but you are perpetually reborn until you reach that point. How you are reborn is linked with <em>karma</em>, which is the idea that your actions create ripples through the universe, also described as “each action has an action and a reaction force”.\r\n<h2>Conclusion</h2>\r\nMy time with Padma Kuppa was wonderful. She was very well-spoken and was very passionate about her work. I appreciate her taking time out of her busy schedule to sit and talk with me to tell me about her work in interfaith and beautiful heritage. I look forward to getting to know her better.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_6272\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"150\" caption=\"A Hindu bride\"]<a href=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/hindu-bride_flickr_tejal-patel.jpg\"><img class=\"size-thumbnail wp-image-6272\" src=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/hindu-bride_flickr_tejal-patel-150x150.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nThe thing that really stood out during my time spent with Padma was a sense of her passion because it was utterly contagious. She wasn’t doing these things in her community and devoting countless hours to these organizations out of obligation; no, she was doing them because she believes in them deep down in her soul. It was stunning.\r\n\r\nIt was incredible to talk to someone from a completely different walk of life who expressed with her every breath her desire to bring people together, show love, and celebrate diversity through unity. This is one thing that everyone I have interviewed has had in common with Padma: they all have heart.\r\n\r\nPadma finished our conversation with the following statement, which sums up her way of life perfectly: “Forget what you don’t believe, live what you <em>do</em> believe. Learn a little, but act together,\" meaning, don\'t spend so much time bickering over the little things that you never actually <em>live what you claim to believe</em>.\r\n\r\n<strong>Thank you to Padma Kuppa for meeting with me and to Dr. Bob Cornwall for introducing me to her. If you want to hear more from Padma, <a href=\"http://www.patheos.com/About-Patheos/Padma-Kuppa.html\" target=\"_blank\">read her blog at Patheos</a>.</strong>\r\n\r\n<strong><em>Zen Buddhism is more than just about sitting on cushions and humming. Hear from three lovely Zen Buddhists living in Ferndale, Michigan next!</em></strong>\r\n\r\n<em>Photo credit: Flickr / <a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/mckaysavage/3509727527/in/photostream/\" target=\"_blank\">mckaysavage</a> (Top image: Batu Caves), <a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tejspics/418805382/in/photostream/\" target=\"_blank\">Tejal Patel</a> (Hindu woman and boy), <a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/carworld/3898972515/in/photostream/\" target=\"_blank\">Auswandern Malaysia</a> (Batu Caves statues), <a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/hisgett/3526951764/in/photostream/\" target=\"_blank\">ahisgett</a> (Hindu temple), <a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/hisgett/3272485440/in/photostream/\" target=\"_blank\">ahisgett</a> (Hindu symbol), <a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/88087720@N00/3048151272/in/photostream/\" target=\"_blank\">chem7</a> (Hindu god statues), <a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tejspics/418806036/in/photostream/\" target=\"_blank\">Tejal Patel</a> (Hindu bride)</em>','Faith Interview Series: Hinduism','','publish','open','open','','faith-interview-series-hinduism','','','2012-05-06 23:03:17','2012-05-07 06:03:17','',0,'http://provoketive.com/?p=6258',0,'post','',2),(6259,38,'2012-04-24 18:18:18','2012-04-25 01:18:18','Padma Kuppa, a Hindu woman from Troy, Michigan, was born in India. Her family moved to the United States where they remained until the 80’s when her family moved back to India. It wasn’t easy adjusting to being uprooted and moving back to mainstream Indian culture, since she was a teenager when her family moved.\n\nPadma attended engineering school in India, which is an extremely competitive program. In an <a href=\"http://www.blitzkriegpublishing.com/Indian%20Culture.htm\">article for Metro Parent Magazine</a>, she said, “I was at the highest levels in math and science when I returned to India after 10th grade, but that was the norm for students there.”\n<h2>The National Day of Prayer</h2>\nPadma’s story of living her faith in the public square begins in May of 2005, when she heard about a National Day of Prayer event being put on in her area. She volunteered to help organize the event but was denied. A year later, when the next National Day of Prayer was coming up, Padma approached the overall coordinator for the National Day of Prayer to ask again if she could help organize the event and participate. She was denied a once again, but this time she found it it was a specifically Judeo-Christian event.\n\nThis caused a stir in local media. To prevent people like Padma from interfering again, the National Day of Prayer Task Force tried to get the city of Troy to declare the holiday to be a strictly Christian observance. The city exploded into controversy with threats of lawsuits in violation of the First Amendment. “I was not used to my faith being such a public thing before that. Faith had been so private to me, but then overnight I was on the front page of the Free Press,” she said.\n\nPadma then decided to join forces with a few other people and begin the Troy Interfaith Group. On May 4<sup>th</sup>, 2006, the Troy Interfaith Group held its first National Day of Prayer celebration at St. Anastasia Roman Catholic Church in Troy, Michigan. As a result, Harvard University approached Padma about using the National Day of Prayer situation a case study for <a href=\"http://pluralism.org/reports/view/66\">The Pluralism Project</a>.\n\nPadma was born into the Hindu faith. She grew up in a family with a lot of religious variety with close family members who were Catholic, Jewish, and Hindu. She and her family had appreciation and respect for people of other faiths, so her involvement in the interfaith arena was natural. “When I went off for college, my father sent me with the Gita,” (one of the Hindu scriptures) “the Bible, and Shakespeare.”\n\nIn 2008, Padma lost a close friend and began a blog called “Seeking Shanti” in her honor. Her blog was eventually moved to <a href=\"http://www.patheos.com/About-Patheos/Padma-Kuppa.html\">Patheos</a>, where she is an advocate for Hinduism online. In 2009 she also began work with <a href=\"http://www.interfaithwisdom.com/\">WISDOM</a> (Women’s Interfaith Solutions for Dialogue and Outreach in MetroDetroit). Additionally, Padma is a part of her local Hindu Temple’s outreach committee and works with the National Temple Organization.\n\n“Hinduism isn’t a religion for us; it’s a way of living,” Padma said.\n<h2>About Hinduism</h2>\nHinduism is the third largest religion in the world with around one billion followers. It’s a religion that does not fall into one category as it is monotheistic, polytheistic, and also pantheistic. It’s monotheistic because Hindus have a belief in an ultimate being called Brahman, but it’s polytheistic because they believe in multiple deities, whose numbers range in the thousands and beyond who all express different aspects of Brahman. Hinduism is also pantheistic because they often worship spirits and believe that all people and nature are of divine nature.\n\n“There’s a lot of misinformation about Hinduism in this country,” Padma told me while we sat at a table in Starbucks. There was an egregious error in one of her son’s textbooks from school. “It said that ‘Hindus worship cows.’ Right there in his book! Hindus do not worship cows,” she said. “We revere cows; just like we do all of nature because we believe that the divine is in all things.”\n\nAs it has with Sikhs, cross-discrimination has affected Hindus since 9/11. She told me, “One time when I was at an airport I was approached by someone and was asked, ‘So, are you Shi’ite or Sunni?’ And he was a well-educated man!”\n\nIn an <a href=\"http://www.freep.com/article/20110911/OPINION05/109110480/Commentary-Learning-how-faith-can-divide-unite\">article in the Detroit Free Press</a> Padma said “What happened on 9/11, and in any instance where religion is called into play, teaches us that faith is something that has the potential to divide or unite. It is in us to choose the latter to make a more peaceful world for ourselves, by learning more about our neighbors and examining our own belief systems. To that end, 9/11 had a domino effect on my life.”\n\nShe said that the misinformation is not without reason: “I admit that we as a Hindu community have not done a good job of educating the public as to what we are about, and I’m trying to help change that with my work with the HAF [Hindu American Foundation].” The Hindu American Foundation is an advocacy group which offers education resources about Hinduism that works for the interests of Hindu Americans across the country.\n\nWhile the specific beliefs and practices of the Hindu faith vary wildly between individuals, families, and geographic areas, it can be understood through <a href=\"http://hinduism.about.com/od/basics/a/principles.htm\">5 main principles and 10 disciplines</a> as taught by Dr. Gangadhar Choudhury.\n<h2><strong>5 Main Principles (Beliefs)</strong></h2>\nThe first principle is that God exists. According to <a href=\"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brahman\">Wikipedia</a>, Brahman is “is the unchanging, infinite, immanent, and transcendent reality which is the Divine Ground of all matter, energy, time, space, being, and everything beyond in this Universe; that is the one supreme, universal spirit.”\n\nHinduism has a Great Trinity, the Trimurti, which consists of Brahma (creator), Vishnu (the maintainer or preserver), and Shiva (the destroyer). These three deities use their various manifestations to keep the cosmos in balance.\n\nThe remaining four principles are:\n<ol>\n	<li><strong>All human beings are divine</strong> – Because Brahman is the divine matter that makes up the universe, the divine is in everything.</li>\n	<li><strong>Unity of existence through</strong> <strong>love</strong></li>\n	<li><strong>Religious harmony</strong> – This principle is greatly evidenced through Padma’s life and her work to unify the hearts and celebrate people of different faiths in metro Detroit.</li>\n	<li><strong>Knowledge of 3 Gs</strong> – <a href=\"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ganges_in_Hinduism\">Ganga</a> (sacred river), <a href=\"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gita\">Gita</a> (sacred scripture), <a href=\"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gayatri\">Gayatri</a> (sacred mantra)</li>\n</ol>\n<h2><strong>10 Disciplines (Ways of Living)</strong></h2>\n<ol>\n	<li><strong><em>Satya</em></strong> – Truth, which includes social justice and environmentalism</li>\n	<li><a href=\"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ahimsa#Hinduism\"><strong><em>Ahimsa</em></strong></a> – Non-violence, including towards animals, making Hindus vegetarian</li>\n	<li><a href=\"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brahmacharya\"><strong><em>Brahmacharya</em></strong></a> – Celibacy, sobriety, self-control, non-adultery (also one of the <a href=\"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ashrama_(stage)\">four stages of life</a>)</li>\n	<li><a href=\"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asteya\"><strong><em>Asteya</em></strong></a> – No desire to possess or steal (also a main principle of Jainism)</li>\n	<li><a href=\"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aparigraha\"><strong><em>Aparighara</em></strong></a> – Non-corrupt, living simply and not being obsessed with material acquisition (another main principle that Jainism and Hinduism share)</li>\n	<li><a href=\"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shaucha\"><strong><em>Shaucha</em></strong></a><em> </em>– Cleanliness, purity</li>\n	<li><a href=\"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Santosh\"><strong><em>Santosh</em></strong></a> – Contentment, gratefulness, happiness</li>\n	<li><a href=\"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swadhyaya\"><strong><em>Swadhyaya</em></strong></a> – Gathering and reading of scriptures</li>\n	<li><a href=\"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tapas_(Sanskrit)\"><strong><em>Tapas</em></strong></a> – Austerity, perseverance, penance, discipline, spiritual enlightenment</li>\n	<li><a href=\"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ishvarapranidhana\"><strong><em>Ishwarpranidhan</em></strong></a> – Regular prayers</li>\n</ol>\nAs far as worship on a daily basis, devout followers observe at home through things like: chores and food preparation for the family shrine, lighting lamps, meditation, recitation of scripture and mantras, and singing hymns.\n\nAdditionally, there is an emphasis on celebration special events and periods in one’s life in Hinduism, with rituals and rites to boot. Among others, Hindus celebrate birth, first feeding, marriage, and death.\n\nOne of the practices that the world has picked up on from Hinduism is the tradition of <em>yoga</em>. In Hinduism, yoga simply means “path” or “way of knowing God”. There are several paths or approaches to learning about God:\n<ul>\n	<li><strong>Bhakti</strong> – Path of devotion, which includes <a href=\"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asana\">Asana</a>, among other things, which is what the physical activity of Westernized yoga is derived from.</li>\n	<li><strong>Gñāna</strong> – Path of knowledge</li>\n	<li><strong>Dhyana</strong> – Path of meditation</li>\n	<li><strong>Karma</strong> – Path of action</li>\n</ul>\nPadma had an equal representation of all of the paths while she was growing up. “I used to tell people that my mother was Bhakti, my father was Gñāna, my aunt was Dhyana and my uncle was Karma.”\n\nAnother piece of Hinduism that people seem to misunderstand is reincarnation. One of the beliefs of Hinduism and other Eastern religions that came out of India is that we are all trapped in the cycle of <em>Samsara</em>. <em>Samsara</em> is the cycle of life and death. The way to escape S<em>amsara</em> is through <em>karma</em>, <em>dharma</em>, and <em>yoga</em>.\n\nOnce you achieve purity and spiritual enlightenment you can finally escape <em>Samsara </em>(and attain liberation), but you are perpetually reborn until you reach that point. How you are reborn is linked with <em>karma</em>, which is the idea that your actions create ripples through the universe, also described as “each action has an action and a reaction force”.\n<h2>Conclusion</h2>\nMy time with Padma Kuppa was wonderful. She was very well-spoken and was very passionate about her work. I appreciate her taking time out of her busy schedule to sit and talk with me to tell me about her work in interfaith and beautiful heritage. I look forward to getting to know her better.\n\nThe thing that really stood out during my time spent with Padma was a sense of her passion because it was utterly contagious. She wasn’t doing these things in her community and devoting countless hours to these organizations out of obligation; no, she was doing them because she believes in them deep down in her soul. It was stunning.\n\nIt was incredible to talk to someone from a completely different walk of life who expressed with her every breath her desire to bring people together, show love, and celebrate diversity through unity. This is one thing that everyone I have interviewed has had in common with Padma: they all have heart.\n\nPadma finished our conversation with the following statement, which sums up her way of life perfectly: “Forget what you don’t believe, live what you <em>do</em> believe. Learn a little, but act together,\" meaning, don\'t spend so much time bickering over the little things that you never actually live what you claim to believe.\n\n<strong>Thank you to Padma Kuppa for meeting with me and to Dr. Bob Cornwall for introducing me to her.</strong>','Faith Interview Series: Hinduism','','inherit','open','open','','6258-revision','','','2012-04-24 18:18:18','2012-04-25 01:18:18','',6258,'http://provoketive.com/2012/04/24/6258-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(6260,38,'2012-04-24 18:25:30','2012-04-25 01:25:30','','batu-caves_flickr_mckaysavage','','inherit','open','open','','batu-caves_flickr_mckaysavage','','','2012-04-24 18:25:30','2012-04-25 01:25:30','',6258,'http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/batu-caves_flickr_mckaysavage.jpg',7,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(6261,38,'2012-04-24 18:19:18','2012-04-25 01:19:18','Padma Kuppa, a Hindu woman from Troy, Michigan, was born in India. Her family moved to the United States where they remained until the 80’s when her family moved back to India. It wasn’t easy adjusting to being uprooted and moving back to mainstream Indian culture, since she was a teenager when her family moved.\n\nPadma attended engineering school in India, which is an extremely competitive program. In an <a href=\"http://www.blitzkriegpublishing.com/Indian%20Culture.htm\">article for Metro Parent Magazine</a>, she said, “I was at the highest levels in math and science when I returned to India after 10th grade, but that was the norm for students there.”\n<h2>The National Day of Prayer</h2>\nPadma’s story of living her faith in the public square begins in May of 2005, when she heard about a National Day of Prayer event being put on in her area. She volunteered to help organize the event but was denied. A year later, when the next National Day of Prayer was coming up, Padma approached the overall coordinator for the National Day of Prayer to ask again if she could help organize the event and participate. She was denied a once again, but this time she found it it was a specifically Judeo-Christian event.\n\nThis caused a stir in local media. To prevent people like Padma from interfering again, the National Day of Prayer Task Force tried to get the city of Troy to declare the holiday to be a strictly Christian observance. The city exploded into controversy with threats of lawsuits in violation of the First Amendment. “I was not used to my faith being such a public thing before that. Faith had been so private to me, but then overnight I was on the front page of the Free Press,” she said.\n\nPadma then decided to join forces with a few other people and begin the Troy Interfaith Group. On May 4<sup>th</sup>, 2006, the Troy Interfaith Group held its first National Day of Prayer celebration at St. Anastasia Roman Catholic Church in Troy, Michigan. As a result, Harvard University approached Padma about using the National Day of Prayer situation a case study for <a href=\"http://pluralism.org/reports/view/66\">The Pluralism Project</a>.\n\nPadma was born into the Hindu faith. She grew up in a family with a lot of religious variety with close family members who were Catholic, Jewish, and Hindu. She and her family had appreciation and respect for people of other faiths, so her involvement in the interfaith arena was natural. “When I went off for college, my father sent me with the Gita,” (one of the Hindu scriptures) “the Bible, and Shakespeare.”\n\nIn 2008, Padma lost a close friend and began a blog called “Seeking Shanti” in her honor. Her blog was eventually moved to <a href=\"http://www.patheos.com/About-Patheos/Padma-Kuppa.html\">Patheos</a>, where she is an advocate for Hinduism online. In 2009 she also began work with <a href=\"http://www.interfaithwisdom.com/\">WISDOM</a> (Women’s Interfaith Solutions for Dialogue and Outreach in MetroDetroit). Additionally, Padma is a part of her local Hindu Temple’s outreach committee and works with the National Temple Organization.\n\n“Hinduism isn’t a religion for us; it’s a way of living,” Padma said.\n<h2>About Hinduism</h2>\nHinduism is the third largest religion in the world with around one billion followers. It’s a religion that does not fall into one category as it is monotheistic, polytheistic, and also pantheistic. It’s monotheistic because Hindus have a belief in an ultimate being called Brahman, but it’s polytheistic because they believe in multiple deities, whose numbers range in the thousands and beyond who all express different aspects of Brahman. Hinduism is also pantheistic because they often worship spirits and believe that all people and nature are of divine nature.\n\n“There’s a lot of misinformation about Hinduism in this country,” Padma told me while we sat at a table in Starbucks. There was an egregious error in one of her son’s textbooks from school. “It said that ‘Hindus worship cows.’ Right there in his book! Hindus do not worship cows,” she said. “We revere cows; just like we do all of nature because we believe that the divine is in all things.”\n\nAs it has with Sikhs, cross-discrimination has affected Hindus since 9/11. She told me, “One time when I was at an airport I was approached by someone and was asked, ‘So, are you Shi’ite or Sunni?’ And he was a well-educated man!”\n\nIn an <a href=\"http://www.freep.com/article/20110911/OPINION05/109110480/Commentary-Learning-how-faith-can-divide-unite\">article in the Detroit Free Press</a> Padma said “What happened on 9/11, and in any instance where religion is called into play, teaches us that faith is something that has the potential to divide or unite. It is in us to choose the latter to make a more peaceful world for ourselves, by learning more about our neighbors and examining our own belief systems. To that end, 9/11 had a domino effect on my life.”\n\nShe said that the misinformation is not without reason: “I admit that we as a Hindu community have not done a good job of educating the public as to what we are about, and I’m trying to help change that with my work with the HAF [Hindu American Foundation].” The Hindu American Foundation is an advocacy group which offers education resources about Hinduism that works for the interests of Hindu Americans across the country.\n\nWhile the specific beliefs and practices of the Hindu faith vary wildly between individuals, families, and geographic areas, it can be understood through <a href=\"http://hinduism.about.com/od/basics/a/principles.htm\">5 main principles and 10 disciplines</a> as taught by Dr. Gangadhar Choudhury.\n<h2><strong>5 Main Principles (Beliefs)</strong></h2>\nThe first principle is that God exists. According to <a href=\"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brahman\">Wikipedia</a>, Brahman is “is the unchanging, infinite, immanent, and transcendent reality which is the Divine Ground of all matter, energy, time, space, being, and everything beyond in this Universe; that is the one supreme, universal spirit.”\n\nHinduism has a Great Trinity, the Trimurti, which consists of Brahma (creator), Vishnu (the maintainer or preserver), and Shiva (the destroyer). These three deities use their various manifestations to keep the cosmos in balance.\n\nThe remaining four principles are:\n<ol>\n	<li><strong>All human beings are divine</strong> – Because Brahman is the divine matter that makes up the universe, the divine is in everything.</li>\n	<li><strong>Unity of existence through</strong> <strong>love</strong></li>\n	<li><strong>Religious harmony</strong> – This principle is greatly evidenced through Padma’s life and her work to unify the hearts and celebrate people of different faiths in metro Detroit.</li>\n	<li><strong>Knowledge of 3 Gs</strong> – <a href=\"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ganges_in_Hinduism\">Ganga</a> (sacred river), <a href=\"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gita\">Gita</a> (sacred scripture), <a href=\"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gayatri\">Gayatri</a> (sacred mantra)</li>\n</ol>\n<h2><strong>10 Disciplines (Ways of Living)</strong></h2>\n<ol>\n	<li><strong><em>Satya</em></strong> – Truth, which includes social justice and environmentalism</li>\n	<li><a href=\"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ahimsa#Hinduism\"><strong><em>Ahimsa</em></strong></a> – Non-violence, including towards animals, making Hindus vegetarian</li>\n	<li><a href=\"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brahmacharya\"><strong><em>Brahmacharya</em></strong></a> – Celibacy, sobriety, self-control, non-adultery (also one of the <a href=\"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ashrama_(stage)\">four stages of life</a>)</li>\n	<li><a href=\"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asteya\"><strong><em>Asteya</em></strong></a> – No desire to possess or steal (also a main principle of Jainism)</li>\n	<li><a href=\"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aparigraha\"><strong><em>Aparighara</em></strong></a> – Non-corrupt, living simply and not being obsessed with material acquisition (another main principle that Jainism and Hinduism share)</li>\n	<li><a href=\"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shaucha\"><strong><em>Shaucha</em></strong></a><em> </em>– Cleanliness, purity</li>\n	<li><a href=\"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Santosh\"><strong><em>Santosh</em></strong></a> – Contentment, gratefulness, happiness</li>\n	<li><a href=\"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swadhyaya\"><strong><em>Swadhyaya</em></strong></a> – Gathering and reading of scriptures</li>\n	<li><a href=\"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tapas_(Sanskrit)\"><strong><em>Tapas</em></strong></a> – Austerity, perseverance, penance, discipline, spiritual enlightenment</li>\n	<li><a href=\"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ishvarapranidhana\"><strong><em>Ishwarpranidhan</em></strong></a> – Regular prayers</li>\n</ol>\nAs far as worship on a daily basis, devout followers observe at home through things like: chores and food preparation for the family shrine, lighting lamps, meditation, recitation of scripture and mantras, and singing hymns.\n\nAdditionally, there is an emphasis on celebration special events and periods in one’s life in Hinduism, with rituals and rites to boot. Among others, Hindus celebrate birth, first feeding, marriage, and death.\n\nOne of the practices that the world has picked up on from Hinduism is the tradition of <em>yoga</em>. In Hinduism, yoga simply means “path” or “way of knowing God”. There are several paths or approaches to learning about God:\n<ul>\n	<li><strong>Bhakti</strong> – Path of devotion, which includes <a href=\"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asana\">Asana</a>, among other things, which is what the physical activity of Westernized yoga is derived from.</li>\n	<li><strong>Gñāna</strong> – Path of knowledge</li>\n	<li><strong>Dhyana</strong> – Path of meditation</li>\n	<li><strong>Karma</strong> – Path of action</li>\n</ul>\nPadma had an equal representation of all of the paths while she was growing up. “I used to tell people that my mother was Bhakti, my father was Gñāna, my aunt was Dhyana and my uncle was Karma.”\n\nAnother piece of Hinduism that people seem to misunderstand is reincarnation. One of the beliefs of Hinduism and other Eastern religions that came out of India is that we are all trapped in the cycle of <em>Samsara</em>. <em>Samsara</em> is the cycle of life and death. The way to escape S<em>amsara</em> is through <em>karma</em>, <em>dharma</em>, and <em>yoga</em>.\n\nOnce you achieve purity and spiritual enlightenment you can finally escape <em>Samsara </em>(and attain liberation), but you are perpetually reborn until you reach that point. How you are reborn is linked with <em>karma</em>, which is the idea that your actions create ripples through the universe, also described as “each action has an action and a reaction force”.\n<h2>Conclusion</h2>\nMy time with Padma Kuppa was wonderful. She was very well-spoken and was very passionate about her work. I appreciate her taking time out of her busy schedule to sit and talk with me to tell me about her work in interfaith and beautiful heritage. I look forward to getting to know her better.\n\nThe thing that really stood out during my time spent with Padma was a sense of her passion because it was utterly contagious. She wasn’t doing these things in her community and devoting countless hours to these organizations out of obligation; no, she was doing them because she believes in them deep down in her soul. It was stunning.\n\nIt was incredible to talk to someone from a completely different walk of life who expressed with her every breath her desire to bring people together, show love, and celebrate diversity through unity. This is one thing that everyone I have interviewed has had in common with Padma: they all have heart.\n\nPadma finished our conversation with the following statement, which sums up her way of life perfectly: “Forget what you don’t believe, live what you <em>do</em> believe. Learn a little, but act together,\" meaning, don\'t spend so much time bickering over the little things that you never actually <em>live what you claim to believe</em>.\n\n<strong>Thank you to Padma Kuppa for meeting with me and to Dr. Bob Cornwall for introducing me to her.</strong>','Faith Interview Series: Hinduism','','inherit','open','open','','6258-revision-2','','','2012-04-24 18:19:18','2012-04-25 01:19:18','',6258,'http://provoketive.com/2012/04/24/6258-revision-2/',0,'revision','',0),(6262,38,'2012-04-24 18:27:27','2012-04-25 01:27:27','','hindu-woman-boy_flickr_tejal-patel','A Hindu woman and boy','inherit','open','open','','hindu-woman-boy_flickr_tejal-patel','','','2012-04-24 18:27:27','2012-04-25 01:27:27','',6258,'http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/hindu-woman-boy_flickr_tejal-patel.jpg',2,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(6263,38,'2012-04-24 18:25:39','2012-04-25 01:25:39','Padma Kuppa, a Hindu woman from Troy, Michigan, was born in India. Her family moved to the United States where they remained until the 80’s when her family moved back to India. It wasn’t easy adjusting to being uprooted and moving back to mainstream Indian culture, since she was a teenager when her family moved.\r\n\r\nPadma attended engineering school in India, which is an extremely competitive program. In an <a href=\"http://www.blitzkriegpublishing.com/Indian%20Culture.htm\">article for Metro Parent Magazine</a>, she said, “I was at the highest levels in math and science when I returned to India after 10th grade, but that was the norm for students there.”\r\n<h2>The National Day of Prayer</h2>\r\nPadma’s story of living her faith in the public square begins in May of 2005, when she heard about a National Day of Prayer event being put on in her area. She volunteered to help organize the event but was denied. A year later, when the next National Day of Prayer was coming up, Padma approached the overall coordinator for the National Day of Prayer to ask again if she could help organize the event and participate. She was denied a once again, but this time she found it it was a specifically Judeo-Christian event.\r\n\r\nThis caused a stir in local media. To prevent people like Padma from interfering again, the National Day of Prayer Task Force tried to get the city of Troy to declare the holiday to be a strictly Christian observance. The city exploded into controversy with threats of lawsuits in violation of the First Amendment. “I was not used to my faith being such a public thing before that. Faith had been so private to me, but then overnight I was on the front page of the Free Press,” she said.\r\n\r\nPadma then decided to join forces with a few other people and begin the Troy Interfaith Group. On May 4<sup>th</sup>, 2006, the Troy Interfaith Group held its first National Day of Prayer celebration at St. Anastasia Roman Catholic Church in Troy, Michigan. As a result, Harvard University approached Padma about using the National Day of Prayer situation a case study for <a href=\"http://pluralism.org/reports/view/66\">The Pluralism Project</a>.\r\n\r\nPadma was born into the Hindu faith. She grew up in a family with a lot of religious variety with close family members who were Catholic, Jewish, and Hindu. She and her family had appreciation and respect for people of other faiths, so her involvement in the interfaith arena was natural. “When I went off for college, my father sent me with the Gita,” (one of the Hindu scriptures) “the Bible, and Shakespeare.”\r\n\r\nIn 2008, Padma lost a close friend and began a blog called “Seeking Shanti” in her honor. Her blog was eventually moved to <a href=\"http://www.patheos.com/About-Patheos/Padma-Kuppa.html\">Patheos</a>, where she is an advocate for Hinduism online. In 2009 she also began work with <a href=\"http://www.interfaithwisdom.com/\">WISDOM</a> (Women’s Interfaith Solutions for Dialogue and Outreach in MetroDetroit). Additionally, Padma is a part of her local Hindu Temple’s outreach committee and works with the National Temple Organization.\r\n\r\n“Hinduism isn’t a religion for us; it’s a way of living,” Padma said.\r\n<h2>About Hinduism</h2>\r\nHinduism is the third largest religion in the world with around one billion followers. It’s a religion that does not fall into one category as it is monotheistic, polytheistic, and also pantheistic. It’s monotheistic because Hindus have a belief in an ultimate being called Brahman, but it’s polytheistic because they believe in multiple deities, whose numbers range in the thousands and beyond who all express different aspects of Brahman. Hinduism is also pantheistic because they often worship spirits and believe that all people and nature are of divine nature.\r\n\r\n“There’s a lot of misinformation about Hinduism in this country,” Padma told me while we sat at a table in Starbucks. There was an egregious error in one of her son’s textbooks from school. “It said that ‘Hindus worship cows.’ Right there in his book! Hindus do not worship cows,” she said. “We revere cows; just like we do all of nature because we believe that the divine is in all things.”\r\n\r\nAs it has with Sikhs, cross-discrimination has affected Hindus since 9/11. She told me, “One time when I was at an airport I was approached by someone and was asked, ‘So, are you Shi’ite or Sunni?’ And he was a well-educated man!”\r\n\r\nIn an <a href=\"http://www.freep.com/article/20110911/OPINION05/109110480/Commentary-Learning-how-faith-can-divide-unite\">article in the Detroit Free Press</a> Padma said “What happened on 9/11, and in any instance where religion is called into play, teaches us that faith is something that has the potential to divide or unite. It is in us to choose the latter to make a more peaceful world for ourselves, by learning more about our neighbors and examining our own belief systems. To that end, 9/11 had a domino effect on my life.”\r\n\r\nShe said that the misinformation is not without reason: “I admit that we as a Hindu community have not done a good job of educating the public as to what we are about, and I’m trying to help change that with my work with the HAF [Hindu American Foundation].” The Hindu American Foundation is an advocacy group which offers education resources about Hinduism that works for the interests of Hindu Americans across the country.\r\n\r\nWhile the specific beliefs and practices of the Hindu faith vary wildly between individuals, families, and geographic areas, it can be understood through <a href=\"http://hinduism.about.com/od/basics/a/principles.htm\">5 main principles and 10 disciplines</a> as taught by Dr. Gangadhar Choudhury.\r\n<h2><strong>5 Main Principles (Beliefs)</strong></h2>\r\nThe first principle is that God exists. According to <a href=\"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brahman\">Wikipedia</a>, Brahman is “is the unchanging, infinite, immanent, and transcendent reality which is the Divine Ground of all matter, energy, time, space, being, and everything beyond in this Universe; that is the one supreme, universal spirit.”\r\n\r\nHinduism has a Great Trinity, the Trimurti, which consists of Brahma (creator), Vishnu (the maintainer or preserver), and Shiva (the destroyer). These three deities use their various manifestations to keep the cosmos in balance.\r\n\r\nThe remaining four principles are:\r\n<ol>\r\n	<li><strong>All human beings are divine</strong> – Because Brahman is the divine matter that makes up the universe, the divine is in everything.</li>\r\n	<li><strong>Unity of existence through</strong> <strong>love</strong></li>\r\n	<li><strong>Religious harmony</strong> – This principle is greatly evidenced through Padma’s life and her work to unify the hearts and celebrate people of different faiths in metro Detroit.</li>\r\n	<li><strong>Knowledge of 3 Gs</strong> – <a href=\"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ganges_in_Hinduism\">Ganga</a> (sacred river), <a href=\"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gita\">Gita</a> (sacred scripture), <a href=\"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gayatri\">Gayatri</a> (sacred mantra)</li>\r\n</ol>\r\n<h2><strong>10 Disciplines (Ways of Living)</strong></h2>\r\n<ol>\r\n	<li><strong><em>Satya</em></strong> – Truth, which includes social justice and environmentalism</li>\r\n	<li><a href=\"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ahimsa#Hinduism\"><strong><em>Ahimsa</em></strong></a> – Non-violence, including towards animals, making Hindus vegetarian</li>\r\n	<li><a href=\"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brahmacharya\"><strong><em>Brahmacharya</em></strong></a> – Celibacy, sobriety, self-control, non-adultery (also one of the <a href=\"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ashrama_(stage)\">four stages of life</a>)</li>\r\n	<li><a href=\"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asteya\"><strong><em>Asteya</em></strong></a> – No desire to possess or steal (also a main principle of Jainism)</li>\r\n	<li><a href=\"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aparigraha\"><strong><em>Aparighara</em></strong></a> – Non-corrupt, living simply and not being obsessed with material acquisition (another main principle that Jainism and Hinduism share)</li>\r\n	<li><a href=\"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shaucha\"><strong><em>Shaucha</em></strong></a><em> </em>– Cleanliness, purity</li>\r\n	<li><a href=\"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Santosh\"><strong><em>Santosh</em></strong></a> – Contentment, gratefulness, happiness</li>\r\n	<li><a href=\"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swadhyaya\"><strong><em>Swadhyaya</em></strong></a> – Gathering and reading of scriptures</li>\r\n	<li><a href=\"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tapas_(Sanskrit)\"><strong><em>Tapas</em></strong></a> – Austerity, perseverance, penance, discipline, spiritual enlightenment</li>\r\n	<li><a href=\"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ishvarapranidhana\"><strong><em>Ishwarpranidhan</em></strong></a> – Regular prayers</li>\r\n</ol>\r\nAs far as worship on a daily basis, devout followers observe at home through things like: chores and food preparation for the family shrine, lighting lamps, meditation, recitation of scripture and mantras, and singing hymns.\r\n\r\nAdditionally, there is an emphasis on celebration special events and periods in one’s life in Hinduism, with rituals and rites to boot. Among others, Hindus celebrate birth, first feeding, marriage, and death.\r\n\r\nOne of the practices that the world has picked up on from Hinduism is the tradition of <em>yoga</em>. In Hinduism, yoga simply means “path” or “way of knowing God”. There are several paths or approaches to learning about God:\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li><strong>Bhakti</strong> – Path of devotion, which includes <a href=\"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asana\">Asana</a>, among other things, which is what the physical activity of Westernized yoga is derived from.</li>\r\n	<li><strong>Gñāna</strong> – Path of knowledge</li>\r\n	<li><strong>Dhyana</strong> – Path of meditation</li>\r\n	<li><strong>Karma</strong> – Path of action</li>\r\n</ul>\r\nPadma had an equal representation of all of the paths while she was growing up. “I used to tell people that my mother was Bhakti, my father was Gñāna, my aunt was Dhyana and my uncle was Karma.”