I can't remember the last time I felt as inspired, excited and hopeful as I did at the Peace Alliance Department of Peace conference in Washington, D.C. the weekend of February 3-5. It has taken me this long to be able to sit down and write about it. Two weeks ago, this would have been a 1,000 word entry. Now, weeks later I have distilled the essence of my experience and can share with you the highlights.
More than 750 people from 47 states gathered at our nation's capital to promote peace. Not just some airy fairy idea of peace but a cabinet level department that skillfully addresses issues both domestically and internationally before they erupt into violence. The intention of the conference was both to inspire and inform. We, The People, were taught the facts and given pointers on how to approach our representatives. The arms dealers and pharmaceutical companies have full-time paid lobbyists in the halls of congress everyday pushing through their agenda. We were there as citizens of this great nation to promote peace. During our time there, more than 200 meetings were held with representatives both in the house and the senate.
Congressman Win of MD was there as a supporter of the bill. He summed it up nicely. "We don't want to withdraw from the world and live in some La La Land. We want to engage the world and make the world a better place."
Through out the weekend, the participants burst into shouts of joy and exuberant applause. The energy was so high. This is a very powerful movement and it is well underway. The Department of Peace exists. The support is there. The experts to run it are there. The details of how to implement it are there. The funding is there (The Department of Peace needs to do its job 2% of what the Department of Defense needs to do its job).
The most obvious predictor of violence is despair. Marianne Williamson, one of the keynote speakers, repeated through out the weekend, "Nothing is so dangerous as large groups of desperate people." Clear statistics show that an area where its people don't have access to government or economic stability will erupt in violence 81% of the time within two years. The Department of Peace is the federal institution that will address despair before it turns into violence, both domestically and internationally.
She made a beautiful analogy that resonated well with me. She reminded us that 10 years ago, complimentary or integrative medicine was called alternative medicine and was largely disregarded by mainstream medicine. Today, it is estimated that 74% of Americans have tried "alternative" medicine which is now referred to as complimentary or integrative medicine. The Department of Peace is complementary medicine for our nation. Sometimes surgery is needed. That is what the Department of Defense is for. Oftentimes, there are many preventative steps that can be taken before open heart surgery is needed.
The biggest obstacle we face are the layers of dense material thinking. It is simply not sustainable. So few people continue to live beyond their means and the means of this planet. Most of those people who do live here in America. We have been world leaders on so many fronts. Now is the time to lead the world in peace. Peace -not just the absence of war but a state of connection and tolerance.
Our citizenship is part of our consciousness. I was quoted in the Feb. 2007 issue of Yoga Journal in a piece about the Department of Peace as saying, "...the Department of Peace is like yoga for our society." We practice mindfulness to become more aware, more compassionate. The Department of Peace brings this to a national level.
All you need do is pick up the phone and tell your representative to support HR 808. That is the name of the bill to enact a Department of Peace. This person is there to represent YOU. It is your responsibility to tell them what you want, and what you don't want. Get in the habit of calling, emailing or sending a post card on a weekly basis. Stay in touch. They want to hear from you. They are waiting...
Just go to www.congress.org and type in your zip code. Easy! Try it. Then post your experience here so everyone else will know how easy it is. Democracy is not a spectator sport.
All we are saying is give peace a chance.
