Flowing Dialogue: Water as a Metaphor for Interfaith Connection

Photo Essay by Maya Belorusskiy (SFS’28)

The CMSF Interfaith Retreat invited us to connect with nature and with one another. The physical world became present in our shared prayers and the spaces we inhabited together. I chose to center my reflections around water, which is ever-flowing and connects one body to another—much like our dialogue.

A Waterfall: Arriving at the Calcagnini Contemplative Center (CCC), I could not have imagined a better welcome. Bright, energetic voices brought everyone together in the Arrupe Community Building (alongside a couple of younger friends!). From introductory icebreakers to a dynamic game of musical chairs, our cohort’s first evening in the Virginia wilderness was a waterfall of emotions. Though not immediately centered around faith, I felt enriched by the different personalities in the room. Everyone had a different lived experience to offer. Through sharing stories (and snacks, and card game tips), I grew closer to those around me, becoming all the more ready to connect with my faith and that of others.

An Estuary: Engaging the cohort in its first religious experience was especially significant to me. The service, called Havdalah, comes from the Jewish faith, marking the end of the Sabbath. Havdalah is a communal celebration, involving friends and family to welcome the start of the new week. Together, we sang songs, smelled spices, and lit the Ner Havdalah (three-wick candle). Having spent the last couple of years on my own journey connecting with faith, it warmed my heart to sway alongside my new peers. Celebrating Havdalah made me think back to a question posed earlier in the day, “When was a time that you felt [a part of your tradition’s community]?”  For me, like many, faith is a product of community. It was beautiful to see the group’s differences meld into one shared hope, allowing something beautiful to emerge: an estuary.

A Current: As Saturday night waned, a group gathered in the Chapel of St. Ignatius. After Fr. Greg Schenden, S.J., director of Campus Ministry, led us through an Ignatian Examen, we came together to share our thoughts, our laughs, and our dreams for the future. We reflected on how far we had come, both as individuals and as a community. I saw myself in my peers–whether through teaching a friend how to “do the worm,” or singing through our playlists. Marking the end of the first day’s official programming, everyone had retreated to their subgroups. Some aligned along faith lines, some sought mutual friends, and others were united by s’mores (or some late-night homework). The night was ours–the dialogue we had engaged in earlier metamorphosed into a current of energy.  

A Stream: At some point, I stepped back. One thing that we all came to appreciate at the CCC, besides the amazing amenities and the Blue Ridge Mountains, were the stars. On the way back to my room, I paused to reflect on my Saturday. It was such a joy to experience, to meet, and to open myself to difference. I had learned so much from those around me and their traditions. 

Tracing my finger from Orion’s Belt to the tip of the Big Dipper, I let the day’s experience wash over me. I engaged myself in a new stream of consciousness, asking: what have I learned? What do I hope to learn? What will my next steps be? Seeing the illuminated chapel cut through the vast darkness channeled my queries. I was excited for the day ahead, with a Buddhist meditation scheduled to start our morning. At the same time, I was thankful for the present moment: the retreat, the Chapel, and the CCC. 

A Delta: The retreat’s programming culminated on Saturday. Groups from different backgrounds sat together, working through difficult questions. We discussed our experiences with encountering difference, stereotyping, and bias. Seeing others reflect alongside me was eye-opening. I found parallels between my faith and others, growing closer to both my peers and the dialogue itself. 

It was powerful to be able to share the stories of others. Asking questions, I felt myself digging deeper into my own experiences. Joining Imam Yahya Hendi, director for Muslim Life in a combined Dhuhr and Asr Salaat prayer helped ground this sentiment, centering my experience. The capstone to our dialogue was the final prayer for peace, led by Brahmacharini Shweta Chaitanya, director for Dharmic Life. Whether we were ready to leave or not, returning to campus was a re-engagement. This time, however, we came with new stories to share, new jokes to laugh about, and a new foundation in place: a delta.  

Maya Belorusskiy (SFS’28) is pursuing an International Political Economy major in the School of Foreign Service at Georgetown University.

CMSF is the Campus Ministry Student Forum.