Reflection...

Peace is the Christian way

THAT God is a God of just-peace not violence is the revelation of Christ and the real truth of Christianity, two leading church figures have said.

The comments came as part of a conversation entitled ‘The Spirituality and Practice of Peace in a World of War’, held at St John’s Episcopal Church in Edinburgh on 22 August 2012.

The participants in the Festival of Peace and Spirituality conversation were Fr John Dear, a Catholic priest and Nobel Peace Prize nominee, and the Rev Kathy Galloway, head of Christian Aid Scotland and a former leader of the Iona Community. It was chaired by Brian Larkin, coordinator of the Peace and Justice Centre at St John's.

More here.

Powerful message from Catholic Peacemaker

NOBEL Peace Prize nominee and globally recognized advocate for peace and nonviolence, Fr John Dear SJ, is taking part in the Festival of Spirituality and Peace on 22 August.

The Catholic priest will be on the platform alongside the Rev Kathy Galloway, who is the head of Christian Aid in Scotland and a former leader of the Iona Community. The conversation session is entitled 'The Spirituality and Practice of Peace in a World of War'.

The event takes place at St John's Church, Edinburgh (Venue 127), from 6.30pm - 7.30pm on Wednesday evening. The discussion, which will be moderated by Brian Larkin, Coordinator of the Edinburgh Peace and Justice Centre, will explore the resources needed to engage in active peacemaking in a world Fr Dear believes is "addicted to war and weaponry".

More here.

Another fascinating Festival day

TODAY sees another fascinating blend of performance, poetry and workshops at the Festival of Spirituality and Peace here in Edinburgh.

The day kicks off at 11am with Dances of Universal Peace in the Chapel at St John's Church (Venue 127) - an opportunity to link inner and outer journeys in movement and body connection.

This is followed by more Sacred Space with Ben Kearsley in the Church from 12.30pm, and Worship at One at (you guessed it 1pm!).

Many people will be working in some relaxation and unwinding, not to mention fabulous food and tea, in the Persian Tent Village, before during and after those sessions.

Leave to Remain, which uses live music, ritual and storytelling to create a surprisingly uplifting performance about bereavement, follows at 2pm, again in the Chapel.

Then it's What's the Time, Mr Wolf? at 4pm in the Church Hall, with Debi Gliori. The award-winning author shares her new children's book.

Next up is a poetry treat with the StAnaza Showcase in the Church.

At 6pm it's more Scottish Six in the Hall, as Lesley Riddoch and Andy Wightman take us on a journey through Scotland's past, present and future, with a "people's eye view" on the issues that often don't make the headlines.

At 8pm we turn our attention to Daoism and the Way Forward in the Hall.

Last, but certainly not least, is a further knockout performance from South African acapella sensations Soweto Entsha (pictured) in the Church.

All in all, an ideal day out!

More 'Messy Faith'

THE children and family side of the Festival kicks off tomorrow morning with the first of three Messy Faith sessions.

An interfaith adaptation and interpretation of Messy Church, Messy Faith is fun for all ages and is based on the belief that we grow best in faith when we share the journey with as many different people as possible.

It kicked off on Tuesday 7th August... and will repeat today (14th) and next week. 

Bring yours kids tomorrow for storytelling, creativity, shared food, a tent, and above all else to get messy!

Next sessions: 14, 21 August, 10.30am - 12pm, in the Hall and Persian Tent at St. John’s (Venue 127). By donation.

Kids: all questions and no answers?

DO you struggle to answer the 'big questions' for you children?

These informal discussions provide an opportunity to explore how you can help children develop their spirituality and grow as spiritual beings without feeling the need to give them all the 'answers'!

Aimed specifically at adults, the discussions run at the same time as our storytelling sessions for children.

Thursday 9, 16 and 23 August, 4pm-4:45pm, in the Hall at St John's (Venue 127). By donation.

Transmission: a meditation

JOIN together with thousands of people around the world and become part of a form of meditation that, say its promoters, affects the entire evolution of humankind for the better

Transmission meditation is a simple for of meditation combining Karma yoga, which provides a dynamic service to the world, and Laga yoga, a powerful technique for personal growth. It has been described as a 'hot-house' for spiritual growth.

