Prayer/Reflection/Meditation

Meditation: The Transcendent Core that Unites Us

bcicirel Catholicism, Islam, Prayer/Reflection/Meditation

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This article was written by Peter Dziedzic, a sophomore at DePaul, who is pursuing a double major in Religious Studies and English. Peter is the co-President of DePaul Interfaith and member of the Executive Committee of the Better Together Campaign at DePaul University. Follow Peter on Twitter.

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As a Catholic, I often turned to Gregorian chanting for spiritual focus and meditation. In these hymns, I found an enchantment that journeyed beyond concepts of doctrine and creed and reverberated within a deeply transcendent, deeply mystical core of my being. On February 8, many individuals from the DePaul and Chicago community fought frigid temperatures to learn from, and meditate with, Sufis and Benedictines. While the first half of the night was dedicated to rediscovering a joy found in familiar Gregorian chants, the second half of the night was an invitation to something truly beautiful, a journey into the heart of what unites us as religious and spiritual beings. Continue reading →

Lighting the Way in Darkness

bcicirel Prayer/Reflection/Meditation

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This article was written by Peter Dziedzic, a sophomore at DePaul, who is pursuing a double major in Religious Studies and English. Peter is the co-President of DePaul Interfaith and member of the Executive Committee of the Better Together Campaign at DePaul University.

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On the evening of January 12, DePaul students braved the frigid winter winds and set aside the mounting heap of assignments and tasks in order to not only show our solidarity with the Haitian people, but to show that we, like many others, have not forgotten.

We began the night in a darkened room lit by a small group of flickering candles on the floor. Within minutes, the room was left to reverberate with the light of the dancing flames, the soothing melodies of contemplative music, and the whispered words of a prayer and our intentions. Continue reading →

Interfaith Vigil for Haiti: The True Essence of Being Better Together

bcicirel Global Interfaith Movement, Prayer/Reflection/Meditation

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Today’s post is by Nic Cable, a senior at Depaul, pursuing a double major in Religious Studies and Peac, Justice, and Conflict Studies. He is serving his second year as an Interfaith Scholar at DePaul University and is the Director of the Better Together Campaign at this institution.

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Next Wednesday night, students will be gathering to commemorate the one year anniversary of the devastating earthquake that killed, injured, and displaced hundreds of thousands of people in Haiti.

We come together for many different reasons and from many walks of life. However, amidst all of our differences, we all share a common belief that human beings deserve to live not in poverty, hunger, and homelessness, but with the appropriate amenities to live healthy and dignified lives. Continue reading →

Thanksgiving: A Time for Prayer

bcicirel Prayer/Reflection/Meditation, United States

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This article was written by Peter Dziedzic, a sophomore at DePaul, who is pursuing a double major in Religious Studies and English. Peter is the co-President of DePaul Interfaith and member of the Executive Committee of the Better Together Campaign at DePaul University.

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The 20th annual Interfaith Thanksgiving Service at St. Procopius Abbey in Lisle, Illinois began and ended in a way that solidified one of the great themes of interfaith engagement – we joined together in singing American folk songs, recalling the common narrative the binds our diverse religious and cultural backgrounds together, reminding us that among the many expressions of faith and spirituality, there is a thread that unites us as spiritual brothers and sisters. It unites our hearts in acknowledgement of the sacred mysteries and values of life, and turns our attention from fear and mistrust to joy and peace.

That thread is prayer.

We were introduced and exposed to expressions of prayer in a variety of traditions, ranging from Jews and Christians to Sikhs and Zoroastrians. Some sang, some spoke, some recited from holy scriptures, but in the varied means of prayer, we were united in our acknowledgement of life. Continue reading →