Messages From
Photo of Peace Pilgrim courtesy of Friends of Peace Pilgrim
At this time, the world is in turmoil and fear lives in most of our hearts. The daily news is full of horrors of violence and tragedy. It is hard to find hope that we or the earth itself will survive. I thought it was time to share some messages from an extraordinary woman – Peace Pilgrim.
Long before The Secret, What the Bleep Do We Know, Abraham-Hicks, and other proponents of the Law of Attraction, there was a woman named Peace Pilgrim. She was just an ordinary woman with an extraordinary mission. She decided to take a personal pilgrimage for peace, owning nothing except the clothes on her back. Her message was simple, but her story is profound.
I have been fascinated with her story for many years. I was only a year old when she started her pilgrimage in 1953. Yet her message is as relevant and profound as it was so many years ago. What is her "secret?" Read on and we'll find out.
Scattered throughout this articles are quotes from contemporary spiritual writers to demonstrate that the concepts that are popular today are not new.
Long before The Secret, What the Bleep Do We Know, Abraham-Hicks, and other proponents of the Law of Attraction, there was a woman named Peace Pilgrim. She was just an ordinary woman with an extraordinary mission. She decided to take a personal pilgrimage for peace, owning nothing except the clothes on her back. Her message was simple, but her story is profound.
I have been fascinated with her story for many years. I was only a year old when she started her pilgrimage in 1953. Yet her message is as relevant and profound as it was so many years ago. What is her "secret?" Read on and we'll find out.
Scattered throughout this articles are quotes from contemporary spiritual writers to demonstrate that the concepts that are popular today are not new.
Who Was Peace Pilgrim?
Photo of Mildred Norman at age 18 from family album, courtesy of Friends of Peace Pilgrim.
Peace's birth name was Mildred Norman. She was born July 18, 1908 in Egg Harbor City, NJ. She was the oldest of three children and lived with her siblings, parents and her father's three sisters on a small chicken farm.
Peace stated she had a fortunate childhood and was thankful for living on a poor farm on the outskirts of town. "I was happy in my childhood. I had a woods to play in and a creek to swim in and room to grow. I wish that every child could have growing space because I think children are a little like plants. If they grow too close together they become thin and sickly and never obtain maximum growth. We need room to grow."
Her family have been described as peace oriented musicians who came to the United States to get away from the militarism in Germany.
Her siblings described Mildred as being a dare-devil. She was an excellent swimmer and excelled at sports and physical endeavors. She was intelligent, articulate, and headed the debate team in school. After graduation from high school she worked as a secretary. She became very social and loved to wear make-up and buy fancy dresses and furniture. She dated and went to parties and stated that she found making money to be easy.
Mildred was married to Stanley Ryder in 1933. He was a businessman and the family disapproved of him. They were very different people and so they had conflicts from the beginning.
Stanley was drafted to the army when WWII broke out. This upset Mildred who abhorred violence of any kind. She begged him to become a conscientious objector, which he refused to do. She refused to go with him to the army camp and had little contact with him when he went to Europe. He eventually met another woman and they were divorced in 1946. No children were born during this marriage.
Peace stated she had a fortunate childhood and was thankful for living on a poor farm on the outskirts of town. "I was happy in my childhood. I had a woods to play in and a creek to swim in and room to grow. I wish that every child could have growing space because I think children are a little like plants. If they grow too close together they become thin and sickly and never obtain maximum growth. We need room to grow."
Her family have been described as peace oriented musicians who came to the United States to get away from the militarism in Germany.
Her siblings described Mildred as being a dare-devil. She was an excellent swimmer and excelled at sports and physical endeavors. She was intelligent, articulate, and headed the debate team in school. After graduation from high school she worked as a secretary. She became very social and loved to wear make-up and buy fancy dresses and furniture. She dated and went to parties and stated that she found making money to be easy.
Mildred was married to Stanley Ryder in 1933. He was a businessman and the family disapproved of him. They were very different people and so they had conflicts from the beginning.
Stanley was drafted to the army when WWII broke out. This upset Mildred who abhorred violence of any kind. She begged him to become a conscientious objector, which he refused to do. She refused to go with him to the army camp and had little contact with him when he went to Europe. He eventually met another woman and they were divorced in 1946. No children were born during this marriage.
Appalachian Trail sign by Billy Hathorn via Wikimedia Commons
In 1952, Mildred Norman was the first woman to walk the entire length of the Appalachian Trail in one season.
