This month Dave and Rachel take a look at the Oneness symbol, a Symbol representing seven major religions. This Peace Symbol for the 21st Century has a long history with Spiritual Life Center. We break it down by each faith tradition symbol and explain where you can find its position on the Oneness symbol.

SEPTEMBER 2022 MAJOR RELIGIOUS HOLY DAYS & CULTURAL OBSERVANCES

Sharada Navrati which means nine nights in Hindu, run from September 26 until October 4. This is an annual holiday held in honor of the divine feminine “Devi.” Celebrations vary but the main theme to is honor the divine victory of Good over Evil. Dussehra, also known as Vijayadashami, is the major Hindu festival that marks the end of Navrati this year.

October 4 – October 5

Yom Kippur is the holiest, most important day of the year in Judaism. It is known as the Day of Atonement. It begins at sundown on Tuesday, October 4, 2022 and ends on the evening of Wednesday, October 5, 2022. Yom Kippur commemorates the day Moses came down from Mount Sinai after seeking God’s divine forgiveness for the Israelites who had sinned against God by worshipping a golden calf idol.

Mawlid, also called Maouloud in West Africa, is the observance of the birthday of the Islamic Prophet Muhammad, which is commemorated in Rabil’ al-Awwal, the third month in the Islamic calendar.

Sukkot is a Torah-commanded holiday. It is one of the Three Pilgrimage Festivals on which those Israelites who could, were commanded to make a pilgrimage to the Temple in Jerusalem. Sukkot is a seven-day holiday that asks us to think about the idea of “home” and what it means to have a roof over our heads. It also reminds us to slow down and reconnect with the natural world. We build something called a “sukkah,” a temporary structure that must have two and a half or three sides, to remember the huts the Israelites built when wandering in the desert for 40 years. This year, Sukkot 2022 begins the evening of Sunday, October 9 and ends on Sunday, October 16.

Kathin is a Buddhist festival which comes at the end of Vassa, the three-month rainy season retreat for Theravada Buddhists in Bangladesh, Cambodia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Singapore, Sri Lanka, India, Thailand, and Vietnam. The season during which a monastery may hold Kathin is one month long, beginning after the full moon of the eleventh month in the Lunar calendar (usually October). It is a time of giving, and for the laity to express gratitude to bhikkhus (Buddhist monks). Lay Buddhists bring donations to temples, especially new robes for the monks and other gifts as offerings to the temples.

Simchat Torah – meaning “Rejoicing of the Torah” is a Jewish religious observance held on the last day of Sukkot, when the yearly cycle of Torah reading is completed and the next cycle is begun. Torah scrolls are removed from the ark and carried through the synagogue seven times in a joyful procession, sometimes followed by children waving flags. There is singing and dancing and, for the children, sweets. The rejoicing characteristic of Simchat Torah is meant to express the joy that Jews feel in their possession and observance of the words of the Torah (the “Law”). 

As per the Hindu calendar, Diwali (a festival of lights) will be observed on October 24, 2022. Lord Ganesh and Goddess Lakshmi are worshipped, which is known as Diwali Puja or Lakshmi Ganesh Puja. During this celebration, sometimes Rangolis are created from flower pedals, colored sand or chalk or seeds. The Rangoli creations are images created by individual families and filled with tea lights during Diwali to honor the Hindu Gods and welcome others to their homes. Sometimes Rangolis are created anew on a daily basis. 

In recent years, three different Rangolis were created in the courtyard at Spiritual Life Center in honor of Diwali. Also, a tabletop Rangoli was created during a Ritual of Light Part I video celebrating Diwali which can viewed at: www.slcworld.org – CONNECT – Interfaith Explorers page.

October 26 

The Bab - 1819–1850. The Báb (meaning “Gate” in Arabic) is considered to have paved the way for the incarnation of Baháʼu’lláh, similar to the relationship between John the Baptist and Jesus Christ. Born in 1819 in Shiraz, Iran, The Báb’s mission was to awaken the people to the fact that a new period in human history had begun. He called for spiritual and moral reformation – a revolutionary message in his time.

