LETTER TO PATRICIA SMITH MELTON
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From: Bruce S.
Date: Monday, August 7, 2006, 12:35 PM
Subject: Letter to Patricia Smith Melton
ID: 253725

To: Patricia Smith Melton, Executive Director, Peace X Peace
http://peacexpeace.org

Dear Patricia Smith Melton --

Thank you so much for your leadership, your vision, your informed creative approach to addressing critical issues we all face today.

You are outlining and convening the underlying grounds of hope for this collective endeavor of evolving humanity that we call "civilization" -- and I want to express my appreciation for the vision and talent that comes together through your work. It is helping us all.

And it has been good to begin receiving these recent emails from Peace X Peace. When I first registered a circle, something like 2 months ago, at first it seemed that things were rather slow. Perhaps I didn't understand your system, perhaps this was a moment of creative lull, a trough between the waves.

In any case, I can feel the rising force. I know you are working closely with groups in Israel, for example -- with Elana Rozenman, among others -- and this seems to me to be very important. There is so much we can do, if we can manage to convene and coalesce our collective talents and visions and possibilities.

And this morning -- I want to write back a reply to you, hoping that you will see this. I want to outline my appreciation in somewhat more detail, and introduce the work I am doing, to perhaps open the way towards some new possibilities for empowerment and cooperation.

I am an activist working in the interfaith movement -- and a database and network programmer, building interactive internet systems similar to Peace X Peace. I started building database website community projects ten years ago, using the "Cold Fusion" programming language, and I have continued all this time, led by a vision of cooperation and wisdom and co-creativity, that I feel carries the same potentials for hope and illumination and freedom that you intend in your own work. In this sense, I feel that there are strong and beautiful grounds for cooperative/collaborative development.

*

This morning, I wrote a longer message to the United Religions Initiative -- an international interfaith organization that I know works closely with Peace X Peace. I got involved with the URI initially in 1997, at their conference at Stanford, and I have been connected with their people and their work ever since. As you know, many of the top leadership positions at URI are held by women.

By way of further self-introduction, I will include that letter below -- on the subject of "The Spiritual Empowerment of Interfaith" -- since I think it helps point the way towards the light we are all seeking, and will give you a few further clues into what I am doing.

In briefest terms -- what I want to suggest -- is that we open further avenues of conversation, exploring every approach for developing technology-based solutions to the devastating problems that face the human community. In particular, today we are focused on the Mideast. This is a situation, I feel, to which we must respond. And if we manage to escape the horrendous consequences of this particular combination of deadly forces, there are other problems out there, that also demand the wise co-creativity that these "circle" processes can convene.

Today, I am preparing myself to attend the annual Users Conference sponsored by ESRI -- Environmental Systems Research Institute -- http://esri.com -- one of the primary originators of GIS (Geospatial Information Systems) software -- the kind of tools and programming that support the "mapping" technology that is now so readily available through the Internet. I am supposing that in the context of a high-powered network-based technology, that incorporates the full potential of contemporary bandwidth and software, we might be able to bring into the world a kind of unprecedented network process -- that operates on principles very similar to and inspired by these emerging "circle" groups that are springing up all over the world -- and, indeed, largely led by the spiritual instincts of women.

I would like to find a way to "interconnect circles everywhere" -- following a kind of "millionth circle" inspiration. And I would like to find a way -- to bring all the motivated and injured voices and forces in the Mideast, into a common and openly transparent internet context, like a huge conference table, with everything of importance spread out before us.

Every voice, every contributing force, every motive, every value system or interpretation or perspective -- should be brought to this common table, in open and transparent ways that inspire and build trust among all participants, and among all observers.

The convening forces should be guided by the highest principles that we have collectively gathered through our "circle" processes, and we should seek to do everything possible to work though a fine-grained and highly individualized approach -- that heals and transforms individuals -- by listening to them, by incorporating their stories and their feelings, by validating and honoring their history.

I feel strongly that there is no realistic hope of solving these critical problems in the Mideast through military or violent approaches. We cannot fix things by smashing things -- and we simply must stop -- immediately, as soon as possible -- and begin to explore and unfold the most powerful creative solutions available. We need every tool and every voice and every insight convened by Peace X Peace, brought to our common table, and offered as mediating influences, that can heal and transform -- and converge -- these painful and angry and injured perspectives -- into a kind of deeply interconnected cultural pool, that fully supports diversity and deep human difference, while building peace on an unshakeable foundation of human commonality.