Thursday 9, Wednesday 22 August, 7:30pm-9:30pm, at the Theosophical Society. Free.

Spiritual healing

TIRED? Stressed? Need a quiet time out of the busy rush of the Festival? Drop in for a bit of therapy.

Relaxing, gentle and safe, spiritual healing is a natural energy therapy that complements conventional medicine and treats mind, body and spirit. Try it for yourself.

For those of all faiths and none, these sessions are given by members of The National Federation of Spiritual Healers (NFSH) and other recognised healing organisations.

Thursday 9, 16 and 23 August, 10:30 am-12:30 pm, in the Chapel at St John's (Venue 127). By donation.

Can we evolve our spirituality?

ANDREW Cohen of Enlightenment Next and The Bishop Brian Smith meet to discuss the question: can we evolve our spirituality?

Spiritual perspectives divide nations in a competition for ownership of souls; faiths fight; traditional religions are challenged by new age spirituality; believers and seekers are left confused by different understandings of faith, spirituality and the meaning of human existence.

According to Andrew Cohen, only 'true visionaries' can find the new pathways necessary to resolve such tensions.

Following last year’s sell-out event, Andrew Cohen and the Rt Rev Brian Smith, former Episcopal bishop of Edinburgh, will now explore the possibility of co-operation and collaboration in the evolving world of spirituality.

Tuesday August 7, 6pm-7:15pm, in the Church at St John's (Venue 127). Buy tickets here or at the venue box office.

Sacred sound journey

SOUND is one of the oldest forms of medicine; we are by nature a mass of vibration and frequency, which is why we are so receptive to sound.

Led by Scottish sound healer Suzanne Harris, this is a chance to rest and journey in a magical soundscape, to ease aches and pains and to feel your stresses melt away.

Combining ancient knowledge with modern scientific understanding, the Sacred Sound Journey is truly powerful, relaxing and engaging.

Tomorrow afternoon, let the rich and nurturing sounds of Tibetan bowls, healing drums and gentle flute songs draw you into the deepest relaxation; explore your relationship with sound and with yourself!

Monday 6, Wednesday 16 and Monday 20 August, 2pm-3pm, in the Persian Tent at St John's (Venue 127). Buy tickets here or at the venue box office.

Wisdom from different traditions

WHILE it is a Christian church which has played a catalytic role in its development, the Festival of Spirituality and Peace 2012 is a platform for serious exchange and listening between and across belief traditions.

Contributions to the launch event of Sunday 5th August included music, reflection and prayer from people of Jewish, Baha'i, Doaist, Muslim, Christian and secular backgrounds.

"Prejudice is the same whatever its clothing," one participant observed. The aim of the rich mix of conversation, music, culture, workshops, food and hospitality that constitutes the Festival is all about combating division in human communities and promoting collaboration. (Picture: Daniel Cainer, Jewish Chronicles).

Cooperation requires tough collaboration

COOPERATION is a natural thing, but it isn't easy. It requires a real willingness to work together across different world views.

That was the message of keynote speaker Dr Stephen Cherry, from the Anglican Diocese of Durham, as he helped launch the 2012 Festival of Spirituality and Peace.

A rich cultural mix and a meaningful religious exchange requires more than polite toleration or middle-class liberalism, he said. Rather it involves a much more gutsy, world-changing effort. We need leadership that makes for peace.

'Collaboration for peace' is a good way of extending the 'cooperation for change' message of the Festival, suggested Dr Cherry. It is a challenging business. Sometimes collaborators are suspected of being traitors. A combination of idealism and realism is required.

Likewise, peacemakers will face awkward questions, become critical friends. They will need to develop visionary determination, honourable virtues and spiritual maturity.

The business of building peace and collaborating for change is a duty for people of faith, but not an invitation to turn things into an olympic race between beliefs. Rather, we need a peace olympics that uses our distinctiveness to good purpose, said Dr Cherry.

Dances of Universal Peace

DANCES of Universal Peace are part of a timeless tradition of bringing people together through sacred movement, song and story. Joyful, multicultural and spiritual, they will be at St John's starting tomorrow.

