“The paths are many but the goal is the same.” Hindu Proverb
We are all on a journey. Whether literal or metaphorical, practical or spiritual, physical or mystical, we are all on a journey. The character of our journey is shaped by our heritage, awareness, cultural context, and more often than not, the religious/non-religious environment we find ourselves in. Yet despite the uniqueness of our own experience we all tend to believe we are going somewhere. We tend to believe that it is through our journeying that we will one day arrive at the summit of our spiritual life and achieve the goal of our mystical journey. For some this is enlightenment, for others this is some version of heaven, while for others it is a release, or even purely a state of non-being.
Regardless of the names we call our destination or the characteristics we use to describe the path we take, we are all on a journey. This journey is not linear or even one-dimensional. It’s more like the trails on a mountain, winding their way to the peak. Our paths intersect; run parallel, deviate, branch off, only to join back up at a later point. In The Mystic Heart, Wayne Teasdale describes Interspirituality as “the sharing of ultimate experiences across traditions.” Interspirituality allows insights from multiple traditions to cross back and forth, intermingle, and find new habitats. When we engage interspirituality in our spiritual journeys we are free to follow the footsteps of one guru while seeking the trail markers of another; we can utilize a shortcut paved by one tradition, or even blaze our own path through the uncharted terrain between two well-worn trails.
Tips for the Interspiritual Journey
While the spiritual mystics from all traditions have long recognized the underlying similarities of all of our spiritual journeys, this idea (truth) has only recently come into the greater mainstream consciousness. Those who embrace interspirituality remain open to learning from the wisdom of other traditions and make a conscious effort to incorporate whatever they find valuable to aid in their own spiritual journey.
Be Open
When recounting the lessons he’d learned from Rabbi Gilberman, Teasdale asserts the necessity of an open heart and the attitude of openness to embrace the monumental change that is required of us in this universal interspiritual age. Fear can stifle our spiritual journey and keep us relegated to established methods of engagement. However, if you can be open to learning more about yourself, your own tradition, and the traditions of others, you can cultivate an enriching spiritual life.
Explore your own tradition and/or worldview
It can be helpful to begin with your own tradition or worldview. This not only means asking yourself what you believe in the present moment but also investigating how you’ve come to your conclusions. Explore your childhood and the cultural influence which shaped your views. Even if you have changed traditions or did not have a religious or spiritual upbringing, reflect on what are your foundational and/or guiding principles. If you have a faith system with an established history, rituals, and resources, deepen your personal understanding of your tradition. Seek out advisors who can provide education and support, but also trust yourself and the inclinations of your heart.
Learn from others
We live in a time of increasing access to a number of religious and spiritual resources. Globalization and technology has also put more people in greater interaction with each other, which allows us to learn from and about traditions we are unfamiliar. It is crucial not to fear losing your current beliefs but rather trust that your values can be deepened through understanding others. If you are able to explore the common values and experiences of other belief systems you may also see your own tradition with new eyes. Seek more to understand how other people make meaning than to compare, critique, or judge another person’s journey.
Take whatever is Valuable
If something you learn about or experience moves you, speaks to you, or resonates with you, take it as a memento of your exploration. If you encounter something that challenges you, especially if it is from your own background or tradition, investigate the root of these feelings. If you find something too heavy or cumbersome to carry with you, give yourself permission to leave it behind. Make a commitment to be open to the wisdom of all traditions but only take what aids you on your journey.
Share Your Journey
Stories are the fiber and foundation of our religious and spiritual histories. We create community when we share our story because it is in the sharing that we come to understand ourselves better and in the receiving that we come to understand others. It is important to share your story with our own ‘tribe’ but it is also essential to share across religious, spiritual, and even mystical boundaries. We often discover that what helps us can also help others and when we exchange our stories with others we communicate that we are not alone. We are able to recognize that while the journey may only be our own it doesn’t mean we have to walk it alone. Allow yourself to be a guide and your life to be a guidepost to others who are also on an interspiritual journey.
Though our path may be uniquely our own, thankfully we need not take this interspiritual journey alone. Remember to savor what (and who) is valuable to you on this journey and nurture your inner mystic heart.
Teasdale, W. (2000). The Mystic Heart: Discovering a Universal Spirituality in the World’s Religions. New World Library.
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