Dr Leo Rebello (Director General of UMFPS)

Director General's address and Lectures 

Changing the World Together

by Dr. Leo Rebello

World Peace Envoy 

It is the Indian civilization which gave a call of Vasudhaiv Kutumbakam (world is a family) some 5000 years BC, that unequivocally proclaimed that we are inter-connected through the cosmic mind. Yoga the superior science through eight-fold path of evolution (Ashtanga Yoga) laid a road map for spiritual progress wherein an individual soul could merge with the universe – Aham Brahmasmi (I am the Universe). But came this decadent western paradigm of development where materialism and mammonism became the center of focus and then the downfall began through theories like, ‘survival of the fittest’, ‘life boat ethics’, ‘useless eaters doctrine’,  ‘population control’ based on the baser emotion of insecurity and greed.  We forgot, what the birds and animals remember that ‘there is enough in this world for everyman’s need, not for every man’s greed and if we cared enough and shared enough than we would have enough’.

Noah was 600 years old when he built the Ark to save the world from the deluge, the same that may come in December 2012 because of Planet X, and other strong and spiritually evolved men became pygmies in all sense and started dying prematurely before 100, the misleading cacophony of the modern medicine of increase in lifespan nothwithstanding.

If humanity is not to become extinct then it is about time we reverted to exciting inquiry into collective intelligence and the power of connection.

Here are some ideas that should help the world to evolve.

* One hour for self-development, one hour for the world.

* Consume less, plunder less, destroy less, work more, build more.

* Realize, religions have degenerated into decadent cults. Take to spirituality.
* Meditate to tune into the cosmic mind.

* Disarm, de-militarize, de-nuclearise, de-chemicalise so that we do not destroy.

* Democratise UNO by removing the veto power given to five nations.

* Or replace UNO with the One World Parliament, not the One World Order.

* Remember that Earth is known as Green Planet. Plant more trees and phytoplanktons to generate more oxygen which has come to an all time low of 39%.

* No concentration of wealth in the hands of few. 

* No concentration of population in certain pockets. ‘World without borders’, now.

* No Chemtrails, no GM food, no fertilizers that destroy the mother earth’s womb.

* Bring GOD into your lives (GOD = good orderly development). For that you

need to elect giant men called statesmen rather than pygmy politicians to rule.

Learn to dream and realize all that you dream. When you serve with love the Soul of the Universe will know your good desire and help you to realize your dream.

Arise, Awake and Act with Conscience to Save the World.

 Globalization and Poverty

by Dr. Leo Rebello

Vice President for Central and SouthAsia

International Association of Educators for World Peace

NGO, Dedicated to UN Goals of Peace Education,

Environment, Human Rights and Disarmament

         The problem of poverty could be solved on a permanent basis during our lifetime. In fact, we should feel all obligated to obliterate this problem entirely as not to leave it as a legacy for future generations. As the Romans used to say: Satis est satis – enough is enough. This problem is now overdue.

United Nations Original Purpose

          In 1945, the United Nations Organization was primarily launched to unite the world by removing poverty and illiteracy and by sharing the world’s valuable resources among all people. Giving veto power to five countries was its nemesis. But as humanity grows in spirituality and development, progress is visibly taking place in many ways, addressing the world problems is easier today than it was, say, 50 years ago.

          If we accept the Darwinian Theory, then the human race evolved from monkeys, though these ancestors of ours will NOT indulge in half the crimes that we commit against our own people, as this poem aptly puts it.

Three monkeys sat in a Coconut tree.
Discussing things as they are said to be.
Said one to the others: "Now listen you two,
there's a certain rumor that can't be true,
that man descended from our noble race.

The very idea is a dire disgrace.
No monkey ever deserted his wife,
starved her baby and ruined her life.
And you have never known a mother monk
to leave her baby with others to bunk,
or pass them on from one to another.

And another thing.
You will never see a monk build a fence
'round a coconut tree and let the coconuts go waste.
If I were to put a fence around this tree,
starvation would force you to steal from me.

Here's another thing a monk won't do.
Go out at night and get on a stew.
Or use a gun or club or knife.
To take some other monkey's life.
Yes, man descended the ornery cuss.
But brother, he didn't descend from us.

          Poverty is a world problem and unbridled Globalization is further going to exacerbate this problem, unless we check the transnational corporations, some of which can buy over the sovereign nations. I am a Holistic Healer by profession and as such I would first like to identify the causes of poverty and accordingly lasting solutions, for hidden in every problem is the solution that we must look for.  In order to understand properly the nature of poverty, let us proceed to enlist its causes.

1. Leadership poverty. This consists of nuclear weapons and the spread of nuclear capability, as well as the threat of nuclear war and of nuclear winter, which could result from the explosion of only 20 to 30 bombs.

2. Political poverty. There are other weapons of mass death and destruction that are being promoted by such countries as the USA and the UK. Both are trying to take these weapons into space in order to establish their supremacy to the detriment of others.

3. Scientific poverty. There is a dire need to safely dismantle nuclear weapons and obsolete nuclear power plants, since their radioactive elements may last thousands of years.

4. Management poverty. Trillions of dollars are being spent annually on war preparations, dominating civilian priorities, wasting money and resources, and subverting the world’s scientific talents, instead of sharing the knowledge and resources.

5. Economic poverty. We are experiencing the imminent collapse of global financial infrastructure because of third world debt and distorted growth or deliberate sabotage of sustainable development.

6. Planning poverty. Rapid increase of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere from death of phytoplankton in the oceans due to ozone holes, burning fossil fuels, massive deforestation, and demineralization of soils, may result in cataclysmic climatic changes.

7. Foresight poverty. The universal haze, transnational air pollution, water pollution, acid rain and snow, and disasters like Tsunamis, Katrina, unprecedented floods in Mumbai (Bombay) - it is predicted that Mumbai may sink shortly and floods were the warning sign.

8. Moral poverty. There is a mal-distribution of world food supply, resulting in widespread malnutrition, amounting to widespread mental malfunction, endangering the human civilization itself. In Western countries people get sick and die prematurely due to over-eating, in third world countries they die due to malnutrition.

9. Judgment poverty. Worldwide use of harmful pesticides is entering into food chain messing up with our lives and making pests more virulent. Genetically modified food is another danger with untold future ramifications.

10. Intellectual poverty. We are experiencing the disposal of great quantities of toxic wastes on the earth, in the water and in the air.

11. Planning poverty. Rapidity of technological changes is resulting in unemployment, social and community instabilities, unforeseen adverse ecological impacts; displacement of natural raw materials by synthetics is resulting in disruption of livelihoods of people.

12. Leadership poverty. Non regulation of MNCs which destroy governments, their economies and play havoc with people’s lives by dumping marketing strategy, price wars and creating unnecessary demands and supply of spurious goods, corruption, et cetera.

13. Social and Spiritual poverty. We are being faced with restrictive trade practices, inflated tariffs, trade barriers, bio-piracies, vast disparities in wage levels, inequitable access to resources and markets, movement of industries to exploit people and facilities or to avoid restrictions, indiscriminate globalization benefiting few to the detriment of the multitude.

14. Political poverty. Deliberate spread of diseases like AIDS, SARS, Bird Flu, Cancers through PSYOPS, lethal vaccinations, as an ethnic cleansing or population control program, as per the blueprint entitled "The Useless Eaters.”

15. Cultural poverty. This is fully experienced in Communalism, Casteism, Corruption, and Criminalization of Politics as well as in ethnic, religious, racial and political intolerance and human rights violations on large scale in spite of civilized norms and protocols in place.

16. Mental poverty. Half the countries of the world are still not free. The remaining so-called democratic countries also do not adhere to democratic norms. Example, the USA is using the veto indiscriminately, attacking Iraq for plunder in spite of world opinion against it. Besides, the USA is continuing its illegal occupation of another country, destroying their historical culture and civilization by imposing its decadent culture and selfish agenda on others.

17. Abusive poverty. This consists of terrorism engineered by a few countries to keep its arms and drug industries going. May it also be noted that barring the United States and its allies Israel and the United Kingdom; the other so-called terrorists are only pawns in the hands of these mercenaries.

18. Cliquish poverty. We are encountered with difficulties for leaders of national governments to conceive of the kind of global political structure which are required to solve world problems peacefully. This may be illustrated with the example of Turkey not being allowed to join European Union because it is a predominantly Muslim country. Likewise, SAARC countries have not made much progress in replicating the EU experiment of borderless world, one currency, etc. Funds are being wasted on military expansion which is draining all possible funds that would have been used for the health care and education of the people. 

19. Dictatorial poverty. This type of poverty consists of language barriers, world communication blocks, and America trying to capture and control free Internet medium after capturing print and electronic media. Besides, America is using UNO as its personal fiefdom and the Private Ltd. Company called World Bank to deliberately destroy the world economy by mercenary loan structures and influencing or interfering in budget making exercises of various nations.

20. Educational poverty. This deals with general lack of well-informed and well-motivated people with humane and global outlook to cope adequately with inter-related problems of living peacefully on Earth.

