[Oe List ...] Salmon: Initial reflections on Ecumenism

[William Salmon]

John Cock,  et. al.,
	The following are some random thoughts on the topic of ecumenism. This note is meant to be to share some starting points for consideration. 
1.	Start Dust-
	All that exists today became possible because of the Big Bang. Everything is made of star dust. This is the essential commonality of all existence. 

2.	Interdependence-
	a.	Somewhere there exists the quotation that I’ve adulterated as follows: “A butterfly does not flap its wings but that the sound roars in the ears of the 	Awakened.” 
	b.	The American Indian culture has much to say about the harmony of all things.
	c.	Doesn’t the philosophy of Buddhism offer a helpful perspective?
	d.	I wonder what the Aboriginal culture might offer?

3.	Doctrine of the Atonement-
	Over the last 25 years I’ve explored the significance of the term At-One-Ment. From a theological perspective, what it means to be human is experienced in the phrase, “We fulfill our intended creation by living the humane and gracious life while working of justice and mercy.” At-One-Ment is a manifestation of “Is-ness,” or of the essence of all things. Jesus summarized it in the Great Commandment to “Love God and neighbor as we love ourselves.” 

4.	The following writers are helpful. I have detailed chart of, Sweet, Leonard, Quantum Spirituality.
	a.	Other authors that can speak to this are:
Hawking, Stephen, A Brief History of Time.
Eckardt Tolle, “The Power of Now,” and “A New Earth,” speak powerfully to the role of the essence of all things. 
	Interestingly: two books by Robert Pirsig could provide a philosophical foundation for any study on ecumenism. These are, “Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance,” and “Lila.” Pirsig is helpful in defining the nature of “Quality;” i.e., Jewish/Sophist “Goodness.” Isn’t this the glue that holds us together? 

Question: Didn’t E.I. pick up this name when Bishop Jim invited Joe and the Austin group to take over the work of the “Ecumenical Institute” in Evanston? This was an undergraduate school based on the educational philosophy of the Ecumenical Institute in Bossy, Switzerland?  
	As always John, you keep our juices stirred. 
	Inner Peace, 
	Bill Salmon
		
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