The Turning Point
Peace Pilgrim during the 1980 Hawaii Retreat. Credit: Benick at English Wikipedia via Wikimedia Commons
As she grew older, Mildred began to feel uncomfortable about having such an abundance of material goods while others in the world were starving. She felt the need to search for a more meaningful way of life. One night she walked through the woods and coming to a moonlit glade, she stopped to pray. At that time she felt called offer her life to service to the world. and felt a profound peace enter her heart and soul.
"I tell you it's a point of no return. After that, you can never go back to completely self-centered living," she related.
She further made known her decision to change her name and embark on a pilgrimage of peace. "....in 1953, that I felt guided or called or motivated to begin my pilgrimage for peace in the world - a journey undertaken traditionally. The tradition of pilgrimage is a journey undertaken on foot and on faith, prayerfully and as an opportunity to contact people. I wear a lettered tunic in order to contact people. It says 'PEACE PILGRIM' on the front. I feel that's my name now - it emphasizes my mission instead of me. And on the back it says '25,000 MILES ON FOOT FOR PEACE.' The purpose of the tunic is merely to make contacts for me. Constantly as I walk along the highways and through the cities, people approach me and I have a chance to talk with them about peace." ("Steps Toward Inner Peace" by Peace Pilgrim)
"I tell you it's a point of no return. After that, you can never go back to completely self-centered living," she related.
She further made known her decision to change her name and embark on a pilgrimage of peace. "....in 1953, that I felt guided or called or motivated to begin my pilgrimage for peace in the world - a journey undertaken traditionally. The tradition of pilgrimage is a journey undertaken on foot and on faith, prayerfully and as an opportunity to contact people. I wear a lettered tunic in order to contact people. It says 'PEACE PILGRIM' on the front. I feel that's my name now - it emphasizes my mission instead of me. And on the back it says '25,000 MILES ON FOOT FOR PEACE.' The purpose of the tunic is merely to make contacts for me. Constantly as I walk along the highways and through the cities, people approach me and I have a chance to talk with them about peace." ("Steps Toward Inner Peace" by Peace Pilgrim)
Peace Pilgrim's Mission
Photo courtesy of Friends of Peace Pilgrim.
Between January 1, 1953 and July 7, 1981. Peace Pilgrim crossed the continent seven times. She also made trips to Hawaii and Alaska, Mexico and Canada. Her only possessions were the clothes on her back, a toothbrush, comb, pen, and copies of her pamphlet "Steps to Inner Peace." She walked until given shelter and fasted until given food. She was put in jail for vagrancy and spent many nights in bus stations or on the side of the road. Peace often spoke and wrote about her mission.
"A PILGRIM IS A WANDERER WITH A PURPOSE. A pilgrimage can be to a place--that's the best known kind--but it can also be for a thing. Mine is for peace, and that is why I am a Peace Pilgrim."
"My pilgrimage covers the entire peace picture: peace among nations, peace among groups, peace within our environment, peace among individuals, and the very, very important inner peace--which I talk about most often because that is where peace begins."
"My appointed work is to awaken the divine nature that is within. This is my calling, to open doors of truth and make people think, to arouse others from their apathetic and lethargic state, and get them to seek out for themselves the inner peace which dwells within. This is the extent of my undertaking, I can do no more. The rest I leave to a higher power."
"It is my mission as a pilgrim to act as a messenger expressing spiritual truths. It is a task which I accept joyfully, and I desire nothing in return, neither praise or glory, nor the glitter of silver and gold. I simply rejoice to be able to follow the whisperings of a Higher Will."
"A PILGRIM IS A WANDERER WITH A PURPOSE. A pilgrimage can be to a place--that's the best known kind--but it can also be for a thing. Mine is for peace, and that is why I am a Peace Pilgrim."
"My pilgrimage covers the entire peace picture: peace among nations, peace among groups, peace within our environment, peace among individuals, and the very, very important inner peace--which I talk about most often because that is where peace begins."
"My appointed work is to awaken the divine nature that is within. This is my calling, to open doors of truth and make people think, to arouse others from their apathetic and lethargic state, and get them to seek out for themselves the inner peace which dwells within. This is the extent of my undertaking, I can do no more. The rest I leave to a higher power."
"It is my mission as a pilgrim to act as a messenger expressing spiritual truths. It is a task which I accept joyfully, and I desire nothing in return, neither praise or glory, nor the glitter of silver and gold. I simply rejoice to be able to follow the whisperings of a Higher Will."
