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BePeace Group?

Posted by Becca Atkins on September 4, 2011 at 9:26am

Hey folks - Wondering about the possibility of adding a "Groups" feature, in particular so that the people who are members of the SingPeace NING site who were also at the Whidbey Island BePeace training can connect and discuss how they/we are using BePeace in our lives, our work, etc.

 

Admins, what do you think?

 

Thanks for considering it - Becca

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Peace is the Way: Ten Steps to Peace Consciousness--Deepak Chopra

Posted by Pushkara Sally Ashford on March 26, 2010 at 4:30am
Peace is the Way

Ten Steps to Peace Consciousness
(taken from Peace is the Way, by Deepak Chopra)

1. Change doesn't start on the surface. It's generated from consciousness. This has been true throughout history. If both Buddhism and Christianity could begin with one person, let us not think in terms of numbers and odds. It may sound grandiose to compare ourselves to great spiritual guides, but we act collectively, as an alliance. Our strength comes from critical mass.

2. We aren't here to make the world evolve. We are here to evolve as individuals and then to spread that influence. In the wisdom tradition of Vedanta, the stream of evolution is known in Sanskrit as Dharma, from a root verb that means 'to uphold.' This gives us a clue how to live: the easiest way for us to grow is to align ourselves with Dharma. We don't have to struggle to grow--that would be unproductive, in fact. The Dharma has always favored non-violence. If we can bring ourselves to a
state of non-violence, and connect with others who are doing the same thing, we have done a huge thing to reinforce Dharma.

3. Societies get into the grip of their own self-created story. It's helpful to realize that we can choose not to participate in that story. Realize that national and tribal stories are limited, self-serving, based on the past, reinforced by orthodoxy, and therefore opposed to real change. Stories are incredibly persuasive. Wars are fueled by victimization that runs deep, for example. So let us not try to change anyone's story. Let us only notice and observe ourselves when we buy into it and then let us back away from participating in it.

4. Let us not demand of ourselves that we alone must be the agent of change. In a fire brigade everyone passes along a bucket, but only the last person puts out the fire. None of us know where we stand in line. We may be here simply to pass a bucket; we may be called on to play a major role. In either case, all we can do is think, act, and say. Let us direct our thoughts, words, and actions to peace. That is all we can do. Let the results be what they will be.

5. Let us realize that engagement and detachment aren't opposite—the more engaged we become, the more detached we will have to be. Otherwise, we will lose ourselves in conflict, obsessiveness, anxiety over the future, and feelings of guilt and inadequacy. Keep in mind that we are pioneers into the unknown, and uncertainty is our ally. When our minds want closure, certainty, and finality, let us remind ourselves that these are fictions. Our joyous moments will come from riding the wave, not asking to get off at the next station.

6. Since most misery is born of failed expectations let us learn to minimize expectations so that we will feel far less guilt and disappointment.

7. We aren't here to be good or perfect. We are here as the antennas for signals from the future. We are here to be midwives to something that wants to be born. Good people have preceded us. They solved some problems and created others. As one wise teacher said, "You aren't here to be as good as possible. You are here to be as real as possible."

8. I know this sounds difficult, but let us try to be tolerant of intolerance. This is a hard one at times, but if you try the opposite—showing a hard heart against those with hard hearts of their own—all we've done is expand the problem. It's helpful (but often difficult) to remember that everyone is doing the best they can form their own level of consciousness. Trying to talk a terrorist out of his beliefs is like trying to persuade a lion to be a vegetarian. All we can realistically do is seek openings for higher awareness.

9. Let us resist the lure of dualities. These include us versus them, civilized versus barbarians, good versus evil. The good, civilized people of Europe managed to kill millions of themselves, along with millions of "them." In reality we are all in the same boat of human conflict and confusion. Sometimes it helps to admit that the doctor is not far from being a patient.

10. Let's create an atmosphere of peace around ourselves. Imagine that we are like a mother whose children come home crying about fights at school. Would it be her job to soothe their wounds or to arm them for fighting back tomorrow? Simplistic as it may sound, the male principle of aggression can only be healed by the feminine principle of nurturing and love.


Love,
Deepak
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Trillium Woods Celebration, Oct. 24, 2-4 p.m.

