Faithful journey: Colorado students explore religions along Wasatch Front

The communication and interfaith cooperation the students learned about surprised them as much as it may some Utahns who don't venture much outside their own worship space. But the Beehive State's diversity is not only real but is growing, fed by acts of openness among people who worship in very different ways.

Several of the venues the students visited have been the sites of interfaith activity of some kind within the past few years, including joint construction/remodeling projects, food preservation/distribution initiatives, multifaith concerts and holiday services/dinners.

That kind of cooperation is what brought the founder of the Kanzeon Zen Center, Genpo Roshi, to Utah 25 years ago, according to Heale. The Zen master was visiting the state during the floods of 1983 and watched in amazement as religious groups of all faiths worked together filling sandbags to channel a literal river of floodwater down Salt Lake City's State Street. "He had never imagined that kind of thing could happen before, and he was really impressed by it."

Back in the meditation room, sitting at the head of the semicircle of curious high school students, the monk tells them how he'll lead the meditation session.

"I'm going to ask you to talk to different voices," he explains, asking them to consider the inner voice of "control." He asks them what they personally control, and what they would want to control if they had the power.

A student named Curtis blurts out "hormones." When asked why he would choose hormones, he explains: "What if you are sitting in a restaurant and you see a very attractive girl and your mind starts wandering?" His peers snicker, though respectfully.

"I'd like to control feelings," says TJ, adding it would be more than his personal feelings. "Feelings throughout the world, in our class, in the community."

"Would you like to make people feel better or worse?" asks Heale.

"Better," TJ says.

"How is that working out for you as the controller?" Heale asks.

"It's not working so well."

"Do you feel appreciated by TJ?" Heale asks TJ.

"Not so much. He's doing a bad job most of the time," TJ answers.

Then Heale changes the "voice," asking the students to explore what they are seeking. The answers come quickly: intelligence, warmth, relaxation, loyalty, prosperity, happiness.

A student named Whitney admits, "I don't even know what I'm seeking for. Maybe truth in general."

When Heale prods her about where the truth is for her, she's thoughtful for a moment. "I don't know where it is."

The hourlong session seemed to keep students' attention, even though they had spent time touring seven other worship centers in three days and had four more yet to visit.