One of the highlights is an eight-minute prayer and reflection offered by Matthew Fox. A former Dominican Catholic priest, currently an Episcopalian priest and theologian, he is the leading exponent of the Creation Spirituality movement – which he describes as “based in ancient Judeo-Christian tradition, supported by leading-edge science, bearing witness for social, environmental, and gender justice.” He is the author of many books on Christian theology, mysticism, and Creation Spirituality.

Matthew Fox was a “brother, colleague and co-conspirator” (his words) to Reb Zalman. He coined the term, “deep ecumenism,” which became central to Reb Zalman’s thinking and practice toward the end of his life. This prayer and tribute, offered by a priest wearing a yarmulke at a gathering to honor one of the world’s influential contemporary Jewish leaders — gives us a moving example of what deep ecumenism actually looks like.

One excerpt:

From the earliest days of Schachter-Shalomi’s career, he was continually involved in ecumenical dialogue with leaders and practitioners of other spiritual paths, from Trappist monks to Sufi sheikhs. These frequent forays into what was then forbidden territory led Schachter-Shalomi to describe himself as a “spiritual peeping-Tom.” But far from being a mere browser, Schachter-Shalomi became deeply learned in the most minute aspects of the theory and experiential practice of these traditions, praying matins with the monks and performing dhikr with the Sufis.

This deeply personal approach to dialogue led to significant friendships with many of the world’s great philosophers and spiritual teachers, including: Father Thomas Merton, Pir Vilayat Khan, Ken Wilber, and the 14th Dalai Lama.

The twin peaks of this ecumenical work had to do with the increasingly significant dialogue between Jews and Buddhists. Always sensitive and sympathetic to Jewish involvement in Eastern traditions, in 1990, Schachter-Shalomi was invited to a meeting in Dharamsala, India, between the Dalai Lama and Jewish leaders, to discuss how Tibetan Buddhism might “survive in exile.” This dialogue, and Schachter-Shalomi’s remarkable influence upon it, became the focus of a best-selling book by Rodger Kamenetz called The Jew in the Lotus. Immediately, the book became a catalyst for Jewish-Buddhist dialogue and the sensitive issue of why so many American Jews were involved in so-called ‘Eastern’ spiritual paths.

Within a few years, Schachter-Shalomi was invited to take up the World Wisdom Chair at Naropa University, the only accredited Buddhist-inspired university in the Western hemisphere. Naropa University in Boulder, Colorado became home to Schachter-Shalomi and a new phase of his teaching career. By the time of his retirement from Naropa in 2004, he had influenced thousands of students and spiritual seekers of all backgrounds.

The complete obituary is at The Renewalist Blog.