A form of moving meditation/ body prayer, Dances of Universal Peace use voice, chanting and simple movements inspired by the wisdom of the many spiritual traditions of humankind to bring peace, joy and unity.

There are no performers or audiences; beginners and experienced dancers form the circle together. Get in touch with the spiritual essence within yourself and others. All are warmly welcomed!

Monday 6, 13 and 20 August, 11am-12pm, in the Chapel at St John's (Venue 127). Free ticketed by donation. Reserve tickets here or at the venue box office.

Mindful peace walk

‘WE walk just for walking. We walk with freedom and solidity, no longer in a hurry. Let us enjoy every step we make.’ - Thich Nhat Hanh.

Tomorrow morning, members of the Edinburgh Sangha of the Community of Interbeing will be leading a silent walking meditation in Princes Street Gardens.

There will be a brief introduction to the practice of mindful walking before the walk itself begins. Learn about the teachings of Buddhist master Thich Nhat Hanh and enjoy a period of peace, mindfulness and meditation away from the buzz of the Festival.

Sunday 5 August, 9am-10:14am, meeting at the mural on the Princes Street side of St Johns (Venue 127).

School of the heart

A 'SCHOOL of the heart'. That could be a good name for the Festival of Spirituality and Peace. It's also the name of a fine blog from Jesuit priest Fr Tim Byron, currently working in Edinburgh in the city centre parish of the Sacred Heart.

Tim's blog has that title. In Latin it's Schola Affectus. He writes: "Having returned to Edinburgh from beautiful Arisaig it is impossible not to notice all the posters that have popped up all over the place.  They announce the imminent arrival of the Edinburgh International Arts Festival and its 23 associated festivals.  There are book festivals, jazz festivals, politics festival, contemporary art festivals, street performance, internet festivals and interestingly a festival of spirituality and peace.

"In its twelfth year, the base ... is an Episcopalian Church, St Johns on Princes Street although there are over 400 activities across 21 venues. With speakers, conversations, performances, film, food, exhibitions, family activities, workshops, art, culture and more ‘FOSP’ is now looking forward to its twelfth year.

"The programme is eclectic varying from a Soweto based dance troupe, Poetry in a Persian Tent, sessions on Ethical Banking, Jewish storytelling and Asian & Arabic fusion dance.  I am booking tickets for some discussion events, including one with the title of ‘Where are the Organisational Healers?’ and another intriguingly entitled ‘Churches own 8% of the planet’."

You can follow Tim's blog here.

Thinking more imaginatively

HOW we see and think about the world shapes our responses to each other, and what we produce by way of interventions and effects.

A fascinating conversation about how to distinguish 'wood from trees' and what is entailed in interpreting the world, texts, each other and much more took place at lunchtime on Saturday 20 August at the Festival of Spirituality and Peace.

Over recent centuries, has there been a drift towards literalism, fundamentalism and scientism in western culture. It was suggested that this ‘left brain chauvinism’ can make us dangerously unaware of all that the right brain can offer – the big picture, meaning, metaphor and spirituality.

Iain McGilchrist, psychiatrist and writer (author of The Master and His Emissary: The Divided Brain and the Making of the Modern World) explored these issues with Dr Joe Bouch, consultant psychiatrist and editor of Advances in Psychiatric Treatment, and John Munro, philosophy of science graduate, retired Church of Scotland minister and member of the Scottish Institute of Human Relations.

Finding a desert in the city?

SOME say that monastic communities are an escape from reality, others that they are a journey into reality where you cannot hide from God, from others – or from yourself.

Which is it? Dom Mark Caira, Abbot of Sancta Maria Abbey, Nunraw and Sister Candasiri of the Amaravati Buddhist Monastery looks at the issues in conversation with Ruth Scott, Anglican priest, writer and broadcaster, who for many years has worked with a number of religious orders as a facilitator. Saturday 20 August, 11am – 12noon St John’s Church, Edinburgh.

This is an important theme for the 2011 Festival of Spirituality and Peace, which is bringing together some 25,000 people for 300 performances and 200 events across 15 venues in Scotland's capital.