Spirituality – East and West
Wednesdays in August
Berkeley City Club
2315 Durant Avenue

In this session we will examine the spiritual approaches developed over the centuries by the three major Asian religious traditions: Hinduism, Buddhism and Taoism. Speaking in general terms, Eastern religions invite their followers to be practitioners. They are called on to perform specific spiritual exercises — meditation, yoga-type physical disciplines, rhythmic chanting. In recent decades, many Westerners have been attracted to Eastern traditions because they more clearly delineate pathways for the Spirit.

Despite overall similarities, each of these Eastern traditions has its own distinctive character. Not only do these religions differ from each other in their vision of reality, they also each provide quite different models of the spiritual journey. Even the similarities contain divergences: for example, Hindu meditation differs greatly from the approach used by most schools of Buddhism. Such differences in methodology are highly significant — as we will see, different models of spiritual practice yield very different results. It will be suggested that there is no "right way," rather, there is the way that best suits the individual aspirant.

Mysticism is a rich, profound, yet sublimely simple experience at the core of all the world’s religions-available to all, experienced by few. We shall explore the classic trajectory of the mystical journey, including the particular stages of illumination identified in Eastern mysticism. In India, the mystical heart of Hinduism is vibrant and alive, pulsing with energy. Certain individuals are seen as endowed with mystical powers, while others pay reverential respect to those who are so gifted. Hinduism, Buddhism, and the Sufi branch of Islam all relate to the special inner bond that links all of life together in a great Web of Being. In this session, the writings of several influential mystics will be explored, including Ramakrishna, Aurobindo, Gurdjieff & Rumi.

An important question to consider is why, in contrast, mysticism has been so little celebrated or understood in the contemporary Western world. Is there a new scientific mysticism emerging today? Are there mystical underpinnings to the growing “sacred ecology” Gaia movement? Might these be indications of a fresh rediscovery of the unitary mystical roots of our planetary existence?

Of the many religious traditions in Asia, in this session we focus on three – Hindu, Buddhist and Islamic, exploring sacred art in India, Japan and Iran. In Buddhist art we trace the evolution over the centuries from simple pagodas to elaborate temples, like one in Kyoto filled with 1000 gilded sculptures of Kannon, the compassionate Bodhisattva.

Hindu architecture features temples with soaring gateway towers and walls covered with statues of their many deities, sometimes including evocative, even erotic sculptures. In stark contrast, decoration in Islamic art is non-figurative, evoking the subtle spiritual essence of the divine. Walls of mosques are colorfully decorated inside and out with exquisite designs formed of Arabic calligraphy, and floral or geometric patterns. As we compare the often breath-taking examples of sacred art in the East, contrasting the beliefs and rituals of these religions, we can search for what these various forms might share in common in their quest to uplift the devotee’s mind, heart, and spirit.

Incorporating short film segments, this session focuses on the centrality of pilgrimage in Eastern religion. At the core of Hinduism is the concept of darshan: to see and be seen by the deity. It is auspicious and even mandatory for Hindus to have an experience of darshan, particularly in the context of a journey to one of the thousand temples that constitute the sacred landscape of India. Equally significant is the great pilgrimage to Mecca, one of the Five Pillars of Islamic practice incumbent on every Muslim. In addition to Mecca, the faithful travel to hundreds of shrines associated with hallowed saints throughout the Muslim world. With Buddhism, often a symbiotic blending exists with local traditions. In countries such as Tibet and Japan, ceremonies at Buddhist pilgrimage sites integrate elements of ancient animist religions.

Important questions arise to consider: what motivates the millions of people who each year embark on pilgrimages in the East? What new pilgrimage sites are emerging today and how do these relate to the global world in which we live?