For me, EMEYF spring gathering was magic. It was so for many reasons. It enabled me to be a part of a spiritual community; it was a chance for me to be with friends I am seldom able to see; it provided me with the space to share spiritual experiences and perspectives with my peers; it was my first substantial experience of being a clerk; and it took place in a land rich with religious heritage.
Of all the places we visited the Umayyad Mosque left the biggest impression on me. I am always in awe of places that have long served human experience of the divine. People have gathered to worship at the site of the Umayyad Mosque for thousands of years. Wikipedia tells me that the first temple was built during the Aramaean era. It was dedicated to a rain god caled Hadad. Then, during the Roman period, Jupiter the king of gods was worshiped there. Once Christianity replaced the Roman gods a church dedicated to John the Baptist was built. Finally, in 715 it became the Mosque it is today.
What struck me about the Umayyad Mosque was that it felt a lot like an old plaza in southern Europe. The people gathering to talk, children running and sliding around on the smooth marble floor and worshipers sat in contemplation; I felt it had a really inclusive atmosphere. What’s more, despite all the liveliness I found plenty of space for quietness and reflection. As I sat I felt at peace.
I was lead into thinking about The Spirit I believe we all form a part of and how we all find our way to approach it. Although don’t share the ‘outward sacraments’ of Islam, I was overwhelmed by a sense of unity. As I sat, this sense drew me deep within myself, to a place I believe I am always present yet too seldom reside. Once there I saw no distinction between my ‘self’ and that of everyone around me. It was nice.
Since returning from Syria I have thought about my encounter in the Mosque and wondered why it came over me so strongly. I can see now that this experience was in many ways facilitated by the gathering; the thoughts and feelings it lead me into. I was thinking a lot about ‘the other’, about the questions of how I relate with it and how it affects my faith. With these questions swimming around in my head, I found the Mosque to be the perfect place to sit and contemplate them.
Here’s a quote from 1762 by John Woolman that comes very close to expressing my experience:
‘There is a principle which is pure, placed in the human mind, which in different places and ages hath different names; it is, however, pure and proceeds from God. It is deep and inward, confined to no forms of religion nor excluded from any where the heart stands in perfect sincerity. In whomsoever this takes root and grows, of what nation soever, they become brethren.’
BYM Quaker Faith and Practice 26:61
I completely relate to your comment about the courtyard of the Umayyad Mosque feeling like a southern european plaza. I found the courtyard so much more powerful and moving than the inside halls of the mosque. Having to take off one's shoes to enter the space I think allowed it to have a much more sacred feeling than a public plaza though; also because the mosque was a destination and not a passing through space. I also contemplated the difference of this space which was so family friendly - where kids could run around and be kids; and the contrast of that to silent Quaker meetings which often seem to challenge the full participation of children.
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