Pilgrimage of Trust

Pilgrimage of Trust

This is a usual sight in Taize in summer. Thousands of young people come to live and share the community life. They want to be effective links in the chain of the pilgrimage of Trust. We can see a long line of buses like this, bringing people from all over Europe. They live in tents and barracks all over the village. Large number of adults and children also come. What are the factors that attract them?

1. They proclaim to the world  that they want peace and reconciliation ( two key words dear to Taize).

2. They want to learn ways of simple living ( brothers of the Community don't accept any donation for their sustenance. They have their own income generating projects like farming, book stall, pottery etc.) . They don't bring even their inheritance. In the midst of plenty, they show example of   Very simple living.

3. The prayer in the chapel of reconciliation (three times a day) is an exciting experience. (There are no sermons). The songs and chantings go deep into our hearts.

4. They subscribe to the vision of Br. Roger - build a world without war and misery; accept every one as a child of God.


One week in Taize turn to be an unforgettable experience for one and all.

Abraham Karickam

Br. Roger of Taize

2015 will be very special to Taize. It will be the 75th year of the founding of the community, 10th death anniversary of Br. Roger and 100th year of his birth. A visionary non-pereil, Br. Roger founded the Ecumenical Community when the trumpets of World War II were sounding large in Europe. Ever since, it has become refuge for millions of young people from around the world, who thirst for peace. Br. Alois is leading this pilgrimage today, with the support of a vibrant band of brothers and sisters to support him. The "Pilgrimage of Trust" continues. The brothers of Taize want the Community to be a place of Trust, a safe abode for those who come to seek inner peace.

                                                                   Dr. Karickam

With Br. Thomas of Taize

With Br. Thomas of Taize

There will be many who shape our life. Br. Thomas is one of the early band of colleagues who joined Fr. Roger when he founded the Community. He hails from Scotland and it is because of his guidance and care that I got involved deeply in the life of this Community, even from my younger days. He became my Guru and his deep insights propelled me to the world of universal solidarity and to new avenues of struggle and contemplation.

Br. Thomas played a key role in the growth of Taize. Mother Theresa was so much drawn to this community and invited an inter-continental team to Calcutta in 1976. It was Br. Thomas who asked me to join this group and we stayed with Br. Roger and experienced real slum life. "Second Letter to the People of God" was written here during our daily reflections, after work during day time in the slums and destitute homes of the Missionaries of Charity. We had the privilege of interacting with Mother Theresa on some rare evenings and for many of us youngsters it was a bolt from the blue. The willingness of Fr. Roger to live among the poor people in the streets of Calcutta, revolutionised our thinking. Br. Thomas, Br. Ghislein and many others were leading from the front.

It is four decades since I first arrived on the hills of Taize and it is with trembling heart that I stand before the tomb of that great visionary, Br. Roger. My consolation is that Br. Thomas and many stalwarts are steering the Movement forward, with Br. Alois  at the helm.

One more beautiful summer in Taize and I am refreshed and relaxed. Our world today is a better place to live because of many like Br. Roger and Mother Theresa who reduced themselves to zero so as to help others grow in fullness.

Abraham Karickam

Mahopanishad

Mahopanishad

Chapter 1

Mahopanishad is a very lengthy upanishad which can be classed among the finest lot of Indian Upanishads. It has six chapters which give us the core of Indian Philosophy.

First chapter deals with the creation story which is very interesting. In the beginning there was only Adi Narayanana. No one like Brahma, Rudra, Water, Agni, Air, Sky, Earth, Star, Sun etc. existed. And Narayanana did not like to be alone. So he went on deep contemplation which is known as Yajnastoman.

As a result of this meditation, it is said that 14 males and 1 female were born . The male category includes 10 indriyas, mind, pride, life and soul. The female one is said to be Budhi (intellect). In addition to these the five molecules and five elements evolved. When all these 25 elements combined one purusha a made being was (created). The Virat purusha entered into this being.

Stanza 3 of the first chapter tells the story of the evolution of Isaana. The Narayana went into another deep meditation and from his forehead was born a male who had three eyes.

All factors like Yashas(fame)  satya (truth) tapas (meditation),Brahmacharya, (celibacy, Aishwarya  are dependent on this ‘sidha purusha’.  So he is called  Isaana or Mahadeva.

Stanza IV gives a delightful description of the birth of Brahma. Sri Narayana entered into another stage of contemplation and as a result of this he began to sweat. From the sweat that emerged from his forehead, water was evolved and it spread everywhere. A special ball like substance evolved from this water and from that radiant sphere emerged Brahma.

Brahma turned into four directions and contemplated on the Vedas and different lore. Later he meditated on Sri Narayana and realized that, He alone is Vishwaroopa. The life of all the universe is dependent on him.

                                                                                              Dr. Karickam

When the Bells Ring in Taize

When the Bells Ring in Taize

It was in 1975, when I was a student that I first visited Taize Community in France. Ever since, it has become my second home. Brother Roger, it's founder is in the Celestial Community today, his spirit still leads the organisation, which is flourishing well. I am here with my wife Susan and my son Aby. It is their first visit.

Pope John XXIII once said: "Ah ...Taize, that little spring". I wrote a book on Taize long time back and it was sold out quickly. Taize had a big role in shaping my philosophy of universal oneness. I travelled to different parts of the world with Br. Roger and others. Incidentally, my first visit to United States in 1980 was from Taize and we had a series of meetings in the U.S and Canada.

Br. Roger was awarded the Templeton Prize in recognition of his selfless services and it was only one of the many. 

These bells invite every visitor (thousands in summer) to the large Church, which is at the centre of the village. Taize songs and prayers are very special. It is an unforgettable experience, and no wonder, Taize has become a centre of pilgrimage, dear to all.

Mudgalopanishad

This Upanishad deals with an important chanting called purusha sooktha. This subtle knowledge is imparted by Sri Vasudeva to Devendra. There are two parts for purusha sooktha. The purusha described in this is said to be free from name, image and knowledge and he is beyond the comprehension of ordinary beings. So he abandoned his unintelligible form and decided to accept an image visible to all (incarnation). The very sight of his image is enough for the salvation of any one. (This description comes very close to the incarnation theory as accepted by Christianity).

Third stanza of the second part reads like this:

“Purusho narayano bhutham

 bhavyam bhavysya chaseetth

saesha sarvesham moksha das chaseet. sa cha sarva sarveesham

sman mahimaonjyaayaan.tasmaannaako pijyaayaan.

Before the creation of the universe only Narayana, who encompasses the three worlds was present in his original image. He is the most supreme and sublime being. He is the cause of salvation for all beings. There is none above him.

The next stanza states that He divided himself into four parts. And three parts (trinity) reside in the heavens. The fourth part is named as Anirudha Narayanana and he created the universe. Anirudhan first created nature in the process of creating the universe and it was he who advised Brahma to acquire the knowledge of creation. And Brahma then created the whole universe. One who knows this truth gains complete life.

The third section gives a description about the total creation process. This is the theme of Yajurveda and they call it Yajus.

Towards the concluding section we get the idea that one who reads this Upanishad everyday becomes Agniputra and Vayuputra. He will remain free from all ills and attain prosperity: he will become wise and be blessed by posterity: he will be free from all sins and all evils. He will become purusha in this life itself by absolution from lust, anger, desire, hatred and so on. And it is advised that this purusha sooktha should be imparted only to deserving disciples.

Dr. Abraham Karickam