Contemplative Practice as a Resource for Peacemaking
From Fear, Rage, & Meanness to Trust, Serenity, & Compassion:
Contemplative Practice as a Resource for Peacemaking
September 24, October 1, and October 8
12:00–2:00 pm
12:00–2:00 pm
The Rev’d Masud Ibn Syedullah, TSSF
In such a time as this, rife with seeming irreconcilable differences and points of view fueling social upheaval and violence, religious leaders face the challenge of personally living into the Christ-centered principle of loving our neighbor – all our neighbors – as well as guiding the communities we serve to do the same. This three-part series draws from the roots of Christian biblical and contemplative spiritual traditions, as well as insights of depth psychology and interreligious Wisdom traditions to assist individuals make the spiritual, emotional, and ethical transition from destructive community-denying attitudes and actions to community-affirming ones – even with people with whom we do not agree. For such a time as this, such inner transformation and skills are vitally needed.
Session 1: Spiritual Moorings for Peacemaking
Session 2: Psychological, and Interreligious/Universal Wisdom Resources for Peacemaking
Session 3: Practical Interpersonal Skills, and Structural / Systemic Policies for Peacemaking
The Rev. Masud Ibn Syedullah, TSSF, a priest of the Diocese of New York, is Founder and Director of Roots & Branches: Programs for Spiritual Growth. Through it, he uses his gifts as educator, spiritual director, and musician to create and lead retreats, conferences, workshops, and pilgrimages, nationally and internationally. He is a professed member of the Third Order, Society of Saint Francis (TSSF) – a religious community within the Episcopal Church and Anglican Communion. Franciscan spirituality, with its central theme of following Jesus by serving God through responding to human need and valuing human dignity, greatly informs Masud’s ministry of peacemaking, reconciliation, and social justice. In response to the increased social unrest of the past few years , Church leaders within the United States and beyond call upon Masud to create and present programs to guide participants in ways their faith in Christ and engagement of the spiritual resources of scripture, prayer, meditation, and community are able to equip them to be faithful agents of Christ in today’s world.