Posted by Pushkara Sally Ashford on October 29, 2010 at 12:25pm

Let’s celebrate!

http://savetheforestnow.org/

“To achieve the incredible, we must attempt the impossible.”

Together, we achieved the incredible by protecting a square mile of land, setting aside a home for wildlife, and saving a special place to cherish.

Now let’s celebrate our achievement!

When Sunday, October 24, from 2-4 p.m.
Where The M-Bar-C Ranch
5264 Shore Meadow Road
Freeland, WA 98249
Bring A dessert to share or a food bank donation.

The deal is done! The Trillium forest is saved.

Smiling as the deed was recorded, Pat Powell, executive director of the Whidbey Camano Land Trust, completed the transaction to purchase the 664-acre Trillium forest on central Whidbey Island. More than 1485 individual donations made the purchase possible. A soldier overseas contributed $5.00. An anonymous donor concerned with the survival of wildlife habitat came forward with a very significant gift that allowed the Land Trust to purchase the property. In between were 1483 other named donations.


“It seemed impossible in March and yet it happened,” says Pat Powell. “Hundreds of people took a stand to save wildlife habitat, open space, and a place for people to be out in nature. With their dollars and their effort, they voted this a high priority. The impossible dream came true in September. Our hearts are brimming with gratitude.”


Photos from celebration: http://picasaweb.google.com/wcltonline/TrilliumCelebration?feat=flashalbum#5533521843753321346

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Tonight! "Evolving the Practice of BePeace," 6 p.m. Pacific

Posted by Pushkara Sally Ashford on November 9, 2010 at 12:30pm
Monthly Conference Call Tonight!

Guest Speaker: Rita Marie Johnson
"Evolving the Practice of BePeace"

Our special guest speaker tonight is Rita Marie Johnson, founder of the BePeace practice and Rasur Itnernational.


In 2002, Johnson created BePeace, a practice that combines a scientifically proven method for “feeling peace” with a sure path for “speaking peace” that creates an authentic, compassionate connection. This combination inspired her to found the Academy for Peace of Costa Rica. By 2005, BePeace won the Changemakers Innovation Award: Building a More Ethical Society, chosen from 79 projects in 32 countries. Now the Academy is working with the Ministry of Education to implement BePeace in every high school in Costa Rica.


In 2006, the Rasur Foundation presented a Ministry for Peace initiative that was embraced by Costa Rica’s president, Oscar Arias, a Nobel Peace Prize laureate. This Ministry for Peace bill passed on August 19, 2009. As a result of Johnson’s involvement in the Global Alliance for Ministries and Departments for Peace, the Costa Rican government hosted the 2009 Summit of the Global Alliance and the Rasur Foundation facilitated it.


Johnson served the United Nations University for Peace in Costa Rica from 1999-2002. In January 2010, she returned there to teach the BePeace Foundations Course (40 hours) to graduate students from 16 countries for two graduate credits. She has initiated BePeace in ten states in the USA as well as Canada, Europe and Central America. In November 2006, she completed a speaking tour in Japan on Costa Rica as a model of peace. In July 2007, she served on the plenary panel “Women of Power” at the International Women’s Peace Conference in Dallas. Johnson serves on the Advisory Board of the National Peace Academy of the USA and served as a keynote speaker at the Department of Peace Conference in Washington DC in March 2009.


Websites:

The Peace Alliance

http://www.thepeacealliance.org/content/view/628/655/

Rasur International

http://www.rasurinternational.org

Please join us!

Call Time: 9:00 Eastern, 6:00 pm Pacific
This call lasts one hour.
Call-in Number: (712) 432-1601 Code: 470821#

For more information, click here. We hope to hear you on the call.


