This past winter a gentleman in town emailed us to suggest that we include Sunday sermons delivered by local ministers on NewHartfordPlus. We’ve ruminated long and hard on his suggestion and ‘A GLANCE WITHIN’ is the result: a journey into the spiritual side of life, along the many paths laid out by the diverse religions practiced in our community; Sunday sermons will also be included.
In Praise of Religious Pluralism: CT@Prayer
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Tracy Simmons of Creedible.com writes:
I got a catalog in the mail last week that in big, black letters across the top read, “Pastor Alert! 59% of Americans and 40% of Born Again Christians Believe that Christians and Muslims Worship the Same God!”
I first read that statistic in April when The Barna Group released its study on universalism and pluralism. I thought this was good news, but apparently the big dogs in the evangelical world don’t agree…
It’s this I’m right-you’re wrong theology that keeps God’s children divided. Pluralism is a beautiful thing that more people should embrace…
Read Tracy Simmons’ ct@Prayer article on Creedible.com.
Note: Tracy Simmons recently posted on her website Creedible.com that she has accepted a reporting position “with a real paycheck” in Washington State where she will be starting a website similar to Creedible.com. Tracy plans to keep the Connecticut site going. Our very best to a Tracy in her future endeavors!
Yoga Is The Good News: WhatItIs
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Alyssa Shapiro of CTWatchdog.com takes a look at what Yoga is:
The word is out: yoga feels good. 15 million Americans are now posing, double the number of just 5 years ago. In the face of all the bad news we get, this is good news. People in record numbers are stretching, and focusing on their breathing. They leave class relaxed, with raised endorphins and a sense a well being. Asana has become a household word.
Yoga is no fad; the 5000 year old practice predates Hinduism. Although it is mistaken for Buddhism, it is not a religion. Yoga has found resurgence and mainstream popularity. All are welcome from infancy through senior years. Yoga classes are easily accessible at studios, gyms, YMCA, and on cruises…
Read Alyssa Shapiro’s WhatItIs article on CTWatchdog.com.
‘Finding Buddhism: From Scripture to No Doctrine,’ Dae Yen Sa New Study Course
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The Dae Yen Sa International Buddhist Templein New Hartford is announcing a new study course, ‘Finding Buddhism: From Scripture to No Doctrine’ beginning this Wednesday, July 13. Following is a description of the course:
Buddhism has so many schools and traditions it may be challenging for self-learners to feel totally comfortable identifying with any particular kind of Buddhism – so challenging that many undestandably hesitate to identify themselves as “Buddhists.” We might feel more comfortable viewing ourselves more openly as “spiritual beings” or “seekers of truth and wisdom.”
Labels aren’t for everyone of course, and even the Buddha didn’t call his followers anything that could be translated as “Buddhists.”…
Download the course description and the syllabus for this new offering by the Dae Yen Sa Temple: Finding One Buddhism: From Scripture To No Doctrine (63)
The above study course offered by Dae Yen Sa takes place on Wednesday evenings from 7 p.m. through 9 p.m. and includes meditation, shared reading, dharma talk, discussion, tea ceremony and a fruit party social. This course runs from July 13 through December 28, 2011. There are no attendance expectations; Please come whenever you can!
Dharma study is tuition-free! Sangha members are instead suggested to practice the paramita of [reciprocal] generosity,donating commensurate to the benefits of participating and their financial ability.
For more information on the Dae Yen Sa International Buddhist Temple, located at 19 Kinsey Road, New Hartford, please visit daeyensa.blogspot.com.
"Out of many, one." Image from the Center of Religion and Civic Culture, USC; click on the image to visit that website
Add your voice to this column: Please let us know what you would like us to include in A GLANCE WITHIN, email us at newhartfordplus@gmail.com or call us at 860-309-7526. Pax vobiscum, the NewHartfordPlus crew.