Peace's Concept of God
Credit: X-ray: NASA/CXC/SAO; Optical: NASA/STScI; Infrared: NASA/JPL-Caltech.
Peace used the word God in her writings, yet she was not a traditional religious person. To her, God was everywhere, the creative force that is within us all. Others have called it the Source, Christ Consciousness, God Consciousness, the Higher Self, the Force, the Field, and the Divine Mind.
In her words, "I received no formal religious training as a child. (It would be less that I would have to undo from my mind later on!) My first view inside a church was when I was twelve years old and I looked through the doorway of a Catholic church to watch janitors clean the cathedral. When I was sixteen I entered a church for the first time to attend a wedding."
"I am not, and have never been, a part of any particular faith. I am a deeply religious woman who has taken the inner way to a religious life, not the scholarly way or the way of early training. I will never say this is the only way. It is, of course, an excellent way. And people are free to choose and develop in their own way."
"God is a creative force, a motivating power, an over-all intelligence, an ever- present, all pervading spirit -- which binds everything in the universe together and gives life to everything. That brought God close. I could not be where God is not. You are within God. God is within you."
"It does not matter what name you attach to it, but your consciousness must ascend to the point through which you view the universe with your God-centered nature. The feeling accompanying this experience is that of complete oneness with the Universal Whole... This God-centered nature is constantly awaiting to govern your life gloriously. You have the free will to either allow it to govern your life, or not to allow it to affect you. The choice is always yours."
"There is a spark of good in everybody, no matter how deeply it may be buried. It is the real you. When I say 'you' what am I really thinking of? Am I thinking of the clay garment, the body? No, that's not the real you. Am I thinking of the self-centered nature? No, that's not the real you. The real you is that divine spark. Some call this the God-centered nature, others the divine nature and the Kingdom of God within. Hindus know it as nirvana; the Buddhists refer to it as the awakened soul; the Quakers see it as the Inner Light. In other places it is known as the Christ in you, the Christ Consciousness, the hope of glory, or the indwelling spirit. Even some psychologists have a name for it, the superconscious. But it is all the same thing dressed in different words. The important thing to remember is that it dwells within you!"
She was asked the question, "How can I feel close to God?"
She answered, "God is Love, and whenever you reach out in loving kindness, you are expressing God. God is Truth, and whenever you seek truth, you are seeking God. God is Beauty, and whenever you touch the beauty of a flower or a sunset, you are touching God. God is the Intelligence that creates all and sustains all and binds all together and gives life to all. Yes, God is the Essence of all. So you are within God and God is within you - you could not be where God is not. Permeating all is the law of God - physical law and spiritual law. Disobey it and you feel unhappiness - you feel separated from God. Obey it and you feel harmony - you feel close to God."
There are no photos of God that I could find, nor any of Divine Consciousness. As Peace Pilgrim stated, "God is Beauty," so I thought the photo above from NASA conveys that sentiment pretty well. Three of the Great Observatories worked together in producing this stunning image of Cassiopeia A. This composite image combines the infrared data from Spitzer in red, visible wavelength data from Hubble in yellow, and X-ray data from Chandra in green and blue.
In her words, "I received no formal religious training as a child. (It would be less that I would have to undo from my mind later on!) My first view inside a church was when I was twelve years old and I looked through the doorway of a Catholic church to watch janitors clean the cathedral. When I was sixteen I entered a church for the first time to attend a wedding."
"I am not, and have never been, a part of any particular faith. I am a deeply religious woman who has taken the inner way to a religious life, not the scholarly way or the way of early training. I will never say this is the only way. It is, of course, an excellent way. And people are free to choose and develop in their own way."
"God is a creative force, a motivating power, an over-all intelligence, an ever- present, all pervading spirit -- which binds everything in the universe together and gives life to everything. That brought God close. I could not be where God is not. You are within God. God is within you."
"It does not matter what name you attach to it, but your consciousness must ascend to the point through which you view the universe with your God-centered nature. The feeling accompanying this experience is that of complete oneness with the Universal Whole... This God-centered nature is constantly awaiting to govern your life gloriously. You have the free will to either allow it to govern your life, or not to allow it to affect you. The choice is always yours."