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Stepping out of the box

Posted by Marianne Aylmer on March 1, 2010 at 5:45pm
Hello Pushkara and all ! !"Blessed are those who translate every good thing they know into action- even higher truths will be revealed to them"- Peace Pilgrim . I love the article and radiant picture of you. I love this movement of focusing on the resonances of harmony and helping people feel their inner harmony. I honor the people who can genuinely model the truth and ideals we all strive for. thank-you for your wisdom and grace and everyone involved with this pilgrimage.I would love to help on the eastern side of the cascades, getting energy hooked up for the "singing villages" between Leavenworth and the Okanogan.The 10th annual Fairy and Human Relations Congress is happening June 25th-27th ,.www.fairycongress.com, ; I see Lawrence is on the schedule, and would love to see you there too! I think the timing would be synchronistic either before or after this event. I know you will have a heartfelt, joyous, event at the yoga lodge . It is outstanding that Mick /EARTH GYM movement practice is aligned with this Global Harmony message. so folks can sing , dance and FEEL the vibration of peace and our earth mother..I hope l to see you before eathday. Is there a mailing address you can post for donations, for fuel and food? love marianne in Chelan
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Peace in the 'Hood'

Posted by Pushkara Sally Ashford on March 9, 2010 at 8:46am
Not surprising to me that neighborly (and family) relations come up early on when we step forward for Peace and Global Harmony. As soon as I signed on to this pilgrimage, a "war" broke out in my neighborhood. Guess what? It was over the use and maintenance of a road that we all share in common. I took it as a test of my commitment to cleanse and free myself of habits that would inhibit or block the peace that is who I am and what I feel I am about in this life. It was an opportunity to stand more firmly in my own Truth.

Some folks get very nervous at the mere thought of "peace ON earth," the very soil between their toes. It's the "ownership" thing: mine as opposed to yours - roads, nations, religions, racial/cultural traditions. Removing the artificial boundaries, that is, baring our soles and our souls, we soon realize that we own nothing. We're the visitors, here; it's both humbling and rewarding to take our place in the natural order of things, joyfully acknowledging and welcoming the diversity that is LIFE. Lightening up, the downturn of the grimace becomes an upturning grin, disarmingly irresistible and engaging.

Hey, try it in the mirror! Now, bring it into the land and the 'hood.'
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Support The PRASAD Project, accept our Free Gift!

Posted by Pushkara Sally Ashford on December 22, 2020 at 11:01am

10971371680?profile=originalMy Solstice & Holiday Fundraiser. Please DONATE any amount to PRASAD and accept the SingPeace! free gift of my song, "You Look Up!"
The PRASAD Project: https://www.prasad.org/
Free Gift: SapphireProductionsNYC@gmail.com

The PRASAD Project: We help people to achieve lives of self-reliance and dignity by offering programs of health, education and sustainable community development in India, dental care in the United States and eye care in Mexico. The goal of each PRASAD initiative is to help people to help themselves, their community and the environment. Every year, thousands of people benefit directly from PRASAD’s humanitarian work. The result is a unified system of sustainable, community-wide economic, educational, environmental, health and agricultural programs that respond to the needs, conditions, customs, and culture of each community we serve. In this way, we can address a community’s most pressing needs as we help its population to implement long-term solutions to challenges that may have plagued them for generations.

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"You Look Up!" SingPeace! Music Video Premiere!

Posted by Pushkara Sally Ashford on October 14, 2020 at 11:30am

10971371485?profile=originalPremiere of "You Look Up!" song and music video. https://youtu.be/eH5FTSoyFRc

  • We hope viewers enjoy the SingPeace! cross-border collaboration. Our mother/son, mother daughter, and Mexico familia, working online and on the ground at long distance, in 3 time zones, across language barriers and international borders can have its challenging moments. Pandemics give rise to fun, creative ways of relating!
  • SingPeace! invites you to post your video version in your own language and/or cultural style.
  • Photography, art work, puppetry, poems, exuberant play - all are welcome!
  • Post your version at #YLUchallenge Working online at long distance, in 3 time zones across language barriers and international borders has its challenging moments. Pandemics give rise to fun, creative ways of relating!
A note from Pushkara: Many years ago, I heard a friend tell the story about her grandmother, a child of slaves in the deep South, who used to say, "God knock yo' on yo' back so you look up!" Not that I wanted to write a song about God knocking you on your back, but those words stuck with me. So, at point where it seemed I'd pretty much exhausted all of my options, I wrote this song. Come to find out, the song and new life were waiting to fill that void. In the place of desperation was joy. I was re-creating myself in every moment. My hope in sharing this song, especially, at a time when our lives and our very world are upside down and topsy turvy, that you give this gift to yourself. Connecting the love in your sweet heart with the beauty in nature can soften and ease the rough patches in your life. SingPeace
YOU LOOK UP!
Pushkara Sally Ashford copyright 1998
The new dawn breaks, a fire-red ball,
Off in the east, a silent call, (refrain)
Refrain: And you look up, up, You look up!
The sight of wings against the sky,
An eagle soars, flyin’ high. (refrain)
Now, when we swell with pride, look down our nose,
Or shuffle our feet, look down at our toes,
When you forget it’s all about love,
That’s when life knocks you on your back so you look up!
A lightnin’ flash, the thunder rolls,
A cooling breeze before the storm. (refrain)
The summer rains on hot, dry ground,
Reach out your hand when you hear the sound. (refrain)
But when your heart fills up with greed,
Stuff danglin’ off you, you don’t even need,
If you grasp for more to fill your cup,
That’s when life knocks you on your back so you look up!
The rain clouds part, the sun shines through,
And overhead, a rainbow’s hues. (refrain)
The crescent moon is on the rise,
The nighttime stars light up the skies. (refrain)
 