          As we have seen, all of these poverty problems emanate from – the spiritual, mental, intellectual, leadership, political, Economic and Social Poverty in addition to others as enumerated above. These are the root causes of our downfall. We have degenerated from the lofty ideals to crass commercialization, from Vedic teachings of Vasudhaiv Kutumbakam to Life Boat Ethics and oil politics.

          As it has already been stated, poverty is a global problem. Consequently, we need to have periodical dialogues in order to come up with practical and tangible solutions by finding a global solution to sustainable development.

          Let me here outline some proposals to this end. 

          (a) Recognize that religions are decadent cults. They divide people rather than uniting them. Let us therefore adopt one Global Religion called Humanism.

          (b) Animals in the jungle live in peace. Birds in the sky live in peace. Fishes in the ocean live in peace. We too should learn to live in peace. This may be referred to as Global Understanding.

          (c) All human beings have the same fears, aspirations, same blood, and same needs. Therefore, do not discriminate on the basis of religion, caste, color, creed, country, poor or rich, male or female. This may be known as Global Philosophy.

          (d) Teach your children not to use drugs, dogmas, and dangerous weapons. Teach them to say NO to joining the military or NO to invading other countries. If necessary, as parents you should challenge the laws of your country and recall the corrupt politicians. This is generally known as Global Education.

          (e) Refuse to inoculate or vaccinate your children. That is the first rape you commit on their bodies and make their bodies and minds weak. Instead embrace Holistic Healing Modalities like Nature Cure, Yoga, Ayurveda, Siddha, Homoeopathy, Acupuncture, and so on. We may call this Global Health Consciousness.

          (f) Recognize that faith, love, peace, safety, good health, equality, justice and fair play are the sine qua non of our very existence. Money, riches, living in ghettoes, national boundaries, force, arms, drugs, dogmas are all there to enslave and subjugate you. Discard them. We need to create this Global Awareness.

          (g) Learn to live with dignity with your heads held high, in unity and solidarity and work for safety and peace till you achieve it, or else there will be the peace of the graveyard because of the machinations of a few. We need to create this Global Awakening forthwith.

Let each one of us become a voice.

I’d be but a voice
That I may sing the songs
That wing the souls of men
So that they rise from wrongs.

I’d be but a voice
To prophesy and warn
That men may shun the dark
And hearing, seek the morn.

I’d be but a voice
Repeating once again
The words of power and love
That greed and hurt restrain.

I’d be but a voice
Impersonal and just,
That those who doubt may hear,
And hearing, see and trust

In these days of religious intolerance, the following speech by Dr. Rebello  delivered in 2004
 should help people to understand things in proper perspective.

Common Values in Different Religions
By Dr. Leo Rebello

[Text of the speech delivered by Dr. Leo Rebello, World Peace Envoy, at the Salokha meet at the Nirmala Niketan College of Social Work, Mumbai, on 23rd March 2004 cover the values and teachings of 9 different religions of the world. They show the essential unity of human beings. This article can be used by teachers to enlighten the students that all religions talk of the same thing and therefore we should not distinguish, disrespect or destroy people in the name of religion.]

In 1950, the Baha'I proposed that 20th January be celebrated as the World Religion Day, promoting understanding and harmony between all religions. On this day, the world citizens believe that unity and equality cannot be established if we go on harping on the past hurts, but by concentrating on the future goals. World Religion Day emphasises common values in major religions, world as a single country, humanity as the citizenry and love as a common language.

While in school we learnt an experiment. All colours were painted on one side of the round disk. When the disk was rotated at high speed the colours merged into one – VIBGYOR turned into White. Today, while discussing the principles, practices and common values of different religions of India, let us not try to prove how our own religion is superior, like my son Robin did when he was small. He said our God must be superior, because he speaks English! That is communalism for you. But Robin's communalism was innocent. When I explained to him that God speaks all languages and he is everywhere he did not ask another question till today. That is Humanism.

The Eternal values common to all religions are: Truth is one. God is one. Love is ultimate. Universe is one. There is plenty in this universe for everyone's need, but not for everyone's greed. Our blood is one (Muslim blood is not green, Hindu blood is not saffron, Jewish blood is not blue, African blood is not black, and European blood is not white. Blood is red in everyone). Our hopes, fears, aspirations, longings are one. And the ultimate truth is that Religion divides people instead of uniting and uplifting. Too much time has been wasted and too many lives have been lost in fighting over religion. The most important need of our generation is to rise above our religions and extend the arm of friendship and unity for all the people. That is what Salokha (amity) is all about. Let us build on this further in these two days so that more precious lives are not lost in communal carnage. Through endless churning of the ocean came the nectar of the true, the good and the beautiful to make human life sublime. Through discussion come understanding, unity and peace.

Hinduism: Hindu Dharma called Vaidika Dharma (Vedantic origin) or Sanatana Dharma (that which is eternal). It is a way of life. By far the oldest religion, about 5000 years old. 860 million followers in India. Lays emphasis on: Truth, Godliness, Respect for Parents, Teachers and Guests, Kindness, Charity, Mercy, Abstinence from Evil Doing. Pinde Pinde Brahmande (in every atom there is universe), Vasudhaiv Kutumbakam (world is a family) are the cardinal teachings, which have stood the test of time.

Judaism: Concept of sin was given by Judaism. Sin means straying from the path of God. The famous 10 Commandments were propounded by Judaism. One God, Honour of parents and brethren. No killing, no stealing, no adultery, no false witnesses, no fighting with neighbours, etc

Islam: Submission, Surrender and Commitment. Lays emphasis on Prayer, Charity, Fasting during the Ramzan month. (Christians fast during Lent). Belief in one God, Allah. Belief in one Message. Belief in a judgment day (Christians and Jews too believe in this). Belief in God's omniscience. Founder Muhammad and Qu'ran gives the code of conduct. Baha'u'llah, one of the prophets, goes beyond this by saying "The earth is but one country, and mankind its citizens". 

Taoism: Lao Tze the founder [604 BC, Chinese], which means old master. Talks of Life, Love, Light and Will. Produce, but do not possess. Act, do not expect. Enlarge, but do not control. Vital energy (teh) runs trough human body and it manifests in human consciousness through love and reciprocity.

Zoroastrianism: Ten centuries before Christ, Zoroaster (whose mother too was virgin) taught: Good thoughts. Good words. Good deeds. [Once upon a time this was the biggest religion in Persia, Iran. Due to Islamic persecution and forced conversions, they had to move to India. Today, about 200,000 Parsis are spread all over the world, out of which about 60,000 are in India. They do not believe in conversion. My wife is a Parsi. I have not converted her. We believe in Humanism]. 

Christianity: Christ spoke of God's love, mercy and man's brotherhood. Christ condemned the rich and the greedy. He gave hope to poor and the meek. Ten Commandments from the Old Testament are adopted. 'Love thy neighbour', 'love thy enemy', 'give another cheek' are original teachings of Jesus Christ for an ideal world. About 30 million Christians live in India. [If we count Crypto-Christians that number may be twice as much].

Sikhism: Founder Guru Nanak wished to combine the best in Hinduism and Islam. One God – Sat Nam. Righteousness. No idol worship or caste. Guru is needed to reach the God. Love, Goodwill and Understanding. Share what you earn with the less fortunate.

Jainism: Right belief. Right knowledge. Right conduct. Ahimsa (non violence). Non injury by thought, word or deed. Respect of Life.

Buddhism: Monastic religion. Founder Gautama Buddha. Eight-fold path leads a person to Nirvana. Right View, Right Resolve, Right Speech, Right Conduct, Right Livelihood, Right Effort, Right Recollection and Right Meditation. Eight million Buddhists in India.

Humanism: Humanism believes that orthodox religions are cancer of the human spirit, which is boundless. Humanism is the ultimate goal of an evolved civilization. Human being is central. No distinction or discrimination on the basis of caste, creed, gender, status, language, etc. One Human Race, Earth is one and everything therein is meant for Sharing…
Goal: World Parliament, sans dividing walls and dogmas.

Ekam Sat, viprah bahuda vadanti – truth is one, spoken differently. To emphasise this further, let me recite to you my poem on Unity.

When we ran from the towering inferno
of terrorism, we became one human race!

When the planes hit and the imposing buildings
fell, we ran in one direction – towards safety!

When we prayed together and lit candles
we longed for hope and became one faith!

When millions observed silence, and thousands
protested against war, we spoke one language!

When we volunteered and collected blood,
all religions mingled in our arteries and veins!

When guns were consigned to fire and hands
were joined in unity, poverty ended, tears vanished!

When leaders united with the commoners and
sang together 'World is One', peace returned!

Like vipassana teacher, S.N. Goenka says, "I do not wish to convert people from one organized religion to another. I have no interest in any of these organized religions. My interest is in Dhamma – the truth, the teachings of all enlightened ones. If at all there is any conversion, it should be from misery to happiness, from defilement to purity, from bondage to liberation, from ignorance to enlightenment".

