Getting to the Heart of Interfaith

Pastor Don Mackenzie, PhD, Rabbi Ted Falcon, PhD, and Imam Jamal Rahman—now known as the Interfaith Amigos—started working together after 9/11. Since then, they have brought their unique blend of spiritual wisdom and humor to audiences in the US, Israel-Palestine, Japan and more. Their first book, Getting to the Heart of Interfaith: The Eye-Opening, Hope-Filled Friendship of a Pastor, a Rabbi and an Imam, brought the Interfaith Amigos international attention with coverage from the New York Times, CBS News and NPR.Their second book, Religion Gone Astray: What We Found at the Heart of Interfaith, probes more deeply into the problem aspects of our religious institutions to provide a profound understanding of the nature of what divides us. Their work is dedicated to supporting more effective interfaith dialogue that can bring greater collaboration on the major social and economic issues of our time.Pastor Don Mackenzie, PhD, is former minister and head of staff at University Congregational United Church of Christ in Seattle.Pastor Don Mackenzie, PhD, Rabbi Ted Falcon, PhD, and Imam Jamal Rahman—now known as the Interfaith Amigos—started working together after 9/11. Since then, they have brought their unique blend of spiritual wisdom and humor to audiences in the US, Israel-Palestine, Japan and more. Their first book, Getting to the Heart of Interfaith: The Eye-Opening, Hope-Filled Friendship of a Pastor, a Rabbi and an Imam, brought the Interfaith Amigos international attention with coverage from the New York Times, CBS News and NPR.Their second book, Religion Gone Astray: What We Found at the Heart of Interfaith, probes more deeply into the problem aspects of our religious institutions to provide a profound understanding of the nature of what divides us. Their work is dedicated to supporting more effective interfaith dialogue that can bring greater collaboration on the major social and economic issues of our time.Rabbi Ted Falcon, PhD, founder of meditative synagogues in Los Angeles and Seattle, is author of A Journey of Awakening: Kabbalistic Meditations on the Tree of Life and coauthor of Judaism For Dummies.Imam Jamal Rahman is a beloved teacher and retreat leader whose passion for helping people deepen their spiritual lives and cultivate interfaith understanding has inspired audiences throughout the world. He has been featured in the New York Times, on CBS News, the BBC and many NPR programs. He is cofounder and Muslim Sufi minister at Interfaith Community Sanctuary, adjunct faculty at Seattle University and a former host of Interfaith Talk Radio. He is author of Sacred Laughter of the Sufis: Awakening the Soul with the Mulla's Comic Teaching Stories & Other Islamic Wisdom and Spiritual Gems of Islam: Insights & Practices from the Qur'an, Hadith, Rumi & Muslim Teaching Stories to Enlighten the Heart & Mind (both SkyLight Paths) and The Fragrance of Faith: The Enlightened Heart of Islam; and coauthor of Getting to the Heart of Interfaith: The Eye-Opening, Hope-Filled Friendship of a Pastor, a Rabbi & an Imam and Religion Gone Astray: What We Found at the Heart of Interfaith (both SkyLight Paths), among other books.

• Introduction 11. THE INTERFAITH JOURNEY: Stages of Interfaith Dialogue and Collaboration 5What Is Interfaith? 5Five Stages on the Interfaith Journey 7The Next Step 262. THE POWER OF OUR STORIES: Moving Beyond Separation and Suspicion 27Interfaith from the Inside Out 27Pastor Don's Journey to Interfaith 29Rabbi Ted’s Journey to Interfaith 34Sheikh Jamal’s Journey to Interfaith 38How We Got Together 43Forging a Path 483. THE CORE OF OUR TRADITIONS: Inquiring More Deeply 51Timeless Teachings 51Pastor Don: Love 53Rabbi Ted: Sh’ma 60Sheikh Jamal: Basmala 69Finding Common Ground 774. THE PROMISES AND PROBLEMS OF OUR TRADITIONS: Sharing Both the Easy and the Difficult Parts 79Honest Dialogue 79Living into Deeper Sharing 1035. PERSPECTIVES ON ISRAEL AND PALESTINE: Moving Beyond Safe Territory 105The Elephant in the Room 105A Christian in Israel and Palestine 107A Jew in Israel and Palestine 114A Muslim in Israel and Palestine 121Blessings at the Galilee 129Expanding Our View 1316. NEW DIMENSIONS OF SPIRITUAL IDENTITY: Exploring Spiritual Practices from Other Traditions 135A Deeper Taste 135Pastor Don’s Practices 136Rabbi Ted’s Practices 141Sheikh Jamal’s Practices 147Healing through Spiritual Practices 1527. THERE IS ALWAYS MORE: The Conclusion Is Also a Beginning 155Authentic Spiritual Paths 155Inclusive Spirituality 159Don’s Reflections 160Ted’s Reflections 162Jamal’s Reflections 163Honoring the Spirit 164The Future of Interfaith Dialogue and Celebration 168Discussion Questions 171Suggestions for Further Reading 178Acknowledgments 180Credits 183

"A masterful first-hand account of interfaith dialogue. Insightful, interesting, informative and important ... [will be] of great interest to individual readers and a rich resource for religious communities seeking to create such dialogue."—Marcus J. Borg, best-selling author, The Heart of Christianity: Rediscovering a Life of Faith and other books"[A] very personal book … proposes a road map for spiritual growth and interfaith cooperation. It will open [our] hearts and minds to each other and each other's faith traditions."—Rabbi Leonard A. Schoolman, founding director, Center for Religious Inquiry, New York; author, The Changing Christian World: A Brief Introduction for Jews“Not an ordinary book, rather the lived experience of three religious leaders and the exploration of their faith differences. Lifts up a way to peaceful living based in understanding and compassion.”—Rev. Dr. Joan Brown Campbell, former general secretary, The National Council of Churches in Christ (United States)“Courageous…. Provides an essential and inspiring guide to religious healing and the human step to spiritual maturity.”—David Korten, board chair, YES! Magazine; author, Agenda for a New Economy and The Great Turning: From Empire to Earth Community“Brings us something new: true and honest friendship as evidenced in tough talk and deep interspiritual sharing. Read this book and live it. Get your clergy to do the same.”—Rabbi Rami Shapiro, author, The Sacred Art of Lovingkindness: Preparing to Practice“Important. The perfect book to introduce the world of interfaith cooperation and understanding [and] a great way for any local religious community's adult study group to safely dive in.”—Rev. Bud Heckman, director for external relations, Religions for Peace; author, InterActive Faith: The Essential Interreligious Community-Building Handbook“Written with clarity, insight and wisdom ... provides a judicious model for developing bonds across religious boundaries. Read it—and put its recommendations into practice.”—Sr. Mary C. Boys, Skinner and McAlpin Professor of Practical Theology, Union Theological Seminary, New York City; coauthor, Christians & Jews in Dialogue: Learning in the Presence of the Other