We need Peace X Peace -- and Gather the Women -- and a hundred or a thousand other organizations -- in an interconnected resonant pool of deepest wisdom, radiating a healing and transfiguring influence in every direction. We need our most wise voices speaking into this process -- and we need every conceivable tool for connectivity and communication and information support, that the entire human community -- all of civilization -- can bring to bear on our collective situation. We need to look everywhere, and bring everything together. And using tools like the network support facilities of Peace X Peace -- this is feasible.

*

There is so much to talk about, and so much we can do. We have so many wonderful possibilities at our fingertips -- and such resources of human wisdom, and an ardent network of believers and supporters -- we have every reason to suppose that we can convene a force of significant influence.

I want to offer you a few links, that further illustrate what I am doing -- and then show you the message I sent to the URI this morning.

This describes my current work and the Interspirit Foundation (supporting many networks, including Gather the Women and CPWR)
http://interspirit.net/foundation/foundation.cfm

This introduces the technical work on algebraic semantics, that could be so critical in a white-lightning broadband international negotiation and mediation network:
http://originresearch.com/sd/home.cfm

Here is an article on Google Earth:
http://globalresonance.net/documents/googleearth.doc

I am going to a big conference on GIS technology, down in San Diego, sponsored by Environmental Systems Research Institute:
http://esri.com

This is a brochure on the conference:
http://www.esri.com/events/uc/docs/uc06_agenda.pdf

Introductory letter to UCSB Computer Science and Communications professor Dr. Andrew Flanagin (many links to references and various citations)
http://originresearch.com/docs/andrewletter1.doc

First few pages of an article in progress:
http://originresearch.com/docs/networkmodelsandcontrol.doc

Resume and references for Andrew Flanagin:
http://www.comm.ucsb.edu/aflanagin_flash.htm

*******************************

And my letter to the United Religions Initiative, sent this morning:

THE SPIRITUAL EMPOWERMENT OF INTERFAITH

I have felt for a long time -- that the complex and perhaps explosive issue of "interfaith theology" does require a careful and thorough review by informed and caring people --

And I recall feeling back in 1997, when my connection to this conversation began, that these things were opening up. Yet -- it seems to me -- since then, I haven't really found any way to talk about these issues, inside a mainstream interfaith group.

Where the action is, on all this kind of thing, in my experience, is on the "fringe" -- out there with individuals and groups with no heavy institutional connection or responsibility, where voices are free to speak, where nothing is constrained, where there is a kind of "intellectual free-fire zone", and any idea whatsoever can be expressed and reviewed. On the internet, there is a lot of this, and on our "United Communities of Spirit" project -- now in continuous existence for more than ten years -- we have over 35,000 email messages archived in our database -- messages that deal with almost every aspect of these questions, from almost every conceivable point of view.

This issue has been a kind of ongoing tension with me, all these years. On the one hand, we have the "unwashed rabble" of the disaffected and unchurched and "irresponsible" -- who are free to say anything -- with corresponding consequences regarding the quality and value of their comments -- and on the other hand, we have more formal, more responsible, more institutionally connected voices -- who, it turns out, tend to be somewhat less free, less vocal, and, it seems, less creative. For me, this issue has forced a kind of "back and forth" behavior, as my loyalties switch between these demographics, in search of something that can really work to solve these demanding problems -- and build these bridges.

When I look at "mainline interfaith" -- and I suppose I would classify the URI in that category -- I see a number of issues that are very tough to deal with, and I am not entirely persuaded that the interfaith movement can be successful until some of these issues and problems are addressed. In his keynote address to the 2005 NAIN/URI "Connect" conference, CPWR Executive Director Dirk Ficca began his remarks by telling his audience that the interfaith movement was failing. I can tell you -- that for a while there, Dirk Ficca was not very popular...

And I don't necessarily agree with everything he had to say, or with that large assessment (and perhaps he doesn't either, since that might have been simply a rhetorical approach to this audience) -- but I have been concerned for a long time that the interfaith movement -- as it tends to be defined today -- can too easily devolve into something little more than a dry exercise in political correctness -- tending to be "devoid of spirit".

Dirk Ficca was calling for a "movement". He insisted that only through a "movement" can we be successful in this large and transfiguring hope we have. A few noble isolated voices, a few humble local networks of well-intended people -- are not enough to "change the world" -- to change it away from its methods of violence and un-love...

So -- this question has been a burning issue with me for a long time. Is there "a movement"? What IS a "movement"? What drives a movement? What causes it to happen? What drives its transforming effect on society?