Sonnet Mondal (Secretary General and Founder of UMFPS)   

From the Desk of the Secretary General

Scores of great men have talked big and worked enormously for the cause of ‘Cosmic’ peace. Some have proposed spirituality whilst some aesthetics, some have proposed action while some resurrection but the ‘Evil Powers’ have turned up to be the strongest of them all pressing all ‘goods’ like a ‘juggernaut’. One cannot put forward a single year as a paradigm of ‘absolute peace’ from the past century and the situations have worsened to such an extent that people nowadays perchance will fail to place a single day as a day of ‘absolute peace’ .If the current ‘Evil’ prevails and continues decimation then the time limit is going to curtail from day to minutes and who knows a second of peace may become difficult to trace out. If this becomes factual then a century later we may presuppose to return to the basics of evolution. 

Tremendous treaties have been signed and numerous agreements have been made since the two demoralizing World Wars, but were it all for momentary consolation or just for a show off? The dirty smoke of politics have formed an almost impenetrable canopy over all country regimes and have demolished the theory of “World –A Global Village” and wired a new theory of “World A global Mafia village of interest and politics”.

We have witnessed series of disasters in the past few decades. More than enough lectures have been delivered and more than enough articles have been written after each of such incident. We thought may be the Gulf War or India Pakistan war would leave a blot upon humanity so as to convince all to avert from such things in near future. We thought the same after the World Trade Center attack, the Gulf war and we continue to think such after the Mumbai attack. Ironically the seemingly realized fellows seem to fail to realize the causes. People are busy pointing fingers at each other even in such critical corner of time when the human civilization is in for extinction. The dirty game of Politics seems to get dirtier after each adversity. Not only in the form of violence but disasters have also occurred in other arenas like that of economics. The Global Economic Crisis is continuing and it’s surprising that there was neither anybody to foresee it nor anybody at present who can come out with a solid solution and yet some call themselves as ‘Management Gurus’. The real problem is only two. First, correct persons are not at correct places. Second, people find it easy to look into others’ lives but find it difficult to act even when given chances and powers to act. If a clear survey is made into the Universities and colleges to find out the reasons why the students have lured themselves into the courses they pursue, then even the best ranking student from the best institution in the world will point a finger at his livelihood and personal benefit. As far as interest in the subject is concerned most of them wanted to become something else but circumstances lead them to study a thing that may not be of his choice. Its not that the things can’t be overcome but transparent actions and not lectures from our leaders will have to speak in this regard .A leader should be somebody who knows the People better than what he knows himself. Moreover the sense of belongingness should develop in the minds of all and towards all that is good and peaceful.

The solution to all is “Peace” though actions and nurturing of minds along with eradication of two biggest menace of the society namely Poverty and Illiteracy. The only religion of mankind should be to serve the humanity in all possible ways. We have to learn to living for others. Those in the bents of the roads without home, without food, without clothes are our brothers and sisters. Those working untiringly in the field to grow the grains that feed us fail to get their own square meals. Those making clothes for us do not posses enough cloth to cover their body even in the coldest weather. Those dying for the country die thinking for us and not for themselves, not even for their family. We are responsible for all worries, fears, terrorism, bloodshot massacres. Enough of pointing fingers at others. The time is ripe and it’s high time to save our civilization from witnessing a Dooms Day. We should discard the theory of “Live for Ourselves” and adopt the theory of “One hour for me, One hour for the others”. We should discard the theory of “Thing Hard and Long” and adopt the theory of “Thinking hard but not long”. We should discard the theory of “Whatever is, is good” and adopt “Whatever is should be peaceful and if not let us strive to do so”. We should discard the theory of “Make hay while the sun shines” and adopt the theory “Let the sun shine whenever we work”.  Everyday we have a rebirth and every second is precious for us. Work and work with diligence and conscience. Ignorance is no excuse but a sin. Courage is life and fear is death. A Peaceful life is what we want. I believe even the terrorists will also prefer a peaceful life. My request to all countrymen in all Nations is to create Peace though their constructive activities. “Construction comes from goodwill and has the power to kick off Evil”.  Through the word ‘construction’ I refer all activities of ‘creation’ through which Peace can be sorted out. Peace is not merely a concept to write slogans and scream for peace but an element , perhaps the nicest element that can be fixed in the minds of all humans and living beings though good actions. 

 May be these were some of the beliefs with which I have formed “The United Minds For Peace Society’ and I hope to prove it all in near future.

Lawence S Pertillar(Asst. Secretary General of UMFPS)

THE BELL
I KNOW WHO I AM
I am God's child(John 1:12)
I am Christ's friend (John 15:15 )
I am united with the Lord (1 Cor. 6:17)
I am bought with a price (1 Cor 6:19-20)
I am a saint (set apart for God). (Eph. 1:1)
I am a personal witness of Christ. (Acts 1:8)
I am the salt &light of the earth (Matt 5:13-14)
I am a member of the body of Christ(1 Cor 12:27)
I am free forever from condemnation ( Rom.8: 1-2)
I am a citizen of Heaven. I am significant (Phil 3:20)
I am free from any charge against me (Rom. 8:31 -34)
I am a minister of reconciliation for God (2 Cor 5:17-21)
I have access to God through the Holy Spirit(Eph. 2:18)
I am seated with Christ in the heavenly realms (Eph. 2:6)
I cannot be separated from the love of God(Rom 8:35-39)
I am established, anointed, sealed by God (2 Cor 1:21-22 )
I am assured all things work together for good (Rom. 8:28 )
I have been chosen and appointed to bear fruit (John 15:16 )
I may approach God with freedom and confidence (Eph. 3: 12 )
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me (Phil. 4:13)
I am the branch of the true vine, a channel of His life (John 15: 1-5)
I am God's temple (1 Cor. 3: 16). I am complete in Christ (Col. 2: 10)
I am hidden with Christ in God ( Col.3:3). I have been justified (Romans 5:1)
I am God's co-worker (1 Cor. 3:9; 2 Cor 6:1). I am God's workmanship (Eph. 2:10)
I am confident that the good works God has begun in me will be perfected. (Phil. 1: 5)
I have been redeemed and forgiven ( Col1:14). I have been adopted as God's child (Eph 1:5)
I belong to God
Do you know
Who you are!?


Keep this bell ringing...
'The LORD bless you and keep you;
The LORD make His face shine upon you
And be gracious to you;
The LORD turn His face toward you
And give you peace..'
Numbers 6:24-26

    Compiled  by  Sarda Mohan

                                   Prayer for a United World

                                           May the hands of all countries and races

                                      be guided to understand that men of all nations

                                      are physically and spiritually one; physically one,

                                      because we are the descendants of common parents-

                                      the symbolic Adam and Eve; and spiritually one,

                                      because we are the immortal children of our Father,

                                      bound by the eternal links of brotherhood.

                                           Let us pray in our hearts for a League of Souls

                                      and a United World. Though we may seem divided by

                                      race, creed, color, class, and political prejudices, still,

                                      as children of the one God we are able in our souls

                                      to feel brotherhood and world unity. May we work

                                      for the creation of a United World in which every nation

                                      will be a useful part, guided by God through man's

                                      enlightened conscience.

                                           In our hearts we can all learn to be free from hate

                                      and selfishness. Let us pray for harmony among the nations,

                                      that they march hand in hnd through the gate of a fair new

                                      civilization.

                                      By Paramahansa Yogananda

                                      Founder of Self-Realization Fellowship

                                      (1920)

                 Note: The Self-Realization Fellowship

                          3880 San Rafael Avenue

                          Los Angeles, California 90065, U.S.A.

                          Carol Ann Weed-Director

The Following is a True incident in the words of Linda Winchell

I have been very cautious as to whom I share this with. Don't want a front yard full of people in wheel chairs and crutches and cameras. I am not a freak just someone who I see has been chosen by God to do somethings on earth for Him. I was sharing what happened to me over four years ago with a Christian friend that I felt comfortable with sharing.

It was over four years ago now that God came to me. I have always felt that I had some special thing about my walk with Christ even as a very young child. It was Feb. and very cold that morning. I was pulling into a parking place at Sam's Club where I had at that time worked for fifteen years as their marketing and event coordinator. I have always taken a small Bible in with me daily to read on breaks and lunches. This day was different. When I reached over to the passengers seat to get my Bible, it was weeping a clear oil. It covered the entire back of my Bible. I reached for some napkins I had in my drivers door pocket and it still kept weeping out.

I tried to figure out what and where it could have come from but was running late to work. Left the Bible on the seat and went to work. The next morning it was there again. I tasted it curious to see if it might be from some food or something? No taste, no smell, no color.

I looked up to the heavens and said,"OK Lord I understand". But I really didn't totally understand what God had in store for my life.

A week or so later a stranger walked up to me. She was an older lady and I assume a member of Sam's Club? She said that God had sent her and she He would let her know who to give what she was told to give this to. She said I was going to think she was crazy because she sure felt crazy. She handed me a small clay vile. In it was a clear oil. Confirmation that God had something He was trying to show me.

