‘Passing on from heart to heart’ was the theme of the 54th Dialogue & Alliance CC meeting.
The previous meeting (27 September) had focused on the role of institutions.
Some of the participants gathered at the Espace Hirondelles (Orsay)
This session centred on personal relationships. Laurent LADOUCE, who chaired the session, reminded those present that, beyond institutional structures, it is the heart-to-heart encounter between master and disciple, between parent and child, and between teacher and pupil that facilitates transmission.
Reverend Virgile DOSSEH
The Reverend Virgile DOSSEH, from the Methodist tradition, drew on the story of Samuel and the priest Elijah (1 Samuel 3). The Christian faith emphasises ‘heart-to-heart’ transmission. So do African traditions. Knowledge is passed on, but above all, a spirit is communicated, within a living relationship between master and disciple. The spiritual mediator helps to discern the voice of God without claiming it as one’s own. True transmission teaches humble listening and a readiness to receive the divine call. We find this in the Gospel of John: the beloved disciple’s closeness to Jesus and the gesture of the washing of the feet illustrate a transmission of love, spirit and service.
Ms Fouzia OUKAZI
Ms Fouzia OUKAZI then presented transmission in Islam as a gift that has its source in God, the first transmitter of life, knowledge and wisdom. God, the prophets, parents and spiritual masters play an essential role. At every level, true transmission goes beyond intellectual teaching: it is, above all, a transmission from heart to heart. This living transmission is rooted in the remembrance of God (dhikr), spiritual practice, humility and love, so as to lead each person to discover divine unity at the heart of human diversity.
David ZULUAGA
Following these talks, David ZULUAGA, a Colombian violinist, provided a musical interlude by performing Marc-Antoine Charpentier’s Te Deum. As a gesture of thanksgiving, echoing the conclusion of the previous talk, the artist created a moment of contemplation.
Ms Chantal CHÉTELAT-KOMAGATA
Ms Chantal CHÉTELAT-KOMAGATA then spoke about this ‘heart-to-heart’ transmission, drawing on her personal experience and Unificationist teachings. God is a loving Parent who bestows upon every human being creativity, freedom and a sense of responsibility towards others. The family is the first school of love and peace, where resilience, forgiveness and a spirit of service are passed on. Drawing on her experience as a mother and later as a grandmother in an international family spanning three generations, she demonstrated that daily example, affection and dialogue enable universal values to be passed on in a lasting way. This transmission paves the way for the advent of a human family united in its diversity, founded on the common good.
In conclusion, Jean-François MOULINET thanked the various speakers. He extended a special thought to the many participants joining us online from various countries, highlighting the international dimension of Dialogue & Alliance. He also announced that our next meeting, on Sunday 29 November, will continue this reflection on the theme ‘Those wounds that are passed on… and how to free ourselves from them’ (https://tinyurl.com/PS29nove ).
A recording of this meeting is available here: https://youtu.be/leswyoid2rM .
Photos (© Gilles Kalafate)
Dialogue and Alliance CC
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