transpersonal spirituality

Religious beliefs and their impact on society and science have been one of the most overlooked topics in modern times. What are the characteristics of and common ground for any interfaith dialogue? Current interfaith dialogue is dominated by historical analysis, theological interpretations of texts (exegesis), and disputes about institutional and organizational structures of competencies, power, influence and hierarchy within each religious administration. However, the common denominator emerges neither from the rational discursive dialogue of interpreting texts (such as the Bible or other holy books), nor from disputes about organizational and institutional aspects (power, hierarchy and influence), nor from humanitarian commitment, as this is shared with most secular NGOs. It is the mystical tradition in each faith that determines the different specifics of every world religion. Empirical findings (fasting, mantras, mindfulness, transcending ego states among others) in neurobiology, developmental psychology and medicine demonstrate the power and leverage any interfaith dialogue can achieve, making a substantial and sustainable contribution both to society and to personal individuation. Our interfaith dialogue will always miss the point if it fails to refer to these findings. For more than 15 years, I have been personally interested and involved in Tonglen, Zen, intermittent fasting, yoga, European Christian mysticism, Naikan, mystics of the Fathers of the Desert, among others. So ‘Wake up—Grow up—Clean up—Show up’, see: IntegralLife.com , where I am a member.