Jay Shinde pushed the limits of religious tolerance while speaking about spiritual diversity and pluralism during his lecture on Monday.

“Visualize that which you love,” said Shinde, an accounting professor, kneeling barefoot on the stage of the 7th Street Underground in the Martin Luther King Jr. University Union.

The professor invited the audience to meditate briefly with him. He said he wanted the students to experience what it means to reach inner peace.

“The goal is perfection,” Shinde said. “It does not matter if you are Christian and perfection is reaching God, or atheist and reaching perfection within yourself.”

Shinde began his presentation by asking Muslim audience member, Shahmir Haq, which spiritual path he identified with.

Shinde said spiritual pluralism is a form of acceptance that goes beyond tolerance.

“Pluralism is actually talking with them, finding out what his path means, seeing some good in his path, seeing that every path could have something good and encouraging him to do well on that path,” Shinde said.

The presentation focused primarily on the teachings of seven religious paths.

From each path, Shinde spoke on three quotations from those religions’ key books, with the exception of the Islamic religions, which were referenced seven times each.

Sarah Englert, a senior geography major, said the presentation was different than she expected.

“I think it gave a different perspective,” Englert said. “It always leads me to believe that everyone believes their own thing.”

Among the variety of religious views discussed, was Shinde’s own belief in Sufism.

“It’s a path you follow by loving the creator and loving the creation,” Shinde said.

He summarized Sufism as a universal understanding and acceptance that each religious path is led with good intentions.

This take on spiritual pluralism appealed to certain audience members.

Karanda Marshall, a junior philosophy major, said she did not expect the discussion to be so informative.

“I hadn’t heard of Sufism itself so I found that interesting,” Marshall said. “It just felt comfortable.”

Alternatively, Englert said she questioned the attainability of absolute tolerance due to sinful nature of people.

“I think that would be ideal, but not possible in the world,” she said.

Shinde will speak again on Oct. 15.

He said his next presentation will introduce more specific ways to reach inner peace and resolve conflict.

Whether or not students agreed with Shinde’s views, he said he encourages them to continue their spiritual growth by accepting others.

“I want to challenge you to go back and find more,” he said. “Don’t take my word.”

Katie Smith can be reached at 581-2812 or kesmith2@eiu.edu.