I had prayed on this for six months, not sharing it with anyone. Then one day while speaking to my sister in Chicago I asked her if she had ever heard of oil coming out of anything? She said, "Yes", did I remember a Greek Orth. church that was in the news papers? It claimed that a statue of the Virgin Mary had oil coming from her eyes.

I really didn't remember this, but called a friend who himself was a Greek Orth. priest in Battle Creek Mich. I began to tell him my story. He said not a word until I finished. Then he said that I was Blessed! He said that his altar table was weeping oil at the same time my Bible did and that it ended at the same time my Bible did.

He said God would show me what to do with it. He however claimed that he anointed sick with the oil and they were healed.

Nothing for a year other then God speaking to me and visions. Visions that I have had since I was very young. Of a wave bigger then any I would or the world has ever seen rolling across the land. It was a white as white could be with a hint of bright yellow. The heat of this wave could be felt from a long ways away. I would be walking down a street with a faceless person in my vision and I would turn to them and say,"They finally did it!" I would pull that person to his or her knees and we began to pray as the wave engulfed us and I could feel my breath being sucked from my lungs. Then nothing but blackness.

One year had passed and I did nothing with the oil until I was asked by a friend to join her at a healing service for a man who had terminal cancer. I said sure. It wasn't my church, never been there before, but why not.

I was told by God to take the oil, and anoint the person. As all the others of this church went to lay hands on this man. I remained in my seat. Almost all had returned to their seats and God pulled me up as if I was being shot from a canon! Go He said, Go! I walked slowly up to this man and told him that God had sent me to anoint him. Was it OK? He said, yes. And as I anointed him and prayed over him, tears like acid came from my eyes burning into my cheeks. I couldn't wait to return to my seat and clean them with my water bottle and tissue. My friend seated next to me said I looked as if I had burn streaks on my face and what was the matter? I couldn't answer her.

She later shared with me that this man had a chemo bag of medication on him and he said that if it got on his skin it burned like acid. Was I interceding for him in some way? But why?

What was God telling or trying to show me. I later found out that this man was totally healed of cancer.

This now has been the case with everyone I have anointed when God calls me to do so.

 "The Peace Prayer"
 
Lord, make me an instrument of Thy peace;
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
Where there is injury, pardon;
Where there is error, the truth;
Where there is doubt, the faith;
Where there is despair, hope;
Where there is darkness, light;
And where there is sadness, joy.
 
O Divine Master,
Grant that I may not so much seek
To be consoled, as to console;
To be understood, as to understand;
To be loved as to love.
 
For it is in giving that we receive;
It is in pardoning that we are pardoned;
And it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.

Amen.

Non-violence Still Relevant

The name Gandhiji, is instantly associated with 'non-violence'. An immortal principle that has lost its relevance to most of today's youth.

"Gandhi's principles of satyagraha and non-violence have faded away with time."  "Ideals are only to be aspired for, they cannot be implemented in daily life." " If slapped I certainly will not turn the other cheek. You have to be a fierce fighter to survive in today's competitive world."  This is the stance youth takes today. Gandhiji, whose massive contribution to the freedom struggle is not denied, is otherwise history, to be dug up and glorified by hollow eloquence on his birthday, death anniversary and when commemorating the historic dandi march. 

In a fiercely aggressive, jealous, intolerant, revengeful, abusive world of inhuman brutalities turning the other cheek appears synonymous with cowardliness. BUT is non-violence the bastion of the timid? Or is it the citadel of the truly brave and sensible? How well do we understand NON-VIOLENCE? For that we must first know what violence is, where it originates. Violence cuts across a whole spectrum from the physical, emotional, mental, psychological, domestic, national and religious to the competitive, aggressive, self-protective, self-abusive, accumulated/impulsive, organized/individual. Violence is rampant because we humans are violent. Despite the quantum leaps of technology, even in this 21^st century we are little more than civilized barbarians who unleash atrocities in the name of religion, cast, creed, ethnicity, self-respect, justice, beliefs…the motives and justifications are endless. Those who do not conform to our way of thinking and believing and living are our enemies who must be eliminated. Physically, emotionally or psychologically.

Violence is born of that eternal culprit – the 'me', the EGO which is ever divisive. It separates the 'me' from the 'not me', us from them, ours from theirs. This pompous, disruptive ego, always wants to expand in its greed and policy of me and mine. When that expansion is thwarted it convulses into an ugly mass of rage, misery, self-deception, bitterness and frustration. This splinters the mind, distorts the thought processes, which in turn fracture the unity of organizations, nations, neighbors and all forms of relationships. It begins in the thought that I am superior, my needs must come before others', my religion, my ideology is the best, and I am the lord of all I survey so everyone else is here to do my bidding. Violence begins in the mind of you and me and that is where it should end. Violence is the forte of the fearful, the spiritually destitute, of the ones who believe that a few occasional clouds can blot out the eternal glory of the sun!

If we deliberate on this demon in our minds and honestly understand it we will find that it is possible for us individually, to convert this tremendous negative force into a powerhouse of peaceful, loving energy. And if each individual powerhouse of this loving energy unites what can counter its immense force of serenity and love?  Then we will recognize that jealous love is also violence. So also is unwarranted competition where the goal is not to excel but to crush the competitor.  As opposed to that, teamwork brings greater achievements and benefits all. We must remember that violence only breeds more violence. Inflicting wounds on a festering sore will inflame it further.

We must cultivate the maturity to look at turbulent issues raked up by wily politicians, without emotions and ingrained beliefs slurring our perception. We must find out from personal striving that it takes moral courage to be compassionate and understanding when others around us are going berserk with rage and hatred. We must be honest to accept our involvement, even if a passive one, in the mindless violence that is devouring mankind. And we should have the intrepidity of a warrior to 'be the change you wish to see in the world'!! (Another Gandhian axiom)

"Beliefs Aren't Etched in Stone... Unless Your Brain is Made of Rock" – Patrick. We can change. Our beliefs can change.  We can develop a new philosophy and approach to living that will enable us to increase our effectiveness and happiness, to live successfully with others, to make our community and environment healthier, and to enhance our own personal welfare. All we require is the willingness and the perseverance to change our way of thinking. 'We cannot solve problems with the same thinking we had when we created the problems.' Albert Einstein

By Shernaz Wadia
Pune, India

A New Idea by Edhard Lang

When The War Is Over

Nothing better to do Than making many many more babies! When the war is over. But for God's sake and for The hope of this new post-ethnic race of humans, Let us for once come up with truly Substantial improvements in The lot of this lot of ours! When will the good people's politicians of today Eventually take to tackling The most pressing needs of humans? - Has anyone yet heard anyone ever say 'Abolish money', for example? 'Introduce a global panvoluntaristic economy system There to work out all things as basic services totally free for everyone's taking? With no more mean money and monstrous financial crises to further Pester snug human life? ' - When the war was already over! When will we wake up from this bad joke of life Persistently dreamt about in many-colored dreams Still mixed with nightmares in blood-stained khaki? After the war had been over! When will we teach our children well enough so as Next time around to Keep their calm And not at the first itch to Strike out And take After an army of humans deemed enemies, But rather to trace the foe In times of critical trouble In one's own bloated mind Filled with torpid languor and with Misconceptions of One another's true basic needs and interests? ! Aren't people rightly interested in A calm evolution of The others' affairs, too? When will our war be over?

Changing Places Between Divine And Human

If God were a man, he might descend on earth,

open shop down here,

like all the other fellows do,

charge his tokens for his rays of sun

that, incessantly rolling the spheres,

on every one of us

masterpieces of creation shines down so lavishly.

But there had been no signs yet,

God ever wanted to take that plunge into the human sphere.

Infinitely straying through cosmos, indeed, must be the greater joy.

God obviously didn' t want to populate

His spheres with unfailing robots of good luck,

alive only, to be fading away with boredom of existence.

Nor wouldn' t anyone have come up with the idea of praying,

if not for fear to be overlooked by Him

at the time of His showering blessings,

if the greatest thing on earth really were only,

to look after all subalterns all of the time,

and to set all the hopeful among us grapplers

on their best possible courses.

If men were to be God, given the knowledge,

We as men have already gathered,

we might well set up a globe spanning network of energy conversion,

for His free sun rays to run also Our empowered gadgets

we men have invented for daily use,

as free as His machinery of creation and supervision.

And if man were to be as good a man as God,

as we so readily love Him to be called,

why wouldn' t we want to readily chip in His talents and abilities? !

Each of us, then, panvoluntaristically working together hand in hand,

to allow for a free flow of all ' give & take'

on these our lives' challenging tumbler grounds,

along the rivers of all essential and all wanton goods,

suddenly divinely common-standard?

Which were to make people happy,

feeding and decorating us evermore

at the voluntary price of a truly free,

individual participation in running the world?

