Why Emerald Hills
Institute?
It is remarkably easy to relax into viewing all the world as endless encounters of “us” versus “them”. Through service and mutual appreciation, this core of volunteers quickly recognized that those things which are common among all people – a desire for health and safety, security for our children, and peaceful society – far outweigh the differences, and whatever differences there are such as language, background, and traditions can be explored and appreciated.
Director
Dr. Mehmet Soyer
To serve his community, he is a director of Emerald Hills Institute and also He is board member of Interfaith Advisory Council at Utah State University.
Green is a color associated with verdant growth and abundance. In the Abrahamic traditions, Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, green is associated with plant life and fertility – a symbol pointing to heavenly abundance in an otherwise dry and dusty world. For many Eastern traditions, green jade held a mystical quality – this translucent stone could be polished to a supernal sheen, and always stayed cool to the touch. It was the precious stone of emperors and heavenly emissaries, representing new life, regeneration, and hope. Maize in South America, wheat in North America, and other sacred grains sustaining life around the world – green associated with these is a symbol of health and well being.
These impressions were in our minds when we chose the name “Emerald Hills” – this is an institute with an eye to the happiness and growth of every person, from every culture and background. Rumi, the most popular poet in North America today, said it best – “Love is an emerald. Its brilliant light wards off dragons on this treacherous path.”
The Emerald Hills Institute is founded on the idea that love – for our community, each other, and even ourselves – is best expressed through service, with the two roses of these emerald hills being tolerance and dialogue.
Ralph Waldo Emerson taught that which we give attention to grows. When we give attention to love through service, we become better – as human beings, as family, as a community. This is the purpose of The Emerald Hills Institute, to celebrate the fertile hills and hearts of our Utah community through service to the members of our extended human family. Join us, and be a part of our family.
We need this, perhaps now more than ever.
From Us
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