May 20. 2008 08:19

hmmm.  It seems like an ultimate  question  and how dare  we  even try to come u with an answer?  But  we  need a jillion  answers  since  everyone processes  in their own way. So  it's worth  naming  the ideas.my best one is still, "start at home."To thine own self be true.Know thyself.Follow your Bliss.(s)he who has no fault throw the first stone.Make your own grass greener.search your heart.Follow your gut.and LISTEN.Start with yourself. When you feel  like you've got that  down, peace inside,  then LISTEN  to what your neighbor  needs  in order to feel  that too.  Do your best to help with that.I guess that could  sound trite. peace starts  with yourself blahblah.. so now what....But,  I really do believe it.Work on me. Give myself an integrity test  every day, week, year.... am i LIVING  according to what I truly cvalue and believe??  If not? change that.  If so...   THEN... I can  just stand  and listen  to what  the next person needs  inorder to  know their own bliss --their  best self -  peace. THEN  I will know what to do.  I don't think it takes a lot of words. Just doing it.In some ways  it  really isn't that hard --- I need food. I get food. Oh -- YOU need food.  I'll get you some.It isn't hard as a concept  anyway. I know  there are "bigger"  things to do --get out of Iraq, for one.  But I really really really  want to say START at home,  with each small encounter  every day.  We can try to get out of Iraq ---someday we might get out of iraq. then another "conflict"  will cause more "unrest"  and someone  will want to "secure" peace through violence. It's still kind of a bandaid  when it  comes  to  the kind of PEACE  I seek and have sometimes  known.  Imagine if  everyone in the world  for one hour  simly  had the freedom to follow their  bliss, to experience  an expansiveness that is totally freeing and comes  back around  to a deep  sense of peace. Just on hour.  I think  returning to "the daily grind"  just wouldn't be possible anymore.Experiences  like that change you. Art is a good  way to offer some internal processing,  moments of  self-awareness, freedom, expansiveness,  maybe even peace (even if it  doesnt  feel  enjoyable).  Community art might do that much more of the same. Anyway -- start at home.PS -- I already have the book. Hand one on to a stranger  instead. Just make sure  they can see it is not a bible. thanks again.  And.... is it possible for us to SHARE these ideas  with each other? or YOU  list the answeres  to this  one?  

anirose

May 21. 2008 08:48

Thanks for the instructions.We'll see if this gets through to you.

Lamb fan

May 22. 2008 04:50

Hello Matt and all. This is the first time I have done this so hopefully I am doing it correctly. This very important question about how to attain world peace has been asked about and thought about the world over. I think it's not something "out there" that we do but something inside ourselves collectively that we do. Each person has the ability to be loving and supportive of his fellow woman and man as well as animals and the environment. It's a mental shift which everyone is capable of instagating and implementing and as these changes are made on an individual level and people really start to live the idea of peace in everyday life and be awake and conscious of making those changes in their lives and how they interact with and support others that in large numbers this will change the mental state and therefore the physical state of the world as we know it today. No easy task, I know, to break through the ideas and ideals we have accepted as normal. But I do think we are capable of it and that it will be far reaching. As with anything good and therefore powerful in essence I feel change must start with the individual which ultimately sets an example for others because they see the positive outcome from that person and that it is being lived honestly and with integrity. Thanks Matt for all your work with children and your efforts for world peace which is all that really matters in this world.Warmly, Delia

Delia

May 28. 2008 21:26

a step toward world peace imho is encouraging people to study the subject of.. and to actually partake in fasting.  fasting is not only beneficial for health reasons but spiritual as well.  fasting brings about a peaceful state of mind.  we are what we eat... pollute the body with drugs and toxins and we are the product of that.  for me personally fasting helps clear my mind of all the things i think are important.. to what really is important.  

michel keck

June 2. 2008 04:49

Love your brother as your self and all else will follow.

meg crowell

June 4. 2008 10:04

Thank you, Matt, for this sparking this dialogue about moving towards Peace. And thank you Richard for facilitating. In contemplating this question of how to create world peace, I think of the idea that every electron on the planet touches every other electron on the planet every three weeks. That's quantum physics' way of saying we are all connected. So what each of us does effects everything else. And everything can affect each of us. When we take a stand for something in our own lives, it ripples out. So my first step toward world peace is to notice where I war within myself- in my inner world. My second step is looking at where I war with those around me. Can I choose a different way to be? Of course- like you have alluded to- happiness is an inside job. So is peace. In considering how to cultivate peace on the inside,it seems to be about forgiveness, and surrender- allowing the mistakes (that's where the good stuff can happen anyway), and acceptance. If I seek peace within, that goes out into the world.Of course, part of a peaceful life includes doing what each of us came to do in the outer world too. There is peace in knowing oneself and delving into oneself, and there is peace in taking action on the call within one's heart. The inner and outer Life Mission. To be at peace with ourselves- and thus create peace in the world- we need to be acting on what brings us the most fulfillment on a deep level-doing our soul work.We will each have our own unique answer to this question of how to take a step towards world peace. Our ruminations reflect our unique inner worlds- how great to see what gets brought to the table, and the inspiration for all of us.And I believe we can transform- that everything can turn on a dime. I hold this vision of hope for world peace, for all having enough to eat, for a healthy environment. We really do have the power to be the change we want to see in the world.Best,Tamara

Tamara English