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Alan Walker Lecture: A Different Perspective

Eleventh International Life Line Convention
Rainbow Convention
Cape Town- 1999:11:05

In saluting Sir Alan, we remember that each generation stands on the shoulders

of the preceding generation

Life Line is a product of his creative spirit

Sir Alan dreamed of Life Line as a specifically Christian mantle of compassion,

stretching over the whole world

In fact, his mandate for this lecture reads:

"To expound the Christian basis of Life Line and the positive contribution faith in God

and Christian insights make to effective counselling "

My understanding is that this original vision of Life Line, as a specifically Christian Movement, has been experienced as too exclusive and restrictive

So it seems appropriate, at this Rainbow Convention, to affirm that Life Line has

grown into a non-specific, non-sectarian, broad based network of caring, covering

certain areas of the globe

It is important to pay homage to our roots, our origins, they are precious and unique

We dare not reject them!

However, we are aware that Life Line has grown and developed far beyond the original vision

Allow me to venture, briefly, where angels fear to tread,

and suggest that, in practice, the Movement has embarked on a path that is characterised by inclusivity, openness, holism

It is a path that continues to afford a special place to spirituality,

however, a spirituality that is more broadly defined

in fact, to everything that encourages growth towards greater and greater awareness

Thomas Moore, in his book Care of the Soul (Piatleus, 1992) says:

"...spirituality is an aspect of any attempt to approach or attend to the invisible factors in life and to transcend the personal, concrete, finite particulars of this world"

Spirituality, in this sense, is a vital dimension of human existence

Spirituality, in this sense, suggests, that everyone and everything has a spiritual dimension

Moore declares that "This spiritual point of view is necessary for the soul, providing the breadth of vision, the inspiration, and the sense of meaning it needs"

I want to suggest that Life Line needs to wholeheartedly embrace this broad based spiritual point of view

It will be good for the Movement's soul

We cannot be completely congruent, we cannot operate with complete integrity, if we retain an understanding of spirituality that is specifically religious

I believe that Life Line will do well to continue emphasising a holistic understanding of human nature

It will do well to continue training its volunteers to be aware of the totality of a person's being; to be aware of the several, completely interrelated and inseparable dimensions of human existence.

It will do well to continue stressing, in its training courses, that spiritual counselling may not be specifically religious, but may involve addressing anything that is blocking a healthy awareness of the spiritual dimension

This broad based understanding of spirituality does not scorn the role of religion in life Moore states: "Formal teachings, rites and stories of religions provide an inexhaustible source for reflection on the mysteries of the soul."

This means that if Life Line moved to adopt an understanding of spirituality that is non-specific, it would continue to respect the specifically religious spirituality of some of its members

Allow me to tarry a little longer where angels fear to tread...

Again, it seems appropriate at this Rainbow Convention, to suggest that Life Line may need to gently trim its expansionist sails

Does the Movement want to see its many logos dotted all over some fine map of the world? Does it want to race through deep, uncharted waters in an heroic attempt to beat its competitors? Does it want to spread its own particular mantle of caring over the whole world?

I believe that Life Line will do well to embark on a journey characterised by openness, transparency and co-operation

A continued preoccupation with uniqueness and special calling can easily lead to arrogance and paranoia

There is nothing to fear, the needs are great and the helpers few

Let us climb aboard and travel with others who seek to serve humankind in similar ways So spread the network of caring ever more deftly over the globe

A strong emphasis on a broad-based, inclusive spirituality, together with

a clearly stated ethic of co-operation and non-competitiveness will strengthen and enrich the Movement as it enters the new millennium

I have commented on Life Line's understanding of spirit uality and on the Movement's relationship with others operating in the same field

Please allow me a closing word on Life Liners attitudes to each other...

I imagine that most of us joined Life Line in order to try and help those in

to come alongside them, to journey with them, to show solidarity with them, to share our common humanity with them

We joined up because we wanted to become a part of a wonderful mantle of caring stretching around the world

If this is somewhere near the truth, then why do we often treat each other so poorly? Why do we manipulate and threaten each other? Why do we try so hard to get our own way? Why do we hurt each other so much?

Why are there so many "walking wounded" in our Centres?

Is it because we have lost our focus, lost sight of what this great Movement is all about? Please find the time, soon, to critically reflect on your dealings with other Life Liners; to examine your emotions, attitudes and motives

Think about how you can improve your relationships with your volunteers,your Centre staff, your committees, your boards

So that we may move into the new millennium with a new determination to show genuine caring and compassion, not only to our callers, but to each other

My last words come from the writings of the Dalai Lama;

"I feel that the essence of all spiritual life is your emotion, your attitude toward others. Once you have pure and sincere motivation, all the rest follows."

RUDYARD HARRISON
Presiding officer
Life Line International