Learn about a Department of Peace from the founder of the Peace Alliance: Marianne Williamson
Here is a Beautiful Video:
ONE POWER
How Do We Win the Peace?
US Institute of Peace
Join Now!
Please see my blog to learn more about the Department of Peace and how you can get involved!
My interests include: Peace, education, reading, policy, community development, healthy lifestyles, anything new and creative, footbag, outdoors, environmental health, cooperatives, renewable energy development, alternative lifestyles, ethnic diversity, world travel, spiritual discovery, higher consciousness, feminine energy, music, art, painting, dancing, juggling, children, and the power of love.
I'd like to meet:
People with new and creative ideas.
People who are well educated and well informed.
People who can make me smile.
Great story-tellers.
People who are on their spiritual path.
People who love footbag.
Politically active people.
Check out this AMAZING video of my friend Peter Irish!
Picture Slideshows
Music:
Very Diverse! I love positive meaningful lyrics and female vocals. Jewel, Natalie Merchant, Tracy Chapman, Sarah McLachlan, Beth Orton, Indigo Girls, Eva Tree, Bonnie Raitt. I love the classics: James Taylor, Jackson Browne, Eagles, America, Cat Stevens, CSNY-Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young, and CCR. I have been to 55 Grateful Dead shows. Also enjoy Pink Floyd, Led Zepplin, Paul Simon!, Steve Miller, Sting, The Beatles, Phish, Government Mule, Counting Crows, Live, and David Bowie. More recently I will listen to Jurassic 5 and Blackalicious. I love good techno - Doc Martin, Paul Oakenfold, Mark Farina. I also love the organic, hyponotic sounds of Kan 'Nal. I enjoy chanting and love Shiva's Garden. Love Warren Haynes - Soulshine! My most recent favorite is Jon Jon Straver's album De-Na-Zin - I miss you Jon Jon!
My friend Jon Jon Stravers and his son Jonah were hit by a drunk driver in Colorado Sept. 2, 2007. They were a gift to this community and they are deeply missed.
Picture Slideshows
Movies:
I have tried to cut out violent movies completely and prefer documentaries or movies with a message. I now subscribe to the Spiritual Cinema Circle films and borrow films from the "library" at thefilmconnection.org in an attempt to raise my viewing standards and support independent film makers. Some of my old favorites are Nell (Jodi Foster), 12 Monkeys (Bruce Willis and Brad Pitt), Brazil (a twisted classic from Terry Gilliam), The Fisher King (Robin Williams), Dead Poet's Society, Good Will Hunting, As Good As It Gets, Chasing Amy, Judgment at Nuremberg (1961), How Green was my Valley (1941), and all the Star Wars movies! Recently I've enjoyed August Rush and The Last Mymzy.
Television:
I love this video of Felix Zenger!
I don't watch TV. Haven't had cable TV for 15 years by choice. I have a feeling I've accomplished a lot in the time I could have wasted in front of the screen!
Books:
I love all the Daniel Quinn books, especially "The Story of B"
I highly recommend "Left to Tell," the story of Rowandan Holocaust survivor Immaculee Ilibagiza. I couldn't put this book down. Her story is very tragic yet very moving and inspirational. The role of media in the escalation of the violence and genocide is horrific and to think that this took place in 1994. The power of forgiveness is one I will never forget. I met Immaculee in October and was so impressed with her beautiful personality and loving disposition.
Enjoyed the book, God is a Verb, an amazing book with great stories that helped me to understand mystical Judaism.
I finished reading "Healing the Soul of America" on the plane trip to Florida in Feb., as I was attending a training by the author, Marianne Williamson and wanted to more fully understand this incredible woman, the co-founder and chair of The Peace Alliance.
"Conscious Evolution" by Barbara Marx Hubbard. WE are creating the 'New Story.'
I loved the books "Entering the Circle," and "Master of Lucid dreams."
Other books I like include: I'd Rather Teach Peace, The Eye of the I, Power VS Force, A Prayer for America, Peace Pilgrim, The Science of Mind, The Power of Now, the Conversations with God books.
Woman Freestyler: Caro Bourgoin
She's the Footbag Goddess!
Heroes:
In September I attended a Women's Wisdom Conference in Colorado and was extremely inspired by the vision and the work of the following women: Jean Houston, Barbara Marx Hubbard, Mary Morrissey and Rickie Byars Beckwith. These women are incredible!!
Jean Houston, PhD"…we have come to the stage where the real work of humanity begins…where we partner with Creation in the creation of ourselves…(living) daily life reconnected and recharged by the Source…"
Dr. Jean Houston, scholar, philosopher and researcher in Human Capacities, is a visionary thinker and doer. She is regarded as one of the principal founders of the Human Potential Movement. In the past three years, she has worked with the United Nations training leaders in developing countries (Albania, Eastern Caribbean, Kenya, Nepal, Philippines) in the new field of social artistry.