\r\n\r\nAnother piece of Hinduism that people seem to misunderstand is reincarnation. One of the beliefs of Hinduism and other Eastern religions that came out of India is that we are all trapped in the cycle of <em>Samsara</em>. <em>Samsara</em> is the cycle of life and death. The way to escape S<em>amsara</em> is through <em>karma</em>, <em>dharma</em>, and <em>yoga</em>.\r\n\r\nOnce you achieve purity and spiritual enlightenment you can finally escape <em>Samsara </em>(and attain liberation), but you are perpetually reborn until you reach that point. How you are reborn is linked with <em>karma</em>, which is the idea that your actions create ripples through the universe, also described as “each action has an action and a reaction force”.\r\n<h2>Conclusion</h2>\r\nMy time with Padma Kuppa was wonderful. She was very well-spoken and was very passionate about her work. I appreciate her taking time out of her busy schedule to sit and talk with me to tell me about her work in interfaith and beautiful heritage. I look forward to getting to know her better.\r\n\r\nThe thing that really stood out during my time spent with Padma was a sense of her passion because it was utterly contagious. She wasn’t doing these things in her community and devoting countless hours to these organizations out of obligation; no, she was doing them because she believes in them deep down in her soul. It was stunning.\r\n\r\nIt was incredible to talk to someone from a completely different walk of life who expressed with her every breath her desire to bring people together, show love, and celebrate diversity through unity. This is one thing that everyone I have interviewed has had in common with Padma: they all have heart.\r\n\r\nPadma finished our conversation with the following statement, which sums up her way of life perfectly: “Forget what you don’t believe, live what you <em>do</em> believe. Learn a little, but act together,\" meaning, don\'t spend so much time bickering over the little things that you never actually <em>live what you claim to believe</em>.\r\n\r\n<strong>Thank you to Padma Kuppa for meeting with me and to Dr. Bob Cornwall for introducing me to her.</strong>\r\n\r\nPhoto credit: Flickr / <a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/mckaysavage/3509727527/in/photostream/\" target=\"_blank\">mckaysavage</a> (Caves),','Faith Interview Series: Hinduism','','inherit','open','open','','6258-revision-3','','','2012-04-24 18:25:39','2012-04-25 01:25:39','',6258,'http://provoketive.com/2012/04/24/6258-revision-3/',0,'revision','',0),(6264,38,'2012-04-24 18:29:54','2012-04-25 01:29:54','','batu-caves-statues_flickr_auswandern-malaysia','Statues of Hindu gods at Batu Caves, a famous Hindu Temple','inherit','open','open','','batu-caves-statues_flickr_auswandern-malaysia','','','2012-04-24 18:29:54','2012-04-25 01:29:54','',6258,'http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/batu-caves-statues_flickr_auswandern-malaysia.jpg',6,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(6265,38,'2012-04-24 18:27:44','2012-04-25 01:27:44','Padma Kuppa, a Hindu woman from Troy, Michigan, was born in India. Her family moved to the United States where they remained until the 80’s when her family moved back to India. It wasn’t easy adjusting to being uprooted and moving back to mainstream Indian culture, since she was a teenager when her family moved.\r\n\r\nPadma attended engineering school in India, which is an extremely competitive program. In an <a href=\"http://www.blitzkriegpublishing.com/Indian%20Culture.htm\">article for Metro Parent Magazine</a>, she said, “I was at the highest levels in math and science when I returned to India after 10th grade, but that was the norm for students there.”\r\n<h2>The National Day of Prayer</h2>\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_6262\" align=\"alignright\" width=\"150\" caption=\"A Hindu woman and boy\"]<a href=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/hindu-woman-boy_flickr_tejal-patel.jpg\"><img class=\"size-thumbnail wp-image-6262\" src=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/hindu-woman-boy_flickr_tejal-patel-150x150.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nPadma’s story of living her faith in the public square begins in May of 2005, when she heard about a National Day of Prayer event being put on in her area. She volunteered to help organize the event but was denied. A year later, when the next National Day of Prayer was coming up, Padma approached the overall coordinator for the National Day of Prayer to ask again if she could help organize the event and participate. She was denied a once again, but this time she found it it was a specifically Judeo-Christian event.\r\n\r\nThis caused a stir in local media. To prevent people like Padma from interfering again, the National Day of Prayer Task Force tried to get the city of Troy to declare the holiday to be a strictly Christian observance. The city exploded into controversy with threats of lawsuits in violation of the First Amendment. “I was not used to my faith being such a public thing before that. Faith had been so private to me, but then overnight I was on the front page of the Free Press,” she said.\r\n\r\nPadma then decided to join forces with a few other people and begin the Troy Interfaith Group. On May 4<sup>th</sup>, 2006, the Troy Interfaith Group held its first National Day of Prayer celebration at St. Anastasia Roman Catholic Church in Troy, Michigan. As a result, Harvard University approached Padma about using the National Day of Prayer situation a case study for <a href=\"http://pluralism.org/reports/view/66\">The Pluralism Project</a>.\r\n\r\nPadma was born into the Hindu faith. She grew up in a family with a lot of religious variety with close family members who were Catholic, Jewish, and Hindu. She and her family had appreciation and respect for people of other faiths, so her involvement in the interfaith arena was natural. “When I went off for college, my father sent me with the Gita,” (one of the Hindu scriptures) “the Bible, and Shakespeare.”\r\n\r\nIn 2008, Padma lost a close friend and began a blog called “Seeking Shanti” in her honor. Her blog was eventually moved to <a href=\"http://www.patheos.com/About-Patheos/Padma-Kuppa.html\">Patheos</a>, where she is an advocate for Hinduism online. In 2009 she also began work with <a href=\"http://www.interfaithwisdom.com/\">WISDOM</a> (Women’s Interfaith Solutions for Dialogue and Outreach in MetroDetroit). Additionally, Padma is a part of her local Hindu Temple’s outreach committee and works with the National Temple Organization.\r\n\r\n“Hinduism isn’t a religion for us; it’s a way of living,” Padma said.\r\n<h2>About Hinduism</h2>\r\nHinduism is the third largest religion in the world with around one billion followers. It’s a religion that does not fall into one category as it is monotheistic, polytheistic, and also pantheistic. It’s monotheistic because Hindus have a belief in an ultimate being called Brahman, but it’s polytheistic because they believe in multiple deities, whose numbers range in the thousands and beyond who all express different aspects of Brahman. Hinduism is also pantheistic because they often worship spirits and believe that all people and nature are of divine nature.\r\n\r\n“There’s a lot of misinformation about Hinduism in this country,” Padma told me while we sat at a table in Starbucks. There was an egregious error in one of her son’s textbooks from school. “It said that ‘Hindus worship cows.’ Right there in his book! Hindus do not worship cows,” she said. “We revere cows; just like we do all of nature because we believe that the divine is in all things.”\r\n\r\nAs it has with Sikhs, cross-discrimination has affected Hindus since 9/11. She told me, “One time when I was at an airport I was approached by someone and was asked, ‘So, are you Shi’ite or Sunni?’ And he was a well-educated man!”\r\n\r\nIn an <a href=\"http://www.freep.com/article/20110911/OPINION05/109110480/Commentary-Learning-how-faith-can-divide-unite\">article in the Detroit Free Press</a> Padma said “What happened on 9/11, and in any instance where religion is called into play, teaches us that faith is something that has the potential to divide or unite. It is in us to choose the latter to make a more peaceful world for ourselves, by learning more about our neighbors and examining our own belief systems. To that end, 9/11 had a domino effect on my life.”\r\n\r\nShe said that the misinformation is not without reason: “I admit that we as a Hindu community have not done a good job of educating the public as to what we are about, and I’m trying to help change that with my work with the HAF [Hindu American Foundation].” The Hindu American Foundation is an advocacy group which offers education resources about Hinduism that works for the interests of Hindu Americans across the country.\r\n\r\nWhile the specific beliefs and practices of the Hindu faith vary wildly between individuals, families, and geographic areas, it can be understood through <a href=\"http://hinduism.about.com/od/basics/a/principles.htm\">5 main principles and 10 disciplines</a> as taught by Dr. Gangadhar Choudhury.\r\n<h2><strong>5 Main Principles (Beliefs)</strong></h2>\r\nThe first principle is that God exists. According to <a href=\"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brahman\">Wikipedia</a>, Brahman is “is the unchanging, infinite, immanent, and transcendent reality which is the Divine Ground of all matter, energy, time, space, being, and everything beyond in this Universe; that is the one supreme, universal spirit.”\r\n\r\nHinduism has a Great Trinity, the Trimurti, which consists of Brahma (creator), Vishnu (the maintainer or preserver), and Shiva (the destroyer). These three deities use their various manifestations to keep the cosmos in balance.\r\n\r\nThe remaining four principles are:\r\n<ol>\r\n	<li><strong>All human beings are divine</strong> – Because Brahman is the divine matter that makes up the universe, the divine is in everything.</li>\r\n	<li><strong>Unity of existence through</strong> <strong>love</strong></li>\r\n	<li><strong>Religious harmony</strong> – This principle is greatly evidenced through Padma’s life and her work to unify the hearts and celebrate people of different faiths in metro Detroit.</li>\r\n	<li><strong>Knowledge of 3 Gs</strong> – <a href=\"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ganges_in_Hinduism\">Ganga</a> (sacred river), <a href=\"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gita\">Gita</a> (sacred scripture), <a href=\"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gayatri\">Gayatri</a> (sacred mantra)</li>\r\n</ol>\r\n<h2><strong>10 Disciplines (Ways of Living)</strong></h2>\r\n<ol>\r\n	<li><strong><em>Satya</em></strong> – Truth, which includes social justice and environmentalism</li>\r\n	<li><a href=\"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ahimsa#Hinduism\"><strong><em>Ahimsa</em></strong></a> – Non-violence, including towards animals, making Hindus vegetarian</li>\r\n	<li><a href=\"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brahmacharya\"><strong><em>Brahmacharya</em></strong></a> – Celibacy, sobriety, self-control, non-adultery (also one of the <a href=\"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ashrama_(stage)\">four stages of life</a>)</li>\r\n	<li><a href=\"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asteya\"><strong><em>Asteya</em></strong></a> – No desire to possess or steal (also a main principle of Jainism)</li>\r\n	<li><a href=\"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aparigraha\"><strong><em>Aparighara</em></strong></a> – Non-corrupt, living simply and not being obsessed with material acquisition (another main principle that Jainism and Hinduism share)</li>\r\n	<li><a href=\"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shaucha\"><strong><em>Shaucha</em></strong></a><em> </em>– Cleanliness, purity</li>\r\n	<li><a href=\"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Santosh\"><strong><em>Santosh</em></strong></a> – Contentment, gratefulness, happiness</li>\r\n	<li><a href=\"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swadhyaya\"><strong><em>Swadhyaya</em></strong></a> – Gathering and reading of scriptures</li>\r\n	<li><a href=\"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tapas_(Sanskrit)\"><strong><em>Tapas</em></strong></a> – Austerity, perseverance, penance, discipline, spiritual enlightenment</li>\r\n	<li><a href=\"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ishvarapranidhana\"><strong><em>Ishwarpranidhan</em></strong></a> – Regular prayers</li>\r\n</ol>\r\nAs far as worship on a daily basis, devout followers observe at home through things like: chores and food preparation for the family shrine, lighting lamps, meditation, recitation of scripture and mantras, and singing hymns.\r\n\r\nAdditionally, there is an emphasis on celebration special events and periods in one’s life in Hinduism, with rituals and rites to boot. Among others, Hindus celebrate birth, first feeding, marriage, and death.\r\n\r\nOne of the practices that the world has picked up on from Hinduism is the tradition of <em>yoga</em>. In Hinduism, yoga simply means “path” or “way of knowing God”. There are several paths or approaches to learning about God:\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li><strong>Bhakti</strong> – Path of devotion, which includes <a href=\"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asana\">Asana</a>, among other things, which is what the physical activity of Westernized yoga is derived from.</li>\r\n	<li><strong>Gñāna</strong> – Path of knowledge</li>\r\n	<li><strong>Dhyana</strong> – Path of meditation</li>\r\n	<li><strong>Karma</strong> – Path of action</li>\r\n</ul>\r\nPadma had an equal representation of all of the paths while she was growing up. “I used to tell people that my mother was Bhakti, my father was Gñāna, my aunt was Dhyana and my uncle was Karma.”\r\n\r\nAnother piece of Hinduism that people seem to misunderstand is reincarnation. One of the beliefs of Hinduism and other Eastern religions that came out of India is that we are all trapped in the cycle of <em>Samsara</em>. <em>Samsara</em> is the cycle of life and death. The way to escape S<em>amsara</em> is through <em>karma</em>, <em>dharma</em>, and <em>yoga</em>.\r\n\r\nOnce you achieve purity and spiritual enlightenment you can finally escape <em>Samsara </em>(and attain liberation), but you are perpetually reborn until you reach that point. How you are reborn is linked with <em>karma</em>, which is the idea that your actions create ripples through the universe, also described as “each action has an action and a reaction force”.\r\n<h2>Conclusion</h2>\r\nMy time with Padma Kuppa was wonderful. She was very well-spoken and was very passionate about her work. I appreciate her taking time out of her busy schedule to sit and talk with me to tell me about her work in interfaith and beautiful heritage. I look forward to getting to know her better.\r\n\r\nThe thing that really stood out during my time spent with Padma was a sense of her passion because it was utterly contagious. She wasn’t doing these things in her community and devoting countless hours to these organizations out of obligation; no, she was doing them because she believes in them deep down in her soul. It was stunning.\r\n\r\nIt was incredible to talk to someone from a completely different walk of life who expressed with her every breath her desire to bring people together, show love, and celebrate diversity through unity. This is one thing that everyone I have interviewed has had in common with Padma: they all have heart.\r\n\r\nPadma finished our conversation with the following statement, which sums up her way of life perfectly: “Forget what you don’t believe, live what you <em>do</em> believe. Learn a little, but act together,\" meaning, don\'t spend so much time bickering over the little things that you never actually <em>live what you claim to believe</em>.\r\n\r\n<strong>Thank you to Padma Kuppa for meeting with me and to Dr. Bob Cornwall for introducing me to her.</strong>\r\n\r\nPhoto credit: Flickr / <a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/mckaysavage/3509727527/in/photostream/\" target=\"_blank\">mckaysavage</a> (Top image: Batu Caves), <a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tejspics/418805382/in/photostream/\" target=\"_blank\">Tejal Patel</a> (Hindu woman and boy)','Faith Interview Series: Hinduism','','inherit','open','open','','6258-revision-4','','','2012-04-24 18:27:44','2012-04-25 01:27:44','',6258,'http://provoketive.com/2012/04/24/6258-revision-4/',0,'revision','',0),(6266,38,'2012-04-24 18:32:41','2012-04-25 01:32:41','','hindu-temple_flickr_ahisgett','Hindu Temple of Shri Venkateswara in Tividale','inherit','open','open','','hindu-temple_flickr_ahisgett','','','2012-04-24 18:32:41','2012-04-25 01:32:41','',6258,'http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/hindu-temple_flickr_ahisgett.jpg',5,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(6267,38,'2012-04-24 18:30:42','2012-04-25 01:30:42','Padma Kuppa, a Hindu woman from Troy, Michigan, was born in India. Her family moved to the United States where they remained until the 80’s when her family moved back to India. It wasn’t easy adjusting to being uprooted and moving back to mainstream Indian culture, since she was a teenager when her family moved.\r\n\r\nPadma attended engineering school in India, which is an extremely competitive program. In an <a href=\"http://www.blitzkriegpublishing.com/Indian%20Culture.htm\">article for Metro Parent Magazine</a>, she said, “I was at the highest levels in math and science when I returned to India after 10th grade, but that was the norm for students there.”\r\n<h2>The National Day of Prayer</h2>\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_6262\" align=\"alignright\" width=\"150\" caption=\"A Hindu woman and boy\"]<a href=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/hindu-woman-boy_flickr_tejal-patel.jpg\"><img class=\"size-thumbnail wp-image-6262\" src=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/hindu-woman-boy_flickr_tejal-patel-150x150.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nPadma’s story of living her faith in the public square begins in May of 2005, when she heard about a National Day of Prayer event being put on in her area. She volunteered to help organize the event but was denied. A year later, when the next National Day of Prayer was coming up, Padma approached the overall coordinator for the National Day of Prayer to ask again if she could help organize the event and participate. She was denied a once again, but this time she found it it was a specifically Judeo-Christian event.\r\n\r\nThis caused a stir in local media. To prevent people like Padma from interfering again, the National Day of Prayer Task Force tried to get the city of Troy to declare the holiday to be a strictly Christian observance. The city exploded into controversy with threats of lawsuits in violation of the First Amendment. “I was not used to my faith being such a public thing before that. Faith had been so private to me, but then overnight I was on the front page of the Free Press,” she said.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_6264\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"276\" caption=\"Statues of Hindu gods at Batu Caves, a famous Hindu Temple\"]<a href=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/batu-caves-statues_flickr_auswandern-malaysia.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-6264\" src=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/batu-caves-statues_flickr_auswandern-malaysia-276x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"276\" height=\"300\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nPadma then decided to join forces with a few other people and begin the Troy Interfaith Group. On May 4<span style=\"font-size: 11px\">th</span>, 2006, the Troy Interfaith Group held its first National Day of Prayer celebration at St. Anastasia Roman Catholic Church in Troy, Michigan. As a result, Harvard University approached Padma about using the National Day of Prayer situation a case study for <a href=\"http://pluralism.org/reports/view/66\">The Pluralism Project</a>.\r\n\r\nPadma was born into the Hindu faith. She grew up in a family with a lot of religious variety with close family members who were Catholic, Jewish, and Hindu. She and her family had appreciation and respect for people of other faiths, so her involvement in the interfaith arena was natural. “When I went off for college, my father sent me with the Gita,” (one of the Hindu scriptures) “the Bible, and Shakespeare.”\r\n\r\nIn 2008, Padma lost a close friend and began a blog called “Seeking Shanti” in her honor. Her blog was eventually moved to <a href=\"http://www.patheos.com/About-Patheos/Padma-Kuppa.html\">Patheos</a>, where she is an advocate for Hinduism online. In 2009 she also began work with <a href=\"http://www.interfaithwisdom.com/\">WISDOM</a> (Women’s Interfaith Solutions for Dialogue and Outreach in MetroDetroit). Additionally, Padma is a part of her local Hindu Temple’s outreach committee and works with the National Temple Organization.\r\n\r\n“Hinduism isn’t a religion for us; it’s a way of living,” Padma said.\r\n<h2>About Hinduism</h2>\r\nHinduism is the third largest religion in the world with around one billion followers. It’s a religion that does not fall into one category as it is monotheistic, polytheistic, and also pantheistic. It’s monotheistic because Hindus have a belief in an ultimate being called Brahman, but it’s polytheistic because they believe in multiple deities, whose numbers range in the thousands and beyond who all express different aspects of Brahman. Hinduism is also pantheistic because they often worship spirits and believe that all people and nature are of divine nature.\r\n\r\n“There’s a lot of misinformation about Hinduism in this country,” Padma told me while we sat at a table in Starbucks. There was an egregious error in one of her son’s textbooks from school. “It said that ‘Hindus worship cows.’ Right there in his book! Hindus do not worship cows,” she said. “We revere cows; just like we do all of nature because we believe that the divine is in all things.”\r\n\r\nAs it has with Sikhs, cross-discrimination has affected Hindus since 9/11. She told me, “One time when I was at an airport I was approached by someone and was asked, ‘So, are you Shi’ite or Sunni?’ And he was a well-educated man!”\r\n\r\nIn an <a href=\"http://www.freep.com/article/20110911/OPINION05/109110480/Commentary-Learning-how-faith-can-divide-unite\">article in the Detroit Free Press</a> Padma said “What happened on 9/11, and in any instance where religion is called into play, teaches us that faith is something that has the potential to divide or unite. It is in us to choose the latter to make a more peaceful world for ourselves, by learning more about our neighbors and examining our own belief systems. To that end, 9/11 had a domino effect on my life.”\r\n\r\nShe said that the misinformation is not without reason: “I admit that we as a Hindu community have not done a good job of educating the public as to what we are about, and I’m trying to help change that with my work with the HAF [Hindu American Foundation].” The Hindu American Foundation is an advocacy group which offers education resources about Hinduism that works for the interests of Hindu Americans across the country.\r\n\r\nWhile the specific beliefs and practices of the Hindu faith vary wildly between individuals, families, and geographic areas, it can be understood through <a href=\"http://hinduism.about.com/od/basics/a/principles.htm\">5 main principles and 10 disciplines</a> as taught by Dr. Gangadhar Choudhury.\r\n<h2><strong>5 Main Principles (Beliefs)</strong></h2>\r\nThe first principle is that God exists. According to <a href=\"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brahman\">Wikipedia</a>, Brahman is “is the unchanging, infinite, immanent, and transcendent reality which is the Divine Ground of all matter, energy, time, space, being, and everything beyond in this Universe; that is the one supreme, universal spirit.”\r\n\r\nHinduism has a Great Trinity, the Trimurti, which consists of Brahma (creator), Vishnu (the maintainer or preserver), and Shiva (the destroyer). These three deities use their various manifestations to keep the cosmos in balance.\r\n\r\nThe remaining four principles are:\r\n<ol>\r\n	<li><strong>All human beings are divine</strong> – Because Brahman is the divine matter that makes up the universe, the divine is in everything.</li>\r\n	<li><strong>Unity of existence through</strong> <strong>love</strong></li>\r\n	<li><strong>Religious harmony</strong> – This principle is greatly evidenced through Padma’s life and her work to unify the hearts and celebrate people of different faiths in metro Detroit.</li>\r\n	<li><strong>Knowledge of 3 Gs</strong> – <a href=\"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ganges_in_Hinduism\">Ganga</a> (sacred river), <a href=\"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gita\">Gita</a> (sacred scripture), <a href=\"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gayatri\">Gayatri</a> (sacred mantra)</li>\r\n</ol>\r\n<h2><strong>10 Disciplines (Ways of Living)</strong></h2>\r\n<ol>\r\n	<li><strong><em>Satya</em></strong> – Truth, which includes social justice and environmentalism</li>\r\n	<li><a href=\"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ahimsa#Hinduism\"><strong><em>Ahimsa</em></strong></a> – Non-violence, including towards animals, making Hindus vegetarian</li>\r\n	<li><a href=\"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brahmacharya\"><strong><em>Brahmacharya</em></strong></a> – Celibacy, sobriety, self-control, non-adultery (also one of the <a href=\"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ashrama_(stage)\">four stages of life</a>)</li>\r\n	<li><a href=\"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asteya\"><strong><em>Asteya</em></strong></a> – No desire to possess or steal (also a main principle of Jainism)</li>\r\n	<li><a href=\"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aparigraha\"><strong><em>Aparighara</em></strong></a> – Non-corrupt, living simply and not being obsessed with material acquisition (another main principle that Jainism and Hinduism share)</li>\r\n	<li><a href=\"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shaucha\"><strong><em>Shaucha</em></strong></a><em> </em>– Cleanliness, purity</li>\r\n	<li><a href=\"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Santosh\"><strong><em>Santosh</em></strong></a> – Contentment, gratefulness, happiness</li>\r\n	<li><a href=\"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swadhyaya\"><strong><em>Swadhyaya</em></strong></a> – Gathering and reading of scriptures</li>\r\n	<li><a href=\"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tapas_(Sanskrit)\"><strong><em>Tapas</em></strong></a> – Austerity, perseverance, penance, discipline, spiritual enlightenment</li>\r\n	<li><a href=\"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ishvarapranidhana\"><strong><em>Ishwarpranidhan</em></strong></a> – Regular prayers</li>\r\n</ol>\r\nAs far as worship on a daily basis, devout followers observe at home through things like: chores and food preparation for the family shrine, lighting lamps, meditation, recitation of scripture and mantras, and singing hymns.\r\n\r\nAdditionally, there is an emphasis on celebration special events and periods in one’s life in Hinduism, with rituals and rites to boot. Among others, Hindus celebrate birth, first feeding, marriage, and death.\r\n\r\nOne of the practices that the world has picked up on from Hinduism is the tradition of <em>yoga</em>. In Hinduism, yoga simply means “path” or “way of knowing God”. There are several paths or approaches to learning about God:\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li><strong>Bhakti</strong> – Path of devotion, which includes <a href=\"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asana\">Asana</a>, among other things, which is what the physical activity of Westernized yoga is derived from.</li>\r\n	<li><strong>Gñāna</strong> – Path of knowledge</li>\r\n	<li><strong>Dhyana</strong> – Path of meditation</li>\r\n	<li><strong>Karma</strong> – Path of action</li>\r\n</ul>\r\nPadma had an equal representation of all of the paths while she was growing up. “I used to tell people that my mother was Bhakti, my father was Gñāna, my aunt was Dhyana and my uncle was Karma.”\r\n\r\nAnother piece of Hinduism that people seem to misunderstand is reincarnation. One of the beliefs of Hinduism and other Eastern religions that came out of India is that we are all trapped in the cycle of <em>Samsara</em>. <em>Samsara</em> is the cycle of life and death. The way to escape S<em>amsara</em> is through <em>karma</em>, <em>dharma</em>, and <em>yoga</em>.\r\n\r\nOnce you achieve purity and spiritual enlightenment you can finally escape <em>Samsara </em>(and attain liberation), but you are perpetually reborn until you reach that point. How you are reborn is linked with <em>karma</em>, which is the idea that your actions create ripples through the universe, also described as “each action has an action and a reaction force”.\r\n<h2>Conclusion</h2>\r\nMy time with Padma Kuppa was wonderful. She was very well-spoken and was very passionate about her work. I appreciate her taking time out of her busy schedule to sit and talk with me to tell me about her work in interfaith and beautiful heritage. I look forward to getting to know her better.\r\n\r\nThe thing that really stood out during my time spent with Padma was a sense of her passion because it was utterly contagious. She wasn’t doing these things in her community and devoting countless hours to these organizations out of obligation; no, she was doing them because she believes in them deep down in her soul. It was stunning.\r\n\r\nIt was incredible to talk to someone from a completely different walk of life who expressed with her every breath her desire to bring people together, show love, and celebrate diversity through unity. This is one thing that everyone I have interviewed has had in common with Padma: they all have heart.\r\n\r\nPadma finished our conversation with the following statement, which sums up her way of life perfectly: “Forget what you don’t believe, live what you <em>do</em> believe. Learn a little, but act together,\" meaning, don\'t spend so much time bickering over the little things that you never actually <em>live what you claim to believe</em>.\r\n\r\n<strong>Thank you to Padma Kuppa for meeting with me and to Dr. Bob Cornwall for introducing me to her.</strong>\r\n\r\nPhoto credit: Flickr / <a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/mckaysavage/3509727527/in/photostream/\" target=\"_blank\">mckaysavage</a> (Top image: Batu Caves), <a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tejspics/418805382/in/photostream/\" target=\"_blank\">Tejal Patel</a> (Hindu woman and boy), <a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/carworld/3898972515/in/photostream/\" target=\"_blank\">Auswandern Malaysia</a> (Batu Caves statues)','Faith Interview Series: Hinduism','','inherit','open','open','','6258-revision-5','','','2012-04-24 18:30:42','2012-04-25 01:30:42','',6258,'http://provoketive.com/2012/04/24/6258-revision-5/',0,'revision','',0),(6268,38,'2012-04-24 18:37:03','2012-04-25 01:37:03','','hindu-symbol_flickr_ahisgett','The symbol for Hinduism','inherit','open','open','','hindu-symbol_flickr_ahisgett','','','2012-04-24 18:37:03','2012-04-25 01:37:03','',6258,'http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/hindu-symbol_flickr_ahisgett.jpg',4,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(6269,38,'2012-04-24 18:35:30','2012-04-25 01:35:30','Padma Kuppa, a Hindu woman from Troy, Michigan, was born in India. Her family moved to the United States where they remained until the 80’s when her family moved back to India. It wasn’t easy adjusting to being uprooted and moving back to mainstream Indian culture, since she was a teenager when her family moved.\r\n\r\nPadma attended engineering school in India, which is an extremely competitive program. In an <a href=\"http://www.blitzkriegpublishing.com/Indian%20Culture.htm\">article for Metro Parent Magazine</a>, she said, “I was at the highest levels in math and science when I returned to India after 10th grade, but that was the norm for students there.”\r\n<h2>The National Day of Prayer</h2>\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_6262\" align=\"alignright\" width=\"150\" caption=\"A Hindu woman and boy\"]<a href=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/hindu-woman-boy_flickr_tejal-patel.jpg\"><img class=\"size-thumbnail wp-image-6262\" src=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/hindu-woman-boy_flickr_tejal-patel-150x150.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nPadma’s story of living her faith in the public square begins in May of 2005, when she heard about a National Day of Prayer event being put on in her area. She volunteered to help organize the event but was denied. A year later, when the next National Day of Prayer was coming up, Padma approached the overall coordinator for the National Day of Prayer to ask again if she could help organize the event and participate. She was denied a once again, but this time she found it it was a specifically Judeo-Christian event.\r\n\r\nThis caused a stir in local media. To prevent people like Padma from interfering again, the National Day of Prayer Task Force tried to get the city of Troy to declare the holiday to be a strictly Christian observance. The city exploded into controversy with threats of lawsuits in violation of the First Amendment. “I was not used to my faith being such a public thing before that. Faith had been so private to me, but then overnight I was on the front page of the Free Press,” she said.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_6264\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"276\" caption=\"Statues of Hindu gods at Batu Caves, a famous Hindu Temple\"]<a href=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/batu-caves-statues_flickr_auswandern-malaysia.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-6264\" src=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/batu-caves-statues_flickr_auswandern-malaysia-276x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"276\" height=\"300\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nPadma then decided to join forces with a few other people and begin the Troy Interfaith Group. On May 4<span style=\"font-size: 11px\">th</span>, 2006, the Troy Interfaith Group held its first National Day of Prayer celebration at St. Anastasia Roman Catholic Church in Troy, Michigan. As a result, Harvard University approached Padma about using the National Day of Prayer situation a case study for <a href=\"http://pluralism.org/reports/view/66\">The Pluralism Project</a>.\r\n\r\nPadma was born into the Hindu faith. She grew up in a family with a lot of religious variety with close family members who were Catholic, Jewish, and Hindu. She and her family had appreciation and respect for people of other faiths, so her involvement in the interfaith arena was natural. “When I went off for college, my father sent me with the Gita,” (one of the Hindu scriptures) “the Bible, and Shakespeare.”\r\n\r\nIn 2008, Padma lost a close friend and began a blog called “Seeking Shanti” in her honor. Her blog was eventually moved to <a href=\"http://www.patheos.com/About-Patheos/Padma-Kuppa.html\">Patheos</a>, where she is an advocate for Hinduism online. In 2009 she also began work with <a href=\"http://www.interfaithwisdom.com/\">WISDOM</a> (Women’s Interfaith Solutions for Dialogue and Outreach in MetroDetroit). Additionally, Padma is a part of her local Hindu Temple’s outreach committee and works with the National Temple Organization.\r\n\r\n“Hinduism isn’t a religion for us; it’s a way of living,” Padma said.\r\n<h2>About Hinduism</h2>\r\nHinduism is the third largest religion in the world with around one billion followers. It’s a religion that does not fall into one category as it is monotheistic, polytheistic, and also pantheistic. It’s monotheistic because Hindus have a belief in an ultimate being called Brahman, but it’s polytheistic because they believe in multiple deities, whose numbers range in the thousands and beyond who all express different aspects of Brahman. Hinduism is also pantheistic because they often worship spirits and believe that all people and nature are of divine nature.\r\n\r\n“There’s a lot of misinformation about Hinduism in this country,” Padma told me while we sat at a table in Starbucks. There was an egregious error in one of her son’s textbooks from school. “It said that ‘Hindus worship cows.’ Right there in his book! Hindus do not worship cows,” she said. “We revere cows; just like we do all of nature because we believe that the divine is in all things.”\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_6266\" align=\"alignright\" width=\"150\" caption=\"Hindu Temple of Shri Venkateswara in Tividale\"]<a href=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/hindu-temple_flickr_ahisgett.jpg\"><img class=\"size-thumbnail wp-image-6266\" src=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/hindu-temple_flickr_ahisgett-150x150.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nAs it has with Sikhs, cross-discrimination has affected Hindus since 9/11. She told me, “One time when I was at an airport I was approached by someone and was asked, ‘So, are you Shi’ite or Sunni?’ And he was a well-educated man!”\r\n\r\nIn an <a href=\"http://www.freep.com/article/20110911/OPINION05/109110480/Commentary-Learning-how-faith-can-divide-unite\">article in the Detroit Free Press</a> Padma said “What happened on 9/11, and in any instance where religion is called into play, teaches us that faith is something that has the potential to divide or unite. It is in us to choose the latter to make a more peaceful world for ourselves, by learning more about our neighbors and examining our own belief systems. To that end, 9/11 had a domino effect on my life.”\r\n\r\nShe said that the misinformation is not without reason: “I admit that we as a Hindu community have not done a good job of educating the public as to what we are about, and I’m trying to help change that with my work with the HAF [Hindu American Foundation].” The Hindu American Foundation is an advocacy group which offers education resources about Hinduism that works for the interests of Hindu Americans across the country.\r\n\r\nWhile the specific beliefs and practices of the Hindu faith vary wildly between individuals, families, and geographic areas, it can be understood through <a href=\"http://hinduism.about.com/od/basics/a/principles.htm\">5 main principles and 10 disciplines</a> as taught by Dr. Gangadhar Choudhury.\r\n<h2><strong>5 Main Principles (Beliefs)</strong></h2>\r\nThe first principle is that God exists. According to <a href=\"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brahman\">Wikipedia</a>, Brahman is “is the unchanging, infinite, immanent, and transcendent reality which is the Divine Ground of all matter, energy, time, space, being, and everything beyond in this Universe; that is the one supreme, universal spirit.”\r\n\r\nHinduism has a Great Trinity, the Trimurti, which consists of Brahma (creator), Vishnu (the maintainer or preserver), and Shiva (the destroyer). These three deities use their various manifestations to keep the cosmos in balance.\r\n\r\nThe remaining four principles are:\r\n<ol>\r\n	<li><strong>All human beings are divine</strong> – Because Brahman is the divine matter that makes up the universe, the divine is in everything.</li>\r\n	<li><strong>Unity of existence through</strong> <strong>love</strong></li>\r\n	<li><strong>Religious harmony</strong> – This principle is greatly evidenced through Padma’s life and her work to unify the hearts and celebrate people of different faiths in metro Detroit.