Father Bede Griffiths: Interspirituality For The Twenty-First Century with Brother Wayne Teasdale, Russill & Asha Paul

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The late Brother Wayne Teasdale and the Pauls share their experience of Father Bede Griffiths, his legacy, and the promise it holds for the world we face today. Father Dom Bede Griffiths was a much-revered mystic who grew beyond his Christian traditions to embrace and embody the philosophical grounding of both eastern and western thought. His gift of unconditional love and the divine presence he brought to this world were transformative to his students. His teachings speak to the ever-widening numbers of people finding greater meaning beyond the scope of their root traditions. In this conversation Brother Wayne Teasdale and Asha and Russill Paul share their experience of Father Bede and his legacy, and the promise it holds for the world we face today. Russill Paul explains, "As we move into this age in which people feel that they need more than one tradition to feel complete and whole and find balance in their lives, Bede is an icon of interspiritual integrity, because he found a balance in the wholeness of this East-West, male-female, Hindu-Christian meeting point. Somehow he lived and breathed it, and set something in motion for a lot of different people around the world." (hosted by Michael Toms)

Bio

Fr. Bede Griffiths (1906-1993) was one of the great spiritual prophets of the 20th century and a true holy man. He was an English Benedictine monk who settled in India in 1955 and went on to become one of the great mystical teachers of our time. In India, where he assumed the dress and ascetic discipline of a Hindu holy man, Griffiths established a Christian community following the customs of a Hindu ashram. Through his immersion in the scriptures of India he found wisdom and inspiration for his own Christian faith. He won worldwide recognition for his pioneering efforts to bridge the great traditions of Christian and Hindu faith. He was an advocate for global spiritual friendship, rather than a global religion and encouraged the cultivation of respect for each other’s spiritual practices.  

His books include:

• Bede Griffiths: Essential Writings (Orbus Books 2004)
• The Golden String: An Autobiography (Templegate 1980)
• Marriage of East and West: A Sequel to The Golden String (Templegate 1982)
• The Cosmic Revelation: The Hindu Way to God (Templegate 1983)
• Christ in India (Templegate 1984)

To learn more about the work of Fr. Bede Griffiths go to www.bedegriffiths.com.

Brother Wayne Teasdale had a doctorate in theology from Fordham University, and served on the Board of Trustees of The Parliament of World Religions. He was an adjunct professor at De Paul University, Columbia College and the Catholic Theological Union and Coordinator of the Bede Griffiths International Trust.

Br. Wayne Teasdale’s books include:

• Bede Griffiths: An Introduction to His Interspiritual Thought (SkyLight Paths 2003)
• The Mystic Heart: Discovering a Universal Spirituality in the World's Religions (New World Library 2001)

To learn more about the work and teachings of Br. Wayne Teasdale go to www.spiritualityandpractice.com/teachers/teachers.php?id=202.

Asha Paul is a writer, yoga teacher; holds a doctorate in Natural Health.

Russill Paul is a recording artist and creator of the Yoga of Sound 3 CD set. His books include:

• The Yoga of Sound: Tapping the Hidden Power of Music and Chant (New World Library 2006)

To learn more about the work of Russill and Asha Paul go to www.russillpaul.com.

Topics Explored in This Dialogue

• What is the common ground of mysticism that speaks to each of us from all faith traditions
• What are the many ways of knowing that amplify scientific knowledge
• Why Nature mysticism is important
• How to create a deep integration of body, mind and spirit
• How a stroke made it possible for the Divine to more completely infuse and penetrate Father Bede's mind
• How the divine feminine represents the motherhood dimension of God

Host: Michael Toms        Interview Date: 9/12/2003         Program Number: 3009

Music Included

From Album: Spirit Bridges: Yogic Music of the Ten String Avitar
Artist: Russill Paul
1970 Russill Paul DANLAXMI
Track - Flowing Down Under

From Album: Shakti Yoga
Artist: Russill Paul
2000 The Relaxation Company CD 3131
Track - Shakti Yoga

From Album: A.M. & P.M. Yoga Chants
Artist: Russill Paul
2001 Relaxation Company
Track - PM Yoga Chants