Thus things getting organized

that one fine day,

by that natural waterfall of

the river of goods,

once made to flow for free for all,

any rarer upcoming items of the pioneering novelty,

produced for the sake of improving the human lot further,

were to come splashing in -

truly sensational -

showering their refreshening sprays of comfort,

not over who' s got more money, but

first-off as booty for the televised winners of

most entertaining, smart-earth candy shows,

to be applauded by excited masses,

who' d stand by monitoring the renewing common shores of life

while joyously clapping their hands,

instead of falling prey to the sting of envy

over unlevelling, ill-spread money,

while waiting amused for their own turns

and lucky jumps into the expanded waters of

the share-all-for-free ocean of life then to be?

If man were to be God,

hadn' t He enough leisure time at hand,

to really go and look for, and, eventually stem out,

the root of persistent evil - money?

Man seems made to improve.

Animalhood improved to be man,

without wasting in sacrifice the animals away.

Were it not likewise for manhood to improve to be more like God,

without wasting in sacrifice

the human element away -

by a regulated growing in the wisdom of the plants?

And just to think of what

greater happiness also there could be

in between the sexes,

if man and woman were to be His human god and goddess!

Or would it strictly take God as a man to make man a god?

Could one, even if simply a man, somehow ever

make Him care to allow us men -

to soften our grip on life

by letting us have ungodly money abolished?

Money is today's world's biggest multiple nuisance factor.

Money had been invented and introduced to be used

As a common standardizer in our ancient forefathers'

World of simple tradings

When the value of goods were hard to be measured, and

Barters led to quarrels coming along with

Blows exchanged in between

Fools in need and the smarter of the many.

Our hominide predecessors must have seen the coming of

The decline of morals along with the spread of

Trading with all kinds of articles, and

Subsequently opted to leave the evolutionary stage for the

More sapient new-comer races, us faces, to take over

That commencing world of immense toil of commerce -

Which we are still labouring with so hard until this very day,

Dumping The Biggest Multiple Nuisance Factor.

WHEN WILL ABOLISHING MONEY BE TODAY'S GOAL IN POLITICS? 

WHEN WILL ABOLISHING MONEY BE THE PROCLAIMED GOAL OF CONTEMPORARY POLITICS? 


A HAPPY WORLD IN THE MAKING - if YOU & I WISHED so & were getting into A MOTION sooner than later. 

Do you know, my friend, that a certain rock 
band got paid 7 million pounds for having their hit used in Windows commercials? Why wouldn't they or others sometime start themselves up musing & rocking about a world finally without the money instead of simply inflating their already enlarged egos further at the expense of the vanity in their ordinary fans' build-up of financial capability which yet to each & every one of us down here generally is so troublesome a part of life in the survival of the relentless control of our elements and energies by the networking classes of ruling men? How deplorable it is that human beings have not yet reached that state of existence 
where all, humans & and animals alike, were freely sharing all needs with all others wisely without having to resort to a mean medium of 
humiliating money, as the other brother & sister partners in life on this globe have, even they're all claimed to be of lesser intelligence than we humans, ever felt happy and free in so doing, and among whom not a single killing of another being has ever been reported as happening over that business of sharing. Earthlings' creation MONEY is in the end a 
tremendous values-politicizing power-pop-up-medium being possessed and amassed first of all by weaklings in the fields of fruit-bringing action - even they might be called millionaires, weaklings still they are - and poses as such an ugly thing that ought to be eventually overcome on this globe of hope. Intelligent rock bands should now get into producing 
songs about a human race who is to evolve into living together hand in hand truly for the first time ever since distant Stone Ages - in a state where money as such will be made altogether redundant in global panvoluntaristic societies where everyone will be working together freely with everyone each according to their capacities - thus redeeming finally 
the joy of 'give & take' from its horrible bondage to money. 

Think about it, dear friend, and join in for the new all-out human drive. 
How is the world to exist without money - why can't humans be as clever as the animals and come to terms without money without killing each other over petty things?

 THE MOTTO of a totally revolutionized world order run without money is to be PANVOLUNTARISM. 
This means that everyone is voluntarily contributing one's personal share in maintaining the production and distribution of all consumer goods and cultural appliances. Everyone is in turn entitled to receiving their necessities and fancy articles for free.

Naturally before such a system can be workable comprehensive 
re-education and re-orientation programs on a grand scale must prepare people all around the world to win each and everyone's acceptancy and willingness to go along the new lines. A major key factor will be with the 
industrial manufacturing sector. 

Erstwhile competitor companies have to 
come to a consensus to stop the rat race of futile innovations but instead abide per type of product by a standard agreeable to all sorts of 
people. The different companies' product diversifications will then be concentrated solely on satisfying people's craving for distinguishing individualized designs & patterns of items. Those units of eventually 
upcoming pioneering scientific novelties that are time and again to bring about more human advancement and convenience to the masses may then initially be the admirable booty of televised contest winners at their first stage before the general replacement of the older model versions will follow in the wake of positive reports by the first batch of test 
users. This will serve people's need for entertainment as well as to make 
generally known the lurking innovations. The individuals' motivation to evolve and make use of their skills will not be anymore earmarked by a pride factor that is proclaiming its success basically in having been able to raise the envy of neighbours, friends and relatives, but solely 
by finding a deeper sense of satisfaction in being socially contributive to linking personal self-realization with the common well-being of 
all individuals & human communities. - 

Associate with well-mannered people and your manners will improve. 

Run with decent folk and your own decent instincts will be strengthened. 

Keep the company with bums and you will become a bum. 

Hang around with money people and you will end up by picking up the check and dying broke. 

- Dear contemporary! 

How many people, not only in your country but meanwhile all over the world today, would want to see the general social evolution of the whole global human community go the way that in the end an altogether new state of dealing with one another will be reached where money as such will have become a redundant thing of the past, its long and troublesome era only to be remembered in the history books. As a parameter of the dimension of such a total change in human life and, more importantly, to indicate thereby the feasible characteristics of a new money-free system that is virtually practicable, let us envision here as one example of a future state of things the following advertisement posting likely to be encountered in these happy days to come: 

'Hello out there! 

I'm looking for work mates to share my top-notch salary-free 
job site within the professionally skilled..... sector? 

All returns of 
the personality-engaging community commitments, in accordance with the 
new global system of panvoluntarism, are 100% gratified for full gratis 
procuring of all consumer goods plus, of course, all prevailing fancy gears & gadgets of the day just for the taking at shop-4-free markets where, on top of all, they will also offer to you free passes into a variety of most popular raffle entries for the meanwhile globally 
participated televised show-down events which, sure thing, hold for all smart & lucky winners, after the public fun making is over, 

FREE OWNERSHIP OF 
THIS OR THAT ALL-OUT ADMIRED TOP-OF-THE-DAY APPLIANCE MODEL...? '? - 

The above projection should be enough to convey the idea of the type of society 
model we should want to promulgate. Money is obviously the root of all 
evil, and only when the world will have overcome the need for its greed, 
only then will we finally be assured of happy days to stay with us for 
good in the future. Let us now start working together with ideas and 
efforts to eventually achieve this truly new world order. 

AN ERA CAN BE SAID TO END WHEN ITS BASIC ILLUSIONS ARE EXHAUSTED - 

Either we'd embrace it or not. People'd better do. 

Imagine one day they'd discover another intelligently manned planet where they're all happily living without that horrifying devil of money! 
While here all these fools are saying it's totally out of the question to abolish money, only lunatics and kids could even think of such a thing to happen. 
But then, what about our other animals here on Earth? ! 

Not one species of them ever extinguished because of lack of food and none of them ever had taken to violence in the face of food shortage, and all that without the use of money! This message corroborates the secret dream of the majority of all people and it is the pledge of the many, each to everyone, but first of all one directed to heads of states and their other leaders! Help, dear contemporary to make PANVOLUNTARISM known with them so that they will use their influential positions for the glorious end to be accomplished. And scatter 'the word' with the makers of popular music! Their participation in the 
emerging yet dreaded cause to drive out money worldwide could prove even more efficacious than any other social party's. 

LET US JOIN IN MIND AND JOIN OUR HANDS TO RE-INSTALL PARADISE BUT LET US MAKE IT THIS TIME BE AN EVERLASTING ONE BY STAMPING OUT NOW IN ADVANCE THE ILL-FATED DEMON - IN THE FORM OF MONEY 



I am herewith, as I'm hoping you're doing fine in life, heartily inviting you, to visit the following Votelet page on the Internet at 

www.network54.com/Votelet/38264 

The objective of the recommended Votelet page is to realize our human possibilities by permanently solving the huge financial crises that paralyze all nations and which in all regions of the world, today more than 
ever, put to hardest tests the lives of huge masses of people, especially of those who live in impoverished areas. If you wished to do so, you may on-line indicate your personal view in this opinion poll by casting 
a vote for one among nine given optional statements of attitudes and beliefs, common ones juxtaposed to others quite unheard of, all in reference to the basic issue at stake: Eventually to help our brothers & 
sisters of all our races and bring about the ABOLISHING OF MONEY worldwide, 
and realize therein the goal of the true re-establishing of 'paradise on earth', a goal all religions, despite their assurances, so far have failed to come up with by purely spiritual means only. Moreover I'll be 
thankful for any comments and suggestions by you. It seems to be a tremendous issue, real revolutionary in its dimensions, which could but well not all too long from now develop into an encompassing major global 
movement! Thanks to you for your giving it a thought or two, and for taking interest in the matter! It is for a much, much better world, the fruits of which if not yet to be experienced by our own generation in our 
own times then but surely by all our future generations to come ahead of us on this our green planet of hopes. And who would not want to see a 
better world, on coming back down to earth after having passed through this one life in the presence. But the change will only happen if someone courageous enough to talk about abolishing money with others starts to reflect on the issue at stake right now. 