Dr. Houston is founder and principal teacher of the Mystery School dedicated to teaching history, philosophy, new physics, psychology and anthropology. Per Buckminster Fuller, “Jean Houston’s mind is a national treasure.â€------------------------------------------------
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Mary Manin Morrissey“Within each of us is a call to a greater life… (one that is) easier, more empowered, authentic, fun and energized in the process.â€
Mary Manin Morrissey is the author of two best-selling books, Building Your Field of Dreams, adapted into a PBS special, and No Less Than Greatness. She has addressed the United Nations as national co-chair for the Season of Non-Violence and has co-facilitated the Synthesis Dialogues with His Holiness the Dalai Lama.
Ms. Morrissey holds a Doctorate of Humane Letters, founded (and served for 23 years as its senior minister) the Living Enrichment Center, and has served on the boards of Radio for Peace, International, New Dimensions Radio and the Global Renaissance Alliance.---------------------------------------------------
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Barbara Marx Hubbard“…through science and technology, we are learning how nature works. With these new powers, we can destroy our life support systems…or we can move toward a hope-filled future of immeasurable possibilities.â€
Dr. Barbara Marx Hubbard is a visionary, futurist, author, speaker, social architect and spiritual pioneer. She is developing the first Center for Conscious Evolution of Humanity in Santa Barbara and broadcasts "Live from the Peace Room" on Internet radio. Emerson Institute awarded Dr. Hubbard the first doctorate in Conscious Evolution. In 1984, she was nominated for the Vice Presidency of the United States after proposing a Peace Room in the office of the Vice President.
Dr. Hubbard is a founding member of the World Future Society, the Association for Global New Thought, Women of Vision and Action, and the Foundation for the Future. She has written many books including, The Hunger of Eve: One Woman’s Odyssey Toward the Future and is a producing the DVD series, Humanity Ascending.
"Barbara Marx Hubbard make this very complicated moment in history seem like a glorious opportunity". -Marianne Williamson--------------------------------------------------
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Rickie Byars Beckwith"Rickie is truly a grace note from God, accessing her genius through song after song. Those who have been touched by her are truly the better for it and never forget it. "
Rickie Byars Beckwith is an internationally-acclaimed singer, composer and recording star, and served as Artistic Director for all three Synthesis Dialogues with His Holiness the Dalai Lama. Drawing upon the wisdom of her mother, Rickie created Tell Mama All About It, a guide for elder women on how to inspire younger women. It has become the cornerstone of the Agape Soul Sisters’ retreats.
As Music and Arts Director of the Agape International Spiritual Center in Culver City, Ms. Beckwith directs both the 150-voice Agape International Choir and the seven-piece Agape House Band. She has co-produced and recorded ten albums with the Agape Choir. Performances at the Lincoln Center, United Nations, Greek Theatre, John Anson Ford Theatre, Royce Hall at UCLA and Maui Arts and Cultural Center inspire peace and goodwill in the global community through the universal language of music.
Dennis Kucinich
(The next President of the United States of America)
Kucinich has advocated the creation of a cabinet-level Department of Peace, to make non-violence an organizing principle within our society. He believes that peace, not war, is inevitable, if we are willing to work for peace. He sees the world as being interconnected and interdependent. This vision always strives to find the commonalities, the points where unity can be formed. He believes the United States can best lead the way through full support of the Nuclear Non Proliferation Treaty, the Kyoto Climate Change Treaty, the Chemical Weapons Convention, the Biological Weapons Convention; joining the International Criminal Court, signing the Landmine Treaty and the Small Arms Treaty. As we rejoin the world in full support of principles of international law, we help build the cause of human unity, he believes. In his fifth term in the United States House, Kucinich has been a leader for Universal Health Care, a full employment economy, fully-paid tuition at public colleges and universities, repeal of the Patriot Act, the development of bio-fuels as alternative energy and restoration of America's basic manufacturing and infrastructure. (from www.kucinich.us) Please visit his website to learn more!
This is a very important video about Dennis!I saw it for the first time in 2004, but although it is not new, the issues it addresses are extremely relevant and important today. What does the future hold? What will become of our country and the world if we do not address these important issues?
We have the duty to speak up and vote for a change, for ourselves, our country, and for future generations.
Elizabeth Kucinich
I love this interview with Elizabeth. Her sharing is the most authentic, beautiful, thoughtful expression of the truth that I have heard in a long time. Elizabeth speaks from the heart and what she has shared reveals the compassion and vision she has for all the people of the world. I have no doubt that with the Kucinich's in office we would see a transformation of our world unlike anything in history. They are brilliant, intelligent and educated not only by books but also by worldly experiences. Together, they are an answered prayer.
An Interview With Elizabeth Kucinich
Peace Pilgrim
From 1953 to 1981 a silver haired woman calling herself only "Peace Pilgrim" walked more than 25,000 miles on a personal pilgrimage for peace. She vowed to "remain a wanderer until mankind has learned the way of peace, walking until given shelter and fasting until given food." In the course of her 28 year pilgrimage she touched the hearts, minds, and lives of thousands of individuals all across North America. Her message was both simple and profound. It continues to inspire people all over the world:"This is the way of peace: overcome evil with good,
and falsehood with truth, and hatred with love."
