On the first of February on a hilltop overlooking Syria there was a 15 min period of prayer/meditation for Peace . That is why I am thanking James in the title of this post. Following that period (7AM my time) I posted the following Peace related quotes. These are not his. His effort inspired me to put them down here; Now.
The passion of Pope Francis is to again make merciful love the foundation, the center, and the goal of Christianity. Love is not just the basis on which we build everything, but it's also the energy with which we proceed, and it's then the final goal toward which we tend. Love has two lovely daughters, twins called grace and mercy. Like identical twins, they are often indistinguishable: Grace is the inner freedom to be merciful. Mercy is grace in action. And both are the children of love. Richard Rohr
Pax Et Bonum Franciscan Greeting
Let There Be Peace On Earth, And Let It Begin With Me Jill Jackson/Sy Miller 1955
Let There Be Peace In Syria, And Let It Begin With Me Me
Dona Nobis Pacem Traditional chant from the AgnusDei
Do Not Be Afraid, I Go Before You Jesus
Love One Another, As I Have Loved You Jesus
Lord, Make Me An Instrument Of Your Peace, Where There Is Hatred, Let Me Sow Love St Francis
Peace Be With You, My Peace I Give You Jesus
Peace Is Its Own Reward M Gandhi
Better Than A Thousand Hollow Words, Is one Word That Brings Peace Buddha
Peace Is Not The Absence Of Conflict, It is The Ability To Handle Conflict By Peaceful Means R Reagan
We Can Never Obtain Peace In The Outer World Until We Make Peace With Ourselves Dalai Lama
An Eye For An Eye Only Ends Up Making The Whole World Blind M Gandhi
When The Power Of Love Overcomes The Love Of Power The World Will Know Peace Jimi Hendrix
No Love; No Peace!! Know Love; Know Peace!! paraphrase of a bumper sticker
You Cannot Shake Hands With A Clinched Fist I Gandhi
Do Not Overrate What You Have Received, Nor Envy Others. He Who Envies Others Does Not Obtain Peace Of Mind Buddha
If You Want To Make Peace With Your Enemy, You Have To Work With Your Enemy.Then He Becomes Your Partner. N Mandela
Peace Is Not Merely A Distant Goal That We Seek, But A Means By Which We Arrive At That Goal M L King jr
Peace Begins With A Smile St Teresa of Calcutta
Imagine~You May Say I'm A Dreamer But I'm Not The Only One. I Hope Someday You'll Join Us And The World Will Be As One John Lennon
Pax Christi ~Roberto
Monday, February 1, 2016
Saturday, January 9, 2016
Maya Angelou's Poem For Nelson Mandela
I recently came across this beautiful tribute and wish to share here. I am not even a particular fan of poetry but this is so wonderfully done I feel it touches all of us on so many levels. Those who have lost loved ones. Those who have fought, peacefully, the fight for justice, peace and Love. Those who have been imprisoned, even the imprisoned who are not behind steel bars.
The last couple of years I have titled the coming year with a goal. 2016 is the year of "Peace". May It Be So! RV
The last couple of years I have titled the coming year with a goal. 2016 is the year of "Peace". May It Be So! RV
Tuesday, November 24, 2015
A Franciscan Style Labyrinth for Meditation
Hopefully attached to this post is a mostly quiet walk of meditation at a labyrinth still being installed at the Spirit Venture Camp outside of Ashland, Oregon. This is termed a "Franciscan Style" as it is inspired by the life and spirit of St Francis in appreciating and honoring the basic elements of Creation. In this spirit we have walked the path going around trees and boulders instead of removing them to construct a more conventional circular seven circuit labyrinth.
We have also added spiritual insights from many spiritual guides through the ages. Of course a meditative path is usually one of silence, however this option gives one the choice to walk in silence or take the time to read inspiration from the past and present, you could look at it as a type of guided meditation. If by some chance you have read the past few posts you may see that this is the microcausm of the macrocausm referred to in the Spiritual Botanical Peace Garden.