"There is a spark of good in everybody, no matter how deeply it may be buried. It is the real you. When I say 'you' what am I really thinking of? Am I thinking of the clay garment, the body? No, that's not the real you. Am I thinking of the self-centered nature? No, that's not the real you. The real you is that divine spark. Some call this the God-centered nature, others the divine nature and the Kingdom of God within. Hindus know it as nirvana; the Buddhists refer to it as the awakened soul; the Quakers see it as the Inner Light. In other places it is known as the Christ in you, the Christ Consciousness, the hope of glory, or the indwelling spirit. Even some psychologists have a name for it, the superconscious. But it is all the same thing dressed in different words. The important thing to remember is that it dwells within you!"
She was asked the question, "How can I feel close to God?"
She answered, "God is Love, and whenever you reach out in loving kindness, you are expressing God. God is Truth, and whenever you seek truth, you are seeking God. God is Beauty, and whenever you touch the beauty of a flower or a sunset, you are touching God. God is the Intelligence that creates all and sustains all and binds all together and gives life to all. Yes, God is the Essence of all. So you are within God and God is within you - you could not be where God is not. Permeating all is the law of God - physical law and spiritual law. Disobey it and you feel unhappiness - you feel separated from God. Obey it and you feel harmony - you feel close to God."
There are no photos of God that I could find, nor any of Divine Consciousness. As Peace Pilgrim stated, "God is Beauty," so I thought the photo above from NASA conveys that sentiment pretty well. Three of the Great Observatories worked together in producing this stunning image of Cassiopeia A. This composite image combines the infrared data from Spitzer in red, visible wavelength data from Hubble in yellow, and X-ray data from Chandra in green and blue.
Image via Pixabay
"There is a universal intelligence that we call God or Soul or Spirit or Consciousness, and it is everywhere and in all things."
Wayne Dyer
Peace Pilgrim's Quotes on Peace
Image via Pixabay
"We who work for peace must not falter. We must continue to pray for peace and to act for peace in whatever way we can, we must continue to speak for peace and to live the way of peace; to inspire others, we must continue to think of peace and to know that peace is possible."
"We must walk according to the highest light we have, encountering lovingly those who are out of harmony, and trying to inspire them toward a better way. Whenever you bring harmony into any unpeaceful situation, you contribute to the cause of peace. When you do something for world peace, peace among groups, peace among individuals, or your own inner peace, you improve the total peace picture."
"All people can be peace workers. Whenever you bring harmony into any unpeaceful situation, you contribute to the total peace picture. Insofar as you have peace in your own life, you reflect it into your surroundings and into the world."
"There is no greater block to world peace or inner peace than fear. What we fear we tend to develop an unreasoning hatred for, so we come to hate and fear. This not only injures us psychologically and aggravates world tension, but through such negative concentration we tend to attract the things we fear. If we fear nothing and radiate love, we can expect good things to come. How much this world needs the message and example of love and of faith!"
"We must walk according to the highest light we have, encountering lovingly those who are out of harmony, and trying to inspire them toward a better way. Whenever you bring harmony into any unpeaceful situation, you contribute to the cause of peace. When you do something for world peace, peace among groups, peace among individuals, or your own inner peace, you improve the total peace picture."
"All people can be peace workers. Whenever you bring harmony into any unpeaceful situation, you contribute to the total peace picture. Insofar as you have peace in your own life, you reflect it into your surroundings and into the world."
"There is no greater block to world peace or inner peace than fear. What we fear we tend to develop an unreasoning hatred for, so we come to hate and fear. This not only injures us psychologically and aggravates world tension, but through such negative concentration we tend to attract the things we fear. If we fear nothing and radiate love, we can expect good things to come. How much this world needs the message and example of love and of faith!"
Image via Pixabay
"The way of peace is a soul journey. If you can live from the level of your soul, you are doing something very special. The important thing is how much consciousness you add to the whole of human existence, for that is how eternity expresses itself, like a lamp shining through the window of eternity."
Deepak Chopra
Deepak Chopra
The Power of Thoughts
Our cat Wiley contemplating clouds in water.
"There is a criterion by which you can judge whether the thoughts you are thinking and the things you are doing are right for you. That criterion is, Have they brought you inner peace? If they have not, there is something wrong with them - so keep trying."
"Are you a slave to your self-centered nature or does your divine nature guide your life? Do you know that every moment of your life you're creating through thought? You create your own inner condition; you're helping create the conditions around you"
"If you realized how powerful your thoughts are, you would never think a negative thought."