                                                                                      by Edhard Lang

The World is mine to care for

We stand in the 21^st  century – a long way from our roots. Every  decade on the way to the 21^st century boasts of developments and achievements. Inspite of all this, ignorance still reigns and man works to dismantle PEACE.

Technical development has not only brought freedom – but has also produced the means of destruction of human life. It is a pity that man has been forced by the community to do what could be termed as the most despicable crimes – On the path of violence, WARS – Away, far away from love and peace.

Peace, conflict resolution and development – terms that have found a place world over in the hearts of millions, BUT how many have really had the moral greatness to resist the happening of unjustified acts of violence that have hampered peace and hence DEVELOPMENT.

It is not correct to wait for results and then criticize and therefore, it’s time to serve the great cause of spreading the message as soon and as well as can be done – strive to create a desire for peace, a willingness to work for peace in the hearts and minds of all people.

Man should BE PREPARED TO MAKE THE INJUSTICE VISIBLE AND MAKE THE UNHEARD HEARD.

All countries in the world are in a position to seek alternatives to wars and conflict.  They have the compulsion to uphold the dignity and rights of all people – this is the way to show their respect for human life and choose nonviolent solutions to conflict.

As Einstein said – Nothing that I can do will change the structure of the Universe. But maybe, by raising my voice, I can help in the greatest of all causes – goodwill among men and peace on earth.

Thousands of people, all over the world are already at a disadvantage as a result of conflict and economic strife. Priorities must be to avoid the unnecessary sufferings of citizens in all countries.

 They have been deprived of their “SUNSHINE SMILES” because of the continuous problems they have been facing day in and day out – however for no fault of their own.

They have been hit by the continuing high incidence of poverty, social injustice, violent deaths, abuse of human rights – the path of devastation paved by those who take control with fists, weapons and other unjust means.

It should always be remembered that Peace is the only battle worth waging.

“Every gun that is made, every warship launched, every rocket fired signifies, in the final sense, a theft from those who hunger and are not fed, those who are cold and are not clothed. This world in arms is not spending money alone. It is spending the sweat of its labourers, the geniuses of its scientists, the hopes of its children” (President Eisenhower)

Man has won over earth and sky,

To him power, none can deny,

If man says no, the rivers go dry

Leaving plants to droop and die.

It is his wish

That they live or not.

Men, sure are a greedy lot.

Our children are very fortunate to be in this fascinating world of science – a lot to achieve and realize their dreams.

Their senior and however make news in various ways – terrorism, missiles, bombs and so on.

Even when resources go scarce, and there are too many heads to shelter and mouths to feed, no one bothers.

All our problems are manmade and may be solved by man himself.

Wars too begin in the minds of men, the defences of peace must be therefore be constructed in their minds first. Man must realize that “If cannibalism was not the answer to human hunger, how could war be an answer to conflicts”.

Desire is indeed the root cause of suffering. It is not wrong to desire for something, but when this desire changes to GREED, man becomes blind – blind enough to see “Dead in the Mud”.

-         “ We know what to do  to prevent wars and deadly conflict, but often we do not do it”

-         The main reason for wars and violence at the world level is greed for power and money.

Peace can be achieved only when man understands in the true sense that “The World is my Community”.

If we want a better life for our children, and not worse, then we must change – we must change for those who are suffering and dying needlessly. The work requires patience as we must help remove people’s blindness and help open their eyes to the dangers and realities and changes needed for establishing a Culture of Peace and Nonviolence.

With the intellectual capacity of human beings, it is shame that man, regardless of whether it is a child, adult or a nation as a whole resort to violence.

However the major query on the path of peace is “ Is Peace achievable?”  another that follows is “ If so, what is the formula for peace?”

Man is fortunate enough to have a positive answer to this question. There is no magic  formula. Man only needs to apply his intelligence to use the available knowledge, technology and infrastructure to achieve peace. The problem is motivation (and time).

A light needs to be kindled to glow better. Likewise man needs the motivation to channelise his actions towards the goal of achieving peace.

It is scientifically incorrect to say:

* That we have inherited a tendency to make war from our animal ancestors.

* that war or any other violent behaviour is genetically programmed into our nature.

* that in the course of  human evolution there has been a selection for aggressive behaviour more than for other kinds of behaviour.

Issues related to Peace and their solutions can be analysed at four levels –

1. Individual
2. Family
3. Community
4. World levels

The first level – Individual requires getting all negativity out of the human system – because it is anger and bitterness that mounts to destroy peace. This anger can be harnessed however for bringing about great social changes.

Issues at family level would begin with inculcating in children the basics of peace education – “Love your neighbour, Don’t fight.”

Imbibe in the little hearts that “The World is Mine to care for” and bring them up in a world of reality and not imagination – a world away from the influence of the MEDIA VIOLENCE which would only increase their aggressive behaviour.

Kids cannot be just kids and they could be treasures of WISDOM. Children are the ultimate sufferers of all of our actions. When they are involved in discussions in building peace – new life can be infused into this society.

At the Community level:  There is no doubt that a small group of thoughtful committed citizens can change the world – it has been repeated history and will remain so.

It does not make any difference if the person is a literate or an illiterate – It is essential to know that to be a happy person, a happy family, a happy society, it is crucial to have a good heart. World Peace must develop from inner peace – not just the absence of violence but the manifestation of human compassion.

Leaders will hold the dream before the people and would stress on developing skills to resolve conflicts constructively. People have to be guided to know and live by international standards of human rights, gender and racial equality, appreciate cultural diversity and respect the Earth and each other.

As J.F. Kennedy said – Mankind must put an end to war or war will put an end to mankind. The community must think about turning peacemaking into a profession.

World level:

Conflicts result because of the inability to think optimistically, distorted tunnel vision, restricted options etc. All activities aimed at conflict resolution should generate more light than heat for rational problem solving.

Creative alternatives are needed to preserve harmony as well as achieve justice and fairness.

The essential ingredients of peacebuilding and conflict transformation are:

1. The energy generated by conflict should be channeled in constructive, nonviolent directions. The aim is not to eliminate conflict which is not possible, but to utilize conflictual processes for generative and positive change.
2.  Conflicts can be transformed by normal sociopolitical processes by individual parties, by expert third party interventions and parties acting together and by judicious advocacy. Conflict transformation should incorporate a wide cross-section of political decision makers, citizens, aid and development agencies, religious organizations and social movements because conflicts are a social and economic rather than a political problem.
3. At the first sign of trouble,if preventive peacebuilding is not helpful to address all problems, transformation of conflicts may depend on crisis management involving reconstruction and reconciliation.

Institutional mechanisms have been developed at all levels in home, in the community, nationally and internationally to channelising conflicts in creative directions.

Learning to deal with conflicts in a constructive fashion, preparing people to solve their own problems, dealing with conflicts as early as possible and in an nonviolent way.

The need is to model a peaceful research and practice principles – PEACE EDUCATION strategies for individuals everywhere – to help them find out multiple channels to apply reason to problems and their nonviolent resolution.

People have been adopting different peace strategies.

Using powerful not-doing protests – people have moved far ahead from hunger strikes and processions and peace talks. Examples are of Finnish women who have signed a petition that they would not bear children for four years unless their demands for giving up nuclear reactor projects are met.

Women refusing to sleep with their husbands unless they agree to lay down their swords is a highlight of the Lysistrata Project – the first ever worldwide theatrical event for peace. This Project raises money  for charities working for peace and humanitarian aid in the Middle East and elsewhere by reading the ancient Greek antiwar comedy Lysistrata.

Powerless in society, women take up the only tactic available to them, a sex strike to add their voices to the mounting global antiwar protests.

We are at the crossroads facing a choice between two directions. In one direction we can do nothing to alter our present course and choose a world of pollution and away from achieving high aspirations. Our other choice is to actively engage with the living world, working responsibly to make our lives and our Earth healthy and abundant.

We need to learn to provide for our needs while cherishing this beautiful planet and its creatures.

A different world is possible when we work to transform dark yesterdays into bright tomorrows

Would it not be proud?

To breathe, to feel, the breeze of PEACE

-         no doors, chains or locks

-         to know that the world belongs to you

-         Now and ever after.

