“As a child I was taught that ‘all beings are our sister, brother, mother, father.‘ Both my Buddhist heart teacher and my Christian parents, although from different cultures, encouraged and challenged me to bring this profound universal teaching to life. Today I live as a Buddhist monk, and also embrace opportunities to listen to, learn from and practice with people of all faiths, or none. Interspiritual practice enriches my Buddhist practice and vice versa. This is a path that can help to develop mutual understanding, reduce forms of sectarian tribalism, and gradually bring about peace in this world.” ~Shih Jingang

What is Interspirituality?

Interspirituality is a branch of the Interfaith movement, that seeks to be more inclusive: welcoming people of all faiths, or none; spiritual, secular, non-theistic, agnostic or atheist.

Brother Wayne Teasedale, a Roman Catholic monk, defined Interspirituality in his writings as, “the combined spiritual wisdom amassed across faith traditions and across time. It is that thing that so many of us now practice, the blending of several traditional practices from more than one faith center. Thus I may be as I am, a practicing Catholic (Christian), practice Tai Chi (Taoist), meditate (Hindu/Buddhist), and participate in an occasional Native American blessing ceremony… “

Interspiritual practice involves cultivating curiosity, open-mindedness, generosity, loving-kindness, compassion and wisdom. It involves a willingness to move out of one’s comfort zone, out of the familiar into the unknown, and to embrace uncertainty and doubt. Initially there may be concerns about losing one’s way, or just an urge to settle for what appears to be an easier path. But it may be helpful to realise that spiritual masters of different traditions, throughout the centuries, have had similar experiences to ourselves. We also do not have to go on such a journey alone: for there are friends, and teachers, who can walk with us on the Interspiritual path of wisdom and compassion.

Quite a few people involved in Interspirituality cultivate a personal contemplative/meditative practice, and as a result some refer to themselves as Inter-contemplative practitioners.

Interspiritual Groups

There are various organisations and small groups around the world who participate in forms of Interspiritual practice. A couple of examples are, Interfaith Alignment in the USA; and the Centre for Interspiritual Peace Project in Tasmania, Australia.

May all beings be safe, happy and at peace.

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