</li>\r\n	<li><strong>Knowledge of 3 Gs</strong> – <a href=\"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ganges_in_Hinduism\">Ganga</a> (sacred river), <a href=\"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gita\">Gita</a> (sacred scripture), <a href=\"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gayatri\">Gayatri</a> (sacred mantra)</li>\r\n</ol>\r\n<h2><strong>10 Disciplines (Ways of Living)</strong></h2>\r\n<ol>\r\n	<li><strong><em>Satya</em></strong> – Truth, which includes social justice and environmentalism</li>\r\n	<li><a href=\"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ahimsa#Hinduism\"><strong><em>Ahimsa</em></strong></a> – Non-violence, including towards animals, making Hindus vegetarian</li>\r\n	<li><a href=\"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brahmacharya\"><strong><em>Brahmacharya</em></strong></a> – Celibacy, sobriety, self-control, non-adultery (also one of the <a href=\"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ashrama_(stage)\">four stages of life</a>)</li>\r\n	<li><a href=\"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asteya\"><strong><em>Asteya</em></strong></a> – No desire to possess or steal (also a main principle of Jainism)</li>\r\n	<li><a href=\"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aparigraha\"><strong><em>Aparighara</em></strong></a> – Non-corrupt, living simply and not being obsessed with material acquisition (another main principle that Jainism and Hinduism share)</li>\r\n	<li><a href=\"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shaucha\"><strong><em>Shaucha</em></strong></a><em> </em>– Cleanliness, purity</li>\r\n	<li><a href=\"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Santosh\"><strong><em>Santosh</em></strong></a> – Contentment, gratefulness, happiness</li>\r\n	<li><a href=\"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swadhyaya\"><strong><em>Swadhyaya</em></strong></a> – Gathering and reading of scriptures</li>\r\n	<li><a href=\"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tapas_(Sanskrit)\"><strong><em>Tapas</em></strong></a> – Austerity, perseverance, penance, discipline, spiritual enlightenment</li>\r\n	<li><a href=\"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ishvarapranidhana\"><strong><em>Ishwarpranidhan</em></strong></a> – Regular prayers</li>\r\n</ol>\r\nAs far as worship on a daily basis, devout followers observe at home through things like: chores and food preparation for the family shrine, lighting lamps, meditation, recitation of scripture and mantras, and singing hymns.\r\n\r\nAdditionally, there is an emphasis on celebration special events and periods in one’s life in Hinduism, with rituals and rites to boot. Among others, Hindus celebrate birth, first feeding, marriage, and death.\r\n\r\nOne of the practices that the world has picked up on from Hinduism is the tradition of <em>yoga</em>. In Hinduism, yoga simply means “path” or “way of knowing God”. There are several paths or approaches to learning about God:\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li><strong>Bhakti</strong> – Path of devotion, which includes <a href=\"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asana\">Asana</a>, among other things, which is what the physical activity of Westernized yoga is derived from.</li>\r\n	<li><strong>Gñāna</strong> – Path of knowledge</li>\r\n	<li><strong>Dhyana</strong> – Path of meditation</li>\r\n	<li><strong>Karma</strong> – Path of action</li>\r\n</ul>\r\nPadma had an equal representation of all of the paths while she was growing up. “I used to tell people that my mother was Bhakti, my father was Gñāna, my aunt was Dhyana and my uncle was Karma.”\r\n\r\nAnother piece of Hinduism that people seem to misunderstand is reincarnation. One of the beliefs of Hinduism and other Eastern religions that came out of India is that we are all trapped in the cycle of <em>Samsara</em>. <em>Samsara</em> is the cycle of life and death. The way to escape S<em>amsara</em> is through <em>karma</em>, <em>dharma</em>, and <em>yoga</em>.\r\n\r\nOnce you achieve purity and spiritual enlightenment you can finally escape <em>Samsara </em>(and attain liberation), but you are perpetually reborn until you reach that point. How you are reborn is linked with <em>karma</em>, which is the idea that your actions create ripples through the universe, also described as “each action has an action and a reaction force”.\r\n<h2>Conclusion</h2>\r\nMy time with Padma Kuppa was wonderful. She was very well-spoken and was very passionate about her work. I appreciate her taking time out of her busy schedule to sit and talk with me to tell me about her work in interfaith and beautiful heritage. I look forward to getting to know her better.\r\n\r\nThe thing that really stood out during my time spent with Padma was a sense of her passion because it was utterly contagious. She wasn’t doing these things in her community and devoting countless hours to these organizations out of obligation; no, she was doing them because she believes in them deep down in her soul. It was stunning.\r\n\r\nIt was incredible to talk to someone from a completely different walk of life who expressed with her every breath her desire to bring people together, show love, and celebrate diversity through unity. This is one thing that everyone I have interviewed has had in common with Padma: they all have heart.\r\n\r\nPadma finished our conversation with the following statement, which sums up her way of life perfectly: “Forget what you don’t believe, live what you <em>do</em> believe. Learn a little, but act together,\" meaning, don\'t spend so much time bickering over the little things that you never actually <em>live what you claim to believe</em>.\r\n\r\n<strong>Thank you to Padma Kuppa for meeting with me and to Dr. Bob Cornwall for introducing me to her.</strong>\r\n\r\nPhoto credit: Flickr / <a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/mckaysavage/3509727527/in/photostream/\" target=\"_blank\">mckaysavage</a> (Top image: Batu Caves), <a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tejspics/418805382/in/photostream/\" target=\"_blank\">Tejal Patel</a> (Hindu woman and boy), <a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/carworld/3898972515/in/photostream/\" target=\"_blank\">Auswandern Malaysia</a> (Batu Caves statues), <a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/hisgett/3526951764/in/photostream/\" target=\"_blank\">ahisgett</a> (Hindu temple)','Faith Interview Series: Hinduism','','inherit','open','open','','6258-revision-6','','','2012-04-24 18:35:30','2012-04-25 01:35:30','',6258,'http://provoketive.com/2012/04/24/6258-revision-6/',0,'revision','',0),(6270,38,'2012-04-24 18:37:38','2012-04-25 01:37:38','Padma Kuppa, a Hindu woman from Troy, Michigan, was born in India. Her family moved to the United States where they remained until the 80’s when her family moved back to India. It wasn’t easy adjusting to being uprooted and moving back to mainstream Indian culture, since she was a teenager when her family moved.\r\n\r\nPadma attended engineering school in India, which is an extremely competitive program. In an <a href=\"http://www.blitzkriegpublishing.com/Indian%20Culture.htm\">article for Metro Parent Magazine</a>, she said, “I was at the highest levels in math and science when I returned to India after 10th grade, but that was the norm for students there.”\r\n<h2>The National Day of Prayer</h2>\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_6262\" align=\"alignright\" width=\"150\" caption=\"A Hindu woman and boy\"]<a href=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/hindu-woman-boy_flickr_tejal-patel.jpg\"><img class=\"size-thumbnail wp-image-6262\" src=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/hindu-woman-boy_flickr_tejal-patel-150x150.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nPadma’s story of living her faith in the public square begins in May of 2005, when she heard about a National Day of Prayer event being put on in her area. She volunteered to help organize the event but was denied. A year later, when the next National Day of Prayer was coming up, Padma approached the overall coordinator for the National Day of Prayer to ask again if she could help organize the event and participate. She was denied a once again, but this time she found it it was a specifically Judeo-Christian event.\r\n\r\nThis caused a stir in local media. To prevent people like Padma from interfering again, the National Day of Prayer Task Force tried to get the city of Troy to declare the holiday to be a strictly Christian observance. The city exploded into controversy with threats of lawsuits in violation of the First Amendment. “I was not used to my faith being such a public thing before that. Faith had been so private to me, but then overnight I was on the front page of the Free Press,” she said.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_6264\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"276\" caption=\"Statues of Hindu gods at Batu Caves, a famous Hindu Temple\"]<a href=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/batu-caves-statues_flickr_auswandern-malaysia.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-6264\" src=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/batu-caves-statues_flickr_auswandern-malaysia-276x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"276\" height=\"300\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nPadma then decided to join forces with a few other people and begin the Troy Interfaith Group. On May 4<span style=\"font-size: 11px\">th</span>, 2006, the Troy Interfaith Group held its first National Day of Prayer celebration at St. Anastasia Roman Catholic Church in Troy, Michigan. As a result, Harvard University approached Padma about using the National Day of Prayer situation a case study for <a href=\"http://pluralism.org/reports/view/66\">The Pluralism Project</a>.\r\n\r\nPadma was born into the Hindu faith. She grew up in a family with a lot of religious variety with close family members who were Catholic, Jewish, and Hindu. She and her family had appreciation and respect for people of other faiths, so her involvement in the interfaith arena was natural. “When I went off for college, my father sent me with the Gita,” (one of the Hindu scriptures) “the Bible, and Shakespeare.”\r\n\r\nIn 2008, Padma lost a close friend and began a blog called “Seeking Shanti” in her honor. Her blog was eventually moved to <a href=\"http://www.patheos.com/About-Patheos/Padma-Kuppa.html\">Patheos</a>, where she is an advocate for Hinduism online. In 2009 she also began work with <a href=\"http://www.interfaithwisdom.com/\">WISDOM</a> (Women’s Interfaith Solutions for Dialogue and Outreach in MetroDetroit). Additionally, Padma is a part of her local Hindu Temple’s outreach committee and works with the National Temple Organization.\r\n\r\n“Hinduism isn’t a religion for us; it’s a way of living,” Padma said.\r\n<h2>About Hinduism</h2>\r\nHinduism is the third largest religion in the world with around one billion followers. It’s a religion that does not fall into one category as it is monotheistic, polytheistic, and also pantheistic. It’s monotheistic because Hindus have a belief in an ultimate being called Brahman, but it’s polytheistic because they believe in multiple deities, whose numbers range in the thousands and beyond who all express different aspects of Brahman. Hinduism is also pantheistic because they often worship spirits and believe that all people and nature are of divine nature.\r\n\r\n“There’s a lot of misinformation about Hinduism in this country,” Padma told me while we sat at a table in Starbucks. There was an egregious error in one of her son’s textbooks from school. “It said that ‘Hindus worship cows.’ Right there in his book! Hindus do not worship cows,” she said. “We revere cows; just like we do all of nature because we believe that the divine is in all things.”\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_6266\" align=\"alignright\" width=\"150\" caption=\"Hindu Temple of Shri Venkateswara in Tividale\"]<a href=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/hindu-temple_flickr_ahisgett.jpg\"><img class=\"size-thumbnail wp-image-6266\" src=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/hindu-temple_flickr_ahisgett-150x150.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nAs it has with Sikhs, cross-discrimination has affected Hindus since 9/11. She told me, “One time when I was at an airport I was approached by someone and was asked, ‘So, are you Shi’ite or Sunni?’ And he was a well-educated man!”\r\n\r\nIn an <a href=\"http://www.freep.com/article/20110911/OPINION05/109110480/Commentary-Learning-how-faith-can-divide-unite\">article in the Detroit Free Press</a> Padma said “What happened on 9/11, and in any instance where religion is called into play, teaches us that faith is something that has the potential to divide or unite. It is in us to choose the latter to make a more peaceful world for ourselves, by learning more about our neighbors and examining our own belief systems. To that end, 9/11 had a domino effect on my life.”\r\n\r\nShe said that the misinformation is not without reason: “I admit that we as a Hindu community have not done a good job of educating the public as to what we are about, and I’m trying to help change that with my work with the HAF [Hindu American Foundation].” The Hindu American Foundation is an advocacy group which offers education resources about Hinduism that works for the interests of Hindu Americans across the country.\r\n\r\nWhile the specific beliefs and practices of the Hindu faith vary wildly between individuals, families, and geographic areas, it can be understood through <a href=\"http://hinduism.about.com/od/basics/a/principles.htm\">5 main principles and 10 disciplines</a> as taught by Dr. Gangadhar Choudhury.\r\n<h2><strong>5 Main Principles (Beliefs)</strong></h2>\r\nThe first principle is that God exists. According to <a href=\"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brahman\">Wikipedia</a>, Brahman is “is the unchanging, infinite, immanent, and transcendent reality which is the Divine Ground of all matter, energy, time, space, being, and everything beyond in this Universe; that is the one supreme, universal spirit.”\r\n\r\nHinduism has a Great Trinity, the Trimurti, which consists of Brahma (creator), Vishnu (the maintainer or preserver), and Shiva (the destroyer). These three deities use their various manifestations to keep the cosmos in balance.\r\n\r\nThe remaining four principles are:\r\n<ol>\r\n	<li><strong>All human beings are divine</strong> – Because Brahman is the divine matter that makes up the universe, the divine is in everything.</li>\r\n	<li><strong>Unity of existence through</strong> <strong>love</strong></li>\r\n	<li><strong>Religious harmony</strong> – This principle is greatly evidenced through Padma’s life and her work to unify the hearts and celebrate people of different faiths in metro Detroit.</li>\r\n	<li><strong>Knowledge of 3 Gs</strong> – <a href=\"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ganges_in_Hinduism\">Ganga</a> (sacred river), <a href=\"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gita\">Gita</a> (sacred scripture), <a href=\"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gayatri\">Gayatri</a> (sacred mantra)</li>\r\n</ol>\r\n<h2><strong>10 Disciplines (Ways of Living)</strong></h2>\r\n<ol>\r\n	<li><strong><em>Satya</em></strong> – Truth, which includes social justice and environmentalism</li>\r\n	<li><a href=\"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ahimsa#Hinduism\"><strong><em>Ahimsa</em></strong></a> – Non-violence, including towards animals, making Hindus vegetarian</li>\r\n	<li><a href=\"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brahmacharya\"><strong><em>Brahmacharya</em></strong></a> – Celibacy, sobriety, self-control, non-adultery (also one of the <a href=\"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ashrama_(stage)\">four stages of life</a>)</li>\r\n	<li><a href=\"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asteya\"><strong><em>Asteya</em></strong></a> – No desire to possess or steal (also a main principle of Jainism)</li>\r\n	<li><a href=\"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aparigraha\"><strong><em>Aparighara</em></strong></a> – Non-corrupt, living simply and not being obsessed with material acquisition (another main principle that Jainism and Hinduism share)</li>\r\n	<li><a href=\"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shaucha\"><strong><em>Shaucha</em></strong></a><em> </em>– Cleanliness, purity</li>\r\n	<li><a href=\"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Santosh\"><strong><em>Santosh</em></strong></a> – Contentment, gratefulness, happiness</li>\r\n	<li><a href=\"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swadhyaya\"><strong><em>Swadhyaya</em></strong></a> – Gathering and reading of scriptures</li>\r\n	<li><a href=\"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tapas_(Sanskrit)\"><strong><em>Tapas</em></strong></a> – Austerity, perseverance, penance, discipline, spiritual enlightenment</li>\r\n	<li><a href=\"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ishvarapranidhana\"><strong><em>Ishwarpranidhan</em></strong></a> – Regular prayers</li>\r\n</ol>\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_6268\" align=\"alignright\" width=\"90\" caption=\"The symbol for Hinduism\"]<a href=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/hindu-symbol_flickr_ahisgett.jpg\"><img class=\" wp-image-6268 \" src=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/hindu-symbol_flickr_ahisgett-150x150.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"90\" height=\"90\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nAs far as worship on a daily basis, devout followers observe at home through things like: chores and food preparation for the family shrine, lighting lamps, meditation, recitation of scripture and mantras, and singing hymns.\r\n\r\nAdditionally, there is an emphasis on celebration special events and periods in one’s life in Hinduism, with rituals and rites to boot. Among others, Hindus celebrate birth, first feeding, marriage, and death.\r\n\r\nOne of the practices that the world has picked up on from Hinduism is the tradition of <em>yoga</em>. In Hinduism, yoga simply means “path” or “way of knowing God”. There are several paths or approaches to learning about God:\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li><strong>Bhakti</strong> – Path of devotion, which includes <a href=\"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asana\">Asana</a>, among other things, which is what the physical activity of Westernized yoga is derived from.</li>\r\n	<li><strong>Gñāna</strong> – Path of knowledge</li>\r\n	<li><strong>Dhyana</strong> – Path of meditation</li>\r\n	<li><strong>Karma</strong> – Path of action</li>\r\n</ul>\r\nPadma had an equal representation of all of the paths while she was growing up. “I used to tell people that my mother was Bhakti, my father was Gñāna, my aunt was Dhyana and my uncle was Karma.”\r\n\r\nAnother piece of Hinduism that people seem to misunderstand is reincarnation. One of the beliefs of Hinduism and other Eastern religions that came out of India is that we are all trapped in the cycle of <em>Samsara</em>. <em>Samsara</em> is the cycle of life and death. The way to escape S<em>amsara</em> is through <em>karma</em>, <em>dharma</em>, and <em>yoga</em>.\r\n\r\nOnce you achieve purity and spiritual enlightenment you can finally escape <em>Samsara </em>(and attain liberation), but you are perpetually reborn until you reach that point. How you are reborn is linked with <em>karma</em>, which is the idea that your actions create ripples through the universe, also described as “each action has an action and a reaction force”.\r\n<h2>Conclusion</h2>\r\nMy time with Padma Kuppa was wonderful. She was very well-spoken and was very passionate about her work. I appreciate her taking time out of her busy schedule to sit and talk with me to tell me about her work in interfaith and beautiful heritage. I look forward to getting to know her better.\r\n\r\nThe thing that really stood out during my time spent with Padma was a sense of her passion because it was utterly contagious. She wasn’t doing these things in her community and devoting countless hours to these organizations out of obligation; no, she was doing them because she believes in them deep down in her soul. It was stunning.\r\n\r\nIt was incredible to talk to someone from a completely different walk of life who expressed with her every breath her desire to bring people together, show love, and celebrate diversity through unity. This is one thing that everyone I have interviewed has had in common with Padma: they all have heart.\r\n\r\nPadma finished our conversation with the following statement, which sums up her way of life perfectly: “Forget what you don’t believe, live what you <em>do</em> believe. Learn a little, but act together,\" meaning, don\'t spend so much time bickering over the little things that you never actually <em>live what you claim to believe</em>.\r\n\r\n<strong>Thank you to Padma Kuppa for meeting with me and to Dr. Bob Cornwall for introducing me to her.</strong>\r\n\r\nPhoto credit: Flickr / <a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/mckaysavage/3509727527/in/photostream/\" target=\"_blank\">mckaysavage</a> (Top image: Batu Caves), <a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tejspics/418805382/in/photostream/\" target=\"_blank\">Tejal Patel</a> (Hindu woman and boy), <a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/carworld/3898972515/in/photostream/\" target=\"_blank\">Auswandern Malaysia</a> (Batu Caves statues), <a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/hisgett/3526951764/in/photostream/\" target=\"_blank\">ahisgett</a> (Hindu temple), <a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/hisgett/3272485440/in/photostream/\" target=\"_blank\">ahisgett</a> (Hindu symbol)','Faith Interview Series: Hinduism','','inherit','open','open','','6258-revision-7','','','2012-04-24 18:37:38','2012-04-25 01:37:38','',6258,'http://provoketive.com/2012/04/24/6258-revision-7/',0,'revision','',0),(6271,38,'2012-04-24 18:39:02','2012-04-25 01:39:02','','hindu-statues_flickr_chem7','Hindu god statues','inherit','open','open','','hindu-statues_flickr_chem7','','','2012-04-24 18:39:02','2012-04-25 01:39:02','',6258,'http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/hindu-statues_flickr_chem7.jpg',3,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(6272,38,'2012-04-24 18:40:24','2012-04-25 01:40:24','','hindu-bride_flickr_tejal-patel','A Hindu bride','inherit','open','open','','hindu-bride_flickr_tejal-patel','','','2012-04-24 18:40:24','2012-04-25 01:40:24','',6258,'http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/hindu-bride_flickr_tejal-patel.jpg',1,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(6273,38,'2012-04-24 18:37:56','2012-04-25 01:37:56','Padma Kuppa, a Hindu woman from Troy, Michigan, was born in India. Her family moved to the United States where they remained until the 80’s when her family moved back to India. It wasn’t easy adjusting to being uprooted and moving back to mainstream Indian culture, since she was a teenager when her family moved.\r\n\r\nPadma attended engineering school in India, which is an extremely competitive program. In an <a href=\"http://www.blitzkriegpublishing.com/Indian%20Culture.htm\">article for Metro Parent Magazine</a>, she said, “I was at the highest levels in math and science when I returned to India after 10th grade, but that was the norm for students there.”\r\n<h2>The National Day of Prayer</h2>\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_6262\" align=\"alignright\" width=\"150\" caption=\"A Hindu woman and boy\"]<a href=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/hindu-woman-boy_flickr_tejal-patel.jpg\"><img class=\"size-thumbnail wp-image-6262\" src=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/hindu-woman-boy_flickr_tejal-patel-150x150.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nPadma’s story of living her faith in the public square begins in May of 2005, when she heard about a National Day of Prayer event being put on in her area. She volunteered to help organize the event but was denied. A year later, when the next National Day of Prayer was coming up, Padma approached the overall coordinator for the National Day of Prayer to ask again if she could help organize the event and participate. She was denied a once again, but this time she found it it was a specifically Judeo-Christian event.\r\n\r\nThis caused a stir in local media. To prevent people like Padma from interfering again, the National Day of Prayer Task Force tried to get the city of Troy to declare the holiday to be a strictly Christian observance. The city exploded into controversy with threats of lawsuits in violation of the First Amendment. “I was not used to my faith being such a public thing before that. Faith had been so private to me, but then overnight I was on the front page of the Free Press,” she said.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_6264\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"276\" caption=\"Statues of Hindu gods at Batu Caves, a famous Hindu Temple\"]<a href=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/batu-caves-statues_flickr_auswandern-malaysia.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-6264\" src=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/batu-caves-statues_flickr_auswandern-malaysia-276x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"276\" height=\"300\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nPadma then decided to join forces with a few other people and begin the Troy Interfaith Group. On May 4<span style=\"font-size: 11px\">th</span>, 2006, the Troy Interfaith Group held its first National Day of Prayer celebration at St. Anastasia Roman Catholic Church in Troy, Michigan. As a result, Harvard University approached Padma about using the National Day of Prayer situation a case study for <a href=\"http://pluralism.org/reports/view/66\">The Pluralism Project</a>.\r\n\r\nPadma was born into the Hindu faith. She grew up in a family with a lot of religious variety with close family members who were Catholic, Jewish, and Hindu. She and her family had appreciation and respect for people of other faiths, so her involvement in the interfaith arena was natural. “When I went off for college, my father sent me with the Gita,” (one of the Hindu scriptures) “the Bible, and Shakespeare.”\r\n\r\nIn 2008, Padma lost a close friend and began a blog called “Seeking Shanti” in her honor. Her blog was eventually moved to <a href=\"http://www.patheos.com/About-Patheos/Padma-Kuppa.html\">Patheos</a>, where she is an advocate for Hinduism online. In 2009 she also began work with <a href=\"http://www.interfaithwisdom.com/\">WISDOM</a> (Women’s Interfaith Solutions for Dialogue and Outreach in MetroDetroit). Additionally, Padma is a part of her local Hindu Temple’s outreach committee and works with the National Temple Organization.\r\n\r\n“Hinduism isn’t a religion for us; it’s a way of living,” Padma said.\r\n<h2>About Hinduism</h2>\r\nHinduism is the third largest religion in the world with around one billion followers. It’s a religion that does not fall into one category as it is monotheistic, polytheistic, and also pantheistic. It’s monotheistic because Hindus have a belief in an ultimate being called Brahman, but it’s polytheistic because they believe in multiple deities, whose numbers range in the thousands and beyond who all express different aspects of Brahman. Hinduism is also pantheistic because they often worship spirits and believe that all people and nature are of divine nature.\r\n\r\n“There’s a lot of misinformation about Hinduism in this country,” Padma told me while we sat at a table in Starbucks. There was an egregious error in one of her son’s textbooks from school. “It said that ‘Hindus worship cows.’ Right there in his book! Hindus do not worship cows,” she said. “We revere cows; just like we do all of nature because we believe that the divine is in all things.”\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_6266\" align=\"alignright\" width=\"150\" caption=\"Hindu Temple of Shri Venkateswara in Tividale\"]<a href=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/hindu-temple_flickr_ahisgett.jpg\"><img class=\"size-thumbnail wp-image-6266\" src=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/hindu-temple_flickr_ahisgett-150x150.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nAs it has with Sikhs, cross-discrimination has affected Hindus since 9/11. She told me, “One time when I was at an airport I was approached by someone and was asked, ‘So, are you Shi’ite or Sunni?’ And he was a well-educated man!”\r\n\r\nIn an <a href=\"http://www.freep.com/article/20110911/OPINION05/109110480/Commentary-Learning-how-faith-can-divide-unite\">article in the Detroit Free Press</a> Padma said “What happened on 9/11, and in any instance where religion is called into play, teaches us that faith is something that has the potential to divide or unite. It is in us to choose the latter to make a more peaceful world for ourselves, by learning more about our neighbors and examining our own belief systems. To that end, 9/11 had a domino effect on my life.”\r\n\r\nShe said that the misinformation is not without reason: “I admit that we as a Hindu community have not done a good job of educating the public as to what we are about, and I’m trying to help change that with my work with the HAF [Hindu American Foundation].” The Hindu American Foundation is an advocacy group which offers education resources about Hinduism that works for the interests of Hindu Americans across the country.\r\n\r\nWhile the specific beliefs and practices of the Hindu faith vary wildly between individuals, families, and geographic areas, it can be understood through <a href=\"http://hinduism.about.com/od/basics/a/principles.htm\">5 main principles and 10 disciplines</a> as taught by Dr. Gangadhar Choudhury.\r\n<h2><strong>5 Main Principles (Beliefs)</strong></h2>\r\nThe first principle is that God exists. According to <a href=\"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brahman\">Wikipedia</a>, Brahman is “is the unchanging, infinite, immanent, and transcendent reality which is the Divine Ground of all matter, energy, time, space, being, and everything beyond in this Universe; that is the one supreme, universal spirit.”\r\n\r\nHinduism has a Great Trinity, the Trimurti, which consists of Brahma (creator), Vishnu (the maintainer or preserver), and Shiva (the destroyer). These three deities use their various manifestations to keep the cosmos in balance.\r\n\r\nThe remaining four principles are:\r\n<ol>\r\n	<li><strong>All human beings are divine</strong> – Because Brahman is the divine matter that makes up the universe, the divine is in everything.</li>\r\n	<li><strong>Unity of existence through</strong> <strong>love</strong></li>\r\n	<li><strong>Religious harmony</strong> – This principle is greatly evidenced through Padma’s life and her work to unify the hearts and celebrate people of different faiths in metro Detroit.</li>\r\n	<li><strong>Knowledge of 3 Gs</strong> – <a href=\"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ganges_in_Hinduism\">Ganga</a> (sacred river), <a href=\"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gita\">Gita</a> (sacred scripture), <a href=\"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gayatri\">Gayatri</a> (sacred mantra)</li>\r\n</ol>\r\n<h2><strong>10 Disciplines (Ways of Living)</strong></h2>\r\n<ol>\r\n	<li><strong><em>Satya</em></strong> – Truth, which includes social justice and environmentalism</li>\r\n	<li><a href=\"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ahimsa#Hinduism\"><strong><em>Ahimsa</em></strong></a> – Non-violence, including towards animals, making Hindus vegetarian</li>\r\n	<li><a href=\"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brahmacharya\"><strong><em>Brahmacharya</em></strong></a> – Celibacy, sobriety, self-control, non-adultery (also one of the <a href=\"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ashrama_(stage)\">four stages of life</a>)</li>\r\n	<li><a href=\"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asteya\"><strong><em>Asteya</em></strong></a> – No desire to possess or steal (also a main principle of Jainism)</li>\r\n	<li><a href=\"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aparigraha\"><strong><em>Aparighara</em></strong></a> – Non-corrupt, living simply and not being obsessed with material acquisition (another main principle that Jainism and Hinduism share)</li>\r\n	<li><a href=\"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shaucha\"><strong><em>Shaucha</em></strong></a><em> </em>– Cleanliness, purity</li>\r\n	<li><a href=\"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Santosh\"><strong><em>Santosh</em></strong></a> – Contentment, gratefulness, happiness</li>\r\n	<li><a href=\"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swadhyaya\"><strong><em>Swadhyaya</em></strong></a> – Gathering and reading of scriptures</li>\r\n	<li><a href=\"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tapas_(Sanskrit)\"><strong><em>Tapas</em></strong></a> – Austerity, perseverance, penance, discipline, spiritual enlightenment</li>\r\n	<li><a href=\"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ishvarapranidhana\"><strong><em>Ishwarpranidhan</em></strong></a> – Regular prayers</li>\r\n</ol>\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_6268\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"90\" caption=\"The symbol for Hinduism\"]<a href=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/hindu-symbol_flickr_ahisgett.jpg\"><img class=\"wp-image-6268 \" src=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/hindu-symbol_flickr_ahisgett-150x150.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"90\" height=\"90\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nAs far as worship on a daily basis, devout followers observe at home through things like: chores and food preparation for the family shrine, lighting lamps, meditation, recitation of scripture and mantras, and singing hymns.\r\n\r\nAdditionally, there is an emphasis on celebration special events and periods in one’s life in Hinduism, with rituals and rites to boot. Among others, Hindus celebrate birth, first feeding, marriage, and death.\r\n\r\nOne of the practices that the world has picked up on from Hinduism is the tradition of <em>yoga</em>. In Hinduism, yoga simply means “path” or “way of knowing God”. There are several paths or approaches to learning about God:\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li><strong>Bhakti</strong> – Path of devotion, which includes <a href=\"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asana\">Asana</a>, among other things, which is what the physical activity of Westernized yoga is derived from.</li>\r\n	<li><strong>Gñāna</strong> – Path of knowledge</li>\r\n	<li><strong>Dhyana</strong> – Path of meditation</li>\r\n	<li><strong>Karma</strong> – Path of action</li>\r\n</ul>\r\nPadma had an equal representation of all of the paths while she was growing up. “I used to tell people that my mother was Bhakti, my father was Gñāna, my aunt was Dhyana and my uncle was Karma.”\r\n\r\nAnother piece of Hinduism that people seem to misunderstand is reincarnation. One of the beliefs of Hinduism and other Eastern religions that came out of India is that we are all trapped in the cycle of <em>Samsara</em>. <em>Samsara</em> is the cycle of life and death. The way to escape S<em>amsara</em> is through <em>karma</em>, <em>dharma</em>, and <em>yoga</em>.\r\n\r\nOnce you achieve purity and spiritual enlightenment you can finally escape <em>Samsara </em>(and attain liberation), but you are perpetually reborn until you reach that point. How you are reborn is linked with <em>karma</em>, which is the idea that your actions create ripples through the universe, also described as “each action has an action and a reaction force”.\r\n<h2>Conclusion</h2>\r\nMy time with Padma Kuppa was wonderful. She was very well-spoken and was very passionate about her work. I appreciate her taking time out of her busy schedule to sit and talk with me to tell me about her work in interfaith and beautiful heritage. I look forward to getting to know her better.\r\n\r\nThe thing that really stood out during my time spent with Padma was a sense of her passion because it was utterly contagious. She wasn’t doing these things in her community and devoting countless hours to these organizations out of obligation; no, she was doing them because she believes in them deep down in her soul. It was stunning.\r\n\r\nIt was incredible to talk to someone from a completely different walk of life who expressed with her every breath her desire to bring people together, show love, and celebrate diversity through unity. This is one thing that everyone I have interviewed has had in common with Padma: they all have heart.\r\n\r\nPadma finished our conversation with the following statement, which sums up her way of life perfectly: “Forget what you don’t believe, live what you <em>do</em> believe. Learn a little, but act together,\" meaning, don\'t spend so much time bickering over the little things that you never actually <em>live what you claim to believe</em>.\r\n\r\n<strong>Thank you to Padma Kuppa for meeting with me and to Dr. Bob Cornwall for introducing me to her.</strong>\r\n\r\nPhoto credit: Flickr / <a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/mckaysavage/3509727527/in/photostream/\" target=\"_blank\">mckaysavage</a> (Top image: Batu Caves), <a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tejspics/418805382/in/photostream/\" target=\"_blank\">Tejal Patel</a> (Hindu woman and boy), <a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/carworld/3898972515/in/photostream/\" target=\"_blank\">Auswandern Malaysia</a> (Batu Caves statues), <a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/hisgett/3526951764/in/photostream/\" target=\"_blank\">ahisgett</a> (Hindu temple), <a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/hisgett/3272485440/in/photostream/\" target=\"_blank\">ahisgett</a> (Hindu symbol)','Faith Interview Series: Hinduism','','inherit','open','open','','6258-revision-8','','','2012-04-24 18:37:56','2012-04-25 01:37:56','',6258,'http://provoketive.com/2012/04/24/6258-revision-8/',0,'revision','',0),(6274,38,'2012-04-24 18:41:00','2012-04-25 01:41:00','Padma Kuppa, a Hindu woman from Troy, Michigan, was born in India. Her family moved to the United States where they remained until the 80’s when her family moved back to India. It wasn’t easy adjusting to being uprooted and moving back to mainstream Indian culture, since she was a teenager when her family moved.\r\n\r\nPadma attended engineering school in India, which is an extremely competitive program. In an <a href=\"http://www.blitzkriegpublishing.com/Indian%20Culture.htm\">article for Metro Parent Magazine</a>, she said, “I was at the highest levels in math and science when I returned to India after 10th grade, but that was the norm for students there.”\r\n<h2>The National Day of Prayer</h2>\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_6262\" align=\"alignright\" width=\"150\" caption=\"A Hindu woman and boy\"]<a href=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/hindu-woman-boy_flickr_tejal-patel.jpg\"><img class=\"size-thumbnail wp-image-6262\" src=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/hindu-woman-boy_flickr_tejal-patel-150x150.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nPadma’s story of living her faith in the public square begins in May of 2005, when she heard about a National Day of Prayer event being put on in her area. She volunteered to help organize the event but was denied. A year later, when the next National Day of Prayer was coming up, Padma approached the overall coordinator for the National Day of Prayer to ask again if she could help organize the event and participate. She was denied a once again, but this time she found it it was a specifically Judeo-Christian event.\r\n\r\nThis caused a stir in local media. To prevent people like Padma from interfering again, the National Day of Prayer Task Force tried to get the city of Troy to declare the holiday to be a strictly Christian observance. The city exploded into controversy with threats of lawsuits in violation of the First Amendment. “I was not used to my faith being such a public thing before that. Faith had been so private to me, but then overnight I was on the front page of the Free Press,” she said.