Hopi Message of Hope

Long ago, the Hopi (means People of Peace) were given a plan that would guide them through this time is history. The plan consists of two parallel paths, representing choices that mankind could make. The paths appear very similar, except that the upper path turns into a zigzag that goes nowhere. Those who chose this path will experience this time as great confusion and chaos leading to destruction. The lower path is strong and even. Those choosing this path will grow strong and healthy.

There is a vertical line that connects the two paths, and that until this point is reached, one may move back and forth between the paths. The prophecy tells of a choice point from which there is no return. The prophecy states that "If we hold fast to the sacred way as he (the Creator) devised it for us, what we have gained, we will never lose. But still, we have to choose between the two ways. . .when earthquakes, floods, hailstorms, drought and famine will be the life of every day, the time will have then come for the return to the true path." Hopi prophecy reminds us that the way we live our lives determines which path we follow.
Choose wisely.

Ancient Prayers

Ancient traditions remind us of a lost mode of prayer, one that embraces the consciousness that we embody. The key is feeling as if the prayer has come to pass, that a future dream is a present fact, that the desire has been fulfilled. We give thanks for the creation that is already complete. The prayer is of gratitude for the opportunity to choose which creation we experience, to allow all possibilities to exist and bring the ones we choose into the world.
This attitude comes from a knowing within that we have the power to commune directly with the creative forces of the universe. Faith is the key, as it becomes the acceptance of our power as a directive force in creation. We can trust that our prayers are accomplished by giving thanks that they are alive and manifest in the world.

The Spirit of Sadako

"I will write peace on your wings, and you will fly all over the world."
------ Sadako Sasaki

Sadako, the young girl who survived Hiroshima and died of leukemia 10 years after the bombing, was held in the hearts of those attending the Nuclear Age Peace Foundation's Sadako Peace Day at La Casa de Maria in Santa Barbara. The rainbow colored cranes cascading from the trees gently fluttered their wings in remembrance. Sadako's spirit was present during the beautiful tribute of music, poetry, reflections, peace and love, but especially when a bird flew into the peace garden and perched above the gathering during the Music Academy Chamber Ensemble performance of Pachelbel's Canon, touching the heart strings of the audience.

Pilulaw Khus, a Chumash Elder and the Mother of the Bear Clan who offered the opening ritual spoke of the ancients who lived on this land, this refuge of peace beneath the giant eucalyptus tree, that they were peaceful people. She reminded us that it doesn't mean much to say peace unless you put peace into your life and into action. "We must get to peace committment." She said that "When we see the crane, we know that it is Sadako the messenger of Peace. She was powerful in her statement that can't be ignored. . .she spoke from a place of truth." The thoughts and prayers for peace from the hearts of those who gathered were sent out into the world on the wings of Sadako's cranes. May Sadako's spirit live in all of our hearts. Peace.

Many thanks to the Nuclear Age Peace Foundation and all of those who contributed to a beautiful and soulful remembrance.

The Crane: A Symbol of Peace

Hiroshima Day –
in my heart,
I release a thousand cranes
--- Karma Tenzing Wangchuk

"SADAKO was a two-year old girl when the atomic bomb was dropped on Hiroshima. Ten years later she developed leukemia. Japanese legend holds that one's wish will be granted upon folding 1,000 paper (origami) cranes. Sadako folded 646 before dying. She wrote, "I will write peace on your wings, and you will fly all over the world. The paper crane has become a global symbol of peace."

On 9 August 2005, the Nuclear Age Peace Foundation will hold its 11th Annual Sadako Peace Day, a day to remember and pay tribute to the victims of the US atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, as well as all victims of war. The event will include music, poetry and reflection at Sadako Peace Garden at La Casa de Maria Retreat Center in Montecito, CA . For more information, contact the Nuclear Age Peace Foundation at (805) 965-3443. Quoted from Nuclear Age Peace Foundation.

The Archetype of War

War is an archetype that is imprinted in the collective consciousness, a primordial image that is part of the human psyche. James Hillman, author of "The Terrible Love of War" speaks to the reality of war in our psyches. He states: " War belongs to our souls as an archetypal truth. Our natural state is one of war. We are lived by forces we pretend to understand but in fact do not. Our attitudes and observations are informed by archetypal patterns. War is a mythic theme in our archetypal imagination. It abides through time--timelessly. To understand war we have to recognize that war is a mythical happening; those in the midst of it are removed to a mythical state of being; their return from it seems rationally inexplicable. The love of war tells of a love of the gods - the gods of war. No other account of war, (political, historical, sociological, psychoanalytical), other than mythical can penetrate to the depths of inhuman cruelty, horror, and tragedy and to the heights of mystical transhuman sublimity. On September 20th, 2005 Deepak Chopra and James Hillman are going to engage in a dialogue entitled War and Peace at Emory University in Atlanta.

Icon of Grace and Peace

An inadvertent icon of grace and heroism, Jane Goodall, the primatologist turned environmental campaigner blazes on the inspirational trail around the world. Goodall, the 71 year old Ambassador of Peace's message is simple: "Yes, we are trying to change the world. Yes, we are changing the world. But we can't anything alone. . . Every single individual makes a difference every day. When we get a team and we can hold hands, we can change the world together."

In 1986, it became clear to Goodall that she would have to leave her research behind and address the planet's bigger environmental and social issues. The Jane Goodall Institute, founded in 1977, now has a global staff of more than 250 to carry out its conservation and research work. Roots & Shoots is her main focus these days, comprising more than 6,000 groups in at least 87 countries. Goodall has evolved from being one of the world's most recognized animal researchers to becoming a full time activist who has made it her life's work and driving ambition to protect and nurture every living thing on this planet. "When I die, I want to be able to look at my three grandchildren, whom I care about very deply, and tell them that I really tried my best." Excerpt from Vogue Magazine.

Living as if it Matters

" It may be when we no longer know what to do,
we have come to our real work,
and that when we no longer know which way to go,
we have begun our real journey"
------ Wendell Barry

Healing ourselves and the world thru Mindfulness, living as if our lives matter is the way to peace. Being more present in your life from moment to moment is a certain kind of discipline, which is why these meditative traditions have lasted so long, because they are really based on the practice. Practice truly means living your life so that it really matters, so there is no rehearsal; it's all part of the unfolding of life. So then life itself becomes meditation.

Poets for Peace

"Artists are magical helpers. Evoking symbols and motifs that connect us to our deeper selves, they can help us along the heroic journey of our own lives".
---- Joseph Campbell
Peace Poems floating, like dandelion seeds in the wind:

"cold rain ~
in the stone buddha's hands,
a windblown flower
--for Marla Ruzicka, 1976-2005

although the ink has faded
a faint perfume lingers"

Haiku by Karma Tenzing Wangchuk whowill be reading at the Haiku Poets of Northern California (HPNC) annual "Two Autumns" meeting August 21st, 2005, at Fort Mason in San Francisco. http://www.haiku-poets-northern-california.com/