"Remember the power of thought, and think only about the best that could happen. Dwell only upon the good things you want to see happen. Remember, through thought you create your inner conditions and help to create the conditions around you"
"If you`re harboring the slightest bitterness toward anyone, or any unkind thoughts of any sort whatever, you must get rid of them quickly. They are not hurting anyone but you. It isn't enough just to do right things and say right things--you must also think right things before your life can come into harmony."
"Are you a slave to your self-centered nature or does your divine nature guide your life? Do you know that every moment of your life you're creating through thought? You create your own inner condition; you're helping create the conditions around you"
"If you realized how powerful your thoughts are, you would never think a negative thought."
"Remember the power of thought, and think only about the best that could happen. Dwell only upon the good things you want to see happen. Remember, through thought you create your inner conditions and help to create the conditions around you"
"If you`re harboring the slightest bitterness toward anyone, or any unkind thoughts of any sort whatever, you must get rid of them quickly. They are not hurting anyone but you. It isn't enough just to do right things and say right things--you must also think right things before your life can come into harmony."
Image via Pixabay
“The primary cause of unhappiness is never the situation, but your thoughts about it. Be aware of the thoughts you are thinking.”
Eckhart Tolle
The Freedom of Simplicity
In September 2011 we gave away most of our belongings and moved into this RV. We parked at many beautiful spots such as this one.
"The simplified life is a sanctified life,
Much more calm, much less strife.
Oh, what wondrous truths are unveiled.
Projects succeed which had previously failed.
Oh, how beautiful life can be,
Beautiful simplicity."
"Anything that you cannot relinquish when it has outlived its usefulness possesses you, and in this materialistic age a great many of us are possessed by our possessions. We are not free."
"The simplification of life is one of the steps to inner peace. A persistent simplification will create an inner and outer well-being that places harmony in one's life."
"Some people think that my life dedicated to simplicity and service is austere and joyless, but they do not know the freedom of simplicity. I am thankful to God every moment of my life for the great riches that have been showered upon me."
Image via Pixabay
"Voluntary simplicity means going fewer places in one day rather than more, seeing less so I can see more, doing less so I can do more, acquiring less so I can have more."
John Kabat- Zinn - Wherever You Go There You Are
Living in the Present
"Live in the present. Do the things that need to be done. Do all the good you can each day. The future will unfold"
"Live this day! Yesterday is but a dream and tomorrow is only a vision, but today well-lived makes every yesterday a dream of happiness and every tomorrow a vision of hope. Never agonize over the past or worry over the future. Live this day and live it well."
“How often are you worrying about the present moment? The present is usually all right. If you're worrying, you're either agonizing over the past which you should have forgotten long ago, or else you're apprehensive over the future which hasn't even come yet. We tend to skim right over the present moment which is the only moment God gives any of us to live. If you don't live the present moment, you never get around to living at all. And if you do live the present moment, you tend not to worry. For me, every moment is a new and wonderful opportunity to be of service."
"Live this day! Yesterday is but a dream and tomorrow is only a vision, but today well-lived makes every yesterday a dream of happiness and every tomorrow a vision of hope. Never agonize over the past or worry over the future. Live this day and live it well."
“How often are you worrying about the present moment? The present is usually all right. If you're worrying, you're either agonizing over the past which you should have forgotten long ago, or else you're apprehensive over the future which hasn't even come yet. We tend to skim right over the present moment which is the only moment God gives any of us to live. If you don't live the present moment, you never get around to living at all. And if you do live the present moment, you tend not to worry. For me, every moment is a new and wonderful opportunity to be of service."
Image via Pixabay
"Live the actual moment. Only this moment is life."
Thich Nhat Hahn
Peace Pilgrim Speaks About Death
Image courtesy of Magical Graphics
"Death is a beautiful liberation into a freer life. The limiting clay garment, the body, is put aside. The self-centered nature goes with you to learn and grow on the disembodied side of life, and then returns here into a suitable clay garment and suitable circumstances to learn the lessons we need to learn. Could we but see a bit deeper into life, we would grieve at birth and rejoice at death. If we but knew how short is the earth life in comparison with the whole, we would be less troubled with the difficulties of the earth life than we are troubled now with the difficulties of one of our days."
Q: Why do people fear death?