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_6264\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"276\" caption=\"Statues of Hindu gods at Batu Caves, a famous Hindu Temple\"]<a href=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/batu-caves-statues_flickr_auswandern-malaysia.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-6264\" src=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/batu-caves-statues_flickr_auswandern-malaysia-276x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"276\" height=\"300\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nPadma then decided to join forces with a few other people and begin the Troy Interfaith Group. On May 4<span style=\"font-size: 11px\">th</span>, 2006, the Troy Interfaith Group held its first National Day of Prayer celebration at St. Anastasia Roman Catholic Church in Troy, Michigan. As a result, Harvard University approached Padma about using the National Day of Prayer situation a case study for <a href=\"http://pluralism.org/reports/view/66\">The Pluralism Project</a>.\r\n\r\nPadma was born into the Hindu faith. She grew up in a family with a lot of religious variety with close family members who were Catholic, Jewish, and Hindu. She and her family had appreciation and respect for people of other faiths, so her involvement in the interfaith arena was natural. “When I went off for college, my father sent me with the Gita,” (one of the Hindu scriptures) “the Bible, and Shakespeare.”\r\n\r\nIn 2008, Padma lost a close friend and began a blog called “Seeking Shanti” in her honor. Her blog was eventually moved to <a href=\"http://www.patheos.com/About-Patheos/Padma-Kuppa.html\">Patheos</a>, where she is an advocate for Hinduism online. In 2009 she also began work with <a href=\"http://www.interfaithwisdom.com/\">WISDOM</a> (Women’s Interfaith Solutions for Dialogue and Outreach in MetroDetroit). Additionally, Padma is a part of her local Hindu Temple’s outreach committee and works with the National Temple Organization.\r\n\r\n“Hinduism isn’t a religion for us; it’s a way of living,” Padma said.\r\n<h2>About Hinduism</h2>\r\nHinduism is the third largest religion in the world with around one billion followers. It’s a religion that does not fall into one category as it is monotheistic, polytheistic, and also pantheistic. It’s monotheistic because Hindus have a belief in an ultimate being called Brahman, but it’s polytheistic because they believe in multiple deities, whose numbers range in the thousands and beyond who all express different aspects of Brahman. Hinduism is also pantheistic because they often worship spirits and believe that all people and nature are of divine nature.\r\n\r\n“There’s a lot of misinformation about Hinduism in this country,” Padma told me while we sat at a table in Starbucks. There was an egregious error in one of her son’s textbooks from school. “It said that ‘Hindus worship cows.’ Right there in his book! Hindus do not worship cows,” she said. “We revere cows; just like we do all of nature because we believe that the divine is in all things.”\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_6266\" align=\"alignright\" width=\"150\" caption=\"Hindu Temple of Shri Venkateswara in Tividale\"]<a href=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/hindu-temple_flickr_ahisgett.jpg\"><img class=\"size-thumbnail wp-image-6266\" src=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/hindu-temple_flickr_ahisgett-150x150.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nAs it has with Sikhs, cross-discrimination has affected Hindus since 9/11. She told me, “One time when I was at an airport I was approached by someone and was asked, ‘So, are you Shi’ite or Sunni?’ And he was a well-educated man!”\r\n\r\nIn an <a href=\"http://www.freep.com/article/20110911/OPINION05/109110480/Commentary-Learning-how-faith-can-divide-unite\">article in the Detroit Free Press</a> Padma said “What happened on 9/11, and in any instance where religion is called into play, teaches us that faith is something that has the potential to divide or unite. It is in us to choose the latter to make a more peaceful world for ourselves, by learning more about our neighbors and examining our own belief systems. To that end, 9/11 had a domino effect on my life.”\r\n\r\nShe said that the misinformation is not without reason: “I admit that we as a Hindu community have not done a good job of educating the public as to what we are about, and I’m trying to help change that with my work with the HAF [Hindu American Foundation].” The Hindu American Foundation is an advocacy group which offers education resources about Hinduism that works for the interests of Hindu Americans across the country.\r\n\r\nWhile the specific beliefs and practices of the Hindu faith vary wildly between individuals, families, and geographic areas, it can be understood through <a href=\"http://hinduism.about.com/od/basics/a/principles.htm\">5 main principles and 10 disciplines</a> as taught by Dr. Gangadhar Choudhury.\r\n<h2><strong>5 Main Principles (Beliefs)</strong></h2>\r\nThe first principle is that God exists. According to <a href=\"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brahman\">Wikipedia</a>, Brahman is “is the unchanging, infinite, immanent, and transcendent reality which is the Divine Ground of all matter, energy, time, space, being, and everything beyond in this Universe; that is the one supreme, universal spirit.”\r\n\r\nHinduism has a Great Trinity, the Trimurti, which consists of Brahma (creator), Vishnu (the maintainer or preserver), and Shiva (the destroyer). These three deities use their various manifestations to keep the cosmos in balance.\r\n\r\nThe remaining four principles are:\r\n<ol>\r\n	<li><strong>All human beings are divine</strong> – Because Brahman is the divine matter that makes up the universe, the divine is in everything.</li>\r\n	<li><strong>Unity of existence through</strong> <strong>love</strong></li>\r\n	<li><strong>Religious harmony</strong> – This principle is greatly evidenced through Padma’s life and her work to unify the hearts and celebrate people of different faiths in metro Detroit.</li>\r\n	<li><strong>Knowledge of 3 Gs</strong> – <a href=\"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ganges_in_Hinduism\">Ganga</a> (sacred river), <a href=\"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gita\">Gita</a> (sacred scripture), <a href=\"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gayatri\">Gayatri</a> (sacred mantra)</li>\r\n</ol>\r\n<h2><strong>10 Disciplines (Ways of Living)</strong></h2>\r\n<ol>\r\n	<li><strong><em>Satya</em></strong> – Truth, which includes social justice and environmentalism</li>\r\n	<li><a href=\"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ahimsa#Hinduism\"><strong><em>Ahimsa</em></strong></a> – Non-violence, including towards animals, making Hindus vegetarian</li>\r\n	<li><a href=\"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brahmacharya\"><strong><em>Brahmacharya</em></strong></a> – Celibacy, sobriety, self-control, non-adultery (also one of the <a href=\"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ashrama_(stage)\">four stages of life</a>)</li>\r\n	<li><a href=\"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asteya\"><strong><em>Asteya</em></strong></a> – No desire to possess or steal (also a main principle of Jainism)</li>\r\n	<li><a href=\"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aparigraha\"><strong><em>Aparighara</em></strong></a> – Non-corrupt, living simply and not being obsessed with material acquisition (another main principle that Jainism and Hinduism share)</li>\r\n	<li><a href=\"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shaucha\"><strong><em>Shaucha</em></strong></a><em> </em>– Cleanliness, purity</li>\r\n	<li><a href=\"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Santosh\"><strong><em>Santosh</em></strong></a> – Contentment, gratefulness, happiness</li>\r\n	<li><a href=\"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swadhyaya\"><strong><em>Swadhyaya</em></strong></a> – Gathering and reading of scriptures</li>\r\n	<li><a href=\"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tapas_(Sanskrit)\"><strong><em>Tapas</em></strong></a> – Austerity, perseverance, penance, discipline, spiritual enlightenment</li>\r\n	<li><a href=\"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ishvarapranidhana\"><strong><em>Ishwarpranidhan</em></strong></a> – Regular prayers</li>\r\n</ol>\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_6268\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"90\" caption=\"The symbol for Hinduism\"]<a href=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/hindu-symbol_flickr_ahisgett.jpg\"><img class=\"wp-image-6268 \" src=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/hindu-symbol_flickr_ahisgett-150x150.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"90\" height=\"90\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nAs far as worship on a daily basis, devout followers observe at home through things like: chores and food preparation for the family shrine, lighting lamps, meditation, recitation of scripture and mantras, and singing hymns.\r\n\r\nAdditionally, there is an emphasis on celebration special events and periods in one’s life in Hinduism, with rituals and rites to boot. Among others, Hindus celebrate birth, first feeding, marriage, and death.\r\n\r\nOne of the practices that the world has picked up on from Hinduism is the tradition of <em>yoga</em>. In Hinduism, yoga simply means “path” or “way of knowing God”. There are several paths or approaches to learning about God:\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li><strong>Bhakti</strong> – Path of devotion, which includes <a href=\"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asana\">Asana</a>, among other things, which is what the physical activity of Westernized yoga is derived from.</li>\r\n	<li><strong>Gñāna</strong> – Path of knowledge</li>\r\n	<li><strong>Dhyana</strong> – Path of meditation</li>\r\n	<li><strong>Karma</strong> – Path of action</li>\r\n</ul>\r\nPadma had an equal representation of all of the paths while she was growing up. “I used to tell people that my mother was Bhakti, my father was Gñāna, my aunt was Dhyana and my uncle was Karma.”\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_6271\" align=\"alignright\" width=\"150\" caption=\"Hindu god statues\"]<a href=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/hindu-statues_flickr_chem7.jpg\"><img class=\"size-thumbnail wp-image-6271\" src=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/hindu-statues_flickr_chem7-150x150.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nAnother piece of Hinduism that people seem to misunderstand is reincarnation. One of the beliefs of Hinduism and other Eastern religions that came out of India is that we are all trapped in the cycle of <em>Samsara</em>. <em>Samsara</em> is the cycle of life and death. The way to escape S<em>amsara</em> is through <em>karma</em>, <em>dharma</em>, and <em>yoga</em>.\r\n\r\nOnce you achieve purity and spiritual enlightenment you can finally escape <em>Samsara </em>(and attain liberation), but you are perpetually reborn until you reach that point. How you are reborn is linked with <em>karma</em>, which is the idea that your actions create ripples through the universe, also described as “each action has an action and a reaction force”.\r\n<h2>Conclusion</h2>\r\nMy time with Padma Kuppa was wonderful. She was very well-spoken and was very passionate about her work. I appreciate her taking time out of her busy schedule to sit and talk with me to tell me about her work in interfaith and beautiful heritage. I look forward to getting to know her better.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_6272\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"150\" caption=\"A Hindu bride\"]<a href=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/hindu-bride_flickr_tejal-patel.jpg\"><img class=\"size-thumbnail wp-image-6272\" src=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/hindu-bride_flickr_tejal-patel-150x150.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nThe thing that really stood out during my time spent with Padma was a sense of her passion because it was utterly contagious. She wasn’t doing these things in her community and devoting countless hours to these organizations out of obligation; no, she was doing them because she believes in them deep down in her soul. It was stunning.\r\n\r\nIt was incredible to talk to someone from a completely different walk of life who expressed with her every breath her desire to bring people together, show love, and celebrate diversity through unity. This is one thing that everyone I have interviewed has had in common with Padma: they all have heart.\r\n\r\nPadma finished our conversation with the following statement, which sums up her way of life perfectly: “Forget what you don’t believe, live what you <em>do</em> believe. Learn a little, but act together,\" meaning, don\'t spend so much time bickering over the little things that you never actually <em>live what you claim to believe</em>.\r\n\r\n<strong>Thank you to Padma Kuppa for meeting with me and to Dr. Bob Cornwall for introducing me to her.</strong>\r\n\r\nPhoto credit: Flickr / <a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/mckaysavage/3509727527/in/photostream/\" target=\"_blank\">mckaysavage</a> (Top image: Batu Caves), <a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tejspics/418805382/in/photostream/\" target=\"_blank\">Tejal Patel</a> (Hindu woman and boy), <a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/carworld/3898972515/in/photostream/\" target=\"_blank\">Auswandern Malaysia</a> (Batu Caves statues), <a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/hisgett/3526951764/in/photostream/\" target=\"_blank\">ahisgett</a> (Hindu temple), <a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/hisgett/3272485440/in/photostream/\" target=\"_blank\">ahisgett</a> (Hindu symbol), <a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/88087720@N00/3048151272/in/photostream/\" target=\"_blank\">chem7</a> (Hindu god statues), <a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tejspics/418806036/in/photostream/\" target=\"_blank\">Tejal Patel</a> (Hindu bride)','Faith Interview Series: Hinduism','','inherit','open','open','','6258-revision-9','','','2012-04-24 18:41:00','2012-04-25 01:41:00','',6258,'http://provoketive.com/2012/04/24/6258-revision-9/',0,'revision','',0),(6275,38,'2012-04-24 18:42:07','2012-04-25 01:42:07','Padma Kuppa, a Hindu woman from Troy, Michigan, was born in India. Her family moved to the United States where they remained until the 80’s when her family moved back to India. It wasn’t easy adjusting to being uprooted and moving back to mainstream Indian culture, since she was a teenager when her family moved.\r\n\r\nPadma attended engineering school in India, which is an extremely competitive program. In an <a href=\"http://www.blitzkriegpublishing.com/Indian%20Culture.htm\">article for Metro Parent Magazine</a>, she said, “I was at the highest levels in math and science when I returned to India after 10th grade, but that was the norm for students there.”\r\n<h2>The National Day of Prayer</h2>\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_6262\" align=\"alignright\" width=\"150\" caption=\"A Hindu woman and boy\"]<a href=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/hindu-woman-boy_flickr_tejal-patel.jpg\"><img class=\"size-thumbnail wp-image-6262\" src=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/hindu-woman-boy_flickr_tejal-patel-150x150.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nPadma’s story of living her faith in the public square begins in May of 2005, when she heard about a National Day of Prayer event being put on in her area. She volunteered to help organize the event but was denied. A year later, when the next National Day of Prayer was coming up, Padma approached the overall coordinator for the National Day of Prayer to ask again if she could help organize the event and participate. She was denied a once again, but this time she found it it was a specifically Judeo-Christian event.\r\n\r\nThis caused a stir in local media. To prevent people like Padma from interfering again, the National Day of Prayer Task Force tried to get the city of Troy to declare the holiday to be a strictly Christian observance. The city exploded into controversy with threats of lawsuits in violation of the First Amendment. “I was not used to my faith being such a public thing before that. Faith had been so private to me, but then overnight I was on the front page of the Free Press,” she said.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_6264\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"276\" caption=\"Statues of Hindu gods at Batu Caves, a famous Hindu Temple\"]<a href=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/batu-caves-statues_flickr_auswandern-malaysia.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-6264\" src=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/batu-caves-statues_flickr_auswandern-malaysia-276x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"276\" height=\"300\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nPadma then decided to join forces with a few other people and begin the Troy Interfaith Group. On May 4<span style=\"font-size: 11px\">th</span>, 2006, the Troy Interfaith Group held its first National Day of Prayer celebration at St. Anastasia Roman Catholic Church in Troy, Michigan. As a result, Harvard University approached Padma about using the National Day of Prayer situation a case study for <a href=\"http://pluralism.org/reports/view/66\">The Pluralism Project</a>.\r\n\r\nPadma was born into the Hindu faith. She grew up in a family with a lot of religious variety with close family members who were Catholic, Jewish, and Hindu. She and her family had appreciation and respect for people of other faiths, so her involvement in the interfaith arena was natural. “When I went off for college, my father sent me with the Gita,” (one of the Hindu scriptures) “the Bible, and Shakespeare.”\r\n\r\nIn 2008, Padma lost a close friend and began a blog called “Seeking Shanti” in her honor. Her blog was eventually moved to <a href=\"http://www.patheos.com/About-Patheos/Padma-Kuppa.html\">Patheos</a>, where she is an advocate for Hinduism online. In 2009 she also began work with <a href=\"http://www.interfaithwisdom.com/\">WISDOM</a> (Women’s Interfaith Solutions for Dialogue and Outreach in MetroDetroit). Additionally, Padma is a part of her local Hindu Temple’s outreach committee and works with the National Temple Organization.\r\n\r\n“Hinduism isn’t a religion for us; it’s a way of living,” Padma said.\r\n<h2>About Hinduism</h2>\r\nHinduism is the third largest religion in the world with around one billion followers. It’s a religion that does not fall into one category as it is monotheistic, polytheistic, and also pantheistic. It’s monotheistic because Hindus have a belief in an ultimate being called Brahman, but it’s polytheistic because they believe in multiple deities, whose numbers range in the thousands and beyond who all express different aspects of Brahman. Hinduism is also pantheistic because they often worship spirits and believe that all people and nature are of divine nature.\r\n\r\n“There’s a lot of misinformation about Hinduism in this country,” Padma told me while we sat at a table in Starbucks. There was an egregious error in one of her son’s textbooks from school. “It said that ‘Hindus worship cows.’ Right there in his book! Hindus do not worship cows,” she said. “We revere cows; just like we do all of nature because we believe that the divine is in all things.”\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_6266\" align=\"alignright\" width=\"150\" caption=\"Hindu Temple of Shri Venkateswara in Tividale\"]<a href=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/hindu-temple_flickr_ahisgett.jpg\"><img class=\"size-thumbnail wp-image-6266\" src=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/hindu-temple_flickr_ahisgett-150x150.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nAs it has with Sikhs, cross-discrimination has affected Hindus since 9/11. She told me, “One time when I was at an airport I was approached by someone and was asked, ‘So, are you Shi’ite or Sunni?’ And he was a well-educated man!”\r\n\r\nIn an <a href=\"http://www.freep.com/article/20110911/OPINION05/109110480/Commentary-Learning-how-faith-can-divide-unite\">article in the Detroit Free Press</a> Padma said “What happened on 9/11, and in any instance where religion is called into play, teaches us that faith is something that has the potential to divide or unite. It is in us to choose the latter to make a more peaceful world for ourselves, by learning more about our neighbors and examining our own belief systems. To that end, 9/11 had a domino effect on my life.”\r\n\r\nShe said that the misinformation is not without reason: “I admit that we as a Hindu community have not done a good job of educating the public as to what we are about, and I’m trying to help change that with my work with the HAF [Hindu American Foundation].” The Hindu American Foundation is an advocacy group which offers education resources about Hinduism that works for the interests of Hindu Americans across the country.\r\n\r\nWhile the specific beliefs and practices of the Hindu faith vary wildly between individuals, families, and geographic areas, it can be understood through <a href=\"http://hinduism.about.com/od/basics/a/principles.htm\">5 main principles and 10 disciplines</a> as taught by Dr. Gangadhar Choudhury.\r\n<h2><strong>5 Main Principles (Beliefs)</strong></h2>\r\nThe first principle is that God exists. According to <a href=\"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brahman\">Wikipedia</a>, Brahman is “is the unchanging, infinite, immanent, and transcendent reality which is the Divine Ground of all matter, energy, time, space, being, and everything beyond in this Universe; that is the one supreme, universal spirit.”\r\n\r\nHinduism has a Great Trinity, the Trimurti, which consists of Brahma (creator), Vishnu (the maintainer or preserver), and Shiva (the destroyer). These three deities use their various manifestations to keep the cosmos in balance.\r\n\r\nThe remaining four principles are:\r\n<ol>\r\n	<li><strong>All human beings are divine</strong> – Because Brahman is the divine matter that makes up the universe, the divine is in everything.</li>\r\n	<li><strong>Unity of existence through</strong> <strong>love</strong></li>\r\n	<li><strong>Religious harmony</strong> – This principle is greatly evidenced through Padma’s life and her work to unify the hearts and celebrate people of different faiths in metro Detroit.</li>\r\n	<li><strong>Knowledge of 3 Gs</strong> – <a href=\"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ganges_in_Hinduism\">Ganga</a> (sacred river), <a href=\"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gita\">Gita</a> (sacred scripture), <a href=\"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gayatri\">Gayatri</a> (sacred mantra)</li>\r\n</ol>\r\n<h2><strong>10 Disciplines (Ways of Living)</strong></h2>\r\n<ol>\r\n	<li><strong><em>Satya</em></strong> – Truth, which includes social justice and environmentalism</li>\r\n	<li><a href=\"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ahimsa#Hinduism\"><strong><em>Ahimsa</em></strong></a> – Non-violence, including towards animals, making Hindus vegetarian</li>\r\n	<li><a href=\"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brahmacharya\"><strong><em>Brahmacharya</em></strong></a> – Celibacy, sobriety, self-control, non-adultery (also one of the <a href=\"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ashrama_(stage)\">four stages of life</a>)</li>\r\n	<li><a href=\"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asteya\"><strong><em>Asteya</em></strong></a> – No desire to possess or steal (also a main principle of Jainism)</li>\r\n	<li><a href=\"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aparigraha\"><strong><em>Aparighara</em></strong></a> – Non-corrupt, living simply and not being obsessed with material acquisition (another main principle that Jainism and Hinduism share)</li>\r\n	<li><a href=\"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shaucha\"><strong><em>Shaucha</em></strong></a><em> </em>– Cleanliness, purity</li>\r\n	<li><a href=\"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Santosh\"><strong><em>Santosh</em></strong></a> – Contentment, gratefulness, happiness</li>\r\n	<li><a href=\"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swadhyaya\"><strong><em>Swadhyaya</em></strong></a> – Gathering and reading of scriptures</li>\r\n	<li><a href=\"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tapas_(Sanskrit)\"><strong><em>Tapas</em></strong></a> – Austerity, perseverance, penance, discipline, spiritual enlightenment</li>\r\n	<li><a href=\"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ishvarapranidhana\"><strong><em>Ishwarpranidhan</em></strong></a> – Regular prayers</li>\r\n</ol>\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_6268\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"90\" caption=\"The symbol for Hinduism\"]<a href=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/hindu-symbol_flickr_ahisgett.jpg\"><img class=\"wp-image-6268 \" src=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/hindu-symbol_flickr_ahisgett-150x150.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"90\" height=\"90\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nAs far as worship on a daily basis, devout followers observe at home through things like: chores and food preparation for the family shrine, lighting lamps, meditation, recitation of scripture and mantras, and singing hymns.\r\n\r\nAdditionally, there is an emphasis on celebration special events and periods in one’s life in Hinduism, with rituals and rites to boot. Among others, Hindus celebrate birth, first feeding, marriage, and death.\r\n\r\nOne of the practices that the world has picked up on from Hinduism is the tradition of <em>yoga</em>. In Hinduism, yoga simply means “path” or “way of knowing God”. There are several paths or approaches to learning about God:\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li><strong>Bhakti</strong> – Path of devotion, which includes <a href=\"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asana\">Asana</a>, among other things, which is what the physical activity of Westernized yoga is derived from.</li>\r\n	<li><strong>Gñāna</strong> – Path of knowledge</li>\r\n	<li><strong>Dhyana</strong> – Path of meditation</li>\r\n	<li><strong>Karma</strong> – Path of action</li>\r\n</ul>\r\nPadma had an equal representation of all of the paths while she was growing up. “I used to tell people that my mother was Bhakti, my father was Gñāna, my aunt was Dhyana and my uncle was Karma.”\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_6271\" align=\"alignright\" width=\"150\" caption=\"Hindu god statues\"]<a href=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/hindu-statues_flickr_chem7.jpg\"><img class=\"size-thumbnail wp-image-6271\" src=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/hindu-statues_flickr_chem7-150x150.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nAnother piece of Hinduism that people seem to misunderstand is reincarnation. One of the beliefs of Hinduism and other Eastern religions that came out of India is that we are all trapped in the cycle of <em>Samsara</em>. <em>Samsara</em> is the cycle of life and death. The way to escape S<em>amsara</em> is through <em>karma</em>, <em>dharma</em>, and <em>yoga</em>.\r\n\r\nOnce you achieve purity and spiritual enlightenment you can finally escape <em>Samsara </em>(and attain liberation), but you are perpetually reborn until you reach that point. How you are reborn is linked with <em>karma</em>, which is the idea that your actions create ripples through the universe, also described as “each action has an action and a reaction force”.\r\n<h2>Conclusion</h2>\r\nMy time with Padma Kuppa was wonderful. She was very well-spoken and was very passionate about her work. I appreciate her taking time out of her busy schedule to sit and talk with me to tell me about her work in interfaith and beautiful heritage. I look forward to getting to know her better.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_6272\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"150\" caption=\"A Hindu bride\"]<a href=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/hindu-bride_flickr_tejal-patel.jpg\"><img class=\"size-thumbnail wp-image-6272\" src=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/hindu-bride_flickr_tejal-patel-150x150.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nThe thing that really stood out during my time spent with Padma was a sense of her passion because it was utterly contagious. She wasn’t doing these things in her community and devoting countless hours to these organizations out of obligation; no, she was doing them because she believes in them deep down in her soul. It was stunning.\r\n\r\nIt was incredible to talk to someone from a completely different walk of life who expressed with her every breath her desire to bring people together, show love, and celebrate diversity through unity. This is one thing that everyone I have interviewed has had in common with Padma: they all have heart.\r\n\r\nPadma finished our conversation with the following statement, which sums up her way of life perfectly: “Forget what you don’t believe, live what you <em>do</em> believe. Learn a little, but act together,\" meaning, don\'t spend so much time bickering over the little things that you never actually <em>live what you claim to believe</em>.\r\n\r\n<strong>Thank you to Padma Kuppa for meeting with me and to Dr. Bob Cornwall for introducing me to her. If you want to hear more from Padma, <a href=\"http://www.patheos.com/About-Patheos/Padma-Kuppa.html\" target=\"_blank\">read her blog at Patheos</a>.</strong>\r\n\r\n<em>Photo credit: Flickr / <a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/mckaysavage/3509727527/in/photostream/\" target=\"_blank\">mckaysavage</a> (Top image: Batu Caves), <a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tejspics/418805382/in/photostream/\" target=\"_blank\">Tejal Patel</a> (Hindu woman and boy), <a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/carworld/3898972515/in/photostream/\" target=\"_blank\">Auswandern Malaysia</a> (Batu Caves statues), <a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/hisgett/3526951764/in/photostream/\" target=\"_blank\">ahisgett</a> (Hindu temple), <a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/hisgett/3272485440/in/photostream/\" target=\"_blank\">ahisgett</a> (Hindu symbol), <a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/88087720@N00/3048151272/in/photostream/\" target=\"_blank\">chem7</a> (Hindu god statues), <a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/tejspics/418806036/in/photostream/\" target=\"_blank\">Tejal Patel</a> (Hindu bride)</em>','Faith Interview Series: Hinduism','','inherit','open','open','','6258-revision-10','','','2012-04-24 18:42:07','2012-04-25 01:42:07','',6258,'http://provoketive.com/2012/04/24/6258-revision-10/',0,'revision','',0),(6276,38,'2012-04-28 21:00:31','2012-04-29 04:00:31','<div>\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_6231\" align=\"alignright\" width=\"150\" caption=\"A lotus flower, a common symbol in Buddhism\"]<a href=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/lotus_flickr_george-lu.jpg\"><img class=\"size-thumbnail wp-image-6231\" src=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/lotus_flickr_george-lu-150x150.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nThe house was filling with white light from the humid, but serene Sunday afternoon. I was sitting at kitchen table listening to three women and a gentleman from the Detroit Lotus Sangha, a Zen Buddhism group, talk through the remainder of their lesson together. They talked about practicing a Mindfulness Day as I munched on the deliciously tangy split pea and tomato soup that Gwen, the host, offered me.\r\n\r\n</div>\r\nNancy, one of the women at the table who is a recently retired special education teacher from Troy, Michigan, told me that she first came to the Sangha (a Buddhist word for “community”) about a year ago. After going on a retreat she came home and discovered the group. “I was sort of hooked,” she said. “Jaye, the owner of the studio where the Sangha meets, the members … They seemed to have integrity. And I felt comfortable there. Being there with them was gratifying and inspiring.”\r\n\r\nThe Detroit Lotus Sangha was founded by a Vietnamese gentleman named Si Mo about four and a half years ago. They meet every Sunday at a martial arts studio in Ferndale, Michigan. They have about one dozen regulars week-to-week and 40 members altogether.\r\n\r\nThe Detroit Lotus Sangha follows the teachings of Thich Nhat Hanh, the most well-known Buddhist in the West next to the Dalai Lama. Thich Nhat Hanh is a Zen Buddhist teacher who has written over one-hundred books, many of which are in English. He was nominated by Martin Luther King for a Nobel Peace Prize for his work towards non-violence during the Vietnam War.\r\n\r\nZen Buddhism is a section of the Mahayana school of Buddhism whose goal is to alleviate the suffering of all beings and social engagement from a non-violent perspective. “I’ve read a lot of Eastern Buddhist philosophy, which can be kind of obscure and difficult to understand. What Thich Nhat Hanh has done is he has written books with the Western perspective in mind. It makes it practical and extremely accessible for people like you and me to practice,” said Jaye.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_6233\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Thich Nhat Hanh at the Huong Son Temple\"]<a href=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/tnh_flickr_d-nelson.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-6233\" src=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/tnh_flickr_d-nelson-300x168.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"168\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nThich Nhat Hanh is one of the first real leaders for what Gwen referred to as <a href=\"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Engaged_Buddhism\">Engaged Buddhism</a>. “We aren’t a group of people just sitting on our cushions contemplating things.” Nancy, who is sitting on the other side of the table, stood up to show me the text on her Detroit Lotus Sangha chocolate-brown shirt: “Compassion is a verb.”\r\n\r\n“Well, it’s actually a noun,” Nancy said, “but that’s what it’s all about. It’s becoming aware of suffering around us, finding ways to alleviate for other beings and ourselves, and it’s about the call to nonviolence and social justice.”\r\n\r\nOne of the ways that the Sangha engages in social justice is by working with local charities. One of the local charities they will be working with soon is a farmer in Detroit. They will help prepare fields, plant organic crops, and distribute food. They also work with FernCare, a set of clinics for people without health insurance, and at the year’s end they donate to a fund that Thich Nhat Hanh established for post-Vietnam war children.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_6238\" align=\"alignright\" width=\"174\" caption=\"A statue of the Buddha in the snow\"]<a href=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/buddha_flickr_edward-dalmulder_v2.jpg\"><img class=\" wp-image-6238 \" src=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/buddha_flickr_edward-dalmulder_v2-290x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"174\" height=\"180\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nGwen has been regularly meditating since late 2000. She found Thich Nhat Hanh’s books in 2004 and then found the Sangha just a few short years later. “His books made Buddhism so much more doable. It provides meditation techniques and everyday practices to help with negative emotions.”\r\n\r\n“It’s not just about sitting until your legs go numb. It’s about becoming more peaceful and involved in social movement in my life,” said Jaye. She said that for her the Sangha is an important part of her practice for building relationships with other people and hearing their struggles, thoughts and ideas to better themselves with.\r\n<h2>About Buddhism</h2>\r\nBuddhism is a nontheistic religion, with roughly 350 million followers across the globe, making it the fourth largest religion in the world. Zen Buddhism is a part of the Mahayana school of Buddhism.  The main goals of Mahayana Buddhism are: <strong>to do no evil, to do good, and save all beings.</strong>\r\n\r\nThere are three main sections of beliefs for Buddhists: the <strong>Four Noble Truths</strong>, the <strong>Eightfold Path</strong>, and the <strong>Ten Grand Precepts</strong>.\r\n<h2>The Four Noble Truths</h2>\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_6241\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"90\" caption=\"The Dharma Wheel, a symbol of Buddhism\"]<a href=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/dharma-wheel_wikimedia-commons.png\"><img class=\" wp-image-6241 \" src=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/dharma-wheel_wikimedia-commons-150x150.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"90\" height=\"90\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nBuddhists believe in a set of four principles called the Four Noble Truths that explain the universe and all that is in it. Barbara O’Brien, a practicing Zen Buddhist (but not one of the Thich Nhat Hanh tradition) and writer for About.com says <a href=\"http://buddhism.about.com/od/thefournobletruths/a/fournobletruths.htm\">this</a>: “The Buddha\'s teachings on the Four Noble Truths are sometimes compared to a physician diagnosing an illness and prescribing a treatment. The first truth tells us what the illness is, and the second truth tells us what causes the illness. The Third Noble Truth holds out hope for a cure.”\r\n<ol>\r\n	<li>T<strong>he truth of suffering (<a href=\"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dukkha\">Dukkha</a>) – </strong>Most of the time, the first truth is translated as “Life is suffering.” But <em>dukkha</em>, the word used for “suffering” in this case refers to anything that is temporary, conditional, or passing. So, another way of looking at this is “Life is temporary.”</li>\r\n	<li><strong>The truth of the cause of suffering (<a href=\"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samudaya\">Samudaya</a>) – </strong>This truth means that suffering comes from a craving or thirst. We go through life trying to desperately find something to quench those cravings to fill the holes in our souls. We try to do this through things like relationships, food, clothing, power, etc. However, as much as we try, we are never satisfied. Humans have a tendency to latch onto things, whether they be material or ideas about the world. When these things come up empty and don’t satisfy our thirst, we only thirst more.</li>\r\n	<li><strong>The truth of the end of suffering (<a href=\"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nirodha\">Nirodha</a>) – </strong>Barbara O’Brien put it succinctly: “The Buddha taught that through diligent practice, we can put an end to craving. Ending the hamster-wheel chase after satisfaction is enlightenment.”