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Peace Pages

In Religious Science, we teach that the most powerful means to effect change is through our thoughts. We offer some powerful thoughts below which you can use in your private mediations, Global Services group meetings or other celebrations.

A Treatment for World Peace

I know there is but One Mind, which is the Mind of God, in which all people live, move, and have their being. I know there is a Divine Pattern for humanity and within this pattern there is Infinite harmony and peace, cooperation, unity, and mutual helpfulness.

I know that the mind of man, being one with the Mind of God, discovers the method, the way, and the means best fitted to permit the flow of Divine Love between individuals and nations. Thus, harmony, peace, cooperation, unity, and mutual helpfulness is experienced by all.

I know there is a free interchange of ideas, of cultures, of spiritual concepts, of ethics, of educational systems and scientific discoveries--for all good belongs to all alike. I know that, because the Divine Mind has created us all, we are bound together in one Infinite and perfect unity.

In bringing about World Peace, I know that all people and all nations will remain individual, but unified for the common purpose of promoting peace, happiness, harmony, and prosperity. I know that deep within every person the Divine Pattern of perfect peace is already implanted.

I now declare that in each man and in leaders of thought everywhere, this Divine Pattern moves into action and form, to the end that all nations and all people live together in peace, harmony and prosperity forever.

And So It Is!

- Dr. Ernest Holmes

Quotes About Peace From Around The World

Peace comes from being able to contribute the best that we have, and all that we are, toward creating a world that supports everyone. But it is also securing the space for others to contribute the best that they have and all that they are.

- Hafsat Abiola

The good we secure for ourselves is precarious and uncertain until it is secured for all of us and incorporated into our common life.

- Jane Addams

If you see good in people, you radiate a harmonious loving energy which uplifts those who are around you. If you can maintain this habit, this energy will turn into a steady flow of love.

- Annamalai Swami

Peace is the work of justice indirectly, in so far as justice removes the obstacles to peace; but it is the work of charity (love) directly, since charity, according to its very notion, causes peace.

- Thomas Aquinas

That's all nonviolence is - organized love.

- Joan Baez

The earth is but one country and mankind its citizens.

- Baha'u'llah

The problems of this world are so gigantic that some are paralysed by their own uncertainty. Courage and wisdom are needed to reach out above this sense of helplessness. Desire for vengeance against deeds of hatred offers no solution. An eye for an eye makes the world blind. If we wish to choose the other path, we will have to search for ways to break the spiral of animosity. To fight evil one must also recognize one's own responsibility. The values for which we stand must be expressed in the way we think of, and how we deal with, our fellow humans.

- From the Christmas Message 2001 of HM Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands

When you're finally up on the moon, looking back at the earth, all these differences and nationalistic traits are pretty well going to blend and you're going to get a concept that maybe this is really one world and why the hell can't we learn to live together like decent people?

- Astronaut Frank Borman

Better than a thousand hollow words is one word that brings peace.

- Buddha

A Season for Nonviolence is a national educational, media, and grassroots campaign lasting annually from January 30th to April 4th. It is dedicated to demonstrating that nonviolence is a powerful way to heal, transform, and empower our lives and our communities.

This campaign, inspired by the work of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Mahatma Gandhi, was co-founded in 1998 by Arun and Sunanda Gandhi of the M.K. Gandhi Institute for Nonviolence. It has been officially endorsed by Coretta Scott King, Kofi Annan, His Holiness the Dalai Lama of Tibet, and many others from all sectors of the world leadership community. Many New Thought churches participate in these activities, check your local listings for activity in your area.

Promoting Enduring Peace Founded by Yale Professor Jerome Davis in 1952, Promoting Enduring Peace--"PEP"--conducts peace education activities to promote sustainable world peace. Since its founding PEP has distributed over 10 million free peace education articles to peace educators around the world.

The North American Peace Alliance is a non-partisan organization which many New Thought leaders are backing. It began in response to Congressman Dennis Kucinich's proposal to Congress to create a federal Department of Peace. Congressman Kucinich is the 2003 recipient of the Gandhi Peace Award. Email at info@thepeacealliance.org

RSI PeaceCenters began as part of Religious Science International's Peace Committee. The original members were RSI churches and centers. Today, PeaceCenters are groups of people who have joined together to promote the idea of creating peace on earth. Member PeaceCenters embrace our Statement on Peace and create ways in their local community to bring peace more fully into form.

Dealing Spiritually with Terrorism

After a great human tragedy either personal or global, the human side of us wants to know why such a thing happened. At times of seeming overwhelming adversity and during the confusion that frequently follows traumatic events, the teachings of the Science of Mind are a source of great comfort for me. These lessons lead me to the understanding I seek and to the restoration of the peace of mind I desire. However, this healing I am describing frequently is not instantaneous. And nothing that I have to say now is meant to minimize the emotional pain that we experience and share with one another in the face of tragedies involving loss, violence, hate and fear. Nor do I minimize their impact in the moment. However, I am both a practitioner and a minister. Healing painful conditions through the Power of Mind is my vocation and my life. Consistent spiritual practice has helped me to acquire unwavering faith in the Love and the Law of God.

