As I am a gardener in all things, this. Perennialism is the method of only planting a single seed type in a carefully groomed row, and allowing only that plant to grow in that row. While it is a part of the greater garden, it is it's own collective, and therefore isolated and isolating becoming less beneficial and productive than it could be. On the converse, Eclecticism which is often presented as the opposite of Perennialism, is simply a fertile patch of turned earth where all the seeds are thrown together, that which grows, grows, but is not necessarily the best choices to combine. In your Deep Ecumenism, I perceive that you are suggesting planting the seeds together that benefit each other and the garden the most, while weeding out the traditionally overbearing plants or rigid beliefs. Yours is a garden of "faith" areas to be moved around and through with thoughtful consideration and yet, without traditional rigid structures that discourages the best growth of the individual and inhibits a fully beneficial harvest for the community.
That is a pretty good analogy. Sorry it took me so long to reply, I was in California on a board retreat for CSC and only just got home.
Deep Ecumenism is one of the core practices of Creation Spirituality and it starts in such a different place from perennialism. It starts with listening to and learning from those in question, We strive to understand and celebrate those who had the initial insight or who created the practice or ritual and only adopt it for ourselves with permission. Respect for the originating traditional is at the heart of Deep Ecumenism. Other than that, your analogy works rather well. the only thing I would add to it is that we study with the farmers of the new seeds and only plant them in our garden with their blessing.
I really loved this!
I am glad. I was really nervous righting it because I love Denis's work so much, but this one concerned me.
I enjoyed this very much as always.
May I offer an analogy as to my understanding?
As I am a gardener in all things, this. Perennialism is the method of only planting a single seed type in a carefully groomed row, and allowing only that plant to grow in that row. While it is a part of the greater garden, it is it's own collective, and therefore isolated and isolating becoming less beneficial and productive than it could be. On the converse, Eclecticism which is often presented as the opposite of Perennialism, is simply a fertile patch of turned earth where all the seeds are thrown together, that which grows, grows, but is not necessarily the best choices to combine. In your Deep Ecumenism, I perceive that you are suggesting planting the seeds together that benefit each other and the garden the most, while weeding out the traditionally overbearing plants or rigid beliefs. Yours is a garden of "faith" areas to be moved around and through with thoughtful consideration and yet, without traditional rigid structures that discourages the best growth of the individual and inhibits a fully beneficial harvest for the community.
Am I close?
That is a pretty good analogy. Sorry it took me so long to reply, I was in California on a board retreat for CSC and only just got home.
Deep Ecumenism is one of the core practices of Creation Spirituality and it starts in such a different place from perennialism. It starts with listening to and learning from those in question, We strive to understand and celebrate those who had the initial insight or who created the practice or ritual and only adopt it for ourselves with permission. Respect for the originating traditional is at the heart of Deep Ecumenism. Other than that, your analogy works rather well. the only thing I would add to it is that we study with the farmers of the new seeds and only plant them in our garden with their blessing.