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SingPeace! Songcrafting for EARTH CHARTER

Posted by Pushkara Sally Ashford on October 10, 2010 at 6:00am

EARTH CHARTER


The Earth Charter is a declaration of the fundamental principles that are going to be needed for building a just, sustainable and peaceful global society in the 21st century. It offers a compelling vision, and states the guidelines, principles and values needed in order to live together as one planetary community.


Prologue – Earth Charter

“We stand at a critical moment in earth’s history, a time when humanity must choose its future. As the world becomes increasingly interdependent and fragile, the future at once holds great peril and great promise. To move forward we must recognize that in the midst of a magnificent diversity of cultures and life forms we are one human family and one Earth community with a common destiny. We must join together to bring forth a sustainable global society founded on respect for nature, universal human rights, economic justice, and a culture of peace.”


See http://www.earthcharter.org



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Old Woman's Reply

Posted by Pushkara Sally Ashford on March 19, 2010 at 4:44am
Old Woman's Reply

"Back to the shoe?" You'll never catch me,
Domination? Dominion? That's his-story.

"Ouch! Ouch! Ouch!" i grimace. Your shoes squeeze and sting!
Life doesn't make sense, if i cannot sing!

Trying to fit in, something always felt wrong,
In the molds others made, i would never belong.

Mom always said: "If the shoe fits, wear it."
But what of the wild foot? Why not grin and "bare" it?

For naked they come and naked they go,
Stepping first with front paw, and littlest toe.

Touching down onto earth, my feet spring and prance,
Awakened, once more, in exuberant dance.

Now, with stick and with stone, and tree-weaving ropes,
i yield to the land, amid rising hopes.

Together, in harmony, we'll sing in the land,
For a culture of peace, please give me your hand...

And your hand, and your hand, please hear the call,
Each piece of the peace, we are gathering all,

To tell the new story, to sing the new song,
Our voices as ONE, now, we foot our way hOMe.

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Singing in the Great Turning: Seattle area

Posted by Pushkara Sally Ashford on November 20, 2010 at 5:52am

Singing in the Great Turning

December 10, 2010 - December 11, 2010

Location
Nalanda West
3902 Woodland Park Ave. N
Seattle, WA 98103
Schedule
Friday night : 7-9 pm
Saturday: 9 am - 4 pm
Price
Suggested donation: $50-$90.
No one is turned away for lack of funds.
$20 pre-registration is required; remainder can be paid at event.
Contact
Gretchen Sleicher: greatturningnorthwest@gmail.com

Singing in the Great Turning

Let's come together to sing and explore our deepest responses to being alive at this time on the planet

"The Great Turning is a name for the essential adventure of our time: the shift from the industrial growth society to a life-sustaining civilization."
~ Eco-Philospher Joanna Macy
Singing together is a vital tool in this shift
For an evening and a day, we will engage in interactive group practices developed by eco-philosopher Joanna Macy -known as The Work That Reconnects- to help us uncover and experience our innate connections with each other and with the systemic, self-healing powers in the web of life, so that we may be enlivened and motivated to play our part in creating a life-enhancing society.
Complementing these practices, we will join our voices in easy-to-learn songs that are rhythmically and melodically interesting, that get us singing together in harmony instantly, and that encapsulate the teachings of Joanna Macy and others on the Great Turning. You will come away with songs to share in your home communities, as well as a deeper understanding of the dimensions of the Great Turning and your unique place in it.
Friday, Dec. 10: 7 - 9 pm. Gather to get to know each other, clarify intentions, join in song

