From the Global Peace Initiative of Women on their recent gathering in Aspen, CO:
"Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God."
-- Jesus, according to the Gospel of St. Matthew
"If you want peace, work for justice."
-- H.L. Mencken and/or Pope Paul VI (depending on whom you ask)
The setting was perfect for the task at hand -- the pristine, alpine grounds of the Aspen Institute, freshly dusted with a coating of snow, in the offseason quiet of Aspen, Colo.
More than 150 religious leaders from diverse traditions -- monastic Christian, Sufi Muslim, Buddhist, Hindu, Jewish, Native American and others -- gathered last week in the Colorado ski town to try to figure out how best to speak with one voice on the issue of peace (and justice), and how to encourage President-elect Barack Obama to make compassionate decisions in his new administration.
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Obama's election was, for many of the leaders present, an indication not only of a shift in political power, but of spiritual power as well. Among the issues the leaders agreed were most pressing -- the economy, the environment, the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, global poverty -- as the president-elect looks toward setting his agenda for the all-important first 100 days of his administration, was helping the nation heal from what many said was eight years of fear-mongering.
Some called Obama a prophet. Others spoke of him almost as a savior. But as the conference wore on, cooler heads prevailed. "This transformation is not about Barack Obama, it's about us," Brown Campbell said on the last day of the five-day conference. "We make heroes of people too quickly and . . . rest the responsibility on his shoulders [alone]. He's always said 'us.' Every time it's pointed to him he's said, 'No. It's all of us.' "
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On Sunday afternoon, before they scattered to the four winds, the spiritual leaders held hands in three concentric circles for a Sufi zikr -- a prayer ritual. They chanted praise to God, asked for blessings of peace, and concluded by singing the Christian hymn "Amazing Grace" over and over again while dancing a simple side step.
"I once was lost, but now am found," they sang, "was blind but now I see."
It was both a prayer and a declaration of faith.
And it was also a hope, that we all -- including our elected leaders -- might work for peace and act with compassion and grace.
Read the vision statement of the group here.
With thanks to Holy Foolishness.
Thank you for posting this! I encourage everyone to explore their website. I've always said that if women lead the world we would at last find peace.
ReplyDeleteI have one of the quotes found on their site framed and hanging in my office, "In the war against war women of the world will and should lead. It is their special vocation and privilege. If non-violence is the law of our being, the future is with women."
Isn’t the above sexism in reverse?
ReplyDeleteRhonda, thank you. Their website is well worth a visit.
ReplyDeleteIsn’t the above sexism in reverse?
RN, in a word, no. If you check their vision statement, which I linked to, you will find these words:
The Global Peace Initiative of Women (GPIW) was founded by a group of women religious and spiritual leaders to provide a global platform through which women and men, working in partnership, can foster the spiritual values of global unity, peacebuilding and the development of all the peoples of the world.
Also, if you read Our Beginning at their website, you will find further explanation.
Women's voices are often not heard. Good for the women who started the group. Apparently, certain men are not threatened by them and think their goals are worthwhile enough to join in.
Then why not call it “The Global Peace Initiative of Women and Men”.
ReplyDeleteWhy so hung up on gender?
RN, not having named the group, I can only guess. Perhaps, it's because the women took the initiative in forming the group. You could contact them and ask your question.
ReplyDeleteI'm not hung up on gender.
This may be the problem
ReplyDeleteFrom the vision statement-
“Central to our work is the belief that the feminine qualities of wholeness, inclusion, and integration etc”
Sorry but these are human qualities and not feminine qualities. We all share the dream.
With regards to inclusion and if the organisation does include men, one day I hope that they add “and men” to their title. Otherwise they will be open to be accused of being misleading or sexist.
In any event I wish anyone who endeavours to bring peace well.
BTW my initial post was really in respect to the first comment on the thread ending in “the future is with women”. I apologise that I did not make it clearer.
Otherwise they will be open to be accused of being misleading or sexist.
ReplyDeleteWell, I guess they'd call it payback. ;o)
Seriously, RN, that's a point you may want to take up with someone in the group. I would not have picked those three qualities as particularly feminine. I'd have picked qualities like nurturing and empathetic, but that doesn't mean that men can't have those qualities, too.
What I was focusing on about the group was their efforts to bring about peace (God knows we need that!) and the fact that the gathering was ecumenical, both of which I think are good things. There are men in the group.
I'll be honest and say that I'd like to see woman rule the world for a spell. Maybe we'd botch things, too, but I'd like us to have a chance. I realize that I am not unbiased.
Sorry Mimi, I didn't mean to start something negative. Over the years I have enjoyed conversations with women and men on the subject of peace, but like you, I would like to see what would happen if women were given the chance to make these big decisions.
ReplyDeleteFor RN, please realize that I know there are many men who advocate for peace—Gandhi, MLK, and Thich Nhat Hanh—to name just a few, but being a woman, I get very excited when I see women taking an active role in something that since time began has been, for the most part, left up to men.
First of all, I meant "women (plural) rule the world", not one woman.
ReplyDeleteRhonda, no apologies necessary. I wouldn't say that the discussion here is negative. I wish my comments were less of an echo chamber. Like you, I feel proud when women take leadership positions, because for so many they were held back.
But look at Elizabeth Dole this election season. I was not proud of the way she ran her campaign, and I'm glad she lost. We're human, and there are bad eggs in our midst. I can think of one other woman that I'm not proud of, but I've sworn off bashing her for a while.
Well, speaking as a grateful man, grandmere, I would very much enjoy dancing in and for peace in concentric circles while listening to the interfaith community find some new meaning in amazing grace. I, a singer, most probably wouldn't be able to sing. They'd probably have to hold me up, as I'd be dissolved in tears at the time. (A little dramatic, I know, but pretty fairly honest.)
ReplyDeleteScott, I'd love to be dancing in the circles, too, and very likely, I'd cry.
ReplyDelete