A Leap of (Inter)Faith: Finding treasures through

By Amber Mattingly and Lisa Antoniotti

How can a spiritual practice from one spiritual tradition be used wisely, respectfully, and effectively in another?

In this 46th volume in the Topical Line Drives series two authors, one ordained in the Tibetan Buddhist tradition and one a Christian Church/Disciples of Christ minister combine their talents, their passion, and their desire to serve by looking at one practice from the Tibetan Buddhist tradition and how it might be practiced by Christians.

They examine both the theoretical, theological, and religious aspects of responding positively to the possibilities in this sharing. At the same time, they are careful to respect one another’s faith traditions so that this sharing can be building and healing.

Books in this series are by nature short and to the point. This is an introduction. But it is a powerful and helpful introduction, one that may lead the reader into new adventures of faith and spiritual life.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Energion Publications
• Release date: Feb 21, 2022
• ISBN: 9781631998034

Book preview

9781631998027_fc.jpg

A leap of (inter)Faith

Finding treasures through

shared practice

Amber Mattingley

And

Lisa Antoniotti (Ngawang Pema)

Topical Line Drives, Volume 46

Energion Publications

Gonzalez, Florida

2022

Copyright © 2022, Amber Mattingly and Lisa Antoniotti

Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture quotations are from New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright © 1989 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

ISBN: 978-1-63199-802-7

eISBN: 978-1-63199-803-4

Energion Publications

PO Box 841

Gonzalez, FL 32560

https://energion.com

[e-mail]

Table of Contents

Table of Contents iii

Introduction 1

Shared Practice 3

About Pema 5

About Amber 7

Working at the Fringe 9

Our Traditions 11

Getting Started with the Practice 15

The Meditation 17

Spiritual Experiences 19

Healing of Fear and Intimacy 20

Physical Healing 23

Wisdom from Crossing Over 23

Insights 25

Amber’s Experience 27

Theological Connections 28

The Research Study 31

Christian Perspectives 32

Relational 32

Biblical 35

Summary 36

Conclusion 39

A special thank you to Dino Geshe Rinpoche

without whose teaching this project and subsequent

study would not be possible.

Introduction

(Amber)

My first class at Claremont School of Theology met on a stage and the chairs were set up in a large circle. As I looked around a room with many smiling faces, Pema’s smile stood out from the crowd. I noticed that she was different from the other students, yet there was a heartfelt quality that drew me towards Pema. I’ve experienced this before with a few individuals and found that when I follow this instinct, I recognize a kindred spirit. In digging a little deeper, I realized that I am oriented towards those who are different from the group, desiring to offer friendship, respect, and inclusion. My experience of being the Other softens my heart towards those who might feel the same way. So when I entered the doctoral program at Claremont School of Theology in 2017, I immediately noticed Pema.

In our third year together, I took a class called Multi-Religious Contemplative Capacities for Engaged Compassion. I was interested in this class because it gave me the opportunity to engage spiritual practices from a variety of religious traditions. The final project intrigued me the most. The instructions directed me to find a person from a religious tradition that is different than mine and to ask them to teach me a practice. Pema immediately came to my mind. My request was not just for her to teach me any practice, but one that felt dear to her heart. My intention was to better understand a practice that was heartful because I felt our emerging friendship was about a deeper connection than what we initially considered.

Shared Practice

(Pema)

When I first met Amber, I thought she was a conservative Southern Christian. As a Buddhist, I was unsure if I should speak with her because I felt she may not want to speak with me. But I do not always believe the first thing that I think. Instead, I chose to get to know her. We met on the first day of our doctoral program at the Methodist founded Claremont School of Theology (CST), where there seemed to be a more diverse group of clergy than usual. Among a cohort of about 40, there were Pentecostals, Seventh Day Adventists, Episcopalians, Methodists, Baptists, Disciples, Coptic Christians, Lutherans, and Unitarian Universalists. Surprisingly, there were as many women as men. Yet as a Buddhist in flowing maroon robes, I still appeared very different. Our mutual curiosity led Amber and I to quickly become friends.

In my third-year project, I wanted to better understand modern Christian spirituality. I chose to interview Amber regarding her spiritual history and her beliefs in God and Jesus. I asked about her spiritual practices and experience before we