Bede Griffiths

Fr Charles visited Bede Griffiths’ ashram, Shantivanum in India in the late 1980’s. Bede wrote many books which influenced Charles which include: The Golden String, The Marriage of East and West and The River of Compassion which Charles read in Nov of 1988.

Bede Griffiths was a British Benedictine monk and a pioneering figure in the dialogue between Christianity and Hinduism. Here are ten of his most prominent teachings from his books:

1. The universality of the spiritual path: Griffiths teaches that there is a universal path to the divine that is accessible to all people, regardless of their religious or cultural background.
2. The unity of all religions: Griffiths believes that all religions share a common spiritual core and that each tradition can learn from the insights and practices of other traditions.
3. The importance of contemplative prayer: Griffiths emphasizes the value of contemplative prayer as a way of entering into a direct experience of the divine.
4. The need for inner transformation: Griffiths teaches that spiritual growth involves a process of inner transformation that requires openness to change and a willingness to let go of old habits and ways of thinking.
5. The role of community: Griffiths believes that spiritual growth is supported by a community of like-minded individuals who can share in the spiritual journey and provide mutual support.
6. The value of service: Griffiths teaches that service to others is an important aspect of the spiritual life, as it helps to cultivate compassion and a sense of connection to others.
7. The importance of ecological consciousness: Griffiths emphasizes the need for an ecological consciousness that recognizes the interconnectedness of all living beings and the need for stewardship of the natural world.
8. The role of art and music in spirituality: Griffiths sees art and music as important vehicles for spiritual expression, as they can evoke deep emotions and connect us to the divine.
9. The need for a spiritual teacher: Griffiths believes that a spiritual teacher or guru can provide guidance and support on the spiritual path.
10. The goal of spiritual unity: Griffiths sees the ultimate goal of the spiritual path as a state of unity with the divine, in which all distinctions between self and other are dissolved and the individual is united with the ultimate reality