Dr. Holmes teaches us that there are only two reasons why things happen. All experience is caused by the workings of the natural laws of the Universe and the mental/spiritual laws of the Universe. He assures us repeatedly that God never punishes us for our misdeeds. The teaching of the Science of Mind insists experiences of life are always the natural consequences of the action of either a natural law or a Spiritual Law. Yet, humankind has mistakenly invented ways to personalize the action of these laws thereby creating the belief in a force outside of God. These explanations and assumptions are now ingrained and part of the collective human consciousness. So now, when disasters strike, many of us rather reflexively either look to a cause outside of consciousness. In doing so we try to assign blame to either ourselves or the infamous "outside other" (either a someone or a something or some external force). This focus on "the evil other" sets up a desire to punish it, seek retribution and redress for the harm it caused. Such action might satisfy an immediate human desire to inflict an equal pain, but the full weight of human experience testifies that this kind of action never results in peace and, indeed, fuels continuing cycles of violence. The teachings of the Science of Mind do not support the action of blame and punishment either of yourself or of others in response to violence of any kind.

The Science of Mind teaches that the only way we can change conditions, transcend our experiences, or impact others in any meaningful way is to use the Power of Mind constructively. That's what it means to take responsibility when bad things happen. Taking responsibility does not mean to blame ourselves for the things that happen, but to take charge of our mental reaction when they do. Does that mean everything will instantaneously change for the better? Well, the collective experience of mankind proves that it can; but, even if it does not, what can change is our experience of the situation. Through treatment we can align our consciousness with the Divine Consciousness so that our next action is motivated by love and compassion rather than hatred and fear. In this calm center of consciousness, we experience a deep faith in a loving Creator and the protection and ultimate goodness of all things. In our mental union with the All-Sustaining Whole, we enter a consciousness that protects us from falling victim to the ubiquitous belief in duality that permeates present day society.

The Science of Mind teaches the way to peace that lies at the heart of all the great traditions. Peace begins only where it can - within each and every one of us. Right here and right now.

- Dr. Candice Becket, President, Religious Science International

The Gifts of September 11th

The media called September 11, 2001 "The Day America Changed." What did we change? Up until then, Americans had a lot of pride in our outside trappings of security and safety. We had satellite surveillance, telecommunications monitoring, digital video security, alarms, evacuation plans, indeed an entire industry built up around personal safety and security. But somehow it all failed us. To this day, experts still can not agree on where the glitch was, and the fingerpointing continues as to who we can blame for not seeing it coming. But none of that really matters in the spiritual realm. What DOES matter is what we have come away with having gone through this experience and its continued after-effects, some three years later.

Religious Science teaches us that in every challenge is a gift. What has been our gift from this experience with terrorism? There were three gifts to take away from this experience. The first gift was shaking up of our intellectual pride, that outside conditions and trappings can keep us free and safe. The material world of itself with all its things can not give us peace and happiness, freedom, or security. But new ideas and attitudes do.

The second gift is that people everywhere started affirming the reality of peace consciously. The simple idea of "United we Stand," has had a profound effect on Americans everywhere. But it begs the question "United in what?" It is our job to fill in that blank with "In peace, of course!"

The third gift is in recognizing that every experience of peace you have ever had, wasn't because something on the outside worked or didn't work, or someone was there or not there. Peace happened because you made a decision to be peaceful, to hold only peaceful thoughts in your mind, and to experience only peaceful experiences.

When Jesus said "love thine enemies," yes, he meant blessing those who hurt us, to end the blame and condemnation, but on a deeper level, he meant deliberately changing negative, conflicted thought patterns by the same law of mental attention which caused them.

Peace is the natural normal state of affairs in the Mind of God, in the Kingdom of Heaven. As far as peace goes, God's work in us, as us, has been completely accomplished. It awaits our recognition and practice of its ideas. Let's use our intelligence intelligently then. Our work is not to come together to implore God for peace, rather it is to convince ourselves of the reality of peace right here, right now. And so it is.

- Rev. Margo Ruark

Spiritual Practices in Uncertain Times

We are very concerned for the United States and the world because of the path that the United States is following, we are sad for the conflict and suffering of so many people on the planet, we are distressed at the misuse of our planet and often disregard of the indigenous people of the world.

However, we do not despair. We know times of crisis are also times of opportunities. So often when an individual discovers that the way he/she is going is not working and knows no solution, then he/she gives up trying to make things happen at an ego level and turns to the Power and Love of God for answers. We think that collectively our race may be at that point. We believe that all people, at the point of individual readiness, shall awaken to that Truth and live as the Power and Presence of Love.

We feel we can hasten that day of awakening and the emerging of a more cooperative world through some personal spiritual practices. Perhaps you’d like to join us in these:

Practice One: Stay Open

Every day let’s become very still and open to be taught of Truth of our being and be committed to follow guidance as to our part in being God’s expression. That guidance will come as we consult our deep level feelings of peace and joy.