The Baha’u’llah - 1817–1892. Baháʼu’lláh was born in 1817 in Tehran, Iran and established the Baháʼí Faith whose principal teachings are the oneness of humanity, the oneness of religion and the oneness of God. The appearance of Baháʼu’lláh has been likened to a spiritual springtime, destined to spread peace and unity around the globe.

“Buddha Relics Collection Exhibit”

Dharma Treasury Temple

3201 Ulloa Street

San Francisco, CA 94116

A few years ago, I was living in Los Angeles and some of my Los Angeles friends told me about this collection of Buddha Relics, which is permanently housed in Rosemead, a suburb just east of downtown LA.

I visited these Relics in Rosemead and found it to be a very powerful experience. When I considered traveling to Rosemead to see them this year, I was pleasantly surprised that the Relics were coming to Northern California, so I went to see the Exhibit on Sunday, September 4.

As I understand it, the Buddhists believe that, if you are an Enlightened Master, after you have passed and your body is cremated, round, often colorful Relics are found in your ashes. Over time, the Relics multiply and no one really knows how or why. The Buddhists believe that the Relics contain the spiritual energy of the Enlightened Master, so being in the presence of the Relics is the same as being in the presence of the Enlightened Master.

I do not know if this is true, but I can tell you that I have felt a sense of Divine Love and Peace just upon entering the room where the Relics are displayed and it was no different here.

The Dharma Treasury Temple is a Vietnamese Buddhist Temple that is housed in a church that was formerly Christian, stained glass windows and all. Truly an interfaith experience. Shoes come off at the door and people of all races and ages were there. The rules are more casual and children play in front of the Relics. Monks and nuns were there to explain the significance of the Relics and which ones were which, but many people simply meditated in their presence. It is common to bring an offering of fruit or flowers or something to share to eat, vegetarian, of course, so I was encouraged to go downstairs to the community hall for lunch. Delicious food, including vegetarian lasagna, so it was definitely a multicultural event.

Such a beautiful day and such a privilege to be in the Divine Love and Presence that was there.

“Elk Grove Multicultural Festival”

District 56, 8230 Civic Center Drive

Elk Grove, CA

This is an annual festival in Elk Grove and is well worth attending for anyone who is interested in the variety of faith traditions and cultures that we have in the greater Sacramento area. The festival was busy, but not ridiculously so. I found parking easily. There were food trucks, plenty of restrooms and activities for all ages, including families and children. All ages and nationalities seemed to be in attendance and enjoying the festival, so it was fun to be with everyone who attended as well as everyone who was presenting their information.

When I arrived, a group of Ukrainian dancers and singers in full traditional dress were performing on the outdoor stage. They had terrific interaction with the audience and, for their last act, came down into the audience to teach whoever was interested a Ukrainian dance and song.

There were at least a dozen different tents with faith traditions represented throughout the greater Sacramento area, including Baha’i, Christian, Islam (two separate tents), Hindu and more. One of the Islam tents was giving away copies of the Koran and all had information on their faith traditions and local events. Naturally, the Interfaith Council of Elk Grove was represented also, so I had an opportunity to learn the contact information and to sign up for future meetings.

As the afternoon grew hotter, I walked past the other displays and the food trucks and entered the air conditioned Community Center to watch the dance performances. In the large ballroom, it was standing room only for the incredible Aztec dancers, but I enjoyed the Cambodian dancers even more. With both came an explanation of their culture and the significance of the dance. All of the Cambodian dancers were Cambodian American, all born in Stockton, but wanting to keep their culture alive. Their astonishingly beautiful handmade costumes had no buttons or zippers. Each performer was hand sewn into the costume for the performance; a process that took 5 to 6 hours.

Next year, I will definitely go back earlier in the day. I certainly did not see everything this time.

Interfaith Council of Greater Sacramento 

Click Here to Visit ICGS

Interfaith Council of Elk Grove 

Please RSVP by CLICKING HERE or contact Rachel Lyman directly at rachel24@surewest.net. Field trip includes a 5:30pm guided tour of temple grounds, and participation in the 7:00pm walking meditation inside the Temple.

Volunteer group yardwork day at Vedanta Society – 1337 Mission Ave (south of Arden Way)

Sign up by CLICKING HERE or contact Rachel Lyman at rachel24@surewest.net.