</li>\r\n	<li><strong>The truth of the path that frees us from suffering (<a href=\"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magga\">Magga</a>)</strong></li>\r\n</ol>\r\n<h2>The Eightfold Path</h2>\r\nThe last of the Four Noble Truths refers to a path called the Eightfold Path. The Eightfold Path is a set of principles that lay out the way to enlightenment. Since Buddhism is more of a orthopraxy religion than orthodoxy, they focus on <em>right action</em> instead of <em>right belief</em>. Thus, the Eightfold Path serves as an impetus and a way to equip you with a focused heart and mind (click any of the following items to learn more about them):\r\n<ol>\r\n	<li><strong><a href=\"http://buddhism.about.com/od/theeightfoldpath/a/rightview.htm\">Right View</a> </strong></li>\r\n	<li><strong><a href=\"http://buddhism.about.com/od/theeightfoldpath/a/right-intention.htm\">Right Intention</a> </strong></li>\r\n	<li><strong><a href=\"http://buddhism.about.com/od/theeightfoldpath/a/rightspeech.htm\">Right Speech</a> </strong></li>\r\n	<li><strong><a href=\"http://buddhism.about.com/od/theeightfoldpath/a/right-action.htm\">Right Action</a> </strong></li>\r\n	<li><strong><a href=\"http://buddhism.about.com/od/theeightfoldpath/a/rightlivelihood.htm\">Right Livelihood</a> </strong></li>\r\n	<li><strong><a href=\"http://buddhism.about.com/od/theeightfoldpath/a/Right-Effort.htm\">Right Effort</a> </strong></li>\r\n	<li><strong><a href=\"http://buddhism.about.com/od/theeightfoldpath/a/right-mindfulness.htm\">Right Mindfulness</a> </strong></li>\r\n	<li><strong><a href=\"http://buddhism.about.com/od/theeightfoldpath/a/Right-Concentration.htm\">Right Concentration</a></strong></li>\r\n</ol>\r\n<h2>The Five Mindfulness Trainings</h2>\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_6244\" align=\"alignright\" width=\"150\" caption=\"His Holiness the Dalai Lama\"]<a href=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/dalai-lama_flickr_abhikram.jpg\"><img class=\"size-thumbnail wp-image-6244\" src=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/dalai-lama_flickr_abhikram-150x150.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nGwen told me, “I think one of the misconceptions that people have about Buddhism is they think anything goes, like we have no moral compass. We aren’t here to condemn anyone, however we do have a set of principles regarding things like sexuality remaining within the bounds of a committed, loving, long-term relationship that has been made known to friends and family, being careful of the kinds of movies that we watch, being mindful of what we eat, etc.”\r\n\r\n“Basically we try to avoid junk food of any kind, whether that be ideas, food, how we spend our time online, entertainment—that sort of thing,” Nancy added. The set of principles that she and Gwen were referring to is contained in the Five Mindfulness Trainings (other sects of Buddhism may have more or less depending on the group).\r\n\r\nThe Five Mindfulness Trainings are expressions of the principles of The Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path:\r\n<ol start=\"1\">\r\n	<li><strong>Reverence for Life </strong>– Any form of killing to any living being is causing suffering to others, therefore causing more strife, emptiness, and harm to others, which is strictly against Buddhist goals and principles</li>\r\n	<li><strong>True Happiness </strong>– Somewhat related to the Reverence for Life, true happiness comes from helping eliminate and reduce the suffering of others</li>\r\n	<li><strong>True Love</strong> – The recognition that sexual desires and healthy, true love are very different things, one must strive to find the latter that can fill and express the former</li>\r\n	<li><strong>Loving Speech and Deep Listening</strong> – Words can damage or heal, and so the goal is to have loving, kind, and compassionate speech. Along with giving healing and warm words, one should also receive words from others in the same manner</li>\r\n	<li><strong>Nourishment and Healing – </strong>This is the principle that Nancy was speaking of when she said they try to avoid consuming junk. Toxins of all sorts are all around us, and the way to the clearest mind and spirit are to diligently fill our bodies and lives with things that promote health and clarity, not bog us down and make us sick.<strong></strong></li>\r\n</ol>\r\nI asked Gwen and Nancy if the “not killing” principle lead to vegetarianism for Buddhists. Nancy said, “It does a lot of the time. Whatever people are—vegetarian, vegan—they end up eating with more awareness.” Gwen added, “However, Buddhists leaders recognize that the principles can’t be followed 100%. Even as vegetarians by boiling vegetables we’re killing hundreds of micro-organisms.”\r\n<h2>How Buddhism Principles Are Practical for Everyone</h2>\r\nGwen said, “It might be useful for your readers to know that you don’t have to be a Buddhist to meditate. Dharma, which means ‘doctrine, teacher,’ or ‘the way to enlightenment,’ can be used to harmonize. In fact, Thich Nhat Hanh said if your beliefs don’t lead you to Buddhism, then ‘Be a better ____.’ Be a better Christian, be a better Muslim. He wasn’t trying to convert anyone.”\r\n\r\nIn Thich Nhat Hanh’s book “<a href=\"http://www.amazon.com/Interbeing-Fourteen-Guidelines-Engaged-Buddhism/dp/0938077597/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1334980566&amp;sr=8-1\">Interbeing: Fourteen Guidelines for Engaged Buddhism</a>” he says the following:\r\n<blockquote>Aware of the suffering created by fanaticism and intolerance, we are determined not to be idolatrous about or bound to any doctrine, theory, or ideology, even Buddhist ones. Buddhist teachings are guiding mean to help us learn to look deeply and to develop our understanding and compassion. They are not doctrines to fight, kill, or die for.</blockquote>\r\nThis quote was significant to Nancy because it means they value Peace, <em>even elevating it above the survival of their own religion</em>.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_6246\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"150\" caption=\"A Buddhist Temple in Sikkim\"]<a href=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/buddhist-temple_flickr_devadath.jpg\"><img class=\"size-thumbnail wp-image-6246\" src=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/buddhist-temple_flickr_devadath-150x150.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nThe Detroit Lotus Sangha is currently working through another one of Thich Nhat Hanh’s book called “Anger”.  Jaye said, “It’s not about how to suppress anger, but how to not cause ourselves and others suffering from it. It’s not just ‘Don’t be angry, so cut it out,’ but finding out <em>why</em> we’re angry, learning to process those emotions, and trying to not let it run rampant.”\r\n\r\n“Today [at the Sangha] we used the word ‘pause’,” Nancy said.\r\n\r\n“The idea is: just stop. Stop the talking. Stop the thinking. Stop and be present. Breath,” Jaye said.\r\n\r\n“Otherwise,” Nancy added, “we have a tendency to give into Habit Energy.” (Habit Energy is any kind of emotional pattern we fall into, such as the Habit Energy to be anxious.)\r\n<h2>Conclusion</h2>\r\nJaye had to leave before the interview had concluded, but I asked Gwen and Nancy how practicing Buddhism has affected them as a person.\r\n\r\nGwen said, “I am much calmer now. I used to be very high-strung, compulsively working all the time. Now, I try to express things in a much more loving, compassionate way.”\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_6248\" align=\"alignright\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Ven. Thich Thong Hai rings the peace bell\"]<a href=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/peace-bell_flickr_ferdy001.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-6248\" src=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/peace-bell_flickr_ferdy001-300x175.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"175\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nNancy struggled to come up with the words, but then she said something really beautiful: “I can’t say I’ve arrived, but I think I’m more aware of my challenges. I’m not perfect, but I’m better than I used to be. Does that count for something?”\r\n\r\nWhen I first walked into Gwen’s house I was immediately struck by the group’s kindness. They offered me food, allowed me to sit at the table with them while they finished their lesson from earlier in the day, and there was great sense of serenity in the house as we talked.\r\n\r\nOne thing that made my heart warm was the fact that all three women at the table were quick to admit their own flaws. They didn’t pretend to have it all together, didn’t try to convince me they had all the answers, and didn’t try to ignore real life. Gwen, Nancy, and Jaye emphasized throughout the entire conversation that they were trying to be better.\r\n\r\nWhen Jaye left, the three women exchanged tips on how to set aside time for meditation. They spoke sweetly to each other and were completely honest about their lives and schedules. This kind of conversation spoke to me because it’s the kind of honest, constructive, and supportive conversation I want in my own life.\r\n\r\nI do plan on reading some of Thich Nhat Hanh’s books because I want to emulate many of the principles  in my own life. I am so grateful for Gwen’s hospitality and the warmth and openness that she, Nancy and Jaye showed me.  I look forward to learning even more the example that they lead in their lives.\r\n\r\n<strong>Thanks to Gwen, Nancy, Jaye, Dave, Sean, and the Detroit Lotus Sangha for being so generous and for talking with me.</strong>\r\n\r\n<strong><em>Next, hear from an interfaith leader in Detroit, Michigan and find out how you can take this knowledge and put it into action in our final article coming up.</em></strong>\r\n\r\n<em>Photo credit: Flickr / <a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/28096801@N05/3251271485/in/photostream/\" target=\"_blank\">DieselDemon</a> (Buddha), <a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/gzlu/377947069/in/photostream/\" target=\"_blank\">George Lu</a> (Lotus), <a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/rezdog/450398263/in/photostream/\" target=\"_blank\">d nelson</a> (Thich Nhat Hanh), <a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/edwarddalmulder/4195135224/in/photostream/\" target=\"_blank\">Edward Dalmulder</a> (snowy Buddha), <a href=\"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Dharma_Wheel.svg\" target=\"_blank\">Wikimedia Commons</a> (Dharma Wheel), Flickr / <a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/36668473@N05/4133002232/in/photostream/\" target=\"_blank\">abhikrama</a> (His Holiness the Dalai Lama), <a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/devadath/238333921/in/photostream/\" target=\"_blank\">devadath</a> (Buddhist temple), <a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/26524277@N04/6698468445/in/photostream/\" target=\"_blank\">ferdy001</a> (Ringing the peace bell)</em>','Faith Interview Series: Zen Buddhism','','inherit','open','open','','6226-autosave','','','2012-04-28 21:00:31','2012-04-29 04:00:31','',6226,'http://provoketive.com/2012/04/24/6226-autosave/',0,'revision','',0),(6277,38,'2012-04-24 18:45:50','2012-04-25 01:45:50','','buddha-nature_flickr_diesel-demo','','inherit','open','open','','buddha-nature_flickr_diesel-demo','','','2012-04-24 18:45:50','2012-04-25 01:45:50','',6226,'http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/buddha-nature_flickr_diesel-demo.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(6278,38,'2012-04-24 17:38:08','2012-04-25 00:38:08','<div>\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_6231\" align=\"alignright\" width=\"150\" caption=\"A lotus flower, a common symbol in Buddhism\"]<a href=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/lotus_flickr_george-lu.jpg\"><img class=\"size-thumbnail wp-image-6231\" src=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/lotus_flickr_george-lu-150x150.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nThe house was filling with white light from the humid, but serene Sunday afternoon. I was sitting at kitchen table listening to three women and a gentleman from the Detroit Lotus Sangha, a Zen Buddhism group, talk through the remainder of their lesson together. They talked about practicing a Mindfulness Day as I munched on the deliciously tangy split pea and tomato soup that Gwen, the host, offered me.\r\n\r\n</div>\r\nNancy, one of the women at the table who is a recently retired special education teacher from Troy, Michigan, told me that she first came to the Sangha (a Buddhist word for “community”) about a year ago. After going on a retreat she came home and discovered the group. “I was sort of hooked,” she said. “Jaye, the owner of the studio where the Sangha meets, the members … They seemed to have integrity. And I felt comfortable there. Being there with them was gratifying and inspiring.”\r\n\r\nThe Detroit Lotus Sangha was founded by a Vietnamese gentleman named Si Mo about four and a half years ago. They meet every Sunday at a martial arts studio in Ferndale, Michigan. They have about one dozen regulars week-to-week and 40 members altogether.\r\n\r\nThe Detroit Lotus Sangha follows the teachings of Thich Nhat Hanh, the most well-known Buddhist in the West next to the Dalai Lama. Thich Nhat Hanh is a Zen Buddhist teacher who has written over one-hundred books, many of which are in English. He was nominated by Martin Luther King for a Nobel Peace Prize for his work towards non-violence during the Vietnam War.\r\n\r\nZen Buddhism is a section of the Mahayana school of Buddhism whose goal is to alleviate the suffering of all beings and social engagement from a non-violent perspective. “I’ve read a lot of Eastern Buddhist philosophy, which can be kind of obscure and difficult to understand. What Thich Nhat Hanh has done is he has written books with the Western perspective in mind. It makes it practical and extremely accessible for people like you and me to practice,” said Jaye.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_6233\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Thich Nhat Hanh at the Huong Son Temple\"]<a href=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/tnh_flickr_d-nelson.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-6233\" src=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/tnh_flickr_d-nelson-300x168.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"168\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nThich Nhat Hanh is one of the first real leaders for what Gwen referred to as <a href=\"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Engaged_Buddhism\">Engaged Buddhism</a>. “We aren’t a group of people just sitting on our cushions contemplating things.” Nancy, who is sitting on the other side of the table, stood up to show me the text on her Detroit Lotus Sangha chocolate-brown shirt: “Compassion is a verb.”\r\n\r\n“Well, it’s actually a noun,” Nancy said, “but that’s what it’s all about. It’s becoming aware of suffering around us, finding ways to alleviate for other beings and ourselves, and it’s about the call to nonviolence and social justice.”\r\n\r\nOne of the ways that the Sangha engages in social justice is by working with local charities. One of the local charities they will be working with soon is a farmer in Detroit. They will help prepare fields, plant organic crops, and distribute food. They also work with FernCare, a set of clinics for people without health insurance, and at the year’s end they donate to a fund that Thich Nhat Hanh established for post-Vietnam war children.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_6238\" align=\"alignright\" width=\"174\" caption=\"A statue of the Buddha in the snow\"]<a href=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/buddha_flickr_edward-dalmulder_v2.jpg\"><img class=\" wp-image-6238 \" src=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/buddha_flickr_edward-dalmulder_v2-290x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"174\" height=\"180\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nGwen has been regularly meditating since late 2000. She found Thich Nhat Hanh’s books in 2004 and then found the Sangha just a few short years later. “His books made Buddhism so much more doable. It provides meditation techniques and everyday practices to help with negative emotions.”\r\n\r\n“It’s not just about sitting until your legs go numb. It’s about becoming more peaceful and involved in social movement in my life,” said Jaye. She said that for her the Sangha is an important part of her practice for building relationships with other people and hearing their struggles, thoughts and ideas to better themselves with.\r\n<h2>About Buddhism</h2>\r\nBuddhism is a nontheistic religion, with roughly 350 million followers across the globe, making it the fourth largest religion in the world. Zen Buddhism is a part of the Mahayana school of Buddhism.  The main goals of Mahayana Buddhism are: <strong>to do no evil, to do good, and save all beings.</strong>\r\n\r\nThere are three main sections of beliefs for Buddhists: the <strong>Four Noble Truths</strong>, the <strong>Eightfold Path</strong>, and the <strong>Ten Grand Precepts</strong>.\r\n<h2>The Four Noble Truths</h2>\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_6241\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"90\" caption=\"The Dharma Wheel, a symbol of Buddhism\"]<a href=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/dharma-wheel_wikimedia-commons.png\"><img class=\" wp-image-6241 \" src=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/dharma-wheel_wikimedia-commons-150x150.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"90\" height=\"90\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nBuddhists believe in a set of four principles called the Four Noble Truths that explain the universe and all that is in it. Barbara O’Brien, a practicing Zen Buddhist (but not one of the Thich Nhat Hanh tradition) and writer for About.com says <a href=\"http://buddhism.about.com/od/thefournobletruths/a/fournobletruths.htm\">this</a>: “The Buddha\'s teachings on the Four Noble Truths are sometimes compared to a physician diagnosing an illness and prescribing a treatment. The first truth tells us what the illness is, and the second truth tells us what causes the illness. The Third Noble Truth holds out hope for a cure.”\r\n<ol>\r\n	<li>T<strong>he truth of suffering (<a href=\"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dukkha\">Dukkha</a>) – </strong>Most of the time, the first truth is translated as “Life is suffering.” But <em>dukkha</em>, the word used for “suffering” in this case refers to anything that is temporary, conditional, or passing. So, another way of looking at this is “Life is temporary.”</li>\r\n	<li><strong>The truth of the cause of suffering (<a href=\"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samudaya\">Samudaya</a>) – </strong>This truth means that suffering comes from a craving or thirst. We go through life trying to desperately find something to quench those cravings to fill the holes in our souls. We try to do this through things like relationships, food, clothing, power, etc. However, as much as we try, we are never satisfied. Humans have a tendency to latch onto things, whether they be material or ideas about the world. When these things come up empty and don’t satisfy our thirst, we only thirst more.</li>\r\n	<li><strong>The truth of the end of suffering (<a href=\"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nirodha\">Nirodha</a>) – </strong>Barbara O’Brien put it succinctly: “The Buddha taught that through diligent practice, we can put an end to craving. Ending the hamster-wheel chase after satisfaction is enlightenment.”</li>\r\n	<li><strong>The truth of the path that frees us from suffering (<a href=\"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magga\">Magga</a>)</strong></li>\r\n</ol>\r\n<h2>The Eightfold Path</h2>\r\nThe last of the Four Noble Truths refers to a path called the Eightfold Path. The Eightfold Path is a set of principles that lay out the way to enlightenment. Since Buddhism is more of a orthopraxy religion than orthodoxy, they focus on <em>right action</em> instead of <em>right belief</em>. Thus, the Eightfold Path serves as an impetus and a way to equip you with a focused heart and mind (click any of the following items to learn more about them):\r\n<ol>\r\n	<li><strong><a href=\"http://buddhism.about.com/od/theeightfoldpath/a/rightview.htm\">Right View</a> </strong></li>\r\n	<li><strong><a href=\"http://buddhism.about.com/od/theeightfoldpath/a/right-intention.htm\">Right Intention</a> </strong></li>\r\n	<li><strong><a href=\"http://buddhism.about.com/od/theeightfoldpath/a/rightspeech.htm\">Right Speech</a> </strong></li>\r\n	<li><strong><a href=\"http://buddhism.about.com/od/theeightfoldpath/a/right-action.htm\">Right Action</a> </strong></li>\r\n	<li><strong><a href=\"http://buddhism.about.com/od/theeightfoldpath/a/rightlivelihood.htm\">Right Livelihood</a> </strong></li>\r\n	<li><strong><a href=\"http://buddhism.about.com/od/theeightfoldpath/a/Right-Effort.htm\">Right Effort</a> </strong></li>\r\n	<li><strong><a href=\"http://buddhism.about.com/od/theeightfoldpath/a/right-mindfulness.htm\">Right Mindfulness</a> </strong></li>\r\n	<li><strong><a href=\"http://buddhism.about.com/od/theeightfoldpath/a/Right-Concentration.htm\">Right Concentration</a></strong></li>\r\n</ol>\r\n<h2>The Five Mindfulness Trainings</h2>\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_6244\" align=\"alignright\" width=\"150\" caption=\"His Holiness the Dalai Lama\"]<a href=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/dalai-lama_flickr_abhikram.jpg\"><img class=\"size-thumbnail wp-image-6244\" src=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/dalai-lama_flickr_abhikram-150x150.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nGwen told me, “I think one of the misconceptions that people have about Buddhism is they think anything goes, like we have no moral compass. We aren’t here to condemn anyone, however we do have a set of principles regarding things like sexuality remaining within the bounds of a committed, loving, long-term relationship that has been made known to friends and family, being careful of the kinds of movies that we watch, being mindful of what we eat, etc.”\r\n\r\n“Basically we try to avoid junk food of any kind, whether that be ideas, food, how we spend our time online, entertainment—that sort of thing,” Nancy added. The set of principles that she and Gwen were referring to is contained in the Five Mindfulness Trainings (other sects of Buddhism may have more or less depending on the group).\r\n\r\nThe Five Mindfulness Trainings are expressions of the principles of The Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path:\r\n<ol start=\"1\">\r\n	<li><strong>Reverence for Life </strong>– Any form of killing to any living being is causing suffering to others, therefore causing more strife, emptiness, and harm to others, which is strictly against Buddhist goals and principles</li>\r\n	<li><strong>True Happiness </strong>– Somewhat related to the Reverence for Life, true happiness comes from helping eliminate and reduce the suffering of others</li>\r\n	<li><strong>True Love</strong> – The recognition that sexual desires and healthy, true love are very different things, one must strive to find the latter that can fill and express the former</li>\r\n	<li><strong>Loving Speech and Deep Listening</strong> – Words can damage or heal, and so the goal is to have loving, kind, and compassionate speech. Along with giving healing and warm words, one should also receive words from others in the same manner</li>\r\n	<li><strong>Nourishment and Healing – </strong>This is the principle that Nancy was speaking of when she said they try to avoid consuming junk. Toxins of all sorts are all around us, and the way to the clearest mind and spirit are to diligently fill our bodies and lives with things that promote health and clarity, not bog us down and make us sick.<strong></strong></li>\r\n</ol>\r\nI asked Gwen and Nancy if the “not killing” principle lead to vegetarianism for Buddhists. Nancy said, “It does a lot of the time. Whatever people are—vegetarian, vegan—they end up eating with more awareness.” Gwen added, “However, Buddhists leaders recognize that the principles can’t be followed 100%. Even as vegetarians by boiling vegetables we’re killing hundreds of micro-organisms.”\r\n<h2>How Buddhism Principles Are Practical for Everyone</h2>\r\nGwen said, “It might be useful for your readers to know that you don’t have to be a Buddhist to meditate. Dharma, which means ‘doctrine, teacher,’ or ‘the way to enlightenment,’ can be used to harmonize. In fact, Thich Nhat Hanh said if your beliefs don’t lead you to Buddhism, then ‘Be a better ____.’ Be a better Christian, be a better Muslim. He wasn’t trying to convert anyone.”\r\n\r\nIn Thich Nhat Hanh’s book “<a href=\"http://www.amazon.com/Interbeing-Fourteen-Guidelines-Engaged-Buddhism/dp/0938077597/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1334980566&amp;sr=8-1\">Interbeing: Fourteen Guidelines for Engaged Buddhism</a>” he says the following:\r\n<blockquote>Aware of the suffering created by fanaticism and intolerance, we are determined not to be idolatrous about or bound to any doctrine, theory, or ideology, even Buddhist ones. Buddhist teachings are guiding mean to help us learn to look deeply and to develop our understanding and compassion. They are not doctrines to fight, kill, or die for.</blockquote>\r\nThis quote was significant to Nancy because it means they value Peace, <em>even elevating it above the survival of their own religion</em>.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_6246\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"150\" caption=\"A Buddhist Temple in Sikkim\"]<a href=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/buddhist-temple_flickr_devadath.jpg\"><img class=\"size-thumbnail wp-image-6246\" src=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/buddhist-temple_flickr_devadath-150x150.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nThe Detroit Lotus Sangha is currently working through another one of Thich Nhat Hanh’s book called “Anger”.  Jaye said, “It’s not about how to suppress anger, but how to not cause ourselves and others suffering from it. It’s not just ‘Don’t be angry, so cut it out,’ but finding out <em>why</em> we’re angry, learning to process those emotions, and trying to not let it run rampant.”\r\n\r\n“Today [at the Sangha] we used the word ‘pause’,” Nancy said.\r\n\r\n“The idea is: just stop. Stop the talking. Stop the thinking. Stop and be present. Breath,” Jaye said.\r\n\r\n“Otherwise,” Nancy added, “we have a tendency to give into Habit Energy.” (Habit Energy is any kind of emotional pattern we fall into, such as the Habit Energy to be anxious.)\r\n<h2>Conclusion</h2>\r\nJaye had to leave before the interview had concluded, but I asked Gwen and Nancy how practicing Buddhism has affected them as a person.\r\n\r\nGwen said, “I am much calmer now. I used to be very high-strung, compulsively working all the time. Now, I try to express things in a much more loving, compassionate way.”\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_6248\" align=\"alignright\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Ven. Thich Thong Hai rings the peace bell\"]<a href=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/peace-bell_flickr_ferdy001.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-6248\" src=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/peace-bell_flickr_ferdy001-300x175.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"175\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nNancy struggled to come up with the words, but then she said something really beautiful: “I can’t say I’ve arrived, but I think I’m more aware of my challenges. I’m not perfect, but I’m better than I used to be. Does that count for something?”\r\n\r\nWhen I first walked into Gwen’s house I was immediately struck by the group’s kindness. They offered me food, allowed me to sit at the table with them while they finished their lesson from earlier in the day, and there was great sense of serenity in the house as we talked.\r\n\r\nOne thing that made my heart warm was the fact that all three women at the table were quick to admit their own flaws. They didn’t pretend to have it all together, didn’t try to convince me they had all the answers, and didn’t try to ignore real life. Gwen, Nancy, and Jaye emphasized throughout the entire conversation that they were trying to be better.\r\n\r\nWhen Jaye left, the three women exchanged tips on how to set aside time for meditation. They spoke sweetly to each other and were completely honest about their lives and schedules. This kind of conversation spoke to me because it’s the kind of honest, constructive, and supportive conversation I want in my own life.\r\n\r\nI do plan on reading some of Thich Nhat Hanh’s books because I want to emulate many of the principles  in my own life. I am so grateful for Gwen’s hospitality and the warmth and openness that she, Nancy and Jaye showed me.  I look forward to learning even more the example that they lead in their lives.\r\n\r\n<strong>Thanks to Gwen, Nancy, Jaye, Dave, Sean, and the Detroit Lotus Sangha for being so generous and for talking with me.</strong>\r\n\r\n<em>Photo credit: Flickr / <a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/gzlu/377947069/in/photostream/\" target=\"_blank\">George Lu</a> (Lotus), <a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/rezdog/450398263/in/photostream/\" target=\"_blank\">d nelson</a> (Thich Nhat Hanh), <a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/edwarddalmulder/4195135224/in/photostream/\" target=\"_blank\">Edward Dalmulder</a> (snowy Buddha), <a href=\"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Dharma_Wheel.svg\" target=\"_blank\">Wikimedia Commons</a> (Dharma Wheel), Flickr / <a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/36668473@N05/4133002232/in/photostream/\" target=\"_blank\">abhikrama</a> (His Holiness the Dalai Lama), <a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/devadath/238333921/in/photostream/\" target=\"_blank\">devadath</a> (Buddhist temple), <a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/26524277@N04/6698468445/in/photostream/\" target=\"_blank\">ferdy001</a> (Ringing the peace bell)</em>','Faith Interview Series: Zen Buddhism','','inherit','open','open','','6226-revision-16','','','2012-04-24 17:38:08','2012-04-25 00:38:08','',6226,'http://provoketive.com/2012/04/24/6226-revision-16/',0,'revision','',0),(6279,38,'2012-05-28 08:00:04','2012-05-28 15:00:04','The last thing I wanted to talk about before closing the books on this series is interfaith. So, I interviewed Robert Bruttell, the chairman of the <a href=\"http://detroitinterfaithcouncil.org/\" target=\"_blank\">InterFaith Leadership Council of Metropolitan Detroit</a>. He attended Catholic Seminary as a young man. He said, “I’ve maintained an interest as to how people come to their community values all my life. One of my constant concerns has been race and the racialization of our community. Much of that has to do with community values.” The IFLC focuses on creating bridges.\r\n<blockquote>There are a lot of ways to deal with the barriers between people, and talking about race is one of them, along with ethnicity. Another is through talking to people about their values and how to take very different points of view about why you should do things and see if you can get them to work together on some similar or mutually agreeable purpose. And the interfaith conversation is a great place for that.</blockquote>\r\n<h2>About Robert</h2>\r\nRobert received a graduate degree in Religious Studies. He is now a professor at a nearby Catholic university teaching History of Religion in America, Religion and Science in the West, World Religion and the occasional Intro to Social Justice course. When I told him about my being told not to go to a secular university as a  child, he said:\r\n<blockquote>Many religious groups say that other people are not religious, or that they are “secular.” Well, it turns out that in a country that 70% of the people profess to have a religious belief, what you are saying when you say those people are secular is that other religious people make you unhappy and you will call them “secular.” But when you actually have to sit down with them and talk to them and discover that they actually have very strong religious beliefs—much of it coming from what they believe god means to them—they want that to be exercised in very powerful ways in society, and you have to lose that whole sense that there are these people out there with nonreligious beliefs that are vaguely evil and that you are vaguely truthful and good.</blockquote>\r\n<h2>Why Interfaith Matters</h2>\r\n<a href=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/girl-smile_flickr_whologwhy.jpg\"><img class=\"size-thumbnail wp-image-6283 alignleft\" src=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/girl-smile_flickr_whologwhy-150x150.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" /></a>The Interfaith Leadership Council of Metropolitan Detroit brings people of all faiths together to work on projects and causes that they can agree on are important. One cause in particular that they are working on right now is literacy. He said that their group realized that while they have holy books that say very different things, they all need people to be able to read them! This is one way people can come together and work on things that matter and help make the world a better place while operating out of a place of respect.\r\n\r\nRobert said something very important to me: “And you can see that people have to start thinking about it in terms of people who believe having different points of view rather than people without religious beliefs, or ‘vaguely evil’ who have no religious point of view. And that ‘vaguely evil’ thing is a dangerous for society; it’s another barrier that keeps people from working with each other.”\r\n<h2>What Now?</h2>\r\nSo, now that you’ve read all of these articles, what are you supposed to do now?\r\n\r\nDon’t worry, there won’t be a quiz later, so you don’t need to remember all the specific terms for everything! But what you can do now is take what you’ve read here and do your own investigation.\r\n\r\n<strong><a href=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/hugs_flickr_carbonNYC.jpg\"><img class=\"alignright  wp-image-6284\" src=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/hugs_flickr_carbonNYC-300x237.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"240\" height=\"190\" /></a>If a particular concept struck you as interesting... </strong>Look it up on Wikipedia and read more about it.\r\n\r\n<strong>If you’re still feeling in the dark about a religion not mentioned here… </strong>Go to the library or Netflix and find a documentary. Dig into <a href=\"http://www.patheos.com/\">Patheos</a> and find a portal related to that group and explore a little bit.\r\n\r\n<strong>If you want to practice a kinder way of being toward other people…</strong> Go read the <a href=\"http://charterforcompassion.org/the-charter/#charter-for-compassion\" target=\"_blank\">Charter for Compassion</a>. Sign it for yourself or just simply contemplate the implications of the words in your life.\r\n\r\n<strong>If you’re a voracious learner…  </strong>Go Amazon or your local bookstore and find some books or DVDs. Maybe do your own set of interviews and see what you learn!  If you’re the history buff type, pick up a book and learn more about how these religions came to be.\r\n\r\n<strong>If you like talking to people… </strong>Maybe strike up a conversation next time you meet someone with different beliefs. Or better yet, work up the courage to ask some basic questions to someone you already know. Be sensitive and as kind, open, and warm as possible. Religion is still a sticky topic, so if they decline to talk, <span style=\"text-decoration: underline\">be respectful</span> of that. But more than likely, if you bring a kind approach, they will probably be willing to explain concepts and discuss things a bit more. I know I had to talk to a few Buddhists before understanding the unattachment concept. Ask them a question that you’d like to know more about!\r\n\r\n<strong>If you’re ready to put this stuff to the test… </strong>Go find an interfaith group in your area and just show up once or twice. Maybe contact one of the leaders of the group and have a cup of coffee beforehand if you want more information or if you’re hesitant. Padma Kuppa said to me, “Religion has been used to divide us. I want to use interfaith to unite us.”\r\n\r\n<strong>If you’re not ready to do any of this…  </strong>That’s okay too! You’re doing good by a lot of people just by bothering to read this article. Maybe just work on thinking twice before slandering against one of these groups. Maybe keep your eyes out for some of them and try to look across the room at them with a new kindness. Instead of glaring, try smiling!\r\n\r\nI appreciate you bothering to read this more than you know. If nothing else, thank you for your time and willingness to listen to what I and these wonderful people have to say.\r\n<h2>The Point</h2>\r\n<a href=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/girl-ocean_flickr_rhys-asplundh.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-thumbnail wp-image-6286\" src=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/girl-ocean_flickr_rhys-asplundh-150x150.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" /></a>The beautiful (and tough) thing about sharing space with people different than what you’re used to is it takes time. Some people adjust to this concept really quickly, and others it will take a long time, and maybe you’ll never be convinced. It’s okay. It’s a great thing that you made it this far.\r\n\r\nThe point is to view others with kindness. Have compassion because they are just like you but in a different body, raised by slightly different people in a slightly different place. The point is to treat others as you would want them to if your roles were reversed.\r\n\r\nWe are all a part of this beautiful thing called creation. We were all created in the image of God. Even if you aren’t a person of faith, we are all a <em>global family</em>. The more we know about each other and the more stories we share, the better.\r\n\r\nIf nothing else, as Saeed said, \"when the music stops without a chair\", try to find one good thing in whoever you meet. Try to love whoever you meet just a little bit more than you did yesterday.\r\n\r\n<strong>Thank you to Jonathan Brink and Provoketive for taking interest in this project. Thank you to all of my interviewees for welcoming me with open arms and for sharing with me. Thank you to my husband who has be patient while I spend hours hunched over my laptop pouring my soul into this. And most of all... Thanks to you, the reader, for opening your heart for a few minutes to listen. </strong>\r\n\r\n<em>Photo credit: Flickr / <a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/gsfc/6049973495/in/photostream/\" target=\"_blank\">NASA Goddard Photo and Video</a> (Earth), <a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/hulagway/5116382090/in/photostream/\" target=\"_blank\">whologwhy</a> (girl, smiling), <a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/carbonnyc/3268320322/in/photostream/\" target=\"_blank\">CarbonNYC</a> (HUGS!), <a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/rhysasplundh/5770177448/in/photostream/\" target=\"_blank\">Rhys Asplundh</a> (girl standing on the shore)</em>','Faith Interview Series: Conclusion','','publish','open','open','','faith-interview-series-conclusion','','','2012-06-01 10:10:31','2012-06-01 17:10:31','',0,'http://provoketive.com/?p=6279',0,'post','',0),(6280,38,'2012-04-24 19:27:10','2012-04-25 02:27:10','NASA archive image, relase date October 17, 2000.\r\n\r\nThis true-color image shows North and South America as they would appear from space 35,000 km (22,000 miles) above the Earth. The image is a combination of data from two satellites. The Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) instrument aboard NASAâs Terra satellite collected the land surface data over 16 days, while NOAAâs Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite (GOES) produced a snapshot of the Earthâs clouds.\r\n\r\nImage created by Reto StÃ¶ckli, Nazmi El Saleous, and Marit Jentoft-Nilsen, NASA GSFC\r\n\r\nCredit: <b><a href=\"http://www.earthobservatory.nasa.gov/\" rel=\"nofollow\"> NASA Earth Observatory</a></b>\r\n\r\n<b><a href=\"http://www.nasa.gov/centers/goddard/home/index.html\" rel=\"nofollow\">NASA Goddard Space Flight Center</a></b> enables NASAâs mission through four scientific endeavors: Earth Science, Heliophysics, Solar System Exploration, and Astrophysics. Goddard plays a leading role in NASAâs accomplishments by contributing compelling scientific knowledge to advance the Agencyâs mission.