Happy Season of Giving Thanks! RV
We have also added spiritual insights from many spiritual guides through the ages. Of course a meditative path is usually one of silence, however this option gives one the choice to walk in silence or take the time to read inspiration from the past and present, you could look at it as a type of guided meditation. If by some chance you have read the past few posts you may see that this is the microcausm of the macrocausm referred to in the Spiritual Botanical Peace Garden.
Tuesday, November 10, 2015
A Microcosm of the Macrocosm
Wednesday, October 28, 2015
Musings on the previous Post
Thought I would send you the next musings of mine on the possible Interspiritual World Peace Garden in the Spirit of Kauai!
I draw much better with a tractor and landscape paint :0) Anyhow this adventure would be roughly 300 feet square which amounts to about 1 1/2 acres or a Square football field. It would start with about 100 trees, 20 vines, and 200 shrubs/flowers. Benches at each Inspiration Point and a total walking distance of a little over a half a mile to the 50' diameter center circle (gathering area).
If I am able to come over the first quarter of 2016 I hope to visit the Lawaii International Center, the Interfaith Roundtable, and the Nursery just out of Lihue, for starters. Pax Christi! Bob You do know that I am a real "fundamentalist Christian" in the best use of the term, don't you??
attached, I hope, will be a drawing, plant list, and partial list of "possible" inclusions for inspiration points. RV
Thursday, September 3, 2015
The Dream!
I’m A Dreamer ---But I’m Not The Only One!
A few thoughts on Paradise Found
Having just returned Mainland side from my Heart home, Kauai, I wish to share a few points. Having spent two weeks in prayer and retreat on Island some very visceral points come to my Spirit. I have said for sometime that the Spiritual centrality of this place is a microcosm of a path to a more peaceful world. In the last two weeks I visited a Peace Garden, Paleaku.com, honoring many spiritual traditions and practices; a practicing Monastery; attended a Spiritual retreat in the Weimea Canyon; officiated at a wedding celebration on the beach; and participated in a webcast on “Unitive Consciousness”. Each one a blessing in itself. Probably the most impactful of the events was actually the last as it drew a connective link between the Spiritual traditions of the East and West in seeking a non-dual approach to resolving division and angst inherent in our tribal religious heritage . If there is one place on earth this is possible, it is here.
In the past couple of months I was also gifted a link to a video produced to present the same synergy from an ecological as well as spiritual plane, http://ainafeeds.us/film
We are the microcausm, Kauai, of the macrocausm, Island Earth.
Of course I visited the memorial labyrinth my son and I pieced together on the headlands of Easterly Maha’ulepu Beach and the intention was to also visit the Lawai International Center in Kalaheo, lawaicenter.org. The volunteer work in support of culture and the international quest for peace among peoples is exemplary, but the visit will have to wait for another trip.
So where is the dream in all of this vision? I envision an enterprise in the Resort/ Retreat industry, in Kauai, which would be a world class destination. A destination to compliment the Paradise we are already offering the seeking public. It would be an addition to vacation amenities already available, but with a twist. The spiritual energy of the island would be sought, in a retreat fashion, moreso than just an adrenaline rush of a Zipline and the like. These have a place, but in my hikes along the coast and in the mountains I have met many who are seeking the solitude of nature, or the wisdom of a great teacher, or the wisdom of peaceful communication and reflection. A gathering place in a safe atmosphere for individuals, couples, maybe even families, but especially world leaders!
Besides meeting venues, yoga and movement studios, I foresee a large contemplative garden for the soul to stretch and heal. This Garden of Peace, Transformational Energy, and Unitive Consciousness would look something like this….
A wide pathway in the shape of a labyrinth; and at each turn there would be a monument or reflective place. These points of reflection would have a theme but instead of many world religions, as many “Peace Gardens” do, these turns would be focused on a person of honor and integrity. These persons may represent a religious or philosophical background but would be more accessible to all. Considering that most wars in human history seem to have a “Religion” on both sides it seems pretty clear that truly Peaceful individuals would be better ambassadors of peace than any given institution. This “Garden” would be large, with expansive walkways and comfortable sitting areas for reflection. There may be water features throughout but certainly in the center, with a possible space for public gathering. Ecologically sound but abundant irrigation would provide the lush factor. I see the total size being somewhere between three and seven acres.