As Helen Keller said – “I am only one, but still I am one. I cannot do everything, but still I can do something. I will not refuse to do something I can do.”

You may say I’m a dreamer, but I’m not the only one, I hope some day, you’ll join us. And the world would live as one – said John Lennon and I’m sure you’ll agree too.

 by Sarda Mohan

                                                            TINY STEPS TO PEACE

Every decade that we have passed down on the way to the present century boasts of man’s achievements in various fields, but it still cannot refute that man has failed to globalize love.

Has the blood shed by Kennedy, Gandhi or thousands of other innocent loving hearts been able to write PEACE on the soil or give our children – “ A World Fit For them”.

This world in arms is not spending money alone but is spending the hope of its children. Every gun that is made,every warship launched is a theft from those children who hunger and are not fed, who are cold and are not clothed.

It should not cost us lives to protect our children’s future.

It is ridiculous that man takes pride in putting down his foot on his own fellow-men.

What are we trying to prove? Where do we have the time to think of WARS when we have been blind to the sufferings of those little ones all over the world.

The International Declaration of Human Rights guarantees everyone with rights to equality, life, liberty, personal , social security etc.   There are however millions of children whose lives begin and end in the dark. They have been deprived of their “ sunshine smiles” because of the continuous problems they have been facing day in and day out – however for no fault of their own.

It is painful to know that no one guarantees babies their basic rights to milk and food and at later stages to personal and social security. The children are treated like commodities and undergo a lot of abuse as slaves, child soldiers, labourers etc.

Kids are treasures of wisdom. There are numerous examples to prove how children can work as wonderful peacebuilders.

If we invest in children and young people now we will be able to persuade them that they can resolve problems of any size or complexity without resorting to violence, they would become children of peace.

Why make life a “horror movie” for those little hearts when they can see flowers  and the beauty of life all around?

A caring world is one that is comprised of caring nations comprised of caring communities caring for their children – Who can make the world work for everyone – for 100% of the humanity”      

                                                                                     by     Sarda Mohan.

On Waging War:  We All Survive Death -- So What’s the Point?

Whatever you’re doing at this moment, please stop. We’re all going to sing:

Lead Vocal: “…War! -- Hyunh!! Good Gawd, Jy’all! -- What Is It Good For..?”

Chorus: “Uh-Absolut’ly Nuthin’!”

by Donald Croft Brickner

What follows in its entirety is unlikely to qualify as glum, or even unpleasant -- but due to the urgency of the topic (war v. no war) with its endless deadly disputes all over our planet, commonplace expressions of hatred and prejudice warrant some sober preliminary acknowledgment before armed conflict, itself, is addressed.

This is particularly so when one comes to recognize that such destructive biases so effortlessly surface from within one’s own self -- in fact, from within most of us.

I’ll begin by making a serious criticism and, as well, an equally serious admission:

It’s taken me 60 years to experience what it feels like to be discriminated against for being an Anglo-American. I don’t like it. Whatever; I experience it almost daily.

The irony in that is obvious.

Prejudice, I’ve discovered, is usually oversimplified (and incorrectly identified) as simply racial in origin. Most of the time, it’s less about differences in skin color or even (off-putting) cultural traits than it is about an unfounded fear of “the other.”

The psychological insights of a Carl Jung should be taught in our grade schools, sin dudo. The concept of “The Shadow” side of our personalities alone belongs not only in public education, but in every discussion of this nature. Unfortunately, as a global humanity (including here in America), we’re just not ready to go there.

Not yet.

We’ve all pretty much decided we need to get our noses snot-bloodied a few more times first. Such an unwavering and determined ongoing lunacy, like the one still so effortlessly sung here in the U.S., continues to suck me into its vortex, and prompts me -- yu-eh!! go-go-go-go-go-go-go!! -- to hurl expletives like hand grenades at everybody and their grandmother. At least those within my purview.

I hate the casual glee so many of us snort up while this country remains at war. 

The stupidity of such a stance, psychologically, emotionally, physically, spiritually and most of all, ontologically -- we’ll get to that part later -- boggles the mind … which, oh-by-the-way, is separate from our brains … allowing we all have one.

* * * * *

Virulent prejudicial events and interactions often materialize from seemingly all directions in the region where I live (at this writing) -- and it’s led me to become at times paranoid, ready to figuratively lock and load in advance of the new day ahead.

If I happen to be in a surly mood (for no related reason), I’m ready to pounce all over any hint of discrimination, real or imagined. Some individuals I pounce upon (when I do -- really, it’s not that often!) are simply themselves having bad days, and they have little interest in me one way or the other: they’re just trying to make it through their own personal and job-related struggles. But that doesn’t deter me.

To topic: I’m ready to go to war -- and sometimes I’ll even pick the fight. I’ll initiate a first strike verbally before any possible anticipated snide word even pops out of the other’s mouth. A rowdy offense easily slips past an unprepared defense. Yes.

Then there’s a flash point that erupts between me and this other individual -- it’s a stunning (yet always predictable) pre-violence blood curdle whenever it occurs.

The other person burns. I burn. I’ve got a mouth on me, too, and I’m ardently ready to use it: Bring it on, you (bleeping) (bleep)hook -- you muther(bleeping) (bleep)! I’ll kick your (bleeping-bleep) from here to (Bleep)day. And so on.

Trash talk trash talk trash talk.

Keep in mind, neither one of us probably knows the other from a cricket on the floor.

* * * * *

Yet, right now, as I tell you all of this, I’m not filled with the rage I’m describing -- and it’s that state of “rest” that’s prompted my bringing this sub-topic up in the first place.

I discover I’m filled with shame, and what’s shifted into a familiar, deep sadness, instead.

Less than a half hour ago, prior to my planting myself in this seat, a woman from “that” culture just did a little something unexpectedly thoughtful (i.e., just plain nice) in my regard -- and my own rage that I’d felt so powerfully earlier this day was quickly dissipated … and then lost.

Gone -- at least for at least another 18 hours, or thereabouts.

With that in mind, then, this next philosophical question just begs to be resolved:

If the disgust and self-righteous loathings I’d been feeling had a valid substance, then, wouldn’t they have held up under a simple, not-so-random act of kindness?

Seriously: Wouldn’t they?

… And not just melt away in my mouth like some slight, artificial chocolate drop?

Before we fully address such a fundamental query, I’d like to invite you on a short detour you may, or may not, be familiar with:

We’re going to visit the wildly popular interactive Internet game called Mobsters.

* * * * *

But before we land there, I feel the need to address (particularly for my previous readers) how well I believe my observations and predictions from 2008 stand up today, regarding “The Great Leveling” (which, oh, btw, I only just discovered last week was a phrase once voiced by trance medium Edgar Cayce regarding very similar circumstances facing his peers back in the late 1920s -- and that captured my attention, I can tell you!; I was about to drop the phrase, as I’d considered it a tad too [bleeping] bombastic).

I continue to believe that, once the smoke clears, a minimum of 80 percent of my writings from last year will stand up pretty well, in retrospect. Only two things can likely alter that, from this focal point in time (mid-January 2009): 1.) if the Obama Administration and our Congress will exhibit unanticipated clarities, insights and wherewithals in their well-meaning attempts to significantly mitigate “TGL,” which will still take its toll economically and stability-wise throughout this year; or -- 2.) if humility will take over planet Earth, years in advance of its (likely still-3-5-years’-away) semi-scheduled arrival.

My greatest concern regarding all global governments at this stage in our history is that they’re all about to face The Big One -- and most of their figurative starting rotations and bullpens are populated by batting practice pitchers.

Such individuals, therefore, will spend most of these next several years -- when they’re even in the game, so to speak -- backing up third base.

Regardless: true Humility -- its widespread absence will be the bottom-line focus of just about everything that’s approaching us during the half decade ahead.

We human beings have some serious (and rigidly unflagging) Pride issues.

* * * * *

As a two-year member of Myspace (www.myspace.com/donaldcroftbrickner), I was invited some four months ago by two separate Myspace “Friends” -- I don’t actually know most of these folks personally; that’s often the way of cyberspace “communities” -- to join two games at the same time: Mobsters, and its Myspace knock-off, Mafia Wars. Feeling lower than worm sweat due to finances, I joined.

I was then tasked with advancing up endless (and often functionally irrelevant) “levels,” which fly by pretty quickly as you perform any of five basic actions (your choice): complete a “mission,” so you can climb the levels and acquire useful extras; invite other Myspace Friends to join your mob (mob sizes are generally critical); buy some properties that will pay you money back every hour … so you can buy weaponry and defense-oriented “armors;” and then, finally, fight any and all opponents who aren’t in your mob -- which can return you more money and, now and then, help you “kill” the person you’re attacking (or are attacked by).

Hawkish, much? I mean, really -- give us a gun, real or fake, for Christmas, and way too many of us still get all cuddly-kissy-smooshy.

The word, “kill,” demands quotation marks -- because, in fact, no player ever actually “dies” when participating in these games!: even when the game, your opponent, and you are all in agreement that, in game terms, you’ve been “killed!”