A: "Almost all fear is fear of the unknown. People fear death because what happens at death is unknown. However, I have experienced the beginning of the process called death--in a snowstorm one night when I began to freeze to death--and I do not fear it. The experience of the beginning of the change called death I went through that night was beautiful. I look forward to the change called death as life's last great adventure, and I rejoice with my loved ones as they make the glorious transition to a freer living. You overcome your fear of something by becoming acquainted with the thing you fear."
Q: Why do people fear death?
A: "Almost all fear is fear of the unknown. People fear death because what happens at death is unknown. However, I have experienced the beginning of the process called death--in a snowstorm one night when I began to freeze to death--and I do not fear it. The experience of the beginning of the change called death I went through that night was beautiful. I look forward to the change called death as life's last great adventure, and I rejoice with my loved ones as they make the glorious transition to a freer living. You overcome your fear of something by becoming acquainted with the thing you fear."
Walking Her Talk
This video is an hour long, but well worth watching it through when you have the time. No, I say make the time, for while watching it I felt awed and humbled at the same time. Peace Pilgrim truly walked her talk, something I say I try to do but stumble so often. She wore out pair after pair of shoes, not Nikes but cheap canvas tennis shoes. She believed in her message and she died doing what she felt called to do. There can be nothing better than that.
What Others Have Said About Peace Pilgrim
Photo courtesy of Friend of Peace Pilgrim
'Her motivation and activities are effective methods. Her commitment to propagate peace through actions, the peace walk, without seeking money or fame, is wonderful. We need such determined people everywhere, irrespective of culture, race, religion. It doesn't matter. We are all brothers and sisters. Peace Pilgrim is a real peacemaker" Dalai Lama while holding a copy of her book:
"She was like Gandhi or King who have a peaceful heart, but a warrior's spirit" Dan Millman
"It is considered the highest level of enlightenment simply to 'walk as you talk.' Peace Pilgrim lived out this message and I celebrate her magnificent commitment to peace and harmony in the world. Indeed, she is my hero." Wayne Dyer.
"Every age provides us with a pilgrim, Peace Pilgrim knew this...to have faith, and then to step out on that faith...it's amazing, it's wonderful, it's inspiring, it's enheartening." Maya Angelou, poet
". . how great a gift we have been given in the teachings and example of the marvelous woman known as Peace Pilgrim. Her words shine like brilliant lights in my heart, and her life was as fine a statement of the Universal Spirit as I have ever encountered.." John Robbins, author of Diet for a New America
"She was like Gandhi or King who have a peaceful heart, but a warrior's spirit" Dan Millman
"It is considered the highest level of enlightenment simply to 'walk as you talk.' Peace Pilgrim lived out this message and I celebrate her magnificent commitment to peace and harmony in the world. Indeed, she is my hero." Wayne Dyer.
"Every age provides us with a pilgrim, Peace Pilgrim knew this...to have faith, and then to step out on that faith...it's amazing, it's wonderful, it's inspiring, it's enheartening." Maya Angelou, poet
". . how great a gift we have been given in the teachings and example of the marvelous woman known as Peace Pilgrim. Her words shine like brilliant lights in my heart, and her life was as fine a statement of the Universal Spirit as I have ever encountered.." John Robbins, author of Diet for a New America
Peace Pilgrim's Transition
"I shall remain a wanderer until mankind has learned the way of peace."
Peace Pilgrim died doing what she loved, following her mission. On July 7, 1981, just before her 73rd birthday, she was being driven to a place in Knox TN to give a speech. An on-coming car hit the car she was in head on and both she and the driver were killed.
Peace Pilgrim died doing what she loved, following her mission. On July 7, 1981, just before her 73rd birthday, she was being driven to a place in Knox TN to give a speech. An on-coming car hit the car she was in head on and both she and the driver were killed.
One of Peace Pilgrim's Dreams Achieved
The United States Institute for Peace Attribution: Something Original via Wikimedia Commons
Peace Pilgrim said, "We can only change through example. Therefore, if I had the power to do so in this country, I would set a very gentle, good example. I would establish a Peace Department in our government. It would have very useful work to do. It would research peaceful ways of resolving conflicts, war prevention measures and economic adjustments to peace."
I was delighted to learn that there is such a department. The United States Institute of Peace is an independent, nonpartisan institution established and funded by Congress to increase the nation's capacity to manage international conflict without violence. The legislation establishing the United States Institute of Peace was first recommended by President Jimmy Carter and formally signed in 1984 by President Ronald Reagan.
