{"id":7407,"date":"2009-07-03T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2009-07-03T07:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.msia.org\/newdayherald\/archives\/7407-a-gathering-of-peacemakers-at-the-conference-of-heartfelt-service"},"modified":"2009-07-03T00:00:00","modified_gmt":"2009-07-03T07:00:00","slug":"a-gathering-of-peacemakers-at-the-conference-of-heartfelt-service","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.msia.org\/newdayherald\/archives\/7407-a-gathering-of-peacemakers-at-the-conference-of-heartfelt-service","title":{"rendered":"A Gathering of Peacemakers at the Conference of Heartfelt Service"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"ArticleClick here to view the photo slideshow from IIWP’s Gathering of Peacemakers at MSIA’s Conference of Heartfelt Service<\/a><\/b><\/p>\n

Thursday evening, July 2nd, we gathered together, all of us choosing to come together in peace at the Gathering of Peacemakers of the Institute for Individual & World Peace (IIWP). Before us on the stage was a backdrop of pristine white snowy mountains, tall Fir trees and snowy boughs — the stage was also set with two glowing Christmas trees all lit up in splendor. Yes, this is the Conference of Heartfelt Service, with “Christmas in July” as a theme. We’ve come present as the Christ Mass unfolds with all it’s gifts as we gather in oneness.<\/p>\n

Our hostess for the evening was the gracious and beautiful Leigh Taylor-Young, and she welcomed all the Windermere guests and special donors throughout the years, along with the staff and volunteers. Leigh shared with us how in 1982 IIWP came together as a foundation of individuals studying the process of peace in our lives.<\/p>\n

“How do we become peacemakers? By having a direct experience”. Leigh went on to share four principles of peace: Peace is Present. Peace is an inner process. Peace is the cessation of againstness. And peace is a choice. Then Leigh asked us to close our eyes as she called in the Light. <\/p>\n

Next Leigh introduced Mark Lurie. Mark shared about the changes with IIWP in the past year. There were more of the peace email classes and world wide peace prayers. This year of transition for the Institute saw Beth Hinman move on, she is now working with John Morton. Mark acknowledged Beth’s great work in all she did for IIWP over the years. <\/p>\n

Introducing the Windermere staff — Ted Drake, Lynn Cox and George Pace — Mark explained they were all shy like the horses, but not shy about sharing about Windermere. They all received a standing ovation from the grateful gathering of peacemakers. Mark especially acknowledged George for clearing the land of excess brush so that when the fires were recently nearby, the Ranch literally saved the neighborhood.<\/p>\n

Mark then explained that Windermere will be using a more economical way to clear the property now — they are getting goats! He also mentioned the new garden project and creating food at Windermere. Mark shared about the passing of our Beloved horse Sonlight who made his transition this year, but his quality of calmness is still present.<\/p>\n

Next the lovely Leigh introduced our first musical event — Tilly Key singing, accompanied by James Hassett on guitar. Tilly sang beautifully, mesmerizing the audience with her song “In His Hands”. What a young refreshing new voice and the audience was thrilled.<\/p>\n

Next was John Forrister doing a promotion for the new Adopt-A-Goat program for Windermere. With his twinkling eyes, short white hair, and a long scraggly white fake beard, John stood in formal suit and tie. He shared with us about the goats. “Have you heard the one about the Father and the Son, and the Holy Goats?” Well, you should have been there!!!! John proceeded with a few puns. First, “How about Paul Kaye’s Goatee!” John explained that goats, like horses, have qualities too. But goats have qualities that go both ways. They’re not just nicey nice like the horses! Goats give you the full spectrum of qualities. John shared about the first time he ever saw a goat, when he was just a kidd.” Well, I’m sure you can imagine the wide eyed laughter in the room.<\/p>\n

From the ridiculous to the sublime, next up was Joan Shea speaking about the World Wide Peace Prayer project. Joan shared that this round of the Peace Prayer (beginning July 2nd) is the 25th round of the Peace Prayer. She explained that in the latest round we had 1,147 participants worldwide, in both English and Spanish. The Peace Prayer is an inner awareness and positive visualization while saying inwardly “I love you. God bless you. Peace be still. And, I give you my peace.” And then we all entered into the process of the Peace Prayer.<\/p>\n

Next up was the ever popular young artist Eric Lumiere. Eric wrote a Peace song a few years back and shared it with us. He sang, “Peace come into our hands, down to our feet and into our hearts. Peace, be still.” <\/p>\n

Next we watched a video of J-R sharing about Windermere and the healing energies there. Leigh then introduced the next “multi-faceted person”, Paul Kaye, who is now Paul Adopt-A-Horse Kaye. Paul explained to John Forrister, and the audience, why adopting a horse is far superior to adopting a goat. Paul led us in a meditation and asked if we were willing to adopt the quality of a Windemere horse and energize it inside of us. Once again we became aware, around and within us, of more of the Christ Mass gifts coming present. <\/p>\n

Next Leigh was back on stage to introduce another musical moment, and it was Nat Sharratt. Nat sang “of the freedom that breaths you and me.” His song was a heartfelt present to us all.<\/p>\n

Soon Leigh was introducing the next singer Jsu Garcia to come up. Jsu then shared from his sacred heart a new rendition of an old MSIA song written by J-R and Michael Sun. It was hauntingly beautiful, Jsu.
\nLeigh comes forward once again and with all her loving asks us all to “open that beautiful space for our Beloved Traveler to come up, John Morton.” John ascends the stage to a standing ovation. <\/p>\n

And the Christ Mass blessings just keep flowing and flowing. John shares his sacred heart saying, “I love you John-Roger, glad to have you in this room” and so we all are too.<\/p>\n

John posed a question, “What can I possibly say about Peace?” and then proceeds to share in so many ways about Peace. At the easel, John wrote out the IIWP principles for Peace. On one side was againstness — and the other Peace. In the middle were the three qualities: willingness, awareness and intention. Defining peace as the “cessation of againstness,” he also said “you first have to stop your own againstness, it starts with yourself, and then out into the world. Once we become aware, we can start moving into peace.”<\/p>\n

John shared a precious story from World War II, after the Battle of the Bulge, when it got colder and more difficult and the soldiers were extremely cold. They couldn’t even try to dig a foxhole because the ground was so frozen, and then Christmas Eve came. Someone starting singing Silent Night, and then the next and the next sang, and this was likened to those in “one accord”. Peace became present as both sides fighting the war were singing Silent Night to the Lord. There was tremendous peace that surpasses understanding. <\/p>\n

As John related this precious story, the Christ Mass was fully present with all of us in our hearts singing Silent Night along too. John said that we need to realize that peace is our nature, and it is the nature of all of creation. <\/p>\n

And so the gathering of the Beloveds, the Peacemakers celebrating the Christ Mass, came to a close, and, like the night before Christmas, we went home to our beds in anticipation of the gifts tomorrow will bring.<\/p>\n

Much loving to all, and to all a good night,
Marjorie Eaton <\/p>\n

Read more articles from MSIA’s Conference of the Heartfelt Service, 2009<\/b><\/p>\n