November 26, 2008

Being the Peace

As the world evolves it’s consciousness from a focus on militarism to a culture of peace, so too, the North Dakota Peace Coalition evolves. We will still be walking the front lines when threats of violence against humanity and our world erupt. We will still be the watchdog of the nuclear arms race. We will still be knee deep in the cause of social justice. But along with that, we will be heart deep into creating a world based on care, compassion, nurture, inclusion, joy and new, bold change. We are learning to be expert change artists. We will no longer talk of being the peace but we will be the peace. We will live our lives from our highest integrity as if the world depended on it because, indeed, it does.

How does this play out for us? The items that follow on this ‘What’s New’ section of our website will give you a taste of what is to come. And as sweet taste it is. Our hope is to become a ‘powerful voice for good’ in our world yet we know that before the world can blossom we must blossom first. And the way we blossom is by caring for the heart of ourselves, our children, our elders, the ground we are gifted to steward, the beasts that walk beside us, our neighborhoods, our towns, and our cities. Each of us is important to this puzzle we call life. We will all be called to be leaders for a moment. WHAT’S NEW is really the clarion call that goes out to all of us that begs the question “How best may I serve?”

So, please, read of our efforts and join our ranks. Bring your ideas, your hands, your gifts, your wisdom, your idealism and your heartfelt joy. Give us suggestions. Start a group that fuels your passion. Volunteer your time. Donate your money. Host an event. Get involved in whatever way pleases you. The time of philosophical discussion is over. We are being called to ‘sacred’ action.

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The Elders

Despite all the ghastliness that is around, human beings are made for goodness. The ones who ought to be in held in high regard are not the ones who are militarily powerful, nor even economically prosperous. They are the ones who have a commitment to try and make the world a better place. We-The Elders- will endeavor to support those people and to do our best for humanity. –Desmond Tutu

Out of deep concern for the challenges currently facing all people of our world, Nelson Mandela, Graca Machel, and Desmond Tutu have convened a group of leaders to contribute their wisdom, independence, leadership and integrity to tackling some of the world’s toughest problems. www.theelders.org

The North Dakota Peace Coalition will join in the endeavors of these world leaders with the creation of North Dakota Elders, a circle gathered from our past Prairie Peacemakers. Look for news and wisdom from the global and local Elders.

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The Practice of BePeace

In a ten-year search for the best social and emotional methodology for acquiring the skills of being peace, Rita Marie Johnson found that the most effective were HeartMath, for “feeling peace” and Nonviolent Communication (NVC), for “speaking peace.” In practicing these methods together, she discovered a profound synergy between them. Eventually she named this combination BePeace and started the Academy for Peace as a way to teach it to others.

Briefly, HeartMath teaches us how to achieve physiological coherence between the heart and the brain which leads to a feeling of peace and enhances our intelligence. NVC teaches us how to connect more consciously with our feelings and needs and those of other individuals so that life can be enriched and conflicts more easily resolved. The Academy for Peace has developed curriculum for teachers and students that integrates these two methods and emphasizes using BePeace mediation to settle as conflicts at school.

Two skills are essential for achieving nonviolence as a way of life:

• Feeling peace, defined as the ability to remain peaceful under stress (emotional skill).
• Speaking peace, or the ability to communicate empathically and honestly (social skill). www.academyforpeace.org

This year the North Dakota Peace Coalition will be creating a pilot program, for New American students facing challenges in our schools, based on the principles of BePeace. The future of our world lies in the ability and skill level of our children to live in harmony and acceptance of each other and of their selves. This is a part of the mission of the Global Heart. NDPC is applying for grants and will also gratefully accept financially gifts to help us realize this mission.

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NDPC Sharing Space with WomanPeace

The North Dakota Peace Coalition is sharing space with WomanPeace; Women’s Wisdom Center in Fargo. The Center gives us a physical anchor for gatherings, visitors, workshops, workspace, etc., as we grow chapters of NDPC in all our ND communities. Our intention is to create the NDPC as an umbrella, or clearinghouse, for activist groups. At this time, hours are Mon thru Friday from 9:00 to 12:00 AM. Check this site and sign up for our newsletter to receive additional hours of activity. 411 11th St. N., Fargo, ND 58102, 701-866-5703

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The Global Coherence Initiative

The Global Coherence Initiative is a science-based initiative uniting millions of people in heart-focused care and intention, to shift global consciousness from instability and discord to balance, cooperation and enduring peace.

This project has been launched by the Institute of HeartMath, a nonprofit 501(c)(3), a recognized global leader in researching emotional physiology, heart-brain interactions and the physiology of optimal health and performance.

The Global Coherence Initiative is designed to help individuals and groups work together, synchronistically and strategically to increase the impact of their efforts to create positive global change.

Together we will:

• Increase personal coherence for the benefit of ourselves and the planet
• Help shift the planetary consciousness baseline from self-centeredness to wholeness care
• Increase connection and social harmony
• Empower our ability to navigate through global changes with less stress and more ease
• Empower environmental responsibility and stewardship of the planet

Join this brilliant, powerful experiment and become one of the “world teamplayers” www.glcoherence.org

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October 6, 2008

Annual Conference October 18th

Reminder: The NDPC Annual Conference and 25th Anniversary Celebration is on Saturday, October 18th. Here is the program. See you there!

Peace Talk Radio Program Note

KNDS is now broadcasting on 96.3 FM. Catch the show Saturday mornings from 9:00 to 11:00. Program info here.