Post by Admin on Sept 17, 2014 11:10:18 GMT -7
Communion is a transcendent spiritual and mystical concept that can be expressed through a community meal or sharing and many other ways. It spans faith and cultural traditions. The Igbo Women of Nigeria say, "We all drink from one cup and eat from one pot." They also believe that the earth is the womb that gave birth to all of us and that we all share. This in my opinion, is one of the highest expressions of Communion. I think it says it all because it captures the the root meaning of the word, which is derived from Oikoumene (Ecumene), meaning the entire inhabited world. In a spiritual and religious context, acts and expressions of Communion represent the mystical or spiritual bonds that connects all of us.
Since Communion can and is expressed in many ways, we have to be open to receiving it as presented. Implied in the act or expression of Communion is hospitality. When someone presents or invites you to a Communion service or sharing, they are presenting it from their faith or cultural tradition. It is an intimate invitation to experience how they wish to express their spiritual connectedness to you and others.
At TNS Intensives we will continue to have Communion and I thank Dean John and Dean Scott on the good work they have done in presenting them. Not all of these services have been the same in the past and will certainly not be so in the future. There will be one at The Spring Intensive. Perhaps Dean John, who teaches ritual can work with Swami, Dean Scott and a group of students on a Communion Service for The Spring Intensive, that will reflect the diverse application of Communion across faith and cultural traditions.
Remember, TNS was conceived out of an act of Communion by a Rabbi, Catholic Priest, Protestant Minister and a Swami.
Peace and Blessings
Rev. Jay