Why is it -- that interfaith work can be exhausting, rather than vitalizing? Have we somehow managed to "outlaw the presence of the Spirit" in what we do -- on the grounds that ANY sort of spiritual awareness or sensitivity involves this question you ask, Tom -- "Whose truth?"

The way you phrase that question -- and I mean this with respect and appreciation, and I can see the creative force in it -- could be seen as the basic issue of political correctness in an interfaith context. We say something like, "People have all these different traditions and beliefs, and they are not the same. Therefore, we can't believe anything in common. Furthermore, the URI is a bridge- building organization and not a religion, so on methodological grounds, we positively affirm that there is nothing spiritual we can experience in common." This same argument is used to take prayer out of schools, and is seen by some people throughout society (particularly conservatives) as one of the driving forces that contribute to a broad ethical failure in the world (I am not commenting on whether the conservatives are right or wrong).

I may be over-simplifying this, and I hope I am not stepping on any toes. I am just trying to say these things in brief and succinct ways. If any of this is true, and we are in a position where we come together in this group, hoping to change the world, trying to ignite a movement -- yet we can't "believe" anything in common on methodological grounds -- I myself deeply wonder whether we have any hope of success.

As regards the possibilities of a "simmering power" -- which IS out there in the world today -- we have to ask ourselves -- WHAT is it that these people believe, or are feeling, that draws them together, and IS forming the underlying spiritual dynamic and integrating drive of a "movement"? And if this is happening, how can the interfaith movement connect itself to this simmering power, as a way to gather momentum, and become more effective? Is it essential that the interfaith movement find some path forward into spiritual empowerment, in a way that does not compromise its many hard-won principles, and the "political correctness" that IS an essential aspect of this work? Can we "be spiritual", somehow, and STILL play by the rules, meet the authentic constraints, honor diversity in a true way -- yet attract into our work those people who want to "believe", who need to be spiritually empowered and inspired by their contributions and involvement in interfaith activities?

I am convinced that this is the core question at the heart of the interfaith movement -- a question that demands an answer if this movement is going to be effective in the world.

And so, I am happy to see this kind of conversation emerging here. In my opinion, we need to see these ideas expressed in writing, by passionate souls with a commitment to the high ideals of interfaith, who can somehow work together to "create a breakthrough" on this critical issue. If we work on these things together, we might be able to open doors that have remained closed, and build connections to a wide array of vibrant creative forces out there today, with whom we can join forces, if we can conceptualize and define this work in the right way.

It seems clear to me -- that people come into a spiritual or religious movement as a way to vitalize their own lives, and give it meaning. Perhaps interfaith wants to positions itself as a kind of philosophical adjunct to the various religions in the world -- saying, "we ourselves don't really take a position on these issues, but we convene a common table, where you people can come together and work on your differences." This is a valuable service, and we need to be doing this -- but I fear that in the real world, where people live with tight constraints on their energy and what they can give and what motivates them -- when interfaith is conceived in these terms alone, it becomes devitalizing and exhausting, and a dry philosophical exercise, that cannot attract the vibrant creative passions that are released when people feel that they are acting on their deepest beliefs. Conceived in these terms alone, people will not come to this table, and will not bring to us their highest gifts -- which they will reserve for that focus or place where their deepest reverence is activated. In my opinion, we need to find a way to liberate this underlying passion and commitment -- because this is the creative force that can make the interfaith movement successful -- and give us some realistic hope of truly changing the world, and leading us all away from this primitive and devastating way of violence that continues to be the path of choice offered to us by our political leadership.

This is a subtle question, perhaps an explosive one. As I see it -- this is a question we have to be asking -- incessantly. We have to figure out a solution, I believe -- or we will forever remain a small group of well-intended idealists, who, in the end, failed to make any real change in the world -- and who perhaps were embittered or disillusioned by that failure.

***

So, in the context of that question -- I want to again briefly review where I think an answer might be coming from.

Personally, I believe that there ARE answers to these questions -- that they ARE becoming increasingly available and well-articulated -- and they DO offer us a powerful and authentic and realistic way to move forward -- a way to inspire a broad global movement, to build meaningful and effective interconnection with other groups and organizations abroad in the world, who themselves are willing or able to be led by spirit, and who are seeking to coalesce and convene an effective and transforming force. I would certainly include Peace X Peace in that group.

In this sense, we might simply ask, what are the primary spiritual drivers and assumptions that motivate the energies of Peace X Peace - - and those many independent "circles" that are convened through their framework?

