There is a great need to remind to all in our society the need to become people of dialogue in the midst of divisions and conflicts. Often dialogue is presented as a strategy, but if we go to a deeper level of the spiritual experience of dialogue it becomes an expression of LOVE. Thus, dialoguer is not only a “means” to achieve something, but it can be also a “goal” itself. There is no real spirituality without a deeper understanding of love. Indeed a deeper DIALOGUE IS LOVE IN ACTION, IN SILENCE AND IN HARMONY:
1) Love in Action
For sure the perception of “love” can change from one religion to another, from one culture to another, from one sector of society to another, etc. but it is important to look for the “pure intention” of dialogue that in the process of “purification” becomes an expression of LOVE.
I often find people who have been touched by the Silsilah spirituality and they claim to be part of Silsilah because they apply the spirit of love in their relation with their family, community or work place. But this is what we hope will become more common in society. This is the new style of life that we wish to become a reality in Silsilah and in all sectors of our society. Doing this we can build together a culture of dialogue, path to peace.
2) Love in Silence
There are times in our life when we are tempted to believe that silence is a waste of time, but this is not true. Silence play an important role in creation. Even events in history have always started from silence. It is said: “War and peace start in the silence of the heart and mind”. We can add that “love and hate are nurtured in silence”. The great example of LOVE IN SILENCE is the dialogue of God with humanity. God’s silence is creative and dialogical. He has given many “signs” with His “style” and “ways” of relating with us and most of these signs are manifested in silence.
Going back to my personal experience and the experience of Silsilah, I can say that we have grown in the spirit of silence guided by events and signs of God. I have learned that real silence develops “patience” and patience purifies the intentions and strengthens the fidelity to our mission. All religions can share a long list of events where silence has been the habitat of their “great Light”.
I do not know of any spiritual journey in Christianity, in Islam or in other religions that has not been strengthened in the silence of events, sufferings, misunderstanding and persecution. This has also been true for us in Silsilah. It gives us the courage to live the spirituality of life-in dialogue and people to the mission of interfaith dialogue. This journey is becoming more difficult in the Philippines and in many other parts of the world in spite of the many “interfaith initiatives” promoted by many groups and institutions.
The reasons are many, but the major reason of the increasing difficulties is the impatience to have immediate results. What people often forget is that results in the mission of dialogue are not the priorities. The priority is the fidelity in what we believe. Personally I have achieved immediate results in some situations and sometimes very little results after long time of hard work in the field of interfaith dialogue. The reason for me is simple. I am not the one who decides the turn of events, it is God. Thus, dialogue, as love in silence is very important for those who believe in it and have decided to take the “narrow” road of dialogue. Advance technology could be a great help, but in reality, could also become an obstacle because we are in a society where we want to “burn” experience in a hurry. Dialogue as LOVE IN SILENCE is the main road to a sustainable journey to peace.
3) Love in Harmony
Love in action and love in silence are main steps to reach to the stage of LOVE IN HARMONY, not only because action and silence can develop harmony, but especially because harmony in the context of love becomes dynamic. Harmony is a concept and experience very familiar to the Asians culture, but often is considered a form of “fatalism”. In recent times there are many reflections regarding harmony. There is also a “Theology of Harmony”. We also know how harmony is often connected with the concept of the YIN and YANG. Some also take the concept of “harmony” as a quiet style of life. For us in Silsilah it is always used as “active harmony” or “dynamic harmony” which has its origin from love.
Fr. Sebastiano D’Ambra, PIME
Founder of Silsilah Dialogue Movement