Practice Two: Choose Peace

Let us make a decision to be Peace. This means to be aware when our thoughts and/or feelings are not peaceful about anyone or anything. Stop, look and then let us remind ourselves, “I can choose Peace.” Do or say nothing until the feeling of Peace is alive within. As we practice doing this we shall progress. As we become more truly peaceful we shall have an effect on others, some of whom we know and some we do not know. Remember we are connected in and of the One Mind.

Practice Three: A Spiritual Response

We can choose to give a spiritual response to any activity of terrorism or violence, whether we read of it, have it expressed towards us, or find ourselves moving into a thought, word or action that could cause harm. A spiritual response is based on Jesus’ statement, “Forgive them Father, for they know not what they do.” A spiritual response is based on realizing that people act to do harm when they feel powerless, demeaned, marginalized and afraid.....when they are ignorant of their Divine Heritage and become vulnerable to being mislead into actions that seem to bring power and status. Our spiritual response is to know that no person (not ourselves, a terrorist, a seemingly cruel acquaintance, not anyone) is ever outside of God, is without intrinsic value and power. It is to think about and, when appropriate, act towards another as the true being she or he is. What we inwardly know or see is a activity within Infinite Mind and cannot fail to have its positive results.

- Rev. Nancy Anderson

A Spiritual Response to the South Asian Tsunami

The tsunami that hit Southern Asia on December 26, 2004 left most of the world at a complete loss for words. How does one respond to something like that? Many simply stayed in shock, glued to the television and watched as the drama unfolded, and the death toll surged upward. Many wept and continue to weep out of fear, pity, sadness, and helplessness. Others sent money. A few got on a plane to roll up their sleeves and give hands on to the reconstruction. Some did all of the above.

We all give from our understanding, but the best way to respond spiritually to the tsunami event is not by shock and fear or pity, but through positive, constructive prayer. Therefore, from today and moving forward, let's close our eyes for a few seconds each day send words of healing and a bubble of love to the countries affected. Let us also remember that even though it may not appear as a blessing, the event has had an unprecedented impact on unifying the planet in a consciousness of compassion and givingness.

The second way to spiritually respond is to Stay Positive. Worrying about the Asian disaster adds to the world's negativity. Worry, guilt, and fear won't help the reconstruction or make it progress any faster. Turn the television off. Upsetting photos and videos delay our healing by keeping the negativity front-and-center. Avoid pessimistic conversations about the situation. Remember: your being overwhelmed or upset doesn't help anyone! But your being at peace helps everyone.

Finally, now is the time to remember that the universe is Divinely ordered and that Life is eternal. Nothing "evil" happened and no one really "died." Yes, we had an experience and the tens of thousands who made their transitions are mourned and missed. That is where our compassion and giving can make a difference.

It has been proven that people's pure energy of consciousness can change conditions in areas that people have prayed for, regardless of the
distance. That is the only way our prayers can work. So let us know the highest and the best for the peoples of south Asia…that they are loved, remembered, and that the power of the One Life is always there.

Spiritual Mind Treatment for the Peoples of Southern Asia

Right now I recognize the One Power back of all there is and that all is well in the Kingdom of Heaven. We have been reminded of the shift in Consciousness taking place here on Earth. This shift directs us all back to the Reality of the Oneness we are and have always been.

I know that understanding and wisdom, compassion and peace are experienced by all impacted by the events in the Indian Ocean. I know that in all places, all God's people have an abundance of clean water, food, love and support to live and rebuild a greater life. I know that the end of suffering will surely be achieved by all through the loving Power and Presence of God.

I am grateful to know the Truth; to experience the love and peace of God in me and in all people. I am One with my neighbor and all humankind. We say yes to a new life, a new awareness of unity and we move forward with peace in our hearts knowing that all is made anew. I lovingly release my word to the Law, knowing it is done in Divine Love for everyone this moment. Thank you God, And So It Is!

What Else Can We Do?

Barbara Fields of the Association for Global New Thought is one of many who are organizing fundraising for the rebuilding efforts after the tsunami. AGNT has decided to distribute funds to the Sarvodaya movement of Sri Lanka, which was founded by Dr. A.T. Ariyaratne. Learn more about Sarvodaya here.

AGNT will continue to wire funds tot he Sarvodaya organization every five days or so as needed. Sarvodaya is directing their efforts toward establishing a school for the horrific number of orphaned children there, as well as providing survival for as many as they can in the region. Checks can be mailed to:

The Association for Global New Thought
1815 Garden St.
Santa Barbara, CA 93101
Credit cards to (note for ³Sri Lanka²)
tel. 805-563-7343 fax. 805-563-7344
barbara@agnt.org

Please remember that you can also contribute independently of AGNT¹s efforts through the Sarvodaya website at sarvodaya.org.

Many RSI churches and individuals are donating to the American Red Cross.

Religious Science International supports and honors the work of AGNT, the Red Cross, and Sarvodaya in this time of rebuilding of nations.