In the Grand Ballroom at the Sheraton Universal Hotel, the Institute for Individual and World Peace (IIWP) held a Gathering of Peacemakers for those interested in making Peace a choice in their lives. Before a group of several hundred people, IIWP’s Managing Director David Rodgers introduced himself, and gave a concise update of the organization’s current projects and status.
David said that the lapel pin in the envelopes on our chairs was a gift from IIWP, through the generosity of a long-time donor. He then introduced Mary Ann Somerville, who talked about the various functions of IIWP. Mary Ann stated that IIWP teaches that Peace is present, Peace is a choice, and that Peace is cessation of againstness.
Next, a hilarious video by Jesus Garcia, starring Mark Harradine, Nat Sharratt and Eric Albrecht, was aired. It included a “safari” at Windermere Ranch, which had everyone laughing uproariously.
Mary Ann led us in a short discussion process, a conversation with a person sitting next to us, about the qualities within us that bring us to the choice of peace. Then she introduced Leigh Taylor-Young, who took us through a closed-eye visualization of peace for the entire world.
And then Mary Ann brought to the stage Kevin McMillan and actress Sally Kirkland, who led the assembled group in a rousing rendition of “Let There Be Peace on Earth, and Let It Begin with Me.” Sally’s enthusiasm and Kevin’s stunning tenor voice had us all on our feet at the end of the song.
IIWP Board member, John Morton, was introduced, and he described some of the ways in which donations are used to support IIWP and Windermere Ranch. Then, John Morton gave a peace seminar. In it, he related a story from his high school years which involved the Hell’s Angels motorcycle gang, and illustrated that peace is a choice, as well as staying out of againstness. He talked about the courage, commitment, and strength required to put one’s body on the line in order to “wage peace”. He remarked on the popular bumper-sticker that says “War is not the Answer,” and said that it presents the question, “If war is not the answer, what is?” He added that he is always looking for a better way to stop againstness, and to find peace. He talked about taking responsibility to do something to create peace.
He began to write on the easel some words printed on a wallet-size card, having to do with the issues and processes of peace. Soon the same card was being displayed on the very large video screens, and John pronounced it a “miracle.” He referenced the story of Jean Valjean, from the Victor Hugo novel Les Miserables, and asked us to consider that there is always a way toward peace, a way to choose peace, and to trust that peace is present. He also referred to a story about Mahatma Gandhi, and his movement of non-violence in India.
Then John opened the evening for Questions and Answers from the audience. The first question was: “How can I stay peaceful when a major force is impending on me?” John’s answer was that Peace is Present, and Peace is a choice. Even in the face of disastrous circumstances, peace is a choice. He added that something about our life lives on when we leave this world, and that it is important to find peace in the ordinariness of day-to-day. A follow-up question was: “At what point does one choose peace?” And John replied that it would be at the point where one stepped into one’s willingness to stop againstness.
The next question was: “In my ordinary life, I place Light and blessings on everyone with whom I come in contact. Does it really work?” John was very sweet in his reply, stating that the intention to bless others is more positive for the one who blesses, because it builds a connection inside one with the goodness and the child within, such that, “The quality of peace inside me greets the peace inside you.” And, he added, the blessings on others will connect us to the Beloved One, bringing more blessings many times over.
John closed with a blessing for peace, leaving us all with a profound sense of the Peace that is present at all times.
“After John’s seminar was complete, David Rodgers reminded us all about a series of upcoming IIWP events, and then he had Mary Ann pull a single stub from the collected raffle tickets we had turned in at the beginning of the evening. Kate Ferrick of Australia won a seat at the Blessingfest Brunch, an IIWP fundraiser which will be held on Monday, July 7th, at a wonderful restaurant in Santa Monica, California. David Rodgers closed the Gathering of Peacemakers. with the words, “Go In Peace.”
Click here to read the article and view the photos from the IIWP BlessingsFest Fundraiser 2003
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Click here to read the article and view the photos of Workshop Day 1 at Conference 2003
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