Synthesis II
AGNT Convenes Synthesis II,
with His Holiness, the Dalai Lama
Summer, 2001, in Trent, Italy
By Barbara Fields
Executive Director, AGNT
Project Director, Synthesis
Synthesis Participants 2001
From June 27 to July
1, 2002, the Association for Global New Thought convened the second Synthesis Dialogues with His Holiness the Dalai Lama of
Tibet, and an extraordinary group of global leaders and representatives
of the world's major religions. The retreat took at Mariapolis Centre
in Cadine, Italy where warm and loving hospitality was provided by the
Focolare, a group of lay monastic women affiliated with the Vatican
whose mission is to offer loving service and community.
In his initial
address, His Holiness shared His views on: "The Spiritual State of the
World;" "Taking Responsibility for our Useful Commitments;" and,
"Ethics for the New Millennium." Sessions over the next three days were
spent in open dialogue, prayer and meditation, sharing from the heart,
and lively social and political debate. Evening sessions were lightened
by improvisational skits, and music by Rickie Byars-Beckwith, Nawang
Khechog, and local Italian musicians.
Two important themes
for the Dialogues were:
A. To discuss the
urgent questions of religious and political freedom which is brought to
light by the challenges facing Tibet and its people. Participants agree
that a spiritually grounded collaboration will continue to
constructively affect--not only the Tibetan community and culture--but
also indigenous groups everywhere.
B. To explore,
through the exchange of ideas and "best practices" which reflect the
work of those in attendance, the unique opportunities for partnership,
as well as the obstacles they face, in creating a wiser, more peaceful
and compassionate society.
The first Synthesis
Dialogue with His Holiness was inaugurated in Dharamsala, India,
September 1999, at the Norbulingka Institute. The Association for
Global New Thought convenes this project with co-director, Bro. Wayne
Teasdale. The dialogues take place every two years.
The purpose of the
Dialogues is to nurture a unified relationship among influential social
leaders who are deeply concerned about human rights and nonviolence,
and will support a widespread campaign to bring awareness that
practical spirituality must be applied to these issues if there is to
be a breakthrough in response to the world's suffering.
All participants are
significant leaders in their own right who sense that important shifts
are possible only by encountering the creative imagination of their
counterparts in other fields. And it
probably fair to say that everyone shares an interest in the evolution
of consciousness, in the sense that transformation within the
individual precedes any hoped-for impact upon the larger community.
The occasion of our
meeting with His Holiness is not arbitrary. The Tibetan model intends
for the spiritual enterprise to suffuse governance,
education and all aspects of the culture. Not only is it uniquely
suited to teach us about synthesis, but also affirms the very same
practical spirituality that is the mission of the Association for
Global New Thought. His Holiness certainly
embodies "socio-spiritual" leadership, himself, and is openly impressed
by the cocreative mission of AGNT and its friends in Synthesis.
The existence of the
Buddhist School of Dialectics ("dialectic" being another name for
synthesis) is but one more example. By "Westernizing" or rendering in
non-religious language some of the concepts, Synthesis can be of value
in helping to reframe the Tibetan model of "applied spirituality" so
that it can receive much wider appreciation. This will also serve to
strengthen public respect for Tibet's unique role in the ecology of
cultures, and promote visibility of New Thought / Ancient Wisdom as an
established proponent of these principles. AGNT
has already found concrete ways to partner with the Tibetan community
in the matter of its survival and its outreach worldwide.
His Holiness has
suggested that Synthesis III be held in Taiwan, in 2003. To
follow-through with the work done in Trent, The Association for Global
New Thought has developed a dedicated website that is now to members
and friends of AGNT. Visit www.synthesisdialogues.org