 It is my hope that in some small way this page can make a difference in the lives of people and can help lead to a more peaceful planet. I am primarily interested in small grassroots efforts related to creating peace. If you have a song, poem, website, or anything you would like to submit to me via e-mail I will be happy to receive it and will consider putting it on this site. I feel strongly that the war in the middle east is a travesty and must end. If you agree with me, please help create a new world based upon the laws of compassion and peace. It seems that everyday we are being flooded with fear-based information that reflects the dire possibility of economic collapse, terrorist attacks, war, environmental disasters, governmental and corporate corruption, crime, violence and myriad other potential dangers. It is very easy to become so overwhelmed with concern that we just wring our hands and muddle through our days in a state of anxiety and desperation. Many people feel helpless when it comes to changing their lives or making a significant difference in the world. Everyone wants things to get better, but most people do not believe they can effectively assist in the process. Well, fortunately, nothing could be further fromthe Truth. We are ALL co-creators. We all have unique skills and abilities that no one else on the planet possesses in exactly the same way we do. Traumatic experiences cause us to regroup and to reevaluate how we areliving our lives. It seems we have fallen into the pattern of using pain as our motivator. As long as we are not in pain, we will just plod along, day after day, without much thought. We half heartedly go through the motions of doing what we need to do to survive. We go to our jobs to make money to put food on the table and a roof over our heads. We take care of our families' physical needs, and with the little bit of time that is left, we try to take care of ourselves. When a tragedy happens, however, we are forced to put our lives into perspective. We stop for a moment and focus on what really matters to us. If we use the tragic event to change our mode of operation and to put more meaning in our lives, then something good will come out of even the most horrific experience. The tragic events of September 11, 2001, transformed our lives forever. We have a choice as to whether we allow catastrophes of that nature to catapult us into lives of fear and dread or whether we use those experiences to motivate us into creating lives of fulfillment and joy. We have the ability to do both of those things; the path we choose is up to us. The only reason we haven't been co-creating lives of joy, happiness, prosperity, loving relationships, financially and creatively rewarding jobs, vibrant health, fulfillment, enlightenment and every other positive experience is because we have forgotten that we can. Not only can we create the lives we dream of, this is our purpose and reason for being. We have been invested with the gift of free will. Our thoughts and feelings are creative. Whatever we focus our thoughts, words, actions and feelings on, we bring into physical form. It is time for us to remember to consciously choose to create the lives we want instead of inadvertently manifesting, through our fears, the experiences we do not want. As we take charge of our lives, we will be effective examples for our loved ones and friends. We will be positive catalysts, and the results of our efforts will be exponential. We are all One. There is no separation. We can each make a difference. As we change our lives, we will change the direction for for all life on this planet. Never underestimate the Power of One. Pray for wisdom in the leaders of the world. The message we hear from all sources of wisdom is clear: We are all one. Begin by finding peace within yourself. Then seek to heal the sadness or anger of those around you. The following is an Ancient Celtic blessing and the words of a song from the Dances of Universal Peace: Deep Peace of the Silent Stars Deep Peace of the Flowing Air to You Deep Peace of the Quiet Earth May Peace, May Peace, May Peace Fill Your Soul Let Peace, Let Peace, Let Peace Make You Whole What are the Dances of Universal Peace? Well the dances were originated by Murshid Samual L. Lewis (Sufi Ahmed Murad Chisti) in about 1964 and are growing steadily on an international basis. The largest dance circle is in the Denver/Boulder, Colorado area currently. These dances show a commitment to "peace through the arts." The organization was founded in 1982 and Saadi Neil Douglas-Klotz is the Founding Director. The administrative office is now in Seattle and they have their own web site to go there In the book TIBETAN PORTRAIT - THE POWER OF COMPASSION H.H. the Dalai Lama said: "Many of our problems are created by ourselves This book has WONDERFUL photographs and is a real treasure! Read it and think about. Another