Other websites devoted to peace include:
Visionaries - Changing the World One Story at a Time
Replace those negative news stories with positive ones. The concept of Visionaries is to utilize television as an instrument of service by producing positive, uplifting, and inspiring shows about individuals working for nonprofits in an effort to make the world a better place.
Veterans For Peace is a national organization founded in 1985. It is "a global organization of Military Veterans and allies whose collective efforts are to build a culture of peace by using our experiences and lifting our voices. We inform the public of the true causes of war and the enormous costs of wars, with an obligation to heal the wounds of wars. Our network is comprised of over 140 chapters worldwide whose work includes: educating the public, advocating for a dismantling of the war economy, providing services that assist veterans and victims of war, and most significantly, working to end all wars."
I think Peace Pilgrim is smiling at these efforts to bring about peace in the world. Yet there is so much more to do. Instead of thinking about war, let's do as Peace Pilgrim recommended - focus our thoughts on peace.
I was delighted to learn that there is such a department. The United States Institute of Peace is an independent, nonpartisan institution established and funded by Congress to increase the nation's capacity to manage international conflict without violence. The legislation establishing the United States Institute of Peace was first recommended by President Jimmy Carter and formally signed in 1984 by President Ronald Reagan.
Other websites devoted to peace include:
Visionaries - Changing the World One Story at a Time
Replace those negative news stories with positive ones. The concept of Visionaries is to utilize television as an instrument of service by producing positive, uplifting, and inspiring shows about individuals working for nonprofits in an effort to make the world a better place.
Veterans For Peace is a national organization founded in 1985. It is "a global organization of Military Veterans and allies whose collective efforts are to build a culture of peace by using our experiences and lifting our voices. We inform the public of the true causes of war and the enormous costs of wars, with an obligation to heal the wounds of wars. Our network is comprised of over 140 chapters worldwide whose work includes: educating the public, advocating for a dismantling of the war economy, providing services that assist veterans and victims of war, and most significantly, working to end all wars."
I think Peace Pilgrim is smiling at these efforts to bring about peace in the world. Yet there is so much more to do. Instead of thinking about war, let's do as Peace Pilgrim recommended - focus our thoughts on peace.
Spiritual Truth Should Never Be Sold
In keeping with the spirit of Peace Pilgrim, who refused to take money for herself, who fasted until she was offered food, and walked until she was given shelter, I decided that I would not post anything for sale on this page.
Peace Pilgrim was asked why she did not accept money. Her answer was: "Because I talk about spiritual truth, and spiritual truth should never be sold - those who sell it injure themselves spiritually. The money that comes in the mail - without being solicited - I do not use for myself; I use it for printing and postage. Those who attempt to buy spiritual truth are trying to get it before they are ready. In this wonderfully well-ordered universe, when they are ready, it will be given."
Friends of Peace Pilgrim, is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization devoted to spreading Peace Pilgrim's message. In the tradition of her pilgrimage, all materials on their website free of charge. Anyone working for peace, spiritual development, and the growth of human awareness has their willing permission to reprint non-copyrighted materials in whole or part. You may download complete copies of Peace Pilgrim's pamphlet, "Steps to Inner Peace"and the book PEACE PILGRIM Her Life and Work in Her Own Words. You can also read them on-line. Unpaid volunteer workers and many small donations make this possible.
Peace Pilgrim was asked why she did not accept money. Her answer was: "Because I talk about spiritual truth, and spiritual truth should never be sold - those who sell it injure themselves spiritually. The money that comes in the mail - without being solicited - I do not use for myself; I use it for printing and postage. Those who attempt to buy spiritual truth are trying to get it before they are ready. In this wonderfully well-ordered universe, when they are ready, it will be given."
Friends of Peace Pilgrim, is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization devoted to spreading Peace Pilgrim's message. In the tradition of her pilgrimage, all materials on their website free of charge. Anyone working for peace, spiritual development, and the growth of human awareness has their willing permission to reprint non-copyrighted materials in whole or part. You may download complete copies of Peace Pilgrim's pamphlet, "Steps to Inner Peace"and the book PEACE PILGRIM Her Life and Work in Her Own Words. You can also read them on-line. Unpaid volunteer workers and many small donations make this possible.
Thank you for walking through this story with me. I have enjoyed your company. I hope that you received a little nourishment for your spirit. Please walk on over to my blog post "Walking My Talk" for more about my personal experience with this book. You may also leave a comment there if you wish.