\r\n\r\n<b>Follow us on <a href=\"http://twitter.com/NASA_GoddardPix\" rel=\"nofollow\">Twitter</a></b>\r\n\r\n<b>Like us on <a href=\"http://www.facebook.com/pages/Greenbelt-MD/NASA-Goddard/395013845897?ref=tsd\" rel=\"nofollow\">Facebook</a></b>\r\n\r\n<b>Find us on <a href=\"http://web.stagram.com/n/nasagoddard/?vm=grid\" rel=\"nofollow\">Instagram</a></b>','earth_flickr_nasa','','inherit','open','open','','earth_flickr_nasa','','','2012-04-24 19:27:10','2012-04-25 02:27:10','',6279,'http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/earth_flickr_nasa.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(6281,38,'2012-04-24 19:26:42','2012-04-25 02:26:42','The last thing I wanted to talk about before closing the books on this series is interfaith. So, I interviewed Robert Bruttell, the chairman of the Interfaith Leadership Council of Metropolitan Detroit. He attended Catholic Seminary as a young man. He said, “I’ve maintained an interest as to how people come to their community values all my life. One of my constant concerns has been race and the racialization of our community. Much of that has to do with community values.” The ILCMD focuses on creating bridges.\n<blockquote>There are a lot of ways to deal with the barriers between people, and talking about race is one of them, along with ethnicity. Another is through talking to people about their values and how to take very different points of view about why you should do things and see if you can get them to work together on some similar or mutually agreeable purpose. And the interfaith conversation is a great place for that.</blockquote>\n<h2>About Robert</h2>\nRobert received a graduate degree in Religious Studies. He is now a professor at a nearby Catholic university teaching History of Religion in America, Religion and Science in the West, World Religion and the occasional Intro to Social Justice course. When I told him about my being told not to go to a secular university as a  child, he said:\n<blockquote>Many religious groups say that other people are not religious, or that they are “secular.” Well, it turns out that in a country that 70% of the people profess to have a religious belief, what you are saying when you say those people are secular is that other religious people make you unhappy and you will call them “secular.” But when you actually have to sit down with them and talk to them and discover that they actually have very strong religious beliefs—much of it coming from what they believe god means to them—they want that to be exercised in very powerful ways in society, and you have to lose that whole sense that there are these people out there with nonreligious beliefs that are vaguely evil and that you are vaguely truthful and good.</blockquote>\n<h2>Why Interfaith Matters</h2>\nThe Interfaith Leadership Council of Metropolitan Detroit brings people of all faiths together to work on projects and causes that they can agree on are important. One cause in particular that they are working on right now is literacy. He said that their group realized that while they have holy books that say very different things, they all need people to be able to read them! This is one way people can come together and work on things that matter and help make the world a better place while operating out of a place of respect.\n\nRobert said something very important to me: “And you can see that people have to start thinking about it in terms of people who believe having different points of view rather than people without religious beliefs, or ‘vaguely evil’ who have no religious point of view. And that ‘vaguely evil’ thing is a dangerous for society; it’s another barrier that keeps people from working with each other.”\n<h2>Where to Go From Here</h2>\nSo, now that you’ve read all of these articles, what are you supposed to do now?\n\nDon’t worry, there won’t be a quiz later, so you don’t need to remember all the specific terms for everything! But what you can do now is take what you’ve read here and do your own investigation.\n\n<strong>If a particular concept struck you as interesting? </strong>Look it up on Wikipedia and read more about it.\n\n<strong>If you’re still feeling in the dark about a religion not mentioned here… </strong>Go to the library or Netflix and find a documentary. Dig into Patheos and find a portal related to that group and explore a little bit.\n\n<strong>If you want to practice a kinder way of being toward other people…</strong> Go read the <a href=\"http://charterforcompassion.org/the-charter/#charter-for-compassion\" target=\"_blank\">Charter for Compassion</a>. Sign it for yourself or contemplate the implications of the words for your life.\n\n<strong>If you’re a voracious learner…  </strong>Go Amazon or your local bookstore and find some books or DVDs. Maybe do your own set of interviews and see what you learn!  If you’re the history buff type, pick up a book and learn more about how these religions came to be.\n\n<strong>If you like talking to people… </strong>Maybe strike up a conversation next time you meet someone with different beliefs. Be as kind, open, and warm as possible. Religion is still a sticky topic, so if they decline to talk, <span style=\"text-decoration: underline\">be respectful</span> of that. But more than likely, if you bring a kind approach, they will probably be willing to explain concepts and discuss things a bit more. I know I had to talk to a few Buddhists before understanding the unattachment concept. Ask them a question that you’d like to know more about!\n\n<strong>If you’re ready to put this stuff to the test… </strong>Go find an interfaith group in your area and just show up once or twice. Maybe contact one of the leaders of the group and have a cup of coffee beforehand if you want more information or if you’re hesitant. Padma Kuppa said to me, “Religion has been used to divide us. I want to use interfaith to unite us.”\n\n<strong>If you’re not ready to do any of this…  </strong>That’s okay too! You’re doing good by a lot of people just by bothering to read this article. Maybe just work on thinking twice before slandering against one of these groups. Maybe keep your eyes out for some of them and try to look across the room at them with a new love. I appreciate you bothering to read this more than you know. If nothing else, thank you for your time and willingness to listen to what I and these wonderful people have to say.\n<h2>The Point</h2>\nThe beautiful (and tough) thing about sharing space with people different than what you’re used to is it takes time. Some people adjust to this concept really quickly, and others it will take a long time, and maybe you’ll never be convinced. It’s okay. It’s a great thing that you made it this far.\n\nThe point is to view others with kindness. Have compassion because they are just like you but in a different body, raised by slightly different people. The point is to treat others as you would want them to if your roles were switched.\n\nWe are all a part of this beautiful thing called creation. We were all created in the image of God. Even if you aren’t a person of faith, we are all a global family. The more we know about each other and the more stories we share, the better.\n\nIf nothing else, as Saeed said, \"when the music stops without a chair\", try to find one good thing in whoever you meet.\n\nTry to love whoever you meet just a little bit more than you did yesterday.\n\nDo not do unto others what you would not want done to you.\n\nAnd most of all, love your neighbor as you love yourself.\n\n<strong>Thank you to Jonathan Brink and Provoketive for taking interesting in this project. Thank you to all of my interviewees for welcoming me with open arms and for sharing with me. Thank you to my husband who has be patient while I spend hours hunched over my laptop pouring my soul into this. And most of all... Thank you to you, the reader, for opening your heart for a few minutes to listen. </strong>\n\nPhoto credit: Flickr / <a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/gsfc/6049973495/in/photostream/\" target=\"_blank\">NASA Goddard Photo and Video</a> (Earth)','Faith Interview Series: What You Can Do Now','','inherit','open','open','','6279-revision','','','2012-04-24 19:26:42','2012-04-25 02:26:42','',6279,'http://provoketive.com/2012/04/24/6279-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(6282,38,'2012-04-24 19:27:42','2012-04-25 02:27:42','The last thing I wanted to talk about before closing the books on this series is interfaith. So, I interviewed Robert Bruttell, the chairman of the Interfaith Leadership Council of Metropolitan Detroit. He attended Catholic Seminary as a young man. He said, “I’ve maintained an interest as to how people come to their community values all my life. One of my constant concerns has been race and the racialization of our community. Much of that has to do with community values.” The ILCMD focuses on creating bridges.\n<blockquote>There are a lot of ways to deal with the barriers between people, and talking about race is one of them, along with ethnicity. Another is through talking to people about their values and how to take very different points of view about why you should do things and see if you can get them to work together on some similar or mutually agreeable purpose. And the interfaith conversation is a great place for that.</blockquote>\n<h2>About Robert</h2>\nRobert received a graduate degree in Religious Studies. He is now a professor at a nearby Catholic university teaching History of Religion in America, Religion and Science in the West, World Religion and the occasional Intro to Social Justice course. When I told him about my being told not to go to a secular university as a  child, he said:\n<blockquote>Many religious groups say that other people are not religious, or that they are “secular.” Well, it turns out that in a country that 70% of the people profess to have a religious belief, what you are saying when you say those people are secular is that other religious people make you unhappy and you will call them “secular.” But when you actually have to sit down with them and talk to them and discover that they actually have very strong religious beliefs—much of it coming from what they believe god means to them—they want that to be exercised in very powerful ways in society, and you have to lose that whole sense that there are these people out there with nonreligious beliefs that are vaguely evil and that you are vaguely truthful and good.</blockquote>\n<h2>Why Interfaith Matters</h2>\nThe Interfaith Leadership Council of Metropolitan Detroit brings people of all faiths together to work on projects and causes that they can agree on are important. One cause in particular that they are working on right now is literacy. He said that their group realized that while they have holy books that say very different things, they all need people to be able to read them! This is one way people can come together and work on things that matter and help make the world a better place while operating out of a place of respect.\n\nRobert said something very important to me: “And you can see that people have to start thinking about it in terms of people who believe having different points of view rather than people without religious beliefs, or ‘vaguely evil’ who have no religious point of view. And that ‘vaguely evil’ thing is a dangerous for society; it’s another barrier that keeps people from working with each other.”\n<h2>Where to Go From Here</h2>\nSo, now that you’ve read all of these articles, what are you supposed to do now?\n\nDon’t worry, there won’t be a quiz later, so you don’t need to remember all the specific terms for everything! But what you can do now is take what you’ve read here and do your own investigation.\n\n<strong>If a particular concept struck you as interesting? </strong>Look it up on Wikipedia and read more about it.\n\n<strong>If you’re still feeling in the dark about a religion not mentioned here… </strong>Go to the library or Netflix and find a documentary. Dig into Patheos and find a portal related to that group and explore a little bit.\n\n<strong>If you want to practice a kinder way of being toward other people…</strong> Go read the <a href=\"http://charterforcompassion.org/the-charter/#charter-for-compassion\" target=\"_blank\">Charter for Compassion</a>. Sign it for yourself or contemplate the implications of the words for your life.\n\n<strong>If you’re a voracious learner…  </strong>Go Amazon or your local bookstore and find some books or DVDs. Maybe do your own set of interviews and see what you learn!  If you’re the history buff type, pick up a book and learn more about how these religions came to be.\n\n<strong>If you like talking to people… </strong>Maybe strike up a conversation next time you meet someone with different beliefs. Be as kind, open, and warm as possible. Religion is still a sticky topic, so if they decline to talk, <span style=\"text-decoration: underline\">be respectful</span> of that. But more than likely, if you bring a kind approach, they will probably be willing to explain concepts and discuss things a bit more. I know I had to talk to a few Buddhists before understanding the unattachment concept. Ask them a question that you’d like to know more about!\n\n<strong>If you’re ready to put this stuff to the test… </strong>Go find an interfaith group in your area and just show up once or twice. Maybe contact one of the leaders of the group and have a cup of coffee beforehand if you want more information or if you’re hesitant. Padma Kuppa said to me, “Religion has been used to divide us. I want to use interfaith to unite us.”\n\n<strong>If you’re not ready to do any of this…  </strong>That’s okay too! You’re doing good by a lot of people just by bothering to read this article. Maybe just work on thinking twice before slandering against one of these groups. Maybe keep your eyes out for some of them and try to look across the room at them with a new love. I appreciate you bothering to read this more than you know. If nothing else, thank you for your time and willingness to listen to what I and these wonderful people have to say.\n<h2>The Point</h2>\nThe beautiful (and tough) thing about sharing space with people different than what you’re used to is it takes time. Some people adjust to this concept really quickly, and others it will take a long time, and maybe you’ll never be convinced. It’s okay. It’s a great thing that you made it this far.\n\nThe point is to view others with kindness. Have compassion because they are just like you but in a different body, raised by slightly different people. The point is to treat others as you would want them to if your roles were switched.\n\nWe are all a part of this beautiful thing called creation. We were all created in the image of God. Even if you aren’t a person of faith, we are all a global family. The more we know about each other and the more stories we share, the better.\n\nIf nothing else, as Saeed said, \"when the music stops without a chair\", try to find one good thing in whoever you meet.\n\nTry to love whoever you meet just a little bit more than you did yesterday.\n\nDo not do unto others what you would not want done to you.\n\nAnd most of all, love your neighbor as you love yourself.\n\n<strong>Thank you to Jonathan Brink and Provoketive for taking interesting in this project. Thank you to all of my interviewees for welcoming me with open arms and for sharing with me. Thank you to my husband who has be patient while I spend hours hunched over my laptop pouring my soul into this. And most of all... Thank you to you, the reader, for opening your heart for a few minutes to listen. </strong>\n\nPhoto credit: Flickr / <a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/gsfc/6049973495/in/photostream/\" target=\"_blank\">NASA Goddard Photo and Video</a> (Earth),','Faith Interview Series: What You Can Do Now','','inherit','open','open','','6279-revision-2','','','2012-04-24 19:27:42','2012-04-25 02:27:42','',6279,'http://provoketive.com/2012/04/24/6279-revision-2/',0,'revision','',0),(6283,38,'2012-04-24 19:30:07','2012-04-25 02:30:07','','girl-smile_flickr_whologwhy','','inherit','open','open','','girl-smile_flickr_whologwhy','','','2012-04-24 19:30:07','2012-04-25 02:30:07','',6279,'http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/girl-smile_flickr_whologwhy.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(6284,38,'2012-04-24 19:31:51','2012-04-25 02:31:51','','hugs_flickr_carbonNYC','','inherit','open','open','','hugs_flickr_carbonnyc','','','2012-04-24 19:31:51','2012-04-25 02:31:51','',6279,'http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/hugs_flickr_carbonNYC.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(6285,38,'2012-04-24 19:28:59','2012-04-25 02:28:59','The last thing I wanted to talk about before closing the books on this series is interfaith. So, I interviewed Robert Bruttell, the chairman of the Interfaith Leadership Council of Metropolitan Detroit. He attended Catholic Seminary as a young man. He said, “I’ve maintained an interest as to how people come to their community values all my life. One of my constant concerns has been race and the racialization of our community. Much of that has to do with community values.” The ILCMD focuses on creating bridges.\r\n<blockquote>There are a lot of ways to deal with the barriers between people, and talking about race is one of them, along with ethnicity. Another is through talking to people about their values and how to take very different points of view about why you should do things and see if you can get them to work together on some similar or mutually agreeable purpose. And the interfaith conversation is a great place for that.</blockquote>\r\n<h2>About Robert</h2>\r\nRobert received a graduate degree in Religious Studies. He is now a professor at a nearby Catholic university teaching History of Religion in America, Religion and Science in the West, World Religion and the occasional Intro to Social Justice course. When I told him about my being told not to go to a secular university as a  child, he said:\r\n<blockquote>Many religious groups say that other people are not religious, or that they are “secular.” Well, it turns out that in a country that 70% of the people profess to have a religious belief, what you are saying when you say those people are secular is that other religious people make you unhappy and you will call them “secular.” But when you actually have to sit down with them and talk to them and discover that they actually have very strong religious beliefs—much of it coming from what they believe god means to them—they want that to be exercised in very powerful ways in society, and you have to lose that whole sense that there are these people out there with nonreligious beliefs that are vaguely evil and that you are vaguely truthful and good.</blockquote>\r\n<h2>Why Interfaith Matters</h2>\r\nThe Interfaith Leadership Council of Metropolitan Detroit brings people of all faiths together to work on projects and causes that they can agree on are important. One cause in particular that they are working on right now is literacy. He said that their group realized that while they have holy books that say very different things, they all need people to be able to read them! This is one way people can come together and work on things that matter and help make the world a better place while operating out of a place of respect.\r\n\r\nRobert said something very important to me: “And you can see that people have to start thinking about it in terms of people who believe having different points of view rather than people without religious beliefs, or ‘vaguely evil’ who have no religious point of view. And that ‘vaguely evil’ thing is a dangerous for society; it’s another barrier that keeps people from working with each other.”\r\n<h2>Where to Go From Here</h2>\r\nSo, now that you’ve read all of these articles, what are you supposed to do now?\r\n\r\nDon’t worry, there won’t be a quiz later, so you don’t need to remember all the specific terms for everything! But what you can do now is take what you’ve read here and do your own investigation.\r\n\r\n<strong>If a particular concept struck you as interesting? </strong>Look it up on Wikipedia and read more about it.\r\n\r\n<strong>If you’re still feeling in the dark about a religion not mentioned here… </strong>Go to the library or Netflix and find a documentary. Dig into Patheos and find a portal related to that group and explore a little bit.\r\n\r\n<strong>If you want to practice a kinder way of being toward other people…</strong> Go read the <a href=\"http://charterforcompassion.org/the-charter/#charter-for-compassion\" target=\"_blank\">Charter for Compassion</a>. Sign it for yourself or contemplate the implications of the words for your life.\r\n\r\n<strong>If you’re a voracious learner…  </strong>Go Amazon or your local bookstore and find some books or DVDs. Maybe do your own set of interviews and see what you learn!  If you’re the history buff type, pick up a book and learn more about how these religions came to be.\r\n\r\n<strong>If you like talking to people… </strong>Maybe strike up a conversation next time you meet someone with different beliefs. Be as kind, open, and warm as possible. Religion is still a sticky topic, so if they decline to talk, <span style=\"text-decoration: underline\">be respectful</span> of that. But more than likely, if you bring a kind approach, they will probably be willing to explain concepts and discuss things a bit more. I know I had to talk to a few Buddhists before understanding the unattachment concept. Ask them a question that you’d like to know more about!\r\n\r\n<strong>If you’re ready to put this stuff to the test… </strong>Go find an interfaith group in your area and just show up once or twice. Maybe contact one of the leaders of the group and have a cup of coffee beforehand if you want more information or if you’re hesitant. Padma Kuppa said to me, “Religion has been used to divide us. I want to use interfaith to unite us.”\r\n\r\n<strong>If you’re not ready to do any of this…  </strong>That’s okay too! You’re doing good by a lot of people just by bothering to read this article. Maybe just work on thinking twice before slandering against one of these groups. Maybe keep your eyes out for some of them and try to look across the room at them with a new love. I appreciate you bothering to read this more than you know. If nothing else, thank you for your time and willingness to listen to what I and these wonderful people have to say.\r\n<h2>The Point</h2>\r\nThe beautiful (and tough) thing about sharing space with people different than what you’re used to is it takes time. Some people adjust to this concept really quickly, and others it will take a long time, and maybe you’ll never be convinced. It’s okay. It’s a great thing that you made it this far.\r\n\r\nThe point is to view others with kindness. Have compassion because they are just like you but in a different body, raised by slightly different people. The point is to treat others as you would want them to if your roles were switched.\r\n\r\nWe are all a part of this beautiful thing called creation. We were all created in the image of God. Even if you aren’t a person of faith, we are all a global family. The more we know about each other and the more stories we share, the better.\r\n\r\nIf nothing else, as Saeed said, \"when the music stops without a chair\", try to find one good thing in whoever you meet.\r\n\r\nTry to love whoever you meet just a little bit more than you did yesterday.\r\n\r\nDo not do unto others what you would not want done to you.\r\n\r\nAnd most of all, love your neighbor as you love yourself.\r\n\r\n<strong>Thank you to Jonathan Brink and Provoketive for taking interesting in this project. Thank you to all of my interviewees for welcoming me with open arms and for sharing with me. Thank you to my husband who has be patient while I spend hours hunched over my laptop pouring my soul into this. And most of all... Thank you to you, the reader, for opening your heart for a few minutes to listen. </strong>\r\n\r\nPhoto credit: Flickr / <a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/gsfc/6049973495/in/photostream/\" target=\"_blank\">NASA Goddard Photo and Video</a> (Earth),','Faith Interview Series: What Now?','','inherit','open','open','','6279-revision-3','','','2012-04-24 19:28:59','2012-04-25 02:28:59','',6279,'http://provoketive.com/2012/04/24/6279-revision-3/',0,'revision','',0),(6286,38,'2012-04-24 19:33:06','2012-04-25 02:33:06','','girl-ocean_flickr_rhys-asplundh','','inherit','open','open','','girl-ocean_flickr_rhys-asplundh','','','2012-04-24 19:33:06','2012-04-25 02:33:06','',6279,'http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/girl-ocean_flickr_rhys-asplundh.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(6287,38,'2012-04-24 19:32:08','2012-04-25 02:32:08','The last thing I wanted to talk about before closing the books on this series is interfaith. So, I interviewed Robert Bruttell, the chairman of the Interfaith Leadership Council of Metropolitan Detroit. He attended Catholic Seminary as a young man. He said, “I’ve maintained an interest as to how people come to their community values all my life. One of my constant concerns has been race and the racialization of our community. Much of that has to do with community values.” The ILCMD focuses on creating bridges.\r\n<blockquote>There are a lot of ways to deal with the barriers between people, and talking about race is one of them, along with ethnicity. Another is through talking to people about their values and how to take very different points of view about why you should do things and see if you can get them to work together on some similar or mutually agreeable purpose. And the interfaith conversation is a great place for that.</blockquote>\r\n<h2>About Robert</h2>\r\nRobert received a graduate degree in Religious Studies. He is now a professor at a nearby Catholic university teaching History of Religion in America, Religion and Science in the West, World Religion and the occasional Intro to Social Justice course. When I told him about my being told not to go to a secular university as a  child, he said:\r\n<blockquote>Many religious groups say that other people are not religious, or that they are “secular.” Well, it turns out that in a country that 70% of the people profess to have a religious belief, what you are saying when you say those people are secular is that other religious people make you unhappy and you will call them “secular.” But when you actually have to sit down with them and talk to them and discover that they actually have very strong religious beliefs—much of it coming from what they believe god means to them—they want that to be exercised in very powerful ways in society, and you have to lose that whole sense that there are these people out there with nonreligious beliefs that are vaguely evil and that you are vaguely truthful and good.</blockquote>\r\n<h2>Why Interfaith Matters</h2>\r\n<a href=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/girl-smile_flickr_whologwhy.jpg\"><img class=\"size-thumbnail wp-image-6283 alignleft\" src=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/girl-smile_flickr_whologwhy-150x150.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" /></a>The Interfaith Leadership Council of Metropolitan Detroit brings people of all faiths together to work on projects and causes that they can agree on are important. One cause in particular that they are working on right now is literacy. He said that their group realized that while they have holy books that say very different things, they all need people to be able to read them! This is one way people can come together and work on things that matter and help make the world a better place while operating out of a place of respect.\r\n\r\nRobert said something very important to me: “And you can see that people have to start thinking about it in terms of people who believe having different points of view rather than people without religious beliefs, or ‘vaguely evil’ who have no religious point of view. And that ‘vaguely evil’ thing is a dangerous for society; it’s another barrier that keeps people from working with each other.”\r\n<h2>Where to Go From Here</h2>\r\nSo, now that you’ve read all of these articles, what are you supposed to do now?\r\n\r\nDon’t worry, there won’t be a quiz later, so you don’t need to remember all the specific terms for everything! But what you can do now is take what you’ve read here and do your own investigation.\r\n\r\n<strong>If a particular concept struck you as interesting? </strong>Look it up on Wikipedia and read more about it.\r\n\r\n<strong>If you’re still feeling in the dark about a religion not mentioned here… </strong>Go to the library or Netflix and find a documentary. Dig into Patheos and find a portal related to that group and explore a little bit.\r\n\r\n<strong>If you want to practice a kinder way of being toward other people…</strong> Go read the <a href=\"http://charterforcompassion.org/the-charter/#charter-for-compassion\" target=\"_blank\">Charter for Compassion</a>. Sign it for yourself or contemplate the implications of the words for your life.\r\n\r\n<strong>If you’re a voracious learner…  </strong>Go Amazon or your local bookstore and find some books or DVDs. Maybe do your own set of interviews and see what you learn!  If you’re the history buff type, pick up a book and learn more about how these religions came to be.\r\n\r\n<strong><a href=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/hugs_flickr_carbonNYC.jpg\"><img class=\"alignright size-medium wp-image-6284\" src=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/hugs_flickr_carbonNYC-300x237.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"237\" /></a>If you like talking to people… </strong>Maybe strike up a conversation next time you meet someone with different beliefs. Be as kind, open, and warm as possible. Religion is still a sticky topic, so if they decline to talk, <span style=\"text-decoration: underline\">be respectful</span> of that. But more than likely, if you bring a kind approach, they will probably be willing to explain concepts and discuss things a bit more. I know I had to talk to a few Buddhists before understanding the unattachment concept. Ask them a question that you’d like to know more about!\r\n\r\n<strong>If you’re ready to put this stuff to the test… </strong>Go find an interfaith group in your area and just show up once or twice. Maybe contact one of the leaders of the group and have a cup of coffee beforehand if you want more information or if you’re hesitant. Padma Kuppa said to me, “Religion has been used to divide us. I want to use interfaith to unite us.”\r\n\r\n<strong>If you’re not ready to do any of this…  </strong>That’s okay too! You’re doing good by a lot of people just by bothering to read this article. Maybe just work on thinking twice before slandering against one of these groups. Maybe keep your eyes out for some of them and try to look across the room at them with a new love. I appreciate you bothering to read this more than you know. If nothing else, thank you for your time and willingness to listen to what I and these wonderful people have to say.\r\n<h2>The Point</h2>\r\nThe beautiful (and tough) thing about sharing space with people different than what you’re used to is it takes time. Some people adjust to this concept really quickly, and others it will take a long time, and maybe you’ll never be convinced. It’s okay. It’s a great thing that you made it this far.\r\n\r\nThe point is to view others with kindness. Have compassion because they are just like you but in a different body, raised by slightly different people. The point is to treat others as you would want them to if your roles were switched.\r\n\r\nWe are all a part of this beautiful thing called creation. We were all created in the image of God. Even if you aren’t a person of faith, we are all a global family. The more we know about each other and the more stories we share, the better.\r\n\r\nIf nothing else, as Saeed said, \"when the music stops without a chair\", try to find one good thing in whoever you meet.\r\n\r\nTry to love whoever you meet just a little bit more than you did yesterday.\r\n\r\nDo not do unto others what you would not want done to you.\r\n\r\nAnd most of all, love your neighbor as you love yourself.\r\n\r\n<strong>Thank you to Jonathan Brink and Provoketive for taking interesting in this project. Thank you to all of my interviewees for welcoming me with open arms and for sharing with me. Thank you to my husband who has be patient while I spend hours hunched over my laptop pouring my soul into this. And most of all... Thank you to you, the reader, for opening your heart for a few minutes to listen. </strong>\r\n\r\nPhoto credit: Flickr / <a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/gsfc/6049973495/in/photostream/\" target=\"_blank\">NASA Goddard Photo and Video</a> (Earth), <a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/hulagway/5116382090/in/photostream/\" target=\"_blank\">whologwhy</a> (girl, smiling), <a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/carbonnyc/3268320322/in/photostream/\" target=\"_blank\">CarbonNYC</a> (HUGS!),','Faith Interview Series: What Now?','','inherit','open','open','','6279-revision-4','','','2012-04-24 19:32:08','2012-04-25 02:32:08','',6279,'http://provoketive.com/2012/04/24/6279-revision-4/',0,'revision','',0),(6288,38,'2012-04-24 19:33:20','2012-04-25 02:33:20','The last thing I wanted to talk about before closing the books on this series is interfaith. So, I interviewed Robert Bruttell, the chairman of the Interfaith Leadership Council of Metropolitan Detroit. He attended Catholic Seminary as a young man. He said, “I’ve maintained an interest as to how people come to their community values all my life. One of my constant concerns has been race and the racialization of our community. Much of that has to do with community values.” The ILCMD focuses on creating bridges.\r\n<blockquote>There are a lot of ways to deal with the barriers between people, and talking about race is one of them, along with ethnicity. Another is through talking to people about their values and how to take very different points of view about why you should do things and see if you can get them to work together on some similar or mutually agreeable purpose. And the interfaith conversation is a great place for that.</blockquote>\r\n<h2>About Robert</h2>\r\nRobert received a graduate degree in Religious Studies. He is now a professor at a nearby Catholic university teaching History of Religion in America, Religion and Science in the West, World Religion and the occasional Intro to Social Justice course. When I told him about my being told not to go to a secular university as a  child, he said:\r\n<blockquote>Many religious groups say that other people are not religious, or that they are “secular.” Well, it turns out that in a country that 70% of the people profess to have a religious belief, what you are saying when you say those people are secular is that other religious people make you unhappy and you will call them “secular.” But when you actually have to sit down with them and talk to them and discover that they actually have very strong religious beliefs—much of it coming from what they believe god means to them—they want that to be exercised in very powerful ways in society, and you have to lose that whole sense that there are these people out there with nonreligious beliefs that are vaguely evil and that you are vaguely truthful and good.</blockquote>\r\n<h2>Why Interfaith Matters</h2>\r\n<a href=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/girl-smile_flickr_whologwhy.jpg\"><img class=\"size-thumbnail wp-image-6283 alignleft\" src=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/girl-smile_flickr_whologwhy-150x150.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" /></a>The Interfaith Leadership Council of Metropolitan Detroit brings people of all faiths together to work on projects and causes that they can agree on are important. One cause in particular that they are working on right now is literacy. He said that their group realized that while they have holy books that say very different things, they all need people to be able to read them! This is one way people can come together and work on things that matter and help make the world a better place while operating out of a place of respect.\r\n\r\nRobert said something very important to me: “And you can see that people have to start thinking about it in terms of people who believe having different points of view rather than people without religious beliefs, or ‘vaguely evil’ who have no religious point of view. And that ‘vaguely evil’ thing is a dangerous for society; it’s another barrier that keeps people from working with each other.”\r\n<h2>Where to Go From Here</h2>\r\nSo, now that you’ve read all of these articles, what are you supposed to do now?\r\n\r\nDon’t worry, there won’t be a quiz later, so you don’t need to remember all the specific terms for everything! But what you can do now is take what you’ve read here and do your own investigation.\r\n\r\n<strong>If a particular concept struck you as interesting? </strong>Look it up on Wikipedia and read more about it.\r\n\r\n<strong>If you’re still feeling in the dark about a religion not mentioned here… </strong>Go to the library or Netflix and find a documentary. Dig into Patheos and find a portal related to that group and explore a little bit.\r\n\r\n<strong>If you want to practice a kinder way of being toward other people…</strong> Go read the <a href=\"http://charterforcompassion.org/the-charter/#charter-for-compassion\" target=\"_blank\">Charter for Compassion</a>. Sign it for yourself or contemplate the implications of the words for your life.\r\n\r\n<strong>If you’re a voracious learner…  </strong>Go Amazon or your local bookstore and find some books or DVDs. Maybe do your own set of interviews and see what you learn!  If you’re the history buff type, pick up a book and learn more about how these religions came to be.\r\n\r\n<strong><a href=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/hugs_flickr_carbonNYC.jpg\"><img class=\"alignright size-medium wp-image-6284\" src=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/hugs_flickr_carbonNYC-300x237.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"237\" /></a>If you like talking to people… </strong>Maybe strike up a conversation next time you meet someone with different beliefs. Be as kind, open, and warm as possible. Religion is still a sticky topic, so if they decline to talk, <span style=\"text-decoration: underline\">be respectful</span> of that. But more than likely, if you bring a kind approach, they will probably be willing to explain concepts and discuss things a bit more. I know I had to talk to a few Buddhists before understanding the unattachment concept. Ask them a question that you’d like to know more about!\r\n\r\n<strong>If you’re ready to put this stuff to the test… </strong>Go find an interfaith group in your area and just show up once or twice. Maybe contact one of the leaders of the group and have a cup of coffee beforehand if you want more information or if you’re hesitant. Padma Kuppa said to me, “Religion has been used to divide us. I want to use interfaith to unite us.”\r\n\r\n<strong>If you’re not ready to do any of this…  </strong>That’s okay too! You’re doing good by a lot of people just by bothering to read this article. Maybe just work on thinking twice before slandering against one of these groups. Maybe keep your eyes out for some of them and try to look across the room at them with a new love. I appreciate you bothering to read this more than you know. If nothing else, thank you for your time and willingness to listen to what I and these wonderful people have to say.\r\n<h2>The Point</h2>\r\n<a href=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/girl-ocean_flickr_rhys-asplundh.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-6286\" src=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/girl-ocean_flickr_rhys-asplundh-300x199.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"199\" /></a>The beautiful (and tough) thing about sharing space with people different than what you’re used to is it takes time. Some people adjust to this concept really quickly, and others it will take a long time, and maybe you’ll never be convinced. It’s okay. It’s a great thing that you made it this far.\r\n\r\nThe point is to view others with kindness. Have compassion because they are just like you but in a different body, raised by slightly different people. The point is to treat others as you would want them to if your roles were switched.