Is there something the interfaith movement can learn from Peace X Peace, and its contributing membership groups? What IS the passion that drives this organization -- and other organizations like it -- that all together, form this broad pool of human hope that is out there, "simmering"?

There are many things we could say -- and entire books could be written on this subject. Maybe we should write one. And there is a good starting point on all of this, written by Robert Forman, creator of The Forge Institute ( http://theforge.org), entitled "Grassroots Spirituality: What it Is, Why it is Here, Where it is Going". Some of the leaders of the URI are members of The Forge.

And perhaps -- we can look at our own experience, here in the URI -- for "something" that convenes us in the spirit, that enables us to return to this work, refreshed and inspired and indeed empowered, by something more than a dry allegiance to a doctrine of political correctness.

And for an example -- the 2005 NAIN/URI "Connect" conference offers many particulars.

I remember so well -- the passionate enthusiasm and excitement felt and expressed by URI official Steve Fitzgerald, as he charged around the venue, totally turned on by what he was feeling. He was radiant with this energy, and I think he said something about "organic" spirituality. There was "something" -- hard to say what, perhaps -- that was interconnecting things -- that was making things work, that was interlinking people, that was building understanding across borders and between traditions. Steve was on fire with this feeling - - and so were others, each in their own way.

And what I am saying is -- we need to capture this energy, and bottle it, and take it on the road....

This "juice" is the key to our empowerment as a movement, and a key to why we can be successful, attracting the energies of millions of people who are feeling these things, and who DO want to find ways to effectively come together to change the world.

Another example from the 2005 "Connect" -- was the concluding "Sufi Dances of Universal Peace" -- a ceremony that was experienced by maybe 75 or more people, as the conference was winding down. That, for those of us who participated, was an inspiring and beautiful and memorable experience of spiritual unity, conceived through the framework of a particular tradition. Yes, I do seem to recall Paul Chaffee telling me that not everybody could get into that feeling, and who would not participate -- for who knows what reasons. Perhaps we need to look at those. And yes, there were some who had problems when an Episcopalian lady minister led a passionate service for a plenary audience with undeniable "Christian" tendencies and images.

But, as I tried to say to you, Tom, as regards "the Abrahamic religions" -- it's all in how you look at these things. And for me -- I look at these things with an open heart and mind, and I have no problem seeing their universal truth and value, regardless of their specifics. Yes, that is perhaps simply my choice -- my own personal creative act. So, yes, perhaps there is a big task here, in figuring out whether or not this "feeling" that was possessing some of us that week is truly acceptable and authentic in a broad interfaith context.

***

I have said enough here -- perhaps too much.

But I want to comment on your last sentence, Tom, since it directly touches me.

> to create what the URI was wise enough to save a space for back in 1997, a religion yet to be.

I remember that so well, from 1997. "The religion that is yet to come".

When we divided up into breakout groups, it was Deborah Moldow, of the World Peace Prayer Society, who led that group, the group for "the religion yet to be". Everybody else had some existing tradition to go to. But I didn't, and I joined that group -- and that language, ever since that time, has helped me express who I am and what I feel.

And in private email with Deborah, as I recall, she explained to me that this language didn't really originate with her, as I thought it had. Deborah told me -- that it was Sally Mahe who had conceived this concept -- so helpful to those of us who do not otherwise fit under some banner...

I don't know if interfaith, in spite of itself, and protestations to the contrary, is actually "creating a new religion". That's just words, just semantics. Whether that is what we are doing depends on how you define religion, and that's an arbitrary thing. But it does seem very clear to me, that the inherent tendency towards "syncretism" -- the bringing together of elements from many religions -- does most certainly exert a positive creative force within the broader interfaith conversation.

At this stage of things -- many years into our co-creative and collaborative conversation, influenced by traditions from everywhere, by spiritual teachings from everywhere -- all of which carry truth value -- our collective creative process has moved along, into significant new forms. This "simmering movement" is shaped by those forms, and I am convinced that new concepts and structures are emerging -- new concepts that do not in any way compromise or de-authenticate the existing traditions -- yet allow us to move forward, in powerful and passionate ways, that fully engage the constructive energies of "the movement" -- and in that creative process, offer a wonderful basis for hope, for all of us. I see this, I feel it, I am grateful for it, I do every day whatever I can to serve this emerging new energy...

We should continue this conversation, there is so much to talk about.

Thanks so much,

- Bruce