Delaine Zendran

The more I learn about interfaith the more I am realizing that it goes beyond religion. For a lot of people religion is a very touchy subject. Even for myself, before I began actively learning about different religions, I wasn't too keen about religion due to my own lack of religious understanding and of my own spirituality.

However, now I see that the true meaning of interfaith has everything and nothing to do with "religion". Religion definitely plays a huge role in shaping different people's understanding of interfaith and interfaith relationships. But interfaith has a much deeper meaning. One way in which I can best describe interfaith is that it is a lifestyle and a way of being. In other words, interfaith means realizing that we are all one. One with all of mankind, one with nature, one with the planet, and one with all life beyond our knowledge. It is acknowledging that we are all connected. Once I discovered this fact, I realized that it was impossible for me to feel any anger or hate towards someone else, because I see myself in every person.

I have become very interested in the universal unconscious recently. In many ways, the universal unconscious plays a very big role of interfaith. In Buddhism, the universal unconscious is described as "enlightenment". It's reaching that level of awareness where you completely let go of all of the distractions that inhibit your ability to reach a deeper understanding of your own spirit, and the collective spirit of all living things.

I thought this was an important insight to share with the Interfaithing community because I really want the average person who isn't necessarily religious to understand that interfaith is not limited to people of faith. Anyone and everyone can be a part of this. The main point of interfaith is to be open to learning about different people, and refusing to give in to the stereotypes and biases that limit and control society. Knowledge is power, and now more than ever we have the ability to communicate with each other and learn the truth for ourselves.

Let this post be an open invitation for anyone searching for this truth to join us at Interfaithing and get involved. Every day is an opportunity to learn something new, meet new people, and make friendships. I hope this inspires you to start your own Interfaithing journey