Threaded Wisdom is an opportunity to foster our interfaith relationships through a sharing of prayers, meditations, and practices from diverse faith traditions—a threading together of wisdom that allows for a greater depth of appreciation and understanding of others’ faith traditions.
Each month, we welcome community members to share words and practices that are related to a particular theme. Submissions can be a prayer, an excerpt from a text, a meditation, or an embodied practice.
Submissions don't necessarily have to be from a particular religious figure or tradition. We welcome shares from texts or individuals outside of a spiritual context who have offered inspiration and insight, which could be a philosopher or even a neuroscientist.
Thank you for joining us as we honor each other and ourselves through this threading together of wisdom.
With gratitude,
Wyoming Interfaith Network
DECEMBER'S THEME: BEAUTY
The Rev. Annemarie Delgado, WIN Executive Director, shared the following thoughts from a Christian perspective:
Diana Butler Bass, author and theologian, frames beauty as central to a Christian faith that is not aligned with Christian nationalism, but rather with love, justice, and a vision of peace. Her reflections often contrast the beauty of God’s desire for the world—characterized by shalom, or peace, and the image of every person living under their own vine and fig tree—with the ugliness and cruelty of empire.
Bass argues that Jesus’ teachings were fundamentally anti-imperial, opposing the concentration of power, wealth, and oppression that define empires. In this context, beauty is not found in power or wealth, but in the radical kindness, mercy, and justice that Jesus embodied. She emphasizes that beauty emerges in the everyday rhythms of life, in community, and in moments of spiritual connection—what she describes as the "flash of sanctity" amid the mundane. This vision of beauty is also tied to the idea of a "new village church," a pilgrim community on a journey, where spiritual life is lived out in the world.
Several of her conversations reflect on how beauty can be found even in times of crisis, such as political upheaval and humanitarian suffering, by focusing on hope, goodness, and the enduring power of love. She also highlights the importance of resisting narratives of power and control, advocating instead for a faith that embraces vulnerability, humility, and the sacredness of ordinary life.
Read more from Diana Butler Bass on substack: dianabutlerbass.substack.com
or on her website: dianabutlerbass.com
Katrina, a member of the Baha'i faith and WIN Board Chair, offered the following quote by Abdu'l-Baha:
"Consider the flowers of the rose garden. Although they are of different kinds, various colors and diverse forms and appearances, yet as they drink from one water, are swayed by one breeze and grow by the warmth and light of one sun, this variation and this difference cause each to enhance the beauty and splendor of the others. The differences in manners, in customs, in habits, in thoughts, opinions and in temperaments is the cause of the adornment of the world of mankind. This is praiseworthy. Likewise this difference and this variation, like the difference and variation of the parts and members of the human body, are the cause of the appearance of beauty and perfection.”
Liz, who is a Druid, sent the following:
Ricky Fitts: Do you want to see the most beautiful thing I’ve ever filmed? It was one of those days, when it’s a minute away from snowing and there was this electricity in the air. You can almost hear it, right? And this bag was just dancing with me like a little kid begging me to play with it. For 15 minutes. That’s the day I realized that there was this entire life behind things and this incredibly benevolent force that wanted me to know that there was no reason to be afraid. Ever. Video’s a poor excuse, I know, but it helps me remember. I need to remember. Sometimes there’s so much beauty in the world I feel like I can’t take it and my heart is just going to cave in.
Lester Burnham [narrating]: I had always heard your entire life flashes in front of your eyes the second before you die. First of all, that one second isn't a second at all. It stretches on forever, like an ocean of time. For me, it was lying on my back at Boy Scout camp, watching falling stars. And yellow leaves from the maple trees that lined our street. Or my grandmother's hands and the way her skin seemed like paper. And the first time I saw my cousin Tony's brand-new Firebird. And Janie. And Janie. And Carolyn. I guess I could be pretty pissed off about what happened to me, but it's hard to stay mad, when there's so much beauty in the world. Sometimes I feel like I'm seeing it all at once and it's too much. My heart fills up like a balloon that's about to burst. And then I remember to relax and stop trying to hold on to it. And then it flows through me like rain, and I can't feel anything but gratitude for every single moment of my stupid little life. You have no idea what I'm talking about, I'm sure. But don't worry... you will someday.
Kim shared the following quote by Amit Ray:
Beauty is the purest feeling of the soul. Beauty arises when soul is satisfied.
Nonviolence: The Transforming Power
Next month's theme — Restoration
We want to hear from you! Please feel free to share your words or practices.
Submissions are due by the 15th of each month.
Please use this Google document form to send us your contributions, or email them directly to Kim for inclusion.