So that is the dream, and I am just putting that intention out there in the mystery of the universe to see if there are other dreamers, preferably at least one with the desire to fund such an ambitious project of enterprise AND inner prize. If there is such interest and vision, I would dedicate the rest of my life and talents to facilitating the reality.
Mahalo Nui Loa!
RV
bobvlach@gmail.com
541-890-0187
Medford, Oregon and Lihue, Kauai
http://praisegodviathespiritofthechrist.blogspot.com/
A few thoughts on Paradise Found
Having just returned Mainland side from my Heart home, Kauai, I wish to share a few points. Having spent two weeks in prayer and retreat on Island some very visceral points come to my Spirit. I have said for sometime that the Spiritual centrality of this place is a microcosm of a path to a more peaceful world. In the last two weeks I visited a Peace Garden, Paleaku.com, honoring many spiritual traditions and practices; a practicing Monastery; attended a Spiritual retreat in the Weimea Canyon; officiated at a wedding celebration on the beach; and participated in a webcast on “Unitive Consciousness”. Each one a blessing in itself. Probably the most impactful of the events was actually the last as it drew a connective link between the Spiritual traditions of the East and West in seeking a non-dual approach to resolving division and angst inherent in our tribal religious heritage . If there is one place on earth this is possible, it is here.
In the past couple of months I was also gifted a link to a video produced to present the same synergy from an ecological as well as spiritual plane, http://ainafeeds.us/film
We are the microcausm, Kauai, of the macrocausm, Island Earth.
Of course I visited the memorial labyrinth my son and I pieced together on the headlands of Easterly Maha’ulepu Beach and the intention was to also visit the Lawai International Center in Kalaheo, lawaicenter.org. The volunteer work in support of culture and the international quest for peace among peoples is exemplary, but the visit will have to wait for another trip.
So where is the dream in all of this vision? I envision an enterprise in the Resort/ Retreat industry, in Kauai, which would be a world class destination. A destination to compliment the Paradise we are already offering the seeking public. It would be an addition to vacation amenities already available, but with a twist. The spiritual energy of the island would be sought, in a retreat fashion, moreso than just an adrenaline rush of a Zipline and the like. These have a place, but in my hikes along the coast and in the mountains I have met many who are seeking the solitude of nature, or the wisdom of a great teacher, or the wisdom of peaceful communication and reflection. A gathering place in a safe atmosphere for individuals, couples, maybe even families, but especially world leaders!
Besides meeting venues, yoga and movement studios, I foresee a large contemplative garden for the soul to stretch and heal. This Garden of Peace, Transformational Energy, and Unitive Consciousness would look something like this….
A wide pathway in the shape of a labyrinth; and at each turn there would be a monument or reflective place. These points of reflection would have a theme but instead of many world religions, as many “Peace Gardens” do, these turns would be focused on a person of honor and integrity. These persons may represent a religious or philosophical background but would be more accessible to all. Considering that most wars in human history seem to have a “Religion” on both sides it seems pretty clear that truly Peaceful individuals would be better ambassadors of peace than any given institution. This “Garden” would be large, with expansive walkways and comfortable sitting areas for reflection. There may be water features throughout but certainly in the center, with a possible space for public gathering. Ecologically sound but abundant irrigation would provide the lush factor. I see the total size being somewhere between three and seven acres.
So that is the dream, and I am just putting that intention out there in the mystery of the universe to see if there are other dreamers, preferably at least one with the desire to fund such an ambitious project of enterprise AND inner prize. If there is such interest and vision, I would dedicate the rest of my life and talents to facilitating the reality.
Mahalo Nui Loa!
RV
bobvlach@gmail.com
541-890-0187
Medford, Oregon and Lihue, Kauai
http://praisegodviathespiritofthechrist.blogspot.com/
Friday, May 29, 2015
Two Faiths One Prayer -- Muslims and Jews Pray Together in LA
Do So Wish Some Christians could have been here.....but it is a start :0)
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