Please don’t blow off that above observation. It’s kind of critical here.

* * * * *

Hardly one single individual out of countless millions of Mobsters’ (and its ilk’s) players who’ve been killed during game action -- and then, surprise, killed again! -- seems to be up to making what should be clear game-philosophy connections:

One: if you never actually “die” and just keep playing (piling up death numbers, which are meaningless apart from won-lost/died-murdered records), then the Mobsters world view, cyberspacey though it may be, incorporates instantaneous reincarnation for every participant, at the very core of its construct design -- and even more outrageously, two: there is simply no point to playing these games!

Just like in real life -- for the overwhelming majority of today’s Earthly inhabitants!

* * * * *

But, play, a preposterous (and ever climbing) number of players do. There are no winners ever, unless one simply compares total wins, total murders, or total won-lost percentages as a gauge for success. It’s not possible to feel fulfilled playing either game, or their bevy of copycat “apps” (applications) … like Fashion Wars.

You don’t kill opponents in Fashion Wars, one might add. You throw them down!

Perhaps the most annoying of these games -- and in an entirely unexpected way -- is Mafia Wars, where collecting oodles of money and properties becomes so-o easy as to be totally meaningless, all unto itself. I’ve only played that game for four months now, and already I’m “earning” $98.4 million … an hour!

Really, if you think that’s a wonderful experience, just give it a try -- I strongly encourage you to, in fact (you can even join my MW mob, where I’ve chosen  “Stiletto” as my avatar name). Each time I sign on, I have to figure out what I’m going to do with what’s grown into billions of dollars between sessions.

How many (bleeping) casinos and marinas can one buy, and to what purpose? They don’t stop me from having been “killed,” oh, 17 times between sessions.

Not that that makes any difference, either.

So my murders-deaths percentage sinks. Woo-o.

Are you beginning to see the rapt similarities between these games, then, and how we conduct ourselves as a humanity? There are clear parallels, I tell you.

It’s not too far from the truth to suggest that we fight wars, in part, because we’re bored to death living genuinely meaningless lives.

And that’s what happens when an individual has no tenable world view to fall back on, or embrace. When one’s life lacks meaning, he or she doesn’t turn to anarchy as an alternative perspective, say, as social scientists might suspect. No one cares about dotting I’s and crossing T’s when they live their lives -- most all just want to have a good time … even if it that “time” isn’t so very good. So, they hope a little -- and they pretend a lot.

…Hey, check it out! I’m wearing a jacket filled with real bombs… Watch thi----!!

( … )

Never mind that most of us need a psychotherapist just to get through the day.

Were only we able to afford one.

* * * * *

And so we come to the almost-conclusion of yet another philosophical treatise -- where authors are encouraged to provide solutions to the problems they discuss.

I wish I were less adamant about the solution I’m about to offer (and over the last two years of writing essays, I’ve proposed this conviction several times):

At the core of my argument is this: Just like in Mobsters, we don’t really die. Ever.

When we physically “die,” our souls/spirits/you-pick-the-noun vacate our physical bodies (which, in  turn, when discarded, become basic, simple fertilizer) -- and those souls/spirits go “elsewhere.” That’s just a lock, for me -- isn’t it for you?

What do you mean, no?

I have an atheist friend who thoughtfully pauses, and then tells me that life-after-death as a real world concept is “counter-intuitive” -- and I know he’s not alone in that reaction.

The problem there, as I see it, is he’s as yet to subjectively experience his “spirit” being separate from his body -- and therein joins minimalist, mean old positivists by demanding at least some smattering of empirical evidence instead.

Positivists. These are folks who believe that science is a philosophy -- which is a little like saying a BlackBerry is a River of Dreams. Something got way lost in translation.

Science, as I view it, is a methodology first -- and almost nothing second. When that methodology dictates what is and isn’t true about human beings, simply in its absence of experiments conducted -- then the tail is wagging the dog of pursuing truth -- which in the end is what science claims it’s actually striving to accomplish.

So, does God exist? Scientists unequivocally cannot say yes -- there just is no “hard evidence” to support the concept. Yet, many scientists are Christians, who necessarily believe in God. Are they being hypocritical? The scientist-Christians would say no: Scientists take off their “empirical” caps when they go to church.

Sigh.

Many of the same issues apply, then, when discussions turn to the notion that human beings are “spirits” first, and flesh-and-blood bodies second.

Despite ever so much quality anecdotal evidence already on hand to support that simple idea -- enough to founder an entire fleet of Exxon tankers, if you wish (and I do) -- not one nation on our planet today truly believes in its reality, much less practices it.

To Christians: where does your soul go after you die (allowing that you’ve been a good Christian)? Heaven. Doesn’t that mean your spirit survives death, then? No.

We can go from religion to philosophy to even New Age beliefs -- which, when push comes to shove, are quite often disingenuous (…Some people will survive death, maybe, but I won’t; I don’t deserve to…) -- and so what we say we believe commonly doesn’t mesh with what we really believe (and, yes -- there’s an entire field called social psychology that has repeatable empirical evidence to support just that dumbfounding behavior -- and, yes, sometimes scientists do get it right).

* * * * *

When these topics are applied to acts of aggression and/or war, they should take precedence … only they don’t. They never have, and some are sure to insist they never will.

But … but: if global cultures formally changed their beliefs about our surviving death, there’s an excellent chance we wouldn’t fight wars … because just like in Mobsters, we’d come to realize war was not only pointless -- no one ever really dies, even in the “real world” -- but a slew of new unanswered questions would then surface, and take precedence.

Like -- what the hell are we all doing here?!

All of these are ontological questions, btw: about consciousness in relation to the (highly probable) nature of reality.

* * * * *

You want to end wars? Seriously? …Like, for ever and ever?

First, let’s all get a new world view -- one that reflects a genuinely tenable nature of reality … which we already have enough evidence on hand to back-engineer.

We honestly do! It’s just that no one’s acting on it -- at least on a large-enough scale.

And, secondly?

…Oh, what the hell -- why not?:

It’s inevitable, anyway.

Let’s all check into rehab.

WAR OR PEACE?

Nothing can heal the bitter wounds of the modern world wars;
A horrible memory it leaves behind for many years to come.
Such is the nature of war in the world man has to avoid,
If he loves women and children the tender parts of mankind.

Nature is for nursing and not for polluting;
Beauty is for loving and not for spoiling;
Love is for giving and not for denying;
Life is for living and not for dying;
All these war never warrants;
But only peace can preserve these.

The park of peace of the people goes to pieces,
When the works of violence of the world proceed to war.
Creations and inventions of good and beautiful are the progress of peace;
Destructions and deteriorations of the good and great are the works of war.

But then!!
Is peace an easy thing to achieve in life?
No, not at all and never!
To get peace we have to wage war,
Not a violent war, but a silent war!

Memories of the past may give some merriment;
But such memories, when can we get we know not!
We have to fight, a war against war to get peace
And to kiss peace ever to avoid a war against peace!
Memories of the good old days have to be revived,
Memories of the good times have to be recollected
So as to feel joy and transmit such joys to other;
That is culture every human being has to venture
In complicated situations on complex circumstances.

Peace comes only after war;
War comes where peace goes;
Failure for peace is victory for war;
Success or failure is immaterial in life;
What we achieve for the posterity is most important.
All best things are achieved only in peace;
And all worst things occur only in war.

Those for success only violently wage war with aggression;
If they fail the unbearable loss puts them to death;
If they show their heroism in some other field,
The loss will not be too much to bear.
In love or war nothing is fair or foul;
But never love war to achieve your ambition,
For war kills everyone and kills the killer too!
Love ever beauty and truth in the world
And failure never will kiss you in life.
So between war and peace what will you choose
To achieve the best in the world you live?
 

by TA Ramesh

From Dream To destiny

Everybody risks that’s for sure, in all kinds of acts and deeds one performs, there’s only

One risk one cannot avoid .With solution to problem cases one cannot chose a place of rest, in terms of culture, religions and customary laws, one gets only one chance to meet one’s creator.

With the physical being left untouched and the soul going where it belongs .Having

Culture made by our elders , religions influenced by leaders(sometimes depending in which continent , country and world one lives in), may perhaps structure one’s belief, and

Having customary laws in the community, might perhaps also anticipate in the decision

making. Thus, being human on this earth one should try by all means to reach the ultimate satisfaction in terms of religion to avoid pressure. Churches come in names like colors do, and surely the information will differ from one head to another.

Carefulness in thoughts then rise to effective plans to occur, with beliefs so different but leading to one creator Dreams occurring so ordinary like parents plan for their children

So will the dictionaries come in different covers but same tenses; So I’d say whether

You believe there’s heaven or not, you’ll enter. Thus, shaping your thoughts in mind plays an important role, because all it takes is a second in minute to meet with your creator and unify the souls in extremity.

By Koketso Marishane

Paintings 

by famous Polish painter Andrzej Filipowicz