Diversity in heArts: Spirituality Ch.3

We used to honour

and interact with

Kyrre FrancK

NOTES FROM KYRRE FRANCK

Taking back the ceremonies There is little doubt in my mind that humanity is on a track that will ultimately lead to our destruction, and we are walking into it with our eyes open. Where did we go wrong? How did we come to this? Humanity has removed itself from the circle of life where we are a part of all the intricate exchange between all living things.

We see ourselves as a species above all other, and with the right to change the balance.

I think much of this has to do with lost spiritualty. We used to honour Mother Earth, we used to interact with all living, and the spirit world, through ceremonies. And by leaving that part of us out, we have also lost something. This creates a longing in people that we try to fill with something else. Why do we do this? Because we have lost the language that we once had, lost the love for Mother Earth. In my mind, we are in a state of war

between man and nature. We need to take the ceremonies back, relearning the language that we once had.

Luckily, some indigenous people still have this knowledge. Humanity needs to take the ceremonies back.

Ceremonies are that language that we used for thousands of years to interact with creation, nature and the spirit world.

Only by relearning this language can we again understand our place in the circle of life. Only then can we change paths. That is why the wave of revival of pagan spirituality going on in Scandinavia and Europe now are so important. The best heritage we can give our children is a living earth.

- Kyrre Franck

Sofia Hernandez – CISV Colombia

DID YOU KNOW? 1

As the brain processes what we experience, we naturally look for patterns and then seek out meaning in those patterns. We will try to explain away anything that conflicts with these patterns, because of a phenomenon called “cognitive dissonance” in the human brain. [1]

2

While Wicca might seem like an ancient religion -- and has roots in European fertility cults -- it actually wasn’t introduced until the 1950’s. [2]

3 4

[1] [2]

In Buddhism, Nirvana isn’t a place reached through death but is instead a state achieved through enlightenment, which can sometimes take multiple reincarnations. [3]

In Catholicism there are patron saints for nearly everything including beekeepers (Saint Ambrose), headaches (Saint Bibiana), and coffee (Saint Drogo). [4]

(Psykology Today. (no date). Spirituality. Retrieved from: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/basics/spirituality (Zimmermann, D. & K. A. Gleason. (2006). The Complete Idiot’s guide to Wicca and Witchcraft. Third Edition. New York: Penguin Group.)

5

Converting to Islam requires three main things: a formal statement of faith (shahadah) in front of one to three witnesses; proclaiming there is only one God, and that Muhammad is his prophet; and converting freely, not by force. [5]

6

Christianity is currently the world’s largest religion. Islam the second and Hinduism the third. [6]

7

For Hanukkah, menorahs burn through 44 candles -- adding one candle each of the 8 nights, plus the ”shamash”, a candle used to light the others each night. [7]

8

The three “main” gods (aka the “trimurti” or “three forms”) worshiped by Hindus are Brahma the creator, Vishnu the preserver, and Shiva the destroyer. There are also many more gods and goddesses (”devas” and “devis”) that are also acknowledged. [8]

[3]

(Matthews W. (2012). World Religions. 7th Edition. Belmont: Cengage Learning)

[4]

(Quintana, P. R. (2014).The Comprehensive Dictionary of Patron Saints.

Bloomington: iUniverse)

[5]

(Laderman, G. & L. D. Leon. (2003). Religion and American Cultures: An Encyclopedia of Traditions, Diversity, and Popular Expressions. Volume 1.

ABC-CLIO.)

[6] [7] [8]

(Infoplease. (2015). TheTop Ten: Organized Religions of the World. Retrieved from: https://www.infoplease.com/top-ten- organized-religions- world) (Lehman-Wilzig, T. (2009). Hanukkah Around the World. Minneapolis: Kar-Ben.) (Penney, S.(2008). World beliefs and cultures - Hinduism. Chicago: Heinemann-Raintree Library)

You can compliment the activity by watching our video

“YOUR SPIRITUALITY”

Time, Group size & Age: (20 participants, 1 ½-2 hrs, 14-15+ year-olds)

< How important is spirituality to you? >

Example of questions:

MATERIALS: One big room and small room, papers, tape, pens

DO: Divide the participants in groups of 8-10. Each group must have their own big room and a small room. In the small room they will have a mirror with papers taped to it which will have questions about spirituality (see examples under).

The participants will go, one by one, to the small room and try to answer the questions for themselves. After 3-5 minutes, they will go to the big room, where there will be a facilitator. This person will make the people feel in a safe space, open minded and open to talk about feelings that could come out after the introspection.

After all the participants are in the big room, without naming a god or saying which religious or spiritual group they identify with; the participants should discuss how it influences their lives.

o Is there a god/several god? o What does this/these god(s) mean to you/in your life? o How do you live your spirituality, if you have one? o Do you do any religious/spiritual rituals in your everyday life? o How do you incorporate these in your daily routines? o What do they mean to you? o If you do not have any, is this an active choice you have made?

o How does your spiritual/religious beliefs influence your current life? o What guides you when you have to make tough decisions? (your family, your god, karma etc.)? o What is the best thing about your religion/spirituality? o What would you like to change in your religion/spirituality? o Do we need religion/spirituality? Why/why not?

Debrief: o How do you feel about the questions? o How do you feel about the whole experience? o Was it difficult to share and talk about this? Why?

o Do you think any differently now that you have learnt more about other people’s religious or spiritual beliefs? o Have you or your friends ever experienced being treated in a specific way because of your/their spiritual or religious beliefs?

o Can you relate to the things the other participants said? o How did it make you feel? o Can you think of concrete actions to

embrace spiritual and religious diversity in your community?

Tips for facilitators: o It is very important to make sure that the participants know that this is a safe area where they can share personal and sensitive information. Try at the same time to make a relaxed atmosphere so that the participants are encouraged to share and reflect, you could have soothing music, candles or some more items to set the mood.

Manuela Posada â&#x20AC;&#x201C; CISV Colombia

DRAW THE ANSWER TO THE QUESTION

What do you believe in?