For Peace in Gaza

Namaste!

All of us here at the Peacemakers' Circle and the URI-SEAP Regional office are pained at the turn of events in Gaza. Our heartfelt sympathies and prayers go to all who are suffering as a result of this conflict.

Here in the Philippines we had a long holiday break and so many were out of the city to spend time with their families. On Tuesday (Jan. 6, 2009) we were able to gather for our regular Tuesday Inner Work Circle (TIWC) and we unanimously decided to use the time to pray and send peace and love vibrations to all in the conflict zone in the Middle east.

During the evening we came up with an appeal, prayer, poem and a peace mandala which we are sending to you below.

Other actions planned:

We will continue to offer daily prayers peace in Gaza

We will be starting a virtual solidarity campaign using internet social networks (facebook, friendster, multiply, etc.)

We will be working with/joining other NGOs to lobby for peace

We will keep you updated on other activities.

In peace,

Shakun,
Orlan and Sarah

The Peacemakers' Circle and

URI Southeast Asia-Pacific Regional Staff

The Tuesday Inner Work Circle (TIWC) of the Peacemakers’ Circle CC had its first gathering of the new year on Tuesday 6^th January. Pained and distressed by the news coming from Gaza, the group unanimously agreed to give one hour to send thoughts of love, peace and healing to all our suffering brothers and sisters in Gaza.

We offer these gifts of love to all our brothers and sisters in Gaza, Palestine and Israel.

AN APPEAL FOR PEACE IN GAZA

We offer to all souls distressed by the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, the universal teaching of love and compassion.

We pray for the understanding from both sides of the Israelis and the Palestinians. Now is the time to end the cycle of hatred and violence. Life is truly beautiful despite many hardships we face to be filled with hatred.

We are among the many people in this world who wish and pray for the cessation of hostilities from both sides and for the wellbeing of all people – every civilian, every soldier, every leader, every victim.

We suffer as they suffer because we are one together as brothers and sisters in one global family.

The call is to focus all efforts for peace in the conflict region for the good of all with the freewill and agreement of all and in harmony with universal and global concerns for all on Earth and according to the will, trust and love of God for all life on Earth and beyond.

Peace is the natural state of being. Conflict is an artificial way of relating to each other.

The peace of the self, is the peace of one

The peace of one is the peace of the other

The peace of the other is the peace of the many

The peace of the many is the peace of the land

The peace of the land is the peace of the planet

The peace of the planet is the peace of the Cosmos!

May we be the peace that we wish to see in the world!

May peace prevail on earth!

(Painting by Dana Andersen, copied from www.awakeningarts.com)

A PRAYER FOR PEACE

(Compiled by the Tuesday Inner Work Circle on January 6, 2009)

O Lord of all Life, Light, and Love

Hear our prayers for all our brothers and sisters in Gaza, Palestine, and Israel:

We pray that love will prevail in Israel and Palestine

Love for life

Love for justice

Love for others

regardless of race, religion, ethnicity, or nationality.

We pray that our leaders would reach the point of spiritual maturity to find peaceful means to end the crisis.

We pray that those who are in a position to end this conflict know that we are all custodians of your creation and must learn to live with love and compassion for our fellow beings and protect the innocent.

We pray that there be an end to this process of mutual conflicts and that humanity would practice the ways of mutual life giving.

Let understanding and acceptance of each other reign-

May we see clearly each one’s own true worth through God’s eyes

May we keep the light of peace shining

Rather than keep the fires of hatred burning

May the bitterness and grief of our world be resolved amicably

and may peace prevail on earth.

A POEM FOR PEACE

(Composed by Satinder Singh, a Sikh youth, during the TIWC (01/06/09)

We are people from one earth,

One mother gave us birth

She takes care of us all as common child,

But when we grow up and we become wild.

We start fighting

Border cables are tightening.

No one cares about the Mother

Saying it doesn’t matter.

Peace, love, religion, brotherhood has flown away,

There is no one to show the way.

Brother and brother become enemy

Divided themselves as many

Oh, God please come down,

See what man has made here down.

Please send the prophet again,

For peace on this earth to reign again.

May Peace prevail in Gaza and whole of this earth

Nanak Naam Chardi Kala

Tere Bhane Sarbat da Bhala

A MANDALA FOR PEACE IN GAZA
(Group art work during the TIWC (01/06/09)

participants:

Shakun Vaswani (Hindu)

Sarah Queblatin (Catholic-Interfaith)

Orlan de Guzman, Jr. (Multifaith-Indigenous)

Renz Zamora (Eckankar)

Edwin Bong dela Torre (Universal-Indigenous)

Ansan Lee (Jeung San Do)

Christy Palacio (Protestant Christian)

Satinder Singh (Sikh)

Mark Lopez (Buddhist)

Something different in my life (TIWC session 04-01-08)

"Given the chance to do something different in my life, what would i choose?"

Last April 1, 2008 at The Tuesday Inner Work Circle we reflected and shared on the guide question above. The intimate group was able to exchange rich and more in-depth personal sharing during the whole session.