Register online now! $20 pre-registration fee, remainder due at program:

http://nalandabodhi.webpossystem.com/bin/category.asp?category=68

Saturday, Dec. 11: 9:00 a.m - 4:00 p.m. Move through the spiral of the Work That Reconnects, engaging in practices to touch into: Gratitude, Honoring our pain for the world, Seeing with new eyes and Going forth in service to the world. This will include time outdoors, movement and a meal break (bring a brown-bag lunch) woven throughout with singing together.

Facilitator: Gretchen Sleicher has worked with Joanna Macy, attending several multi-day workshops with her over the past 7 years, most recently an 8-day retreat for facilitators of The Work That Reconnects at the beginning of 2010. She delights in weaving group singing and harmony-making into her workshop facilitation, to enhance the meaning and message with the joy of collective song. See the website: www.songsforthegreatturning.net

Suggested donation: $50-$90. No one turned away for lack of funds.

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Tsunami Books Song Circle report

Posted by Rob Tobias on April 12, 2010 at 7:20am
A very sweet circle of 30+ folks gathered on Sunday for an afternoon of singing and mingling. The ages ranged from 5 months to 80 years. The 80 year old had quite the story to tell... she grew up in Estonia... where she had to flee the Nazis in 1940 at age 10... leaving behind family who mostly lost their lives in the war. The 5 month old didn't have stories but did light up when we were singing our names and we sang his name to him. Another highlight came from a 7 year old who offered up a song with lyrics like... "I am a lonesome traveler, I'm hungry and I'm tired"... very deep from such a youngster... the song also included a clap at the appropriate time. I tried a new sing and mingle tune called, "Wandering" where we wander for a bit..."Wandering, wandering, wandering, wander here, wander there, wander there, and wander here, wandering, wandering, wandering." then we find someone to sing to "One day we'll find it, One day we'll be at home, We will be at home".... then we wander some more. I think it worked out OK... with one comment about home being an inward journey rather than an outward journey. I think that was what I what I was after. Rich offered "Move Spirit", Karly led "When I breathe in", Melanie brought out "When I come into my calling", Janice got us to do the children's round "Wheels of the Water", I led SaraTone's "Bless All The Land" and Laurence's "One Heart Beating" along with some of my favorites like "Starlight Vision" and "That's How The Light Gets In". We ended with Laurence's "Out of a Great Need" holding hands and spiraling... a good time was had by all. Peace, Rob
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Global One Peace Live Fire Ceremony, 9 p.m. Pacific time

Posted by Pushkara Sally Ashford on November 6, 2010 at 7:03am


Global Peace Fire Ceremony – Free Webcast from Kyoto, Japan

Buddhist and Mayan spiritual leaders are joining forces for a unique wisdom transmission and historical cultural unification.

This Sacred Fire Ceremony for oneness and world peace will occur on November 6th - 7th 2010.

You are invited to attend the [VIDEO] webcast free of charge or by simply
lighting a candle for peace, joining millions around the world as this
special ceremony begins.

http://www.commonpassion.org/group/one-peace-live

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Take SingPeace! #YLUchallenge!

Posted by Pushkara Sally Ashford on October 14, 2020 at 11:00am
10971371652?profile=original
Take the "You Look Up!" Challenge: #YLUchallenge: https://youtu.be/U-deROPQ58g
Our film crew in Mexico was inspired to translate and sing a version of the chorus in Spanish. We invite you to record, and post your version of "You Look Up!" in your own language. (See lyrics, below.) Video, art work, photography, puppetry, dance, exuberant play - all are welcome!
  • See the SingPeace! cross-border collaboration music video: https://youtu.be/eH5FTSoyFRc. Our mother/son, mother daughter, and Mexico familia, working online and on the ground at long distance, in 3 time zones, across language barriers and international borders can have its challenging moments. Pandemics give rise to fun, creative ways of relating!
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