\r\n\r\nWe are all a part of this beautiful thing called creation. We were all created in the image of God. Even if you aren’t a person of faith, we are all a global family. The more we know about each other and the more stories we share, the better.\r\n\r\nIf nothing else, as Saeed said, \"when the music stops without a chair\", try to find one good thing in whoever you meet.\r\n\r\nTry to love whoever you meet just a little bit more than you did yesterday.\r\n\r\nDo not do unto others what you would not want done to you.\r\n\r\nAnd most of all, love your neighbor as you love yourself.\r\n\r\n<strong>Thank you to Jonathan Brink and Provoketive for taking interesting in this project. Thank you to all of my interviewees for welcoming me with open arms and for sharing with me. Thank you to my husband who has be patient while I spend hours hunched over my laptop pouring my soul into this. And most of all... Thank you to you, the reader, for opening your heart for a few minutes to listen. </strong>\r\n\r\nPhoto credit: Flickr / <a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/gsfc/6049973495/in/photostream/\" target=\"_blank\">NASA Goddard Photo and Video</a> (Earth), <a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/hulagway/5116382090/in/photostream/\" target=\"_blank\">whologwhy</a> (girl, smiling), <a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/carbonnyc/3268320322/in/photostream/\" target=\"_blank\">CarbonNYC</a> (HUGS!), <a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/rhysasplundh/5770177448/in/photostream/\" target=\"_blank\">Rhys Asplundh</a> (girl standing on the shore)','Faith Interview Series: What Now?','','inherit','open','open','','6279-revision-5','','','2012-04-24 19:33:20','2012-04-25 02:33:20','',6279,'http://provoketive.com/2012/04/24/6279-revision-5/',0,'revision','',0),(6804,182,'2012-05-28 16:23:14','2012-05-28 23:23:14','&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI was not born contemplative.\r\n\r\nI was taught from an early age to believe that it is more valuable to know things than it is to learn things. Learning, after all, is a step on the path toward knowing; knowing is the result of learning. Whether at home, in school, or at church, it is far better to know the right answer than to be in the process of learning. Learning means that you have not yet arrived at knowing.\r\n\r\nKnowing is also much more fun than learning. Learning requires patience, practice, and being open to new insights. Learning means that you try new things and make mistakes, which just reinforces that you do not know the right answer.\r\n\r\nYou do not do well in school by learning, you do well by knowing the right answers.\r\n\r\nThe great thing about knowing the answer is that you have successfully completed learning. You do not not need to be open to new insights if you already know the answers.\r\n\r\nFor a long time, my understanding of my faith was based in the same approach. I had the right answers, and my mental energies went into sharing and defending those answers rather than being open to gaining new understanding. I was committed to the accuracy of my perspective and, at the same time, beginning to feel stuck because the need to be right is so demanding.\r\n\r\nThe spiritual practices I followed were essentially my homework for church. They were the things I needed to do so I could give the right answers and get a good grade.\r\n\r\nThe first time someone suggested that I read Benedict’s Rule, I was not very interested. I was both intrigued by and anxious about contemplative spirituality, and quite confident that I already had more than enough rules in my life.\r\n\r\nSlowly and surely, the monastic tradition drew me.\r\n\r\nI realized that my answers were not always right.\r\n\r\nI found a church that values solitude and silence. I gained an appreciation for the ways that liturgy provides a supportive framework for inner work and reflection. I began learning practices and disciplines that helped me recognize that God was always with me, loving me and drawing me closer. I began talking with a spiritual director.\r\n\r\nI came to appreciate asking good questions more than having the right answers.\r\n\r\nA friend suggested that I might be interested in Benedictine spirituality. After much reading and several retreats at different monasteries, I was received as a lay oblate at a Benedictine monastery and hermitage in Big Sur, California.\r\n\r\nAn oblate is a person who commits to following a rule of life and is in relationship to a particular monastery and monastic order. The rule I follow includes a variety of spiritual practices such as regular prayer, Bible study, and silence and solitude. At least once each year I spend some time at the monastery.\r\n\r\nMy faith continues to deepen and mature. I continue to be drawn more deeply into contemplative life, and reflect on ways to be a contemplative in today’s world. Contemplation gives me opportunities to find peace and to recognize the presence of the divine each day. Life is not about sitting and reflecting, but about connecting to the peace and gratefulness that can spread through the people around me.\r\n\r\nThere are many possible distractions. I wondered, for example, whether social media would keep me from being contemplative. I continue to learn about the history of monasticism, and to overcome my own preconceived notions of what monastic people are like. I am exploring the balance that encompasses both contemplation and activism.\r\n\r\nContemplation has turned my understanding of my own faith upside down. My connection to the holy is no longer about getting a good grade, no longer about being right. My spirituality has nothing to do with getting the teacher to like me or earning divine good favor.\r\n\r\nEach day is different, yet each is framed in practices which, step by step, redeem my perspective.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Contemplative in the City','','inherit','open','open','','6801-revision-2','','','2012-05-28 16:23:14','2012-05-28 23:23:14','',6801,'http://provoketive.com/2012/05/28/6801-revision-2/',0,'revision','',0),(6290,38,'2012-04-24 19:33:21','2012-04-25 02:33:21','The last thing I wanted to talk about before closing the books on this series is interfaith. So, I interviewed Robert Bruttell, the chairman of the Interfaith Leadership Council of Metropolitan Detroit. He attended Catholic Seminary as a young man. He said, “I’ve maintained an interest as to how people come to their community values all my life. One of my constant concerns has been race and the racialization of our community. Much of that has to do with community values.” The ILCMD focuses on creating bridges.\r\n<blockquote>There are a lot of ways to deal with the barriers between people, and talking about race is one of them, along with ethnicity. Another is through talking to people about their values and how to take very different points of view about why you should do things and see if you can get them to work together on some similar or mutually agreeable purpose. And the interfaith conversation is a great place for that.</blockquote>\r\n<h2>About Robert</h2>\r\nRobert received a graduate degree in Religious Studies. He is now a professor at a nearby Catholic university teaching History of Religion in America, Religion and Science in the West, World Religion and the occasional Intro to Social Justice course. When I told him about my being told not to go to a secular university as a  child, he said:\r\n<blockquote>Many religious groups say that other people are not religious, or that they are “secular.” Well, it turns out that in a country that 70% of the people profess to have a religious belief, what you are saying when you say those people are secular is that other religious people make you unhappy and you will call them “secular.” But when you actually have to sit down with them and talk to them and discover that they actually have very strong religious beliefs—much of it coming from what they believe god means to them—they want that to be exercised in very powerful ways in society, and you have to lose that whole sense that there are these people out there with nonreligious beliefs that are vaguely evil and that you are vaguely truthful and good.</blockquote>\r\n<h2>Why Interfaith Matters</h2>\r\n<a href=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/girl-smile_flickr_whologwhy.jpg\"><img class=\"size-thumbnail wp-image-6283 alignleft\" src=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/girl-smile_flickr_whologwhy-150x150.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" /></a>The Interfaith Leadership Council of Metropolitan Detroit brings people of all faiths together to work on projects and causes that they can agree on are important. One cause in particular that they are working on right now is literacy. He said that their group realized that while they have holy books that say very different things, they all need people to be able to read them! This is one way people can come together and work on things that matter and help make the world a better place while operating out of a place of respect.\r\n\r\nRobert said something very important to me: “And you can see that people have to start thinking about it in terms of people who believe having different points of view rather than people without religious beliefs, or ‘vaguely evil’ who have no religious point of view. And that ‘vaguely evil’ thing is a dangerous for society; it’s another barrier that keeps people from working with each other.”\r\n<h2>Where to Go From Here</h2>\r\nSo, now that you’ve read all of these articles, what are you supposed to do now?\r\n\r\nDon’t worry, there won’t be a quiz later, so you don’t need to remember all the specific terms for everything! But what you can do now is take what you’ve read here and do your own investigation.\r\n\r\n<strong>If a particular concept struck you as interesting? </strong>Look it up on Wikipedia and read more about it.\r\n\r\n<strong>If you’re still feeling in the dark about a religion not mentioned here… </strong>Go to the library or Netflix and find a documentary. Dig into Patheos and find a portal related to that group and explore a little bit.\r\n\r\n<strong>If you want to practice a kinder way of being toward other people…</strong> Go read the <a href=\"http://charterforcompassion.org/the-charter/#charter-for-compassion\" target=\"_blank\">Charter for Compassion</a>. Sign it for yourself or contemplate the implications of the words for your life.\r\n\r\n<strong>If you’re a voracious learner…  </strong>Go Amazon or your local bookstore and find some books or DVDs. Maybe do your own set of interviews and see what you learn!  If you’re the history buff type, pick up a book and learn more about how these religions came to be.\r\n\r\n<strong><a href=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/hugs_flickr_carbonNYC.jpg\"><img class=\"alignright size-medium wp-image-6284\" src=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/hugs_flickr_carbonNYC-300x237.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"237\" /></a>If you like talking to people… </strong>Maybe strike up a conversation next time you meet someone with different beliefs. Be as kind, open, and warm as possible. Religion is still a sticky topic, so if they decline to talk, <span style=\"text-decoration: underline\">be respectful</span> of that. But more than likely, if you bring a kind approach, they will probably be willing to explain concepts and discuss things a bit more. I know I had to talk to a few Buddhists before understanding the unattachment concept. Ask them a question that you’d like to know more about!\r\n\r\n<strong>If you’re ready to put this stuff to the test… </strong>Go find an interfaith group in your area and just show up once or twice. Maybe contact one of the leaders of the group and have a cup of coffee beforehand if you want more information or if you’re hesitant. Padma Kuppa said to me, “Religion has been used to divide us. I want to use interfaith to unite us.”\r\n\r\n<strong>If you’re not ready to do any of this…  </strong>That’s okay too! You’re doing good by a lot of people just by bothering to read this article. Maybe just work on thinking twice before slandering against one of these groups. Maybe keep your eyes out for some of them and try to look across the room at them with a new love. I appreciate you bothering to read this more than you know. If nothing else, thank you for your time and willingness to listen to what I and these wonderful people have to say.\r\n<h2>The Point</h2>\r\n<a href=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/girl-ocean_flickr_rhys-asplundh.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-6286\" src=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/girl-ocean_flickr_rhys-asplundh-300x199.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"199\" /></a>The beautiful (and tough) thing about sharing space with people different than what you’re used to is it takes time. Some people adjust to this concept really quickly, and others it will take a long time, and maybe you’ll never be convinced. It’s okay. It’s a great thing that you made it this far.\r\n\r\nThe point is to view others with kindness. Have compassion because they are just like you but in a different body, raised by slightly different people. The point is to treat others as you would want them to if your roles were switched.\r\n\r\nWe are all a part of this beautiful thing called creation. We were all created in the image of God. Even if you aren’t a person of faith, we are all a global family. The more we know about each other and the more stories we share, the better.\r\n\r\nIf nothing else, as Saeed said, \"when the music stops without a chair\", try to find one good thing in whoever you meet.\r\n\r\nTry to love whoever you meet just a little bit more than you did yesterday.\r\n\r\nDo not do unto others what you would not want done to you.\r\n\r\nAnd most of all, love your neighbor as you love yourself.\r\n\r\n<strong>Thank you to Jonathan Brink and Provoketive for taking interesting in this project. Thank you to all of my interviewees for welcoming me with open arms and for sharing with me. Thank you to my husband who has be patient while I spend hours hunched over my laptop pouring my soul into this. And most of all... Thank you to you, the reader, for opening your heart for a few minutes to listen. </strong>\r\n\r\nPhoto credit: Flickr / <a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/gsfc/6049973495/in/photostream/\" target=\"_blank\">NASA Goddard Photo and Video</a> (Earth), <a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/hulagway/5116382090/in/photostream/\" target=\"_blank\">whologwhy</a> (girl, smiling), <a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/carbonnyc/3268320322/in/photostream/\" target=\"_blank\">CarbonNYC</a> (HUGS!), <a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/rhysasplundh/5770177448/in/photostream/\" target=\"_blank\">Rhys Asplundh</a> (girl standing on the shore)','Faith Interview Series: What Now?','','inherit','open','open','','6279-revision-6','','','2012-04-24 19:33:21','2012-04-25 02:33:21','',6279,'http://provoketive.com/2012/04/24/6279-revision-6/',0,'revision','',0),(6291,38,'2012-04-24 19:34:46','2012-04-25 02:34:46','The last thing I wanted to talk about before closing the books on this series is interfaith. So, I interviewed Robert Bruttell, the chairman of the Interfaith Leadership Council of Metropolitan Detroit. He attended Catholic Seminary as a young man. He said, “I’ve maintained an interest as to how people come to their community values all my life. One of my constant concerns has been race and the racialization of our community. Much of that has to do with community values.” The ILCMD focuses on creating bridges.\r\n<blockquote>There are a lot of ways to deal with the barriers between people, and talking about race is one of them, along with ethnicity. Another is through talking to people about their values and how to take very different points of view about why you should do things and see if you can get them to work together on some similar or mutually agreeable purpose. And the interfaith conversation is a great place for that.</blockquote>\r\n<h2>About Robert</h2>\r\nRobert received a graduate degree in Religious Studies. He is now a professor at a nearby Catholic university teaching History of Religion in America, Religion and Science in the West, World Religion and the occasional Intro to Social Justice course. When I told him about my being told not to go to a secular university as a  child, he said:\r\n<blockquote>Many religious groups say that other people are not religious, or that they are “secular.” Well, it turns out that in a country that 70% of the people profess to have a religious belief, what you are saying when you say those people are secular is that other religious people make you unhappy and you will call them “secular.” But when you actually have to sit down with them and talk to them and discover that they actually have very strong religious beliefs—much of it coming from what they believe god means to them—they want that to be exercised in very powerful ways in society, and you have to lose that whole sense that there are these people out there with nonreligious beliefs that are vaguely evil and that you are vaguely truthful and good.</blockquote>\r\n<h2>Why Interfaith Matters</h2>\r\n<a href=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/girl-smile_flickr_whologwhy.jpg\"><img class=\"size-thumbnail wp-image-6283 alignleft\" src=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/girl-smile_flickr_whologwhy-150x150.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" /></a>The Interfaith Leadership Council of Metropolitan Detroit brings people of all faiths together to work on projects and causes that they can agree on are important. One cause in particular that they are working on right now is literacy. He said that their group realized that while they have holy books that say very different things, they all need people to be able to read them! This is one way people can come together and work on things that matter and help make the world a better place while operating out of a place of respect.\r\n\r\nRobert said something very important to me: “And you can see that people have to start thinking about it in terms of people who believe having different points of view rather than people without religious beliefs, or ‘vaguely evil’ who have no religious point of view. And that ‘vaguely evil’ thing is a dangerous for society; it’s another barrier that keeps people from working with each other.”\r\n<h2>Where to Go From Here</h2>\r\n<a href=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/hugs_flickr_carbonNYC.jpg\"><img class=\"alignright  wp-image-6284\" src=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/hugs_flickr_carbonNYC-300x237.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"240\" height=\"190\" /></a>So, now that you’ve read all of these articles, what are you supposed to do now?\r\n\r\nDon’t worry, there won’t be a quiz later, so you don’t need to remember all the specific terms for everything! But what you can do now is take what you’ve read here and do your own investigation.\r\n\r\n<strong>If a particular concept struck you as interesting? </strong>Look it up on Wikipedia and read more about it.\r\n\r\n<strong>If you’re still feeling in the dark about a religion not mentioned here… </strong>Go to the library or Netflix and find a documentary. Dig into Patheos and find a portal related to that group and explore a little bit.\r\n\r\n<strong>If you want to practice a kinder way of being toward other people…</strong> Go read the <a href=\"http://charterforcompassion.org/the-charter/#charter-for-compassion\" target=\"_blank\">Charter for Compassion</a>. Sign it for yourself or contemplate the implications of the words for your life.\r\n\r\n<strong>If you’re a voracious learner…  </strong>Go Amazon or your local bookstore and find some books or DVDs. Maybe do your own set of interviews and see what you learn!  If you’re the history buff type, pick up a book and learn more about how these religions came to be.\r\n\r\n<strong>If you like talking to people… </strong>Maybe strike up a conversation next time you meet someone with different beliefs. Be as kind, open, and warm as possible. Religion is still a sticky topic, so if they decline to talk, <span style=\"text-decoration: underline\">be respectful</span> of that. But more than likely, if you bring a kind approach, they will probably be willing to explain concepts and discuss things a bit more. I know I had to talk to a few Buddhists before understanding the unattachment concept. Ask them a question that you’d like to know more about!\r\n\r\n<strong>If you’re ready to put this stuff to the test… </strong>Go find an interfaith group in your area and just show up once or twice. Maybe contact one of the leaders of the group and have a cup of coffee beforehand if you want more information or if you’re hesitant. Padma Kuppa said to me, “Religion has been used to divide us. I want to use interfaith to unite us.”\r\n\r\n<strong>If you’re not ready to do any of this…  </strong>That’s okay too! You’re doing good by a lot of people just by bothering to read this article. Maybe just work on thinking twice before slandering against one of these groups. Maybe keep your eyes out for some of them and try to look across the room at them with a new love. I appreciate you bothering to read this more than you know. If nothing else, thank you for your time and willingness to listen to what I and these wonderful people have to say.\r\n<h2>The Point</h2>\r\n<a href=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/girl-ocean_flickr_rhys-asplundh.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-thumbnail wp-image-6286\" src=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/girl-ocean_flickr_rhys-asplundh-150x150.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" /></a>The beautiful (and tough) thing about sharing space with people different than what you’re used to is it takes time. Some people adjust to this concept really quickly, and others it will take a long time, and maybe you’ll never be convinced. It’s okay. It’s a great thing that you made it this far.\r\n\r\nThe point is to view others with kindness. Have compassion because they are just like you but in a different body, raised by slightly different people. The point is to treat others as you would want them to if your roles were switched.\r\n\r\nWe are all a part of this beautiful thing called creation. We were all created in the image of God. Even if you aren’t a person of faith, we are all a global family. The more we know about each other and the more stories we share, the better.\r\n\r\nIf nothing else, as Saeed said, \"when the music stops without a chair\", try to find one good thing in whoever you meet.\r\n\r\nTry to love whoever you meet just a little bit more than you did yesterday.\r\n\r\nDo not do unto others what you would not want done to you.\r\n\r\nAnd most of all, love your neighbor as you love yourself.\r\n\r\n<strong>Thank you to Jonathan Brink and Provoketive for taking interesting in this project. Thank you to all of my interviewees for welcoming me with open arms and for sharing with me. Thank you to my husband who has be patient while I spend hours hunched over my laptop pouring my soul into this. And most of all... Thank you to you, the reader, for opening your heart for a few minutes to listen. </strong>\r\n\r\n<em>Photo credit: Flickr / <a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/gsfc/6049973495/in/photostream/\" target=\"_blank\">NASA Goddard Photo and Video</a> (Earth), <a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/hulagway/5116382090/in/photostream/\" target=\"_blank\">whologwhy</a> (girl, smiling), <a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/carbonnyc/3268320322/in/photostream/\" target=\"_blank\">CarbonNYC</a> (HUGS!), <a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/rhysasplundh/5770177448/in/photostream/\" target=\"_blank\">Rhys Asplundh</a> (girl standing on the shore)</em>','Faith Interview Series: What Now?','','inherit','open','open','','6279-revision-7','','','2012-04-24 19:34:46','2012-04-25 02:34:46','',6279,'http://provoketive.com/2012/04/24/6279-revision-7/',0,'revision','',0),(6292,38,'2012-04-24 19:35:28','2012-04-25 02:35:28','The last thing I wanted to talk about before closing the books on this series is interfaith. So, I interviewed Robert Bruttell, the chairman of the Interfaith Leadership Council of Metropolitan Detroit. He attended Catholic Seminary as a young man. He said, “I’ve maintained an interest as to how people come to their community values all my life. One of my constant concerns has been race and the racialization of our community. Much of that has to do with community values.” The ILCMD focuses on creating bridges.\r\n<blockquote>There are a lot of ways to deal with the barriers between people, and talking about race is one of them, along with ethnicity. Another is through talking to people about their values and how to take very different points of view about why you should do things and see if you can get them to work together on some similar or mutually agreeable purpose. And the interfaith conversation is a great place for that.</blockquote>\r\n<h2>About Robert</h2>\r\nRobert received a graduate degree in Religious Studies. He is now a professor at a nearby Catholic university teaching History of Religion in America, Religion and Science in the West, World Religion and the occasional Intro to Social Justice course. When I told him about my being told not to go to a secular university as a  child, he said:\r\n<blockquote>Many religious groups say that other people are not religious, or that they are “secular.” Well, it turns out that in a country that 70% of the people profess to have a religious belief, what you are saying when you say those people are secular is that other religious people make you unhappy and you will call them “secular.” But when you actually have to sit down with them and talk to them and discover that they actually have very strong religious beliefs—much of it coming from what they believe god means to them—they want that to be exercised in very powerful ways in society, and you have to lose that whole sense that there are these people out there with nonreligious beliefs that are vaguely evil and that you are vaguely truthful and good.</blockquote>\r\n<h2>Why Interfaith Matters</h2>\r\n<a href=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/girl-smile_flickr_whologwhy.jpg\"><img class=\"size-thumbnail wp-image-6283 alignleft\" src=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/girl-smile_flickr_whologwhy-150x150.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" /></a>The Interfaith Leadership Council of Metropolitan Detroit brings people of all faiths together to work on projects and causes that they can agree on are important. One cause in particular that they are working on right now is literacy. He said that their group realized that while they have holy books that say very different things, they all need people to be able to read them! This is one way people can come together and work on things that matter and help make the world a better place while operating out of a place of respect.\r\n\r\nRobert said something very important to me: “And you can see that people have to start thinking about it in terms of people who believe having different points of view rather than people without religious beliefs, or ‘vaguely evil’ who have no religious point of view. And that ‘vaguely evil’ thing is a dangerous for society; it’s another barrier that keeps people from working with each other.”\r\n<h2>Where to Go From Here</h2>\r\nSo, now that you’ve read all of these articles, what are you supposed to do now?\r\n\r\nDon’t worry, there won’t be a quiz later, so you don’t need to remember all the specific terms for everything! But what you can do now is take what you’ve read here and do your own investigation.\r\n\r\n<strong><a href=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/hugs_flickr_carbonNYC.jpg\"><img class=\"alignright  wp-image-6284\" src=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/hugs_flickr_carbonNYC-300x237.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"240\" height=\"190\" /></a>If a particular concept struck you as interesting? </strong>Look it up on Wikipedia and read more about it.\r\n\r\n<strong>If you’re still feeling in the dark about a religion not mentioned here… </strong>Go to the library or Netflix and find a documentary. Dig into Patheos and find a portal related to that group and explore a little bit.\r\n\r\n<strong>If you want to practice a kinder way of being toward other people…</strong> Go read the <a href=\"http://charterforcompassion.org/the-charter/#charter-for-compassion\" target=\"_blank\">Charter for Compassion</a>. Sign it for yourself or contemplate the implications of the words for your life.\r\n\r\n<strong>If you’re a voracious learner…  </strong>Go Amazon or your local bookstore and find some books or DVDs. Maybe do your own set of interviews and see what you learn!  If you’re the history buff type, pick up a book and learn more about how these religions came to be.\r\n\r\n<strong>If you like talking to people… </strong>Maybe strike up a conversation next time you meet someone with different beliefs. Be as kind, open, and warm as possible. Religion is still a sticky topic, so if they decline to talk, <span style=\"text-decoration: underline\">be respectful</span> of that. But more than likely, if you bring a kind approach, they will probably be willing to explain concepts and discuss things a bit more. I know I had to talk to a few Buddhists before understanding the unattachment concept. Ask them a question that you’d like to know more about!\r\n\r\n<strong>If you’re ready to put this stuff to the test… </strong>Go find an interfaith group in your area and just show up once or twice. Maybe contact one of the leaders of the group and have a cup of coffee beforehand if you want more information or if you’re hesitant. Padma Kuppa said to me, “Religion has been used to divide us. I want to use interfaith to unite us.”\r\n\r\n<strong>If you’re not ready to do any of this…  </strong>That’s okay too! You’re doing good by a lot of people just by bothering to read this article. Maybe just work on thinking twice before slandering against one of these groups. Maybe keep your eyes out for some of them and try to look across the room at them with a new love. I appreciate you bothering to read this more than you know. If nothing else, thank you for your time and willingness to listen to what I and these wonderful people have to say.\r\n<h2>The Point</h2>\r\n<a href=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/girl-ocean_flickr_rhys-asplundh.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-thumbnail wp-image-6286\" src=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/girl-ocean_flickr_rhys-asplundh-150x150.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" /></a>The beautiful (and tough) thing about sharing space with people different than what you’re used to is it takes time. Some people adjust to this concept really quickly, and others it will take a long time, and maybe you’ll never be convinced. It’s okay. It’s a great thing that you made it this far.\r\n\r\nThe point is to view others with kindness. Have compassion because they are just like you but in a different body, raised by slightly different people. The point is to treat others as you would want them to if your roles were switched.\r\n\r\nWe are all a part of this beautiful thing called creation. We were all created in the image of God. Even if you aren’t a person of faith, we are all a global family. The more we know about each other and the more stories we share, the better.\r\n\r\nIf nothing else, as Saeed said, \"when the music stops without a chair\", try to find one good thing in whoever you meet.\r\n\r\nTry to love whoever you meet just a little bit more than you did yesterday.\r\n\r\nDo not do unto others what you would not want done to you.\r\n\r\nAnd most of all, love your neighbor as you love yourself.\r\n\r\n<strong>Thank you to Jonathan Brink and Provoketive for taking interesting in this project. Thank you to all of my interviewees for welcoming me with open arms and for sharing with me. Thank you to my husband who has be patient while I spend hours hunched over my laptop pouring my soul into this. And most of all... Thank you to you, the reader, for opening your heart for a few minutes to listen. </strong>\r\n\r\n<em>Photo credit: Flickr / <a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/gsfc/6049973495/in/photostream/\" target=\"_blank\">NASA Goddard Photo and Video</a> (Earth), <a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/hulagway/5116382090/in/photostream/\" target=\"_blank\">whologwhy</a> (girl, smiling), <a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/carbonnyc/3268320322/in/photostream/\" target=\"_blank\">CarbonNYC</a> (HUGS!), <a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/rhysasplundh/5770177448/in/photostream/\" target=\"_blank\">Rhys Asplundh</a> (girl standing on the shore)</em>','Faith Interview Series: What Now?','','inherit','open','open','','6279-revision-8','','','2012-04-24 19:35:28','2012-04-25 02:35:28','',6279,'http://provoketive.com/2012/04/24/6279-revision-8/',0,'revision','',0),(6293,38,'2012-04-24 19:35:53','2012-04-25 02:35:53','The last thing I wanted to talk about before closing the books on this series is interfaith. So, I interviewed Robert Bruttell, the chairman of the Interfaith Leadership Council of Metropolitan Detroit. He attended Catholic Seminary as a young man. He said, “I’ve maintained an interest as to how people come to their community values all my life. One of my constant concerns has been race and the racialization of our community. Much of that has to do with community values.” The ILCMD focuses on creating bridges.\r\n<blockquote>There are a lot of ways to deal with the barriers between people, and talking about race is one of them, along with ethnicity. Another is through talking to people about their values and how to take very different points of view about why you should do things and see if you can get them to work together on some similar or mutually agreeable purpose. And the interfaith conversation is a great place for that.</blockquote>\r\n<h2>About Robert</h2>\r\nRobert received a graduate degree in Religious Studies. He is now a professor at a nearby Catholic university teaching History of Religion in America, Religion and Science in the West, World Religion and the occasional Intro to Social Justice course. When I told him about my being told not to go to a secular university as a  child, he said:\r\n<blockquote>Many religious groups say that other people are not religious, or that they are “secular.” Well, it turns out that in a country that 70% of the people profess to have a religious belief, what you are saying when you say those people are secular is that other religious people make you unhappy and you will call them “secular.” But when you actually have to sit down with them and talk to them and discover that they actually have very strong religious beliefs—much of it coming from what they believe god means to them—they want that to be exercised in very powerful ways in society, and you have to lose that whole sense that there are these people out there with nonreligious beliefs that are vaguely evil and that you are vaguely truthful and good.</blockquote>\r\n<h2>Why Interfaith Matters</h2>\r\n<a href=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/girl-smile_flickr_whologwhy.jpg\"><img class=\"size-thumbnail wp-image-6283 alignleft\" src=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/girl-smile_flickr_whologwhy-150x150.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" /></a>The Interfaith Leadership Council of Metropolitan Detroit brings people of all faiths together to work on projects and causes that they can agree on are important. One cause in particular that they are working on right now is literacy. He said that their group realized that while they have holy books that say very different things, they all need people to be able to read them! This is one way people can come together and work on things that matter and help make the world a better place while operating out of a place of respect.\r\n\r\nRobert said something very important to me: “And you can see that people have to start thinking about it in terms of people who believe having different points of view rather than people without religious beliefs, or ‘vaguely evil’ who have no religious point of view. And that ‘vaguely evil’ thing is a dangerous for society; it’s another barrier that keeps people from working with each other.”\r\n<h2>Where to Go From Here</h2>\r\nSo, now that you’ve read all of these articles, what are you supposed to do now?\r\n\r\nDon’t worry, there won’t be a quiz later, so you don’t need to remember all the specific terms for everything! But what you can do now is take what you’ve read here and do your own investigation.\r\n\r\n<strong><a href=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/hugs_flickr_carbonNYC.jpg\"><img class=\"alignright  wp-image-6284\" src=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/hugs_flickr_carbonNYC-300x237.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"240\" height=\"190\" /></a>If a particular concept struck you as interesting? </strong>Look it up on Wikipedia and read more about it.\r\n\r\n<strong>If you’re still feeling in the dark about a religion not mentioned here… </strong>Go to the library or Netflix and find a documentary. Dig into Patheos and find a portal related to that group and explore a little bit.\r\n\r\n<strong>If you want to practice a kinder way of being toward other people…</strong> Go read the <a href=\"http://charterforcompassion.org/the-charter/#charter-for-compassion\" target=\"_blank\">Charter for Compassion</a>. Sign it for yourself or contemplate the implications of the words for your life.\r\n\r\n<strong>If you’re a voracious learner…  </strong>Go Amazon or your local bookstore and find some books or DVDs. Maybe do your own set of interviews and see what you learn!  If you’re the history buff type, pick up a book and learn more about how these religions came to be.\r\n\r\n<strong>If you like talking to people… </strong>Maybe strike up a conversation next time you meet someone with different beliefs. Be as kind, open, and warm as possible. Religion is still a sticky topic, so if they decline to talk, <span style=\"text-decoration: underline\">be respectful</span> of that. But more than likely, if you bring a kind approach, they will probably be willing to explain concepts and discuss things a bit more. I know I had to talk to a few Buddhists before understanding the unattachment concept. Ask them a question that you’d like to know more about!\r\n\r\n<strong>If you’re ready to put this stuff to the test… </strong>Go find an interfaith group in your area and just show up once or twice. Maybe contact one of the leaders of the group and have a cup of coffee beforehand if you want more information or if you’re hesitant. Padma Kuppa said to me, “Religion has been used to divide us. I want to use interfaith to unite us.”\r\n\r\n<strong>If you’re not ready to do any of this…  </strong>That’s okay too! You’re doing good by a lot of people just by bothering to read this article. Maybe just work on thinking twice before slandering against one of these groups. Maybe keep your eyes out for some of them and try to look across the room at them with a new love. I appreciate you bothering to read this more than you know. If nothing else, thank you for your time and willingness to listen to what I and these wonderful people have to say.\r\n<h2>The Point</h2>\r\n<a href=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/girl-ocean_flickr_rhys-asplundh.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-thumbnail wp-image-6286\" src=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/girl-ocean_flickr_rhys-asplundh-150x150.