I was interesting to note that although each person shared something unique to choose to do differently from their varied lives, there was something in common among all these-- that is: each one wanted to do something with a higher purpose that would benefit other people, instead of choosing something solely for one's self. Whether aspiring to accumulate enough wealth or to study science, math and the chaos theory, or still dreaming of becoming a medical doctor -- a deeper sharing of the context of choosing these paths reveal noble intentions of serving the greater whole and that these are not merely selfish fantasies.

Next session (April 8 - Tuesday) we will continue reflecting on this line but with another guide question for the week, which is:

What are the things that i do best? Am i doing now something (if not all) of what i do best? What do i feel are my unique gifts and capacities?

P.S. We wish to thank Babes (now known as Rays) who brought some healthy-yummy food and drinks to share from her own recipes-- malunggay-pineapple-mango juice and buttered camote (sweet potatoe) with cola. Hope she can bring more often! Thanks, Mother Rays!

Significance of Easter (In-House Open Evening with Xaverian Missionary brothers - Mar.25, 2008)

Last March 25, 2008 (last Tuesday of the month) a special session of the Tuesday Inner Work Circle (TIWC) at the Peacemakers' Circle was held. It was an In-house Open Evening led by our beloved Xaverian Missionary brothers from Congo, Valentin Shukuru and Aime' Mitengezo, who shared on "The Significance of Easter."

Our seminarian brothers, presented their sharing on Easter from the point of view of the Catholic Christian tradition from which they belong. They shared their reflections and some excerpts from the message of Pope Benedict XVI addressed to the church last Holy Saturday (Mar.22).

After their presentation the rest of the group shared their personal insights and comments on the theme. The other Christians in the circle shared on what easter means to them and its significance to how and why they consider themselves as Christians. Non-Christians also shared how they relate to the theme of easter, death and resurrection or rebirth.

Next Tuesday (April 1) we shall resume with our sessions of interfaith sharings and reflections on the theme of the week and the guide question is:
"If I were given a chance to do something different in my life, what would i choose to do?"

Everyone ready to do some self-reflection, listening to others' reflections and/or sharing your own-- see you then at the Inner Work circle!

Mar.18

Mar.11

March 04

Peacemakers Open Evening visit to Universal Wisdom Fdn (TIWC-OE 02-26-08)

“If you have time to be mindful, you have time to meditate.” – Ven.Ajahn Chah

Last Tuesday (Feb. 26) the Peacemakers’ Tuesday Inner Work Circle (TIWC) held an Open Evening (On-Site) session – visiting the Universal Wisdom Foundation, Inc. (UWFI) Buddhist Resource Center. Instead of the usual meeting at The Peacemakers’ Circle, the group met together at the LRT2 Katipunan station before proceeding to the center which is located at Gilmore Ave. in New Manila, Quezon City. The others who are already familiar with the UWFI center went ahead and met us there.

At the UWFI center the group was met by Mr. Mon Rivera, one of the staff members who was also the facilitator for the evening’s session. Checking out the books from their library and availing of some which were for free distribution, the group was received at the center’s office and library before proceeding to the meditation room.

Starting off with a round of introductions, Mr. Rivera then briefly introduced the UWFI and its regular activities. It was also noted by Shakun that during the beginning years when The Peacemakers’ Circle did not yet have an office, UWFI has once been the home of the TIWC sessions for some months. UWFI’s chairman, Mr. Mariano Yupiton, was also a founding trustee of The Peacemakers’ Circle.

Mr. Mon then proceeded to talk about Buddhism in general and the practice of Meditation in particular. After some discussions he then engaged the group into the actual experience of meditation. Starting off with some physical exercises to condition the body before engaging the mind, he led us to a series of stretching, limbering, and spine-flexing routines. This was followed by his guided meditation on a basic technique called Anapanasati or “breath awareness meditation”.

While the instructions were very simple, the actual experience was not at all easy – as most of the participants, especially the beginners, found out. Keeping the body still in a comfortable sitting position (with the spine straight), and bringing full attention to nothing else but one’s own natural breathing. One finds out the nature of our undisciplined mind. Like a wild monkey leaping from one tree to another, the mind leaps from one thought to another—drifting us away from that simple task of keeping our attention on the breath. Even as the regular participants of the TIWC have been engaging in guided meditation at the beginning of each session, most still found it difficult when they were left on their own to mind their own breath. This led us to a deeper understanding of the wisdom of mind-training, as well as an actual taste of the benefits of a calmer and clearer mind.

After some brief explanation, questions and answers in between, Mr. Mon then led another type of meditation called Metta Bhavana or “Loving kindness meditation”. Here, instead of just observing the natural breath, the participants were guided into visualization of people to whom they projected or sent vibrations of loving-kindness. It was a beautiful way to conclude the evening by intently sharing to others the peace of mind and warm vibrations that were generated and cultivated at that present moment.

Short sharings of some personal experiences and questions capped off the session and as we transferred to the office more discussions went on while everyone partook of simple snacks.

The Peacemakers’ Circle and the Tuesday Inner Work Circle again heartily thank the Universal Wisdom Foundation and Mr. Mon Rivera for hosting us! We look forward to another visit in the future.

Next week (March 4) we resume our regular session of sharing reflections and insights on the following guide questions: Ám I in a place in my life right now where I am physically comfortable? Do I feel that my basic needs are being sufficiently met every day? What was the most physically challenging thing that I did recently? Why was it challenging?

See you then!