organization/project worth mentioning here is called Heaven's Stepping Stones and it is an art project which was envisioned by an artist named Hada who is founder and president of the A.R.T. Foundation. The goal of this project involves the governments of the United States and Russia releasing the Diomedes (an Island on the International Date Line) into a zone beyond date, thereby returning it to its original state before the human invention of time. It would also require both governments to return the Diomedes to humanity as a whole not being owned by any nation, but by Mother Earth herself. To get more information you can send an e-mail request to: hada@ar-t.org - Tell them you heard about it on Marsha's Tibetan Buddhist website. Author James Twyman is a Peace ambassador with a website you might want to check out. Simply go to http://www.prayersofpeace.com/ and add your prayer today. Chinese proverb: If there is light in the soul, there is beauty in the person. If there is beauty in the person, there is harmony in the house. If there is harmony in the house, there is order in the nation. If there is order in the nation, there will be peace in the world. "Like the bee gathering honey from the different flowers, the wise person accepts the essence of the different scriptures and sees only the good in all religions." If a man going down into a river, International Peace Prayer Day has been celebrated yearly since 1985 by the 3HO (Healthy,Happy, Holy Organization) on sacred Native American land in the Jamez mountains of New Mexico. If you would like your name added to the Peace Prayer Day mailing list call 1-888-346-2420. Visit the Peace Prayer Day website - they sell Peace Cereal which is excellent! Try the Cinnamon Apple Crisp with Ginseng and Fo-Ti - I recommend it. The text of the following message is from His Holiness THE DALAI LAMA to the Inter-Religious Conference on "RELIGION, PEACE AND THE OLYMPIC IDEAL" held in Athens, Greece on AUGUST 10, 2004. Although everyone wishes to live in peace, we are often confused about how it can be achieved. Violence inevitably leads to more violence. This is not the solution, certainly not in the long term. Today, more and more people realise that the proper way of resolving differences is through dialogue, compromise and discussions, through human understanding and humility. There is a growing appreciation that genuine peace comes about through mutual understanding, respect and trust. The Olympic Games take place in just this spirit. They provide a marvellous opportunity for athletes, sportsmen and sportswomen, who exemplify superb physical accomplishment and perfection, to achieve distinction in fair and honest competition. Because I believe that peace in the world depends on peace in the hearts of individuals, I also feel that people with religious interests have special responsibilities in this regard. On the one hand, all religions counsel forgiveness, patience and compassion and ways to cultivate them. These are practical qualities that are of great value in creating a dialogue that we can share with others. On the other hand, it is an unfortunate fact that religion is sometimes the source of conflict. When this is the case, the cause more often than not is ignorance and misunderstanding, and the fear that result from them. I believe we can contribute to countering these shortcomings through engaging in active dialogue with members of other faith traditions. I have no doubt there is much we can learn from each other . Therefore, I welcome the organizing of a conference on the theme Religion, Peace and the Olympic ideal by the Ecumenical Patriarchate and the Olympic Municipality of Amaroussin. I feel it is especially appropriate on this grand occasion, when the Olympic Games are once again being held in their country of origin, that attention should be drawn to the role that religion and our inner development have in contributing to a more peaceful world inspired by the Olympic ideal. I pray that the conference may lead to practical steps that can betaken to create a happier, friendlier and fairer world, a world in which the champions of peace may triumph. The Dalai LamaAugust 7, 2004 Prayer For Peace May today there be peace within. May you trust your highest power that you are exactly where you are meant to be. May you not forget the infinite possibilities that are born of love. May you use those gifts that you have received, and pass on the love that has been given to you. May you be content knowing you are a child of God/Goddess/The Creator. Let this presence settle into your bones, and allow your soul the freedom to sing, dance, and to bask in the sun. It is there for each and every one of us. Unknown Author Let's pull together in PEACE and LOVE and remember we are all ONE. Click to return to Red Dawn's Buddhism home page. Copyright 2000 -2008 Marsha Camblin Website by MBC Enterprises |