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" /></a>The beautiful (and tough) thing about sharing space with people different than what you’re used to is it takes time. Some people adjust to this concept really quickly, and others it will take a long time, and maybe you’ll never be convinced. It’s okay. It’s a great thing that you made it this far.\r\n\r\nThe point is to view others with kindness. Have compassion because they are just like you but in a different body, raised by slightly different people. The point is to treat others as you would want them to if your roles were switched.\r\n\r\nWe are all a part of this beautiful thing called creation. We were all created in the image of God. Even if you aren’t a person of faith, we are all a global family. The more we know about each other and the more stories we share, the better.\r\n\r\nIf nothing else, as Saeed said, \"when the music stops without a chair\", try to find one good thing in whoever you meet.\r\n\r\nTry to love whoever you meet just a little bit more than you did yesterday.\r\n\r\n<strong>Thank you to Jonathan Brink and Provoketive for taking interesting in this project. Thank you to all of my interviewees for welcoming me with open arms and for sharing with me. Thank you to my husband who has be patient while I spend hours hunched over my laptop pouring my soul into this. And most of all... Thank you to you, the reader, for opening your heart for a few minutes to listen. </strong>\r\n\r\n<em>Photo credit: Flickr / <a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/gsfc/6049973495/in/photostream/\" target=\"_blank\">NASA Goddard Photo and Video</a> (Earth), <a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/hulagway/5116382090/in/photostream/\" target=\"_blank\">whologwhy</a> (girl, smiling), <a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/carbonnyc/3268320322/in/photostream/\" target=\"_blank\">CarbonNYC</a> (HUGS!), <a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/rhysasplundh/5770177448/in/photostream/\" target=\"_blank\">Rhys Asplundh</a> (girl standing on the shore)</em>','Faith Interview Series: What Now?','','inherit','open','open','','6279-revision-9','','','2012-04-24 19:35:53','2012-04-25 02:35:53','',6279,'http://provoketive.com/2012/04/24/6279-revision-9/',0,'revision','',0),(6909,38,'2012-06-07 08:00:26','2012-06-07 15:00:26','I first met Dr. Robert, or Bob, as most people call him, through the <a href=\"http://provoketive.com/2012/05/18/faith-interview-series-christian/\" target=\"_blank\">Faith Interview Series</a> I just wrote for Provoketive. He grew up as an Episcopalian, and then left because of “a deep need for me to be more connected with a community that really took my faith seriously.” He spent some time in the Pentecostal movement and after craving a more intellectually challenging environment, eventually settled into the Disciples of Christ denomination.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_6112\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"150\" caption=\"Dr. Bob Cornwall\"]<a href=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/Bob-headshot-92010.jpg\"><img class=\"size-thumbnail wp-image-6112\" src=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/Bob-headshot-92010-150x150.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nHe is the pastor of Central Woodward Christian Church in Troy, Michigan, and is a founder and active member of the Troy Interfaith Group. His fervent passion for interfaith efforts brings him to a unique place where his faith is no longer behind closed doors. He is no longer just practicing his faith in the safety of his church, but is living with his faith and community as a whole, and this means Bob lives at an interesting intersection between religion and the public sphere.\r\n\r\nOne thing Bob said to me about his interfaith group is that some people think it’s all about the “inter” and not about the “faith”. “We don’t sit around and talk about how everyone is more or less right. This is not mushy faith.”\r\n\r\nBut the big question that lingers in a lot of people’s minds is if it’s not mushy, how exactly do you do that? <em>How</em> do you meet and spend time with people who have such drastically different beliefs and practices than you?\r\n\r\nWhen you crack it open, this conundrum opens up into a much larger question for society at large:\r\n\r\n<strong>With a world that is growing in population, diversity, and proximity, how do you remain faithful to your convictions and beliefs, while still doing the best thing for everybody?</strong>\r\n\r\nAs Bob puts it in the opening of the book, “How shall we live together, peacefully and productively, as one people in the midst of all this diversity?”\r\n\r\nThis is exactly the question that Bob addresses in his new book, <em>Faith in the Public Square: Living Faithfully in 21<sup>st</sup> Century America</em>.  This is an important subject whose answer is being begged for more urgently every day by this 21<sup>st</sup> century country.\r\n\r\nIf I were to retitle the book, I would call it “How to Cohabitate on this Planet with Other Humans and Not Be a Jerk”. There are a lot of things I loved about this book but my favorite things are:\r\n\r\n<strong>Bob is very knowledgeable about the subjects he talks about.</strong> I hate it when books seem off-the-cuff and like the author didn’t do any research outside of their own cranium. Bob includes a lot of historical and political context to conversations that often get cut down to “us vs. them”. He expands and re-frames the conversation to give you far more insight than the three minute bits the talking heads tend to give us.\r\n\r\n<strong>The tone of this book is like sitting at a barbeque with your awesome, really smart friends.</strong> It’s a relaxed atmosphere, and yet well-informed. Books can sometimes be intrusive and try to strong-arm you into accepting whatever it’s proposing, but that was not the case with <em>Faith in the Public Square</em>. Bob has a very open, personable tone that opens your heart. And yet, he is not afraid of putting his thoughts—some of which are unconventional—on the table, which leads into my next point.\r\n\r\n<strong>Bob talks about an incredibly wide variety of issues that we deal with every day as American citizens.</strong> This is not simply a “let’s be nice to each other, shall we?” or “Let’s just read our Bibles and pray and everything will be fine” book. <em>Faith in the Public Square</em> covers all aspects of life where civil concerns and religion intersect, such as the following:\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>We should appreciate (at least in part) paying taxes</li>\r\n	<li>Why your employer asking  you to say “Happy holidays” instead of “Merry Christmas” is not a conspiracy against Christians</li>\r\n	<li>The true meaning of “pro-life” and how the abortion conversation limits itself</li>\r\n	<li>How to approach voting, politicians, and your political values</li>\r\n	<li>The mistakes in the mainstream perception of Islam</li>\r\n	<li>Racism and the position of the presidency</li>\r\n	<li>The increasing danger of “good religion” being in bed with patriotism</li>\r\n	<li>How “the Bible says” is not a good reason to create legislation</li>\r\n</ul>\r\nThese are not easy topics. If Bob wanted to write an easy book he wouldn’t have touched half of these topics with a ten-foot pole. Instead, Bob steps up to the plate to talk about the kind of issues that our pressing in culture that most pastors would never talk about. And this is only scratching the surface of the topics that are covered!\r\n\r\n<strong>I loved the presentation of the book.</strong>  One of the greatest things about this book is that it was originally written as a newspaper column, so all of the essays are presented in easy to read, digestible chunks.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/faith-in-the-public-square.jpg\"><img class=\"alignright  wp-image-6911\" src=\"http://provoketive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/faith-in-the-public-square-200x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"160\" height=\"240\" /></a>With <em>Faith in the Public Square</em> there will be no getting lost in a 500-pager by a stuffy professor with no foreseeable way out. The chapters are 1-3 pages long a piece. Thus, this is a book you can carry with you that you can jump back into easily when you have a few minutes to read, but it is <em>not</em> a watery book at all.\r\n\r\nAnd what if you’re not a church goer? Will this book have anything for you? Absolutely! While it contains topics dealing with religion, it was written for a very wide audience, so even if you have no religion affiliation at all this book is still a great read because everyone--religious or not--will at some point come into conflict between their personal ideals and the greater good.\r\n\r\nAll in all, I would highly recommend <em>Faith in the Public Square</em>. This book had a refreshing and hard-hitting look at the role of religion in the life of a citizen. I appreciate Bob’s courage in approaching the topics he talked about, and I also appreciate the warm tone he wrote with.\r\n\r\nIf you want some good theological brain food, a fresh take on civilian life, and a conversation starter to build your religious and civic principles on, this is definitely the book for you.\r\n\r\nI look forward to reading more of Dr. Robert Cornwall’s work and I hope you will pick it one up to read for yourself.\r\n\r\nTo buy “Faith in the Public Square” Amazon, <a href=\"http://www.amazon.com/Faith-Public-Square-Robert-Cornwall/dp/189372946X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1338864366&amp;sr=8-1\" target=\"_blank\">click here</a>.\r\n\r\nTo buy “Faith in the Public Square” directly from the publisher, <a href=\"http://energionpubs.com/books/189372946X/\">click here</a>.\r\n\r\nFor more of Bob’s writing, check out his blog, “<a href=\"http://www.bobcornwall.com/\">Ponderings on a Faith Journey</a>”.\r\n\r\nFind Dr. Robert Cornwall on Facebook <a href=\"http://www.facebook.com/drbobcornwall\">here</a>.\r\n\r\n<em>Photo credit: image of book and Dr. Robert Cornwall used with permission, Flickr / <a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/redvers/2261603630/in/photostream/\" target=\"_blank\">R/DV/RS</a> (grass and sky photo)</em>','“Faith in the Public Square”: A Review','','publish','open','open','','faith-in-the-public-square-a-review','','','2012-06-07 08:45:23','2012-06-07 15:45:23','',0,'http://provoketive.com/?p=6909',0,'post','',1),(6818,185,'2012-05-29 05:06:20','2012-05-29 12:06:20','Reviewing via film a “documentary poem” about creativity and faith is a little daunting for people, like me, because I am by nature a very straightforward, no-nonsense, and practical kind of person.  Not that I didn’t expect to learn a few new things or find something that would be useful to friends whom I consider “creative”—but I did not anticipate the extent to which “Made as Makers” would expand my own understanding of faith. I thought that a film about creativity would be about bringing artistic elements into our worship, not about using creativity to approach our faith and our understanding of God. Since the latter is true (though not to the exclusion of the former), I found that I really did have a bit to say about this film. As Callid Keefe-Perry says, “I think that every single person has something to add to the conversation where God is concerned because I think that God is concerned with every single person.”\n<div>\n\nIn “Made as Makers,” the filmmaker interviews women, men, artists, church leaders, theologians and everyday people and records his own conversations with them about God, faith, and hope for the church.  I was delighted to find that from the moment the film started, I was invited—no, pulled into—this conversation. There is no room to sit back as a detached observer, the so-called third wheel in a two-person dialogue. The opening sequences of the film begin with Callid Keefe-Perry talking to you, to me, directly.  While he talks there with us there is an empty chair behind him -- is it for another member of this conversation, for God, for both? By artfully leaving “space” Callid Keefe-Perry invites God and us to explore these questions with him.\n\nSince this is a conversation that we join, not one that we observe from a distance, I’m going to deviate from standard reviewing practice and not go over the main points of the film. You can, and should, watch it and do that yourself. Instead, I am going to review the places where I found myself joining the conversation, where I resonated, and where light shone in my spirit. On second thought, if you watch this film and try to outline the “main points” then you’ve probably missed the main point because the main point really is whatever you have to add to the conversation about God, faith, and hope for the church.\n\nThe themes that really jumped out at me were <em>space</em> and <em>practice</em>. The empty chair behind Callid Keefe-Perry in the opening sequences of the film captivated me. I thought, “We are leaving space for God. God is going to meet us here. He is going to fill that chair.” Later, we hear a woman talking about how faith, and the necessity of having to have faith, really sucks because those around her appear to have a meaningful faith life with little effort while she struggles to “get it right.” I have frequented that place of struggle and comparison quite regularly myself, so it was comforting to hear another woman speak about her journey to find a community that created the space necessary for her to practice faith from her gut. In this sense, then, “Made as Makers” highlighted that creativity in faith includes the importance of matching people to practice, the experimentation required to discover what fits, and the necessary balance between what fits and pushing boundaries of comfort. For example, I naturally find more spiritual and creative space in structured, repetitive environments; too much free form leads me into spiritual desert. I know many people for whom this is the exact opposite.\n\nOnce you’re in this conversation about creative faith, it is really kind of hard to leave. I found myself thinking about these themes of space and practice long after watching the film. I was in the car and listening to an interview with Tracy K. Smith about her struggle to write six lines of poetry, and it got me wondering about the parallels between creative struggle and spiritual struggle, between writer’s block and the dark night of the soul. And then in church we sang a hymn with the line “classrooms and labs, loud boiling test tubes, sing to the Lord a new song!” I was a little bit giddy because my upstairs neighbor is a chemist, who spends her days with petri dishes and pipettes, and I began to think about creative chemists and what that looks like and how somewhere in something that confuses me she finds the space to praise God.\n\nI did have the opportunity to eavesdrop on how “Made as Makers” resonated with a few other people. One viewer highlighted the emphasis on the creative possibilities in a relationship with God where “we don’t have to do it all.” Another was moved by the tension between the experience of faith in which we live and our inability to communicate our experience in such a way that another fully grasps the impact of our experience.  He thought that perhaps creativity and poetry might offer the space to experience faith with one another.  Some were overwhelmed by a desire to go out and do something creative and artistic.\n\nI believe that this opportunity to process “Made as Makers” with others is essential. This isn’t a conversation to be had between me and a film but within members of the broader Christian community. The hope is that a number of us will watch this and get talking, find an open space, and see what new thing God creates with us. May you watch and add your voice to the conversation as well.\n\nFo\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n</div>','A Review Callid Keefe-Perry’s documentary “Made as Makers” ','','inherit','open','open','','6812-revision-4','','','2012-05-29 05:06:20','2012-05-29 12:06:20','',6812,'http://provoketive.com/2012/05/29/6812-revision-4/',0,'revision','',0),(6805,182,'2012-05-28 16:23:19','2012-05-28 23:23:19','&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI was not born contemplative.\r\n\r\nI was taught from an early age to believe that it is more valuable to know things than it is to learn things. Learning, after all, is a step on the path toward knowing; knowing is the result of learning. Whether at home, in school, or at church, it is far better to know the right answer than to be in the process of learning. Learning means that you have not yet arrived at knowing.\r\n\r\nKnowing is also much more fun than learning. Learning requires patience, practice, and being open to new insights. Learning means that you try new things and make mistakes, which just reinforces that you do not know the right answer.\r\n\r\nYou do not do well in school by learning, you do well by knowing the right answers.\r\n\r\nThe great thing about knowing the answer is that you have successfully completed learning. You do not not need to be open to new insights if you already know the answers.\r\n\r\nFor a long time, my understanding of my faith was based in the same approach. I had the right answers, and my mental energies went into sharing and defending those answers rather than being open to gaining new understanding. I was committed to the accuracy of my perspective and, at the same time, beginning to feel stuck because the need to be right is so demanding.\r\n\r\nThe spiritual practices I followed were essentially my homework for church. They were the things I needed to do so I could give the right answers and get a good grade.\r\n\r\nThe first time someone suggested that I read Benedict’s Rule, I was not very interested. I was both intrigued by and anxious about contemplative spirituality, and quite confident that I already had more than enough rules in my life.\r\n\r\nSlowly and surely, the monastic tradition drew me.\r\n\r\nI realized that my answers were not always right.\r\n\r\nI found a church that values solitude and silence. I gained an appreciation for the ways that liturgy provides a supportive framework for inner work and reflection. I began learning practices and disciplines that helped me recognize that God was always with me, loving me and drawing me closer. I began talking with a spiritual director.\r\n\r\nI came to appreciate asking good questions more than having the right answers.\r\n\r\nA friend suggested that I might be interested in Benedictine spirituality. After much reading and several retreats at different monasteries, I was received as a lay oblate at a Benedictine monastery and hermitage in Big Sur, California.\r\n\r\nAn oblate is a person who commits to following a rule of life and is in relationship to a particular monastery and monastic order. The rule I follow includes a variety of spiritual practices such as regular prayer, Bible study, and silence and solitude. At least once each year I spend some time at the monastery.\r\n\r\nMy faith continues to deepen and mature. I continue to be drawn more deeply into contemplative life, and reflect on ways to be a contemplative in today’s world. Contemplation gives me opportunities to find peace and to recognize the presence of the divine each day. Life is not about sitting and reflecting, but about connecting to the peace and gratefulness that can spread through the people around me.\r\n\r\nThere are many possible distractions. I wondered, for example, whether social media would keep me from being contemplative. I continue to learn about the history of monasticism, and to overcome my own preconceived notions of what monastic people are like. I am exploring the balance that encompasses both contemplation and activism.\r\n\r\nContemplation has turned my understanding of my own faith upside down. My connection to the holy is no longer about getting a good grade, no longer about being right. My spirituality has nothing to do with getting the teacher to like me or earning divine good favor.\r\n\r\nEach day is different, yet each is framed in practices which, step by step, redeem my perspective.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Contemplative in the City','','inherit','open','open','','6801-revision-3','','','2012-05-28 16:23:19','2012-05-28 23:23:19','',6801,'http://provoketive.com/2012/05/28/6801-revision-3/',0,'revision','',0),(6297,31,'2012-04-25 09:09:03','2012-04-25 16:09:03','I sat in the minister’s office on a Wednesday night, nervous with my parents seated on either side of me.\n\n“Why now?” he asked.\n\n“I’m not ready,” I replied.\n\nConfusion spread across the minister\'s face, and he glanced at my parents doubtfully.\n\nMy dad turned toward me and asked gently, “Then why are we here, David, if you aren’t ready?”\n\nMy heart pounded and I saw this moment — my most important moment — begin to slip away from me, and I knew I couldn’t let that happen. I might not get this chance again. If I didn’t seize this moment, I feared I might never get another one, and it would be too late.\n\n“No, no, no,” I replied, voice shaky and quiet. “I’m not ready to die.”\n\n“What do you mean?” asked my youth minister.\n\n“If I died, I think I would go to Hell,” I replied.\n\nThe room grew quiet.\n\nI was 10.\n\nJust a decade old, I had become convinced that I needed to be saved from the specter hell and an eternity with Satan.\n\nDespite the fact that I had attended church for my entire life, whenever the doors were open — Sunday mornings, Sunday evenings, Wednesday nights. Despite the fact that my family religiously read the Bible together. Despite the fact that I already had faith in Jesus, in God. Despite the fact that Jesus loved me, this I knew.\n\nMy youth minister talked briefly with me, before finally deciding that I was indeed of the age of accountability and could be baptized. He asked if I wanted to “come forward” on Sunday or just go ahead and be baptized that night.\n\nThe situation was much too urgent to wait four days. It was now or never.\n\nWithin a half hour, after he scrounged up some witnesses and I donned thin white clothes, I had been baptized. Until I felt the cool rush of the waters, I was terrified that something would happen and that I would perish unbaptized, unsaved, destined for Satan’s clutches.\n\nBut it took years, another decade almost, for the fear to stop.\n\nRichard Nixon reportedly once said, “People react to fear, not love. They don’t teach that in Sunday School, but it’s true.”\n\nBut, in truth, that is the exact messages echoing throughout Sunday Schools and churches throughout Christianity, where sermons based on fear of Satan and eternal damnation move more people toward the altar than sermons inspired by God, justice, generosity and love.\n\nIn my own experience of salvation, Satan loomed much larger — and more powerful a motivator — than did God. I didn’t want to commit my life to God because of the divine love offered to me but because I was a terrified 10-year-old. I had the hell scared right out of me.\n\nNow, this is the perfect place to criticize fear-based religion, to lampoon the notion of sinners dangling in the hands of an angry God.\n\nInstead of grasping at low-hanging fruit, however, I want to propose something else. In addition to being psychologically damaging and spiritually abusive, the figure of Satan is fundamentally unorthodox to Christianity\'s claims of monotheism.\n\nIn other words, Satan, as much of Christianity has conceived of him for centuries and how the idea of him has functioned within the faith, is heresy of the highest degree.\n\nAnd it is a heresy that Christians for millenia have embraced.\n\nSuppose for a moment you were studying a new religion. In it, there was an eternal being, with supernatural powers to influence the world and humanity, who commanded a legion of angels to do his will, and who would stop at nothing to gain the allegiance of humans.\n\nThis paragraph describes a god. It certainly could be said to describe traditional Christianity’s God. But it could equally be said to describe Satan.\n\nChristianity, in effect, through its discourse about Satan, has mutated from a monotheistic religion to a ditheistic one, with rival gods battling for the souls of humans. Christians will pay lip service to the notion that God is all-powerful and has or will defeat Satan, while at the same time, acknowledging that the temporal battle is all but lost to the forces of evil.\n\nIn any other religion, such a dualistic counterpart, locked in eternal warfare with God, would also be considered a god.\n\nNow, to be clear, I don’t believe that a being called Satan exists. Neither do I think it is biblical or reasonable to do so. At most, I would say that Satan is the human personification of the evil that is present in the world, conceived as a theodicy of sorts to balance the sorry state of affairs on earth with the belief in a good God.\n\nA clear example of this can be found in the Old Testament during a census ordered by King David. There are two accounts of this story in different books, and they are exactly the same, save for one significant detail. In the earlier one, it is the anger of the Lord which goads David to take the census. In the latter one, it is Satan.\n\nAn adversary has been made.\n\nA scapegoat created. But it is not a scapegoat to carry away the sins of the Israelites. Rather, it is a scapegoat created by humans for the misbehavior of their God.\n\nEventually, Satan comes to function as humanity’s scapegoat as well, the animal that carries off the sins so far away into the dark wilderness that we no longer can claim responsibility for our sins at all. Over the centuries, the figure of Satan has been used to justify all sorts of bad behavior in the world. Humanity’s moral failings are blamed on the influence of Satan, lifting responsibility for deplorable evil to a supernatural level outside the control of humankind. In other instances, our evil work — the Inquisition comes to mind — is justified as a righteous attempt to stamp out Satan’s work. Further, humanity’s infatuation with violence, racism and war are blamed on the work of the Evil One rather than our cravings for power and security.\n\nHonestly, Satan can be an attractive alternative to the truth because it is much easier to blame a metaphysical boogeyman with horns, a pitchfork and a fiery lair beneath the earth than it is to look at the blood on our own hands. While Jesus might offer forgiveness of our sins, Satan offers us the chance to disavow responsibility for them completely.\n\nIt\'s no wonder so many Christians seem to focus more on Satan than on Jesus.\n\nWhat seems more attractive, confessing our failings or blaming them on someone else?','The Making of an Adversary: Satan and Christianity\'s Unspoken Heres','','inherit','open','open','','6296-revision','','','2012-04-25 09:09:03','2012-04-25 16:09:03','',6296,'http://provoketive.com/2012/04/25/6296-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(6298,31,'2012-05-04 12:50:38','2012-05-04 19:50:38','I sat in the minister’s office on a Wednesday night, nervous with my parents seated on either side of me.\n\n“Why now?” he asked.\n\n“I’m not ready,” I replied.\n\nConfusion spread across the minister\'s face, and he glanced at my parents doubtfully.\n\nMy dad turned toward me and asked gently, “Then why are we here, David, if you aren’t ready?”\n\nMy heart pounded and I saw this moment — my most important moment — begin to slip away from me, and I knew I couldn’t let that happen. I might not get this chance again. If I didn’t seize this moment, I feared I might never get another one, and it would be too late.\n\n“No, no, no,” I replied, voice shaky and quiet. “I’m not ready to die.”\n\n“What do you mean?” asked my youth minister.\n\n“If I died, I think I would go to Hell,” I replied.\n\nThe room grew quiet.\n\nI was 10.\n\nJust a decade old, I had become convinced that I needed to be saved from the specter hell and an eternity with Satan.\n\nDespite the fact that I had attended church for my entire life, whenever the doors were open — Sunday mornings, Sunday evenings, Wednesday nights. Despite the fact that my family religiously read the Bible together. Despite the fact that I already had faith in Jesus, in God. Despite the fact that Jesus loved me, this I knew.\n\nMy youth minister talked briefly with me, before finally deciding that I was indeed of the age of accountability and could be baptized. He asked if I wanted to “come forward” on Sunday or just go ahead and be baptized that night.\n\nThe situation was much too urgent to wait four days. It was now or never.\n\nWithin a half hour, after he scrounged up some witnesses and I donned thin white clothes, I had been baptized. Until I felt the cool rush of the waters, I was terrified that something would happen and that I would perish unbaptized, unsaved, destined for Satan’s clutches.\n\nBut it took years, another decade almost, for the fear to stop.\n\nRichard Nixon reportedly once said, “People react to fear, not love. They don’t teach that in Sunday School, but it’s true.”\n\nBut, in truth, that is the exact messages echoing throughout Sunday Schools and churches throughout Christianity, where sermons based on fear of Satan and eternal damnation move more people toward the altar than sermons inspired by God, justice, generosity and love.\n\nIn my own experience of salvation, Satan loomed much larger — and more powerful a motivator — than did God. I didn’t want to commit my life to God because of the divine love offered to me but because I was a terrified 10-year-old. I had the hell scared right out of me.\n\nNow, this is the perfect place to criticize fear-based religion, to lampoon the notion of sinners dangling in the hands of an angry God. Instead of grasping at low-hanging fruit, however, I want to propose something else. In addition to being psychologically damaging and spiritually abusive, the figure of Satan is fundamentally unorthodox, at odds with Christianity\'s claims of monotheism.\n\nIn other words, Satan, as much of Christianity has conceived of him and how the idea of him has functioned, is heresy of the highest degree.\n\nAnd it is a heresy that Christians for millenia have embraced.\n\nSuppose for a moment you were studying a new religion. In it, there was an eternal being, with supernatural powers to influence the world and humanity, who commanded a legion of angels to do his will, and who would stop at nothing to gain the allegiance of humans.\n\nThis paragraph describes a god. It certainly could be said to describe traditional Christianity’s God. But it could equally be said to describe its traditional understanding of Satan.\n\nChristianity, in effect, through its discourse about Satan, has mutated from a monotheistic religion to a ditheistic one, with rival gods battling for the souls of humans. Christians will pay lip service to the notion that God is all-powerful and has or will defeat Satan, while at the same time, acknowledging that the temporal battle is all but lost to the forces of evil.\n\nIn any other religion, such a dualistic counterpart, locked in eternal warfare with God, would also be considered a god and monotheistic claims would be sneered at.\n\nAt some point, Christianity needs to face its own unspoken anathema — the theological Frankenstein it created — that Satan has become a god.\n\nNow, to be clear, I don’t believe that a being called Satan exists. Neither do I think it is biblical or reasonable to do so. At most, I would say that Satan is the human personification of the evil that is present in the world, conceived as a theodicy of sorts to balance the sorry state of affairs on earth with the belief in a good God.\n\nA clear example of this can be found in the Old Testament during a census ordered by King David. There are two accounts of this story in different books, and they are exactly the same, save for one significant detail. In the earlier one, it is the anger of the Lord which goads David to take the census. In the latter one, it is Satan.\n\nAn adversary has been made.\n\nA scapegoat created. But it is not a scapegoat to carry away the sins of the people. Rather, it is a scapegoat created by the people for the misbehavior of their God.\n\nEventually, Satan comes to function as humanity’s scapegoat as well, the animal that carries off the sins so far away into the dark wilderness that we no longer can claim responsibility for our sins at all. Over the centuries, the figure of Satan has been used to justify all sorts of bad behavior in the world. Humanity’s moral failings are blamed on the influence of Satan, lifting responsibility for deplorable evil to a supernatural level outside the control of humankind. In other instances, our evil work — the Inquisition comes to mind — is justified as a righteous attempt to stamp out Satan’s work. Further, humanity’s infatuation with violence, racism and war are blamed on the work of the Evil One rather than our cravings for power and security.\n\nHonestly, Satan can be an attractive alternative to the truth of our own culpability in injustice and evil. It is much easier to blame a metaphysical boogeyman with horns, a pitchfork and a fiery lair beneath the earth than it is to look at the blood on our own hands. While Jesus might offer forgiveness of our sins, Satan offers us the chance to disavow responsibility for them completely.\n\nIt\'s no wonder so many Christians seem to focus more on Satan than on Jesus.\n\nWhat seems more attractive, confessing our failings or blaming them on someone else?','The Making of an Adversary: Satan and Christianity\'s Unspoken Heresy','','inherit','open','open','','6296-autosave','','','2012-05-04 12:50:38','2012-05-04 19:50:38','',6296,'http://provoketive.com/2012/04/25/6296-autosave/',0,'revision','',0),(6299,31,'2012-04-25 09:09:08','2012-04-25 16:09:08','I sat in the minister’s office on a Wednesday night, nervous with my parents seated on either side of me.\r\n\r\n“Why now?” he asked.\r\n\r\n“I’m not ready,” I replied.\r\n\r\nConfusion spread across the minister\'s face, and he glanced at my parents doubtfully.\r\n\r\nMy dad turned toward me and asked gently, “Then why are we here, David, if you aren’t ready?”\r\n\r\nMy heart pounded and I saw this moment — my most important moment — begin to slip away from me, and I knew I couldn’t let that happen. I might not get this chance again. If I didn’t seize this moment, I feared I might never get another one, and it would be too late.\r\n\r\n“No, no, no,” I replied, voice shaky and quiet. “I’m not ready to die.”\r\n\r\n“What do you mean?” asked my youth minister.\r\n\r\n“If I died, I think I would go to Hell,” I replied.\r\n\r\nThe room grew quiet.\r\n\r\nI was 10.\r\n\r\nJust a decade old, I had become convinced that I needed to be saved from the specter hell and an eternity with Satan.\r\n\r\nDespite the fact that I had attended church for my entire life, whenever the doors were open — Sunday mornings, Sunday evenings, Wednesday nights. Despite the fact that my family religiously read the Bible together. Despite the fact that I already had faith in Jesus, in God. Despite the fact that Jesus loved me, this I knew.\r\n\r\nMy youth minister talked briefly with me, before finally deciding that I was indeed of the age of accountability and could be baptized. He asked if I wanted to “come forward” on Sunday or just go ahead and be baptized that night.\r\n\r\nThe situation was much too urgent to wait four days. It was now or never.\r\n\r\nWithin a half hour, after he scrounged up some witnesses and I donned thin white clothes, I had been baptized. Until I felt the cool rush of the waters, I was terrified that something would happen and that I would perish unbaptized, unsaved, destined for Satan’s clutches.\r\n\r\nBut it took years, another decade almost, for the fear to stop.\r\n\r\nRichard Nixon reportedly once said, “People react to fear, not love. They don’t teach that in Sunday School, but it’s true.”\r\n\r\nBut, in truth, that is the exact messages echoing throughout Sunday Schools and churches throughout Christianity, where sermons based on fear of Satan and eternal damnation move more people toward the altar than sermons inspired by God, justice, generosity and love.\r\n\r\nIn my own experience of salvation, Satan loomed much larger — and more powerful a motivator — than did God. I didn’t want to commit my life to God because of the divine love offered to me but because I was a terrified 10-year-old. I had the hell scared right out of me.\r\n\r\nNow, this is the perfect place to criticize fear-based religion, to lampoon the notion of sinners dangling in the hands of an angry God.\r\n\r\nInstead of grasping at low-hanging fruit, however, I want to propose something else. In addition to being psychologically damaging and spiritually abusive, the figure of Satan is fundamentally unorthodox to Christianity\'s claims of monotheism.\r\n\r\nIn other words, Satan, as much of Christianity has conceived of him for centuries and how the idea of him has functioned within the faith, is heresy of the highest degree.\r\n\r\nAnd it is a heresy that Christians for millenia have embraced.\r\n\r\nSuppose for a moment you were studying a new religion. In it, there was an eternal being, with supernatural powers to influence the world and humanity, who commanded a legion of angels to do his will, and who would stop at nothing to gain the allegiance of humans.\r\n\r\nThis paragraph describes a god. It certainly could be said to describe traditional Christianity’s God. But it could equally be said to describe Satan.\r\n\r\nChristianity, in effect, through its discourse about Satan, has mutated from a monotheistic religion to a ditheistic one, with rival gods battling for the souls of humans. Christians will pay lip service to the notion that God is all-powerful and has or will defeat Satan, while at the same time, acknowledging that the temporal battle is all but lost to the forces of evil.\r\n\r\nIn any other religion, such a dualistic counterpart, locked in eternal warfare with God, would also be considered a god.\r\n\r\nNow, to be clear, I don’t believe that a being called Satan exists. Neither do I think it is biblical or reasonable to do so. At most, I would say that Satan is the human personification of the evil that is present in the world, conceived as a theodicy of sorts to balance the sorry state of affairs on earth with the belief in a good God.\r\n\r\nA clear example of this can be found in the Old Testament during a census ordered by King David. There are two accounts of this story in different books, and they are exactly the same, save for one significant detail. In the earlier one, it is the anger of the Lord which goads David to take the census. In the latter one, it is Satan.\r\n\r\nAn adversary has been made.\r\n\r\nA scapegoat created. But it is not a scapegoat to carry away the sins of the Israelites. Rather, it is a scapegoat created by humans for the misbehavior of their God.\r\n\r\nEventually, Satan comes to function as humanity’s scapegoat as well, the animal that carries off the sins so far away into the dark wilderness that we no longer can claim responsibility for our sins at all. Over the centuries, the figure of Satan has been used to justify all sorts of bad behavior in the world. Humanity’s moral failings are blamed on the influence of Satan, lifting responsibility for deplorable evil to a supernatural level outside the control of humankind. In other instances, our evil work — the Inquisition comes to mind — is justified as a righteous attempt to stamp out Satan’s work. Further, humanity’s infatuation with violence, racism and war are blamed on the work of the Evil One rather than our cravings for power and security.\r\n\r\nHonestly, Satan can be an attractive alternative to the truth because it is much easier to blame a metaphysical boogeyman with horns, a pitchfork and a fiery lair beneath the earth than it is to look at the blood on our own hands. While Jesus might offer forgiveness of our sins, Satan offers us the chance to disavow responsibility for them completely.\r\n\r\nIt\'s no wonder so many Christians seem to focus more on Satan than on Jesus.\r\n\r\nWhat seems more attractive, confessing our failings or blaming them on someone else?','The Making of an Adversary: Satan and Christianity\'s Unspoken Heresy','','inherit','open','open','','6296-revision-2','','','2012-04-25 09:09:08','2012-04-25 16:09:08','',6296,'http://provoketive.com/2012/04/25/6296-revision-2/',0,'revision','',0),