In-Person Free Event at Spiritual Life Center, 2201 Park

“Darshana” is a national traveling educational exhibit on Hindu history, culture, and religion. Opening remarks at 1:00pm. Exhibits on display from 1 to 4 p.m. All in the Sacramento region are welcome – no registration required.

“An annual event to bring the Greater Sacramento community together to renew our commitment to work with each other to make Sacramento a safer and better place to live.” The program features Faith and Civic Leaders – Refreshments provided.

EXPLORERS so PLEASE RSVP BY FRI DEC 2 to: Rachel Lyman at: rachel24@surewest.net.

In 1985 a fatty cyst I had on my right shoulder for 7 years suddenly started growing. It wasn't growing but lurking below; it was two nasty little malignant tumors. After having them removed and receiving several months of rather

unsuccessful treatment, I was told that the prognosis was not in the positive column.

I was not one to accept my fate with grace and humility. Mentally I was raging against God and if He really existed. I was depressed, and wondering “Why

me?” I'm only forty-one, children to raise, a business to run, etc., etc. Oh, the unfairness of it all!

Severely depressed, I could barely make it through the day.

One afternoon a gentleman came into our shop to order some certificates for his nephews who had just climbed Half Dome in Yosemite. In a very busy shop with the phone constantly ringing people are always coming and going. We talked uninterrupted for 3 hours. That was step one in an extraordinary series of events.

The next day I went to Tower Books. Right inside the door was a huge display of everything Yosemite - books, pictures, calendars, cards. Suddenly after 17 years

of living in California, I experienced a driving compulsion to go to Yosemite.

That night I had the first of three nights of dreams of a place on a river where I would meet someone who could heal me. A fallen branch over the river, deserted, quiet. Exact same dream all 3 nights.

Wondering how I could afford to go, a friend I has not seen in 6 years walked into the shop and paid back $500 dollars I had never expected to see again.

Okay, for even a cynic and a skeptic like me I had to realize that this was one too many coincidences. So the next day I took off from work and went to Yosemite.

The beauty of the place is breathtaking but I had no idea where to go, what to do, or how to meet this person.

I was beginning to think I had lost my mind; that this was all a figment of my imagination. I decided to walk along the riverbank to clear my head and get my bearings when I walked right up to the place in my dreams!

I was staggered! While I was sitting there thinking that I had just walked into the Twilight Zone a very quiet gentle voice spoke from right behind me saying, “You’re late”.

I told him that I couldn't find him and he quietly explained it was because I really hadn’t thought he would be there. So true!

What I remember of him now is the gentleness and love that came through in all he said; the serenity and peacefulness that emanated from him and his blue, blue eyes. I have never seen any eyes that color since.

We talked for what felt like hours – of life, and God and our individual purposes; things we must do here to make this a better place. Do good! Always be kind! Love even when it is most difficult!

When he was leaving he stated that it was my choice to stay or leave. I said I wanted to stay. He gently placed his hand on my shoulder and said “you are well”.

I felt like an electric shock had gone through me. As he started to walk away I asked, who are you? Where do you come from? All he said was that he came from the “Source”. He walked off down the riverbank and disappeared.

This encounter changed everything for me. After a couple of years of trying to figure it out, I thought ‘why me’. A good friend said it’s time to just accept it.

Now so many years later, I believe it changed my acceptance of others, my belief in how the world works, and our place in it. We rise to our highest when we help others rise to theirs! Not always easy. But simple.   

Author: Anonymous

Share your God moments by sending them to me at: tigger1@surewest.net - so they can be shared in our interfaith newsletter. 

One of the easiest spiritual practices to talk about is gratitude. It has been said to have a daily attitude of gratitude changes our life and fills us with faith.

It means we operate from a place of abundance instead of scarcity and fear. We all have that choice. Grateful people give thanks for everything.

But to have this as a daily practice means our gratitude must be independent of the circumstances. Alphonse Kerr states, “We can complain because rosebushes have thorns or rejoice that thorns have rose bushes.”

Melody Beattie says, “Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns denial into acceptances, chaos into order, and confusion to clarity.”

