When the alabaster bowl resonates.

We entered a large candlelit room, a dusky twilight of shadow, faces barely distinguishable. Those already gathered were reverential, creating sacred space as they encircled a large alabaster bowl positioned on the floor in the center. The bowl was a powerful presence standing about two feet tall and with equal circumference. It reflected the candlelight, both absorbing and giving off a translucent aura that complemented its resonance. A young man sat before it, son of Russian immigrants, one a Jew, the other Russian Orthodox. He struck the bowl with a hide covered stick and drew the stick around the circumference of the bowl repeatedly to tease the vibrations from its source. As the sound waves intensified and the vibrations penetrated body, soul, and every porous molecule of that room, he began to chant a low, gutteral sound in the style of a Native American shaman. Others picked up musical instruments or added their own vocal sounds to his.  Soon, there were soft drum beats, hand claps, a tambourine and maracas adding to the rhythm.

I listened, closed my eyes, leaned back, felt at peace. I wondered where was the boundary and the overlap between spirituality and organized religion? Is there some immutable universal force that was beyond what defined me in the traditions of my parents, their parents, my ancestry? Were the voices of the others next to me authentic or contrived, attempting to fit into being what this culture was promising that they could not find satisfaction in from the culture into which they were born?  This group is a mixture, raised in the traditions of western religion:  Catholic, Quaker, Southern Baptist, Methodist, Episcopalian, Presbyterian, Jewish.

At the close, participants were invited to light candles and offer a prayer. Their wishes are universal: harmony, peace, sustainability, prosperity, joy, stewardship of the earth. Some asked for strength to find their own voice, to speak up, to take a stand, to communicate clearly and respectfully, to make a difference in the world, to walk softly and honor the earth. Some expressed wishes in silence.

The ceremony closed with a circle, each of us holding hands in harmony and hopefulness for creating something better in the world. None of the spoken prayers were offered to an almighty or to any religious deity, named or not. I felt this experience to be compatible with my own history, beliefs and traditions, a complement to my existence and identity.