(from www.peacepilgrim.net)
Dr. Birute Galdikas
At 25, Galdikas arrived in Borneo to begin her field studies of orangutans in a jungle environment extremely inhospitable to most Westerners. Galdikas proceeded to make many invaluable contributions to the scientific understanding of Indonesia's biodiversity and the rainforest as a whole, while also bringing the orangutan to the attention of the rest of the world.
When she arrived in Borneo, Galdikas settled into a primitive bark and thatch hut, at a site she dubbed 'Camp Leakey', near the edge of the Java Sea. Once there, she encountered numerous poachers, legions of leeches, and swarms of carnivorous insects, yet she persevered through many travails, remaining there for over 30 years while becoming an outspoken advocate for orangutans and the preservation of their rainforest habitat, which is rapidly being devastated by loggers, gold miners, and unnatural conflagrations.
Galdikas' conservation efforts have extended well beyond advocacy, largely focusing on rehabilitation of the many orphaned orangutans turned over to her for care. (from wikipedia.org) I read Return to Eden in college and have admired Birute ever since.
Mahatma Gandhi: His name means "Great Soul" in Sanskrit
As a British-educated lawyer, Gandhi first employed his ideas of peaceful civil disobedience in the Indian community's struggle for civil rights in South Africa. Upon his return to India, he organized poor farmers and labourers to protest against oppressive taxation and widespread discrimination. Assuming leadership of the Indian National Congress, Gandhi led nationwide campaigns for the alleviation of poverty, for the liberation of women, for brotherhood amongst differing religions and ethnicities, for an end to untouchability and caste discrimination, and for the economic self-sufficiency of the nation, but above all for Swaraj — the independence of India from foreign domination. Gandhi famously led Indians in the disobedience of the salt tax on the 400 kilometre (248 miles) Dandi Salt March in 1930, and in an open call for the British to Quit India in 1942. He was imprisoned for many years on numerous occasions in both South Africa and India.
Throughout his life, Gandhi remained committed to non-violence and truth even in the most extreme situations. A student of Hindu philosophy, he lived simply, organizing an ashram that was self-sufficient in its needs. Making his own clothes — the traditional Indian dhoti and shawl woven with a charkha, he lived on a simple vegetarian diet. He used rigorous fasts, for long periods, for both self-purification and protest. (wikipedia)
An Organization I Admire
As major new challenges like climate change and escalating religious conflict threaten our common future, people from around the world are coming together to take global politics into their own hands. Avaaz.org (Our name means "Voice" or "Song" in several languages including Hindi, Urdu, Farsi, Nepalese, Dari, Turkish, and Bosnian) is a community of global citizens who take action on the major issues facing the world today. Our aim is to ensure that the views and values of the world’s people -- and not just political elites and unaccountable corporations -- shape global decisions. Avaaz.org members are taking action for a more just and peaceful world and a vision of globalization with a human face. In our inter-connected world, the actions of political leaders and corporations are having a profound impact on all of us. To match the power and reach of global leaders and borderless corporations, Avaaz.org members are building a powerful movement of citizens without borders. As citizens without borders, we might not have the resources of governments, corporations or the media, but working together we can bring together millions of people around the world and make global public opinion really count on major global issues like poverty, climate change, human rights and global security. Using the latest technology, Avaaz.org empowers ordinary people from every corner of the globe to directly contact key global decision-makers, corporations and the media. By signing up to receive updates from Avaaz.org, members receive emails and text messages alerting them to new campaigns and opportunities to act online and offline, and to make a real difference on pressing global issues.
King’s notion of nonviolence had six key principles.First, one can resist evil without resorting to violence.Second, nonviolence seeks to win the ‘‘friendship and understanding’’ of the opponent, not to humiliate him (King, Stride, 84).Third, evil itself, not the people committing evil acts, should be opposed.Fourth, those committed to nonviolence must be willing to suffer without retaliation as suffering itself can be redemptive.Fifth, nonviolent resistance avoids ‘‘external physical violence’’ and ‘‘internal violence of spirit’’ as well: ‘‘The nonviolent resister not only refuses to shoot his opponent but he also refuses to hate him’’ (King, Stride, 85). The resister should be motivated by love in the sense of the Greek word agape, which means ‘‘understanding,’’ or ‘‘redeeming good will for all men’’ (King, Stride, 86).The sixth principle is that the nonviolent resister must have a ‘‘deep faith in the future,’’ stemming from the conviction that ‘‘the universe is on the side of justice’’ (King, Stride, 88).
My Footbag Hero: Vasek Klouda
The King of Footbag
Six-time World Champion from the Czech Republic
Musical Heroes: Kan'NalHere is a video from one of my favorite bands. These guys are amazing LIVE!!
Kan'Nal at Mystic Hot Springs
