Media Release
Bangalore, Sep 14: The Karnataka Regional Catholic Bishops Conference Commission for Dialogue in association with the Ashirvad Inter-religious Harmony Movement (Bangalore) organized a two-day formation programme in Indian Spirituality for Modern Christians at Nava Sphoorthy
Kendra, Bangalore, recently.
Eminent neurosuregeon and meditation practitioner and trainer Dr Thimappa Hegde of Narayan Hridayalaya and Fr Ronnie Prabhu, secretary, Commission for Dialogue were the resource persons. There were 26 participants including 15 nuns, four priests, one seminarian and six lay people.
Inaugurating the session Fr Ronnie said that the aim of the program was to enrich ourselves from what is good and wholesome and in accordance with our faith, in the spiritual practices of other religions. Large numbers of seekers flock to Hindu ashrams, and most of what they teach in these ashrams are secular forms of meditation and exercises that promote health of body, mind and spirit. Lots of people come to our churches and shrines praying for healing from physical and mental ailments; while we foster trust in God and approaching Him in humble devotion we would also do well to help people learn to avoid falling ill by promoting meditation techniques that are health enhancing of body, mind and spirit.
The formation programme included meditations in the modern eastern traditions, prayer sessions, talks on Indian and Buddhist spirituality and similarities and dissimilarities between these and traditional Christian spirituality. Wherever Christian teaching differs from Hindu (Buddhist) presuppositions, the Christian teaching was clearly explained so that there would be no ambiguity or confusion in the minds of the Christian listeners.
The coming together of the popular feasts of three major religions: Mary’s Birth on Sept 8,
Ramzaan on Sept 10 and Ganesh Chathuthi on Sept 11 was a unique occasion to reflect on the
festivals of different religions and the universal spiritual message they have for people of all
religions.