Quaker Universalist Conversations

“I do not understand clearly about Friends’ various beliefs, but I believe we are one….”

by Anthony Manousos

Pradip with Anthony Manousos at the World Conference of Friends in Kenya

During the World Conference of Friends many Friends were deeply impressed with Pradip Kumar Lamichhane, keynote speaker for Asia West Pacific region. A 35-year-old self-styled “IT guy” who identifies himself as an Evangelical Quaker, Pradip gave a talk that resonated with  many  who see themselves as liberal Christians or interfaith universalists.  Perhaps that’s because Pradip spoke cheerfully, addressing “that of God” in us with an utter lack of pretense and a great deal of warmth and enthusiasm. His closing words were especially appealing to many who heard him speak, or who have heard my powerpoint presentation about the World Conference.

I do not understand clearly about trinity, but I know God is with me.
I do not understand clearly about heaven and hell, but I know God is with me.
I do not understand clearly what is sin, but I know God is full of mercy.
I do not understand clearly about salt, but I know I have to be salty.
I do not understand clearly about light, but I know I should shine.
I do not understand clearly about FWCC, but I know I should be connected with it.
I do not understand clearly about unprogrammed Friends, but I know they are my Friends.
I do not understand clearly about programmed Friends, but I know they are my Friends.
I do not understand clearly about evangelical Friends, but I know they are my Friends.
I do not understand clearly about liberal Friends but I know they are my Friends
I do not understand clearly about different types of Friends, but I know they all are my Friends.
I do not understand clearly about Friends various beliefs, but I believe we are one .
HAKUNA MATATA means no worries.
Let us pray together.

I am reminded of what my Korean Zen master Seung Sahn said about cultivating the “don’t know” mind. He often told us not to become attached to ideas and concepts, but to be open and fully present to whatever is happening in a given moment. His mantram was: “Only go straight, don’t know.”

George Fox lived in the 17th century, a time of religious war and conflict in which Christians were imprisoning, torturing killing each other by the tens of thousands over matters of doctrine. He warned of having “airy notions” about religion. Many schisms have taken place, even among Friends, over matters of doctrine. Fox advised Friends to focus on love, not opinions.

This message helped me (and others) to keep the World Conference of Friends in perspective. We  don’t have to agree with others in order to love them.

To read Pradip’s reflection in its entirety, see http://www.saltandlight2012.org/reflection-theme-pradip-kumar-lamichhane

Comments

Anthony, thank you for sharing this. Pradip’s words speak to a concern to which I’ve been attending for several years now. Before the first Friends found gatheredness in the Presence which they all were able to experience and affirm to each other, they recognized themselves as Seekers. They came together to acknowledge their loss of understanding, their awareness that traditional words or practices of the earthly church no longer lifted them into that Presence in ways which they could sense and rely upon. They waited in silence because they knew, even in this state of loss, that G-d had the will and the capacity to lead them. Pradip’s “I do not understand..., but I know God…” captures this waiting practice well. The core of it is our lived intention to be tender with each other while we wait for clearness. My concern that many of us are still Seekers and not yet Friends is answered in part by this readiness of so many, coming from so many different directions, to wait tenderly with each other. Blessèd be, Michael
Add a Comment