Toward Spiritual Conversation & Friendships

Toward Spiritual Conversation & Friendships

One of my favorite scenes from the movie “The Last Samurai” is between Katsumoto and Captain Algren (a captive). In several different places there are comments about having a “good conversation.”

In one place, like this scene, Katsumato askes him about his part in the war against the Native American Indians. Algren says, “Read a book!” Katsumoto replies, “I would rather have a good conversation.”

In another place, Katsumoto says, “”Many of our customs seem strange to you. And the same is true of yours. For example, not introducing yourself is considered extremely rude, even among enemies… [later]… I have introduced myself. You have introduced yourself. This is a very good conversation.” 

Finally, towards the end of the story, when Katsumto and Algren are no longer enemies but friends, and Katsumoto is facing his death, Algren says, “ I will miss our conversations.”

This is a beautiful example of how a “conversation”, even between enemies or those who hold opposing views, can become friends, perhaps even, spiritual friends.

Spiritual Friendship and Conversation is an important part of life and our spiritual journey; but one that is too often neglected. For those who hold onto their own perspectives and versions of belief, truth, and spiritualities with fundamentalist rigor, often cannot see beyond their own lense and wordview. As such, they tend to operate more out of fear and judgement than love and mercy; and spend more energy ‘preaching and proclaiming’ than listening, receiving and sharing. 

Father Raimon Panikkar says that if all we do is look out of our window and never talk to our neighbor, then we will think that what see out of our window is all there is to see and know; but if we talk to our neighbor and listen to his or her stories and narratives that they see through their window, then our own world and understanding will grow more beautiful and wonderful.

Its ok to share share our faith with others but too often our western form of evangelization (Catholic or Protestant) has been a Proclamation, Belief and Belonging System- we proclaim our faith only within the boundaries of Borders, Language and Culture (ex: Roman Empire or European Colonization); and people never really belong in our world or our church unless and until they believe.

The Celtic Church had a different model of Belonging, Proclamation and Belief. They went outside the boundaries and borders of culture and set up missions at the crossroads of life; and allowed people to belong to a community of friendship; and within that context their faith was proclaimed and many came to belief.

But Inter-spiritual conversation is also important. The ancient geographical boundaries and borders have been shattered by our ability to fly anywhere in the world within a matter of ours and of course the Internet. There is a collision of cultures, religions, worldviews, and spiritual paths today. Its important that we embrace this collision with honor and respect, seeking out areas of common ground, as well as honoring the essential and important differences.

I have many friends who are from other Christian denominations and faith traditions- Buddhist, Hindu, Pagan and Atheist. We all know where each other comes from, we share and honor or similarities and differences. Having a good conversation does not mean compromising our own beliefs; but requires that we hold our beliefs from a deeper heart of understanding, love and respect.

For example, I have a friend who does not believe in God but we have had many wonderful and deep conversations. Though we dont share all the same beliefs, we do share a friendship; and because of that friendship I’ve been invited to officiate a special ceremony in her life. Her term of endearment is “My priest says I’m a pagan!” I have another friend who came to me for ministry and we just sat on the porch and smoked pipes together while he shared his heart. I listened and we prayed together.

We put God, the Divine, and the Sacred in a very small box; but ultimate reality cannot be contained in our little boxes no matter how well our theological construction is. On of the saints said for everything true I could say about God, he is even less like that in his actual reality which is so far beyond anything I could say. St Thomas Aquinas, who wrote many great theological works including the Summa Theologica, after a spiritual experience with God said, “All I have written is only hay and stubble compared with all that God truly is.”

So, let us encounter others and have a “good conversation.’

Enjoy this scene from The Last Samurai on having a good conversation…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mSR4S2oJ2hk