Studies show if we express gratitude it raises our happiness by 25%. Yet it is difficult – it is indeed a continuous practice because we seem hardwired to fixate on the bad.

We tend to feel like we don’t have enough to be grateful. But it is a very basic approach to everything. It is being grateful not only for what we have received, but for what we have been spared.

So start small – be thankful for breathing. Be thankful for the sun. It has been said of us “Let us rise up and be thankful, for if we didn’t learn a lot today, at least we learned a little, and if we didn’t learn a little, at least we didn’t get sick, and if we got sick, at least we didn’t die; so, let us all be thankful.”

The goal of the gratitude attitude is being grateful of what you do have.

Cultivating an attitude of gratitude is not always easy; it takes persistence. It is just a simple change in the perspective. So change what you focus on. Keep it simples and be thankful for the process. Thank you!!

For more information on this, listen to the Interfaith Connection Podcast aired on September 22, 2022 entitled, “21st Century Peace Symbol” at Spiritual Life Center www.slcworld.org by Rachel and Dave Lyman, Interfaith Explorers.

Hey everyone,

Rachel and I have some of our most spiritual discussions in the middle of the night. We’re both up and we start down the path. It reminded me that we are in a new world. Someone said our hearts are filled with ‘raw’ spaces right now.

We are moving in transition to a new place trying to anchor our circle. It’s so tough because transition is major change, often of constructs that we have entrenched within

us.

It is a difficult thing to remind ourselves there is a joy to being wrong. It is difficult to remind ourselves it is growth to change. When change occurs, it feels like something is

being taken away from us. It is losing the Coral Reef Restaurant, watching Roger Federer retire, or hearing of the death of Olivia Newton-John. We are in a kind of shock and get stuck on the half around loss.

But part of life is what we look for, we will see. It is our willingness to have a new thought. It is trying newness with some objectivity and touching into the joy of sometimes being wrong.

After some seventy years of my life, my wife convinced me to take a look at different underwear. I know! Too much information. But I looked and changed to something that is more comfortable and easier to wear – I gave up being stuck. Every day I notice. Where is your change exploration right now?

In this past month, I’ve felt the brunt of more losses. Queen Elizabeth of England at age 96 passing; and famous tennis players Serena Williams and Roger Federer announcing their respective retirements from tennis.

In her 50 years as Queen of England, Queen Elizabeth’s Royal duties to England always came first, before her personal happiness. She had to learn to grow into her Royal role as Queen, and learn to make decisions for England under difficult circumstances. She was fiercely independent,

however, and I admired her tenacity and the twinkle in her eye. We will hold Sacred Space for England now as it turns a new Chapter in its Royal leadership.

Serena Williams is a famous tennis player who broke through barriers of racism. Over her tennis career, she became one of the most successful and well-liked women tennis players of all time – winning countless titles year-after-year. After maternity leave a few years ago, as a young mother she

returned to the courts to continue to play. In doing this, she became a role model for the modern woman tennis players of today. She always inspired others with her work ethic, and her courteous court behavior. Her strength, tenacity and courage made her one of the most unbeatable champions of

the 21st century.

Roger Federer is my all-time favorite tennis player. He was a trail-blazer - encouraging other players to do workouts at the gym to strengthen muscles for endurance to withstand the grueling, sometimes five-hour tennis matches during tournaments. Watching Roger was like watching a male

ballet dancer. He hit forehands and backhands one-handed. As he jumped into the air, or slid side-to-side on the court, his athleticism was strong and graceful. On the court he was the consummate gentleman; courteous and respectful of his opponents, the court judges and ball kids. Roger’s games

were a joy to watch. There was no drama from fist pumps, anger or racket smashing – just very good tennis! Roger will be sorely missed as a world- class player, and for the special qualities he brought to the tennis world.

Rachel Lyman, COO, Interfaith Explorers

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If you have a story for our “HAPPENINGS” section - connecting with people of other faiths, please submit your story by the second week of the month to Rachel Lyman at: rachel24@surewest.net.

If you have a story for our “GOD MOMENTS” section, please send your story to Dave Lyman at: tigger1@surewest.net.