http://tanenbaumcenter.wordpress.com/2007/10/25/day-three-of-retreat/ Religious diversity, multiculturalism and more. Mon, 16 Nov 2009 15:39:28 +0000 http://wordpress.com/ hourly 1 http://tanenbaumcenter.wordpress.com/2007/10/25/day-three-of-retreat/#comment-5 Thomas Butler Fri, 09 Nov 2007 22:54:25 +0000 http://tanenbaumcenter.wordpress.com/2007/10/25/day-three-of-retreat/#comment-5 I have been to this old monastery (tekije) at Blagaj several times, and have felt the spiritual energy that resides in its rooms, the residue of many centuries of prayer. You were right to go to a Sufi center, for not only was Sufism an important practice in Bosnian Islam, it has always provided an appealing bridge between Christianity and Islam. The natural beauties, too, of this place call forth a spirit of regeneration and peace. A fine choice. Tom Butler PS I don't know about the restoration on the bridge in Mostar as providing much hope about reconciliation, since as you say, the city of Mostar is tragically divided. If anything, the bridge convinces us that metaphor has lost its power in the face of such great tragedy, and that some other form of expression needs to be found. I have been to this old monastery (tekije) at Blagaj several times, and have felt the spiritual energy that resides in its rooms, the residue of many centuries of prayer. You were right to go to a Sufi center, for not only was Sufism an important practice in Bosnian Islam, it has always provided an appealing bridge between Christianity and Islam. The natural beauties, too, of this place call forth a spirit of regeneration and peace. A fine choice.
Tom Butler
PS I don’t know about the restoration on the bridge in Mostar as providing much hope about reconciliation, since as you say, the city of Mostar is tragically divided. If anything, the bridge convinces us that metaphor has lost its power in the face of such great tragedy, and that some other form of expression needs to be found.

]]> http://tanenbaumcenter.wordpress.com/2007/10/25/day-three-of-retreat/#comment-3 Laura Thu, 25 Oct 2007 19:48:23 +0000 http://tanenbaumcenter.wordpress.com/2007/10/25/day-three-of-retreat/#comment-3 Heather! It's such a joy to read these blogs! Thanks for giving some insight and imagery to all of us waiting back in New York. The office is lonely without you. Keep writing! ~Laura. Heather! It’s such a joy to read these blogs! Thanks for giving some insight and imagery to all of us waiting back in New York. The office is lonely without you. Keep writing!
~Laura.

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