Celebrate International Peace Day with the Florida Peace Initiative
To celebrate the United Nations International Day of Peace, on September 21st, the Florida Peace Initiative will present the Necessity of Peace Global Webcast -- 24 hours of uplifting, streaming video.
A wide variety of peace programming, showcasing diverse perspectives, will be shown, including Prem Rawat's unique message of peace.
STARTS: Thursday, 9/20, EDT (Miami, FL) and Friday, 9/21, 12:00 AM, Auckland, New Zealand
ENDS: Saturday, Sept 22 at 6:00 am EDT (Miami, FL) and Saturday, Sept 22, 12:00 am (Honolulu, Hawaii)
The Livestream webcast will be available on the FPI website.
The Florida Peace Initiative is a voluntary association of people working together to increase awareness of the innate capacity for peace that all human beings have.
Their goal:
1. To intensify focus on the necessity of peace
2. To engage university audiences in a meaningful exploration of peace
3. To create an ongoing impact on local and international peace initiatives
Posted by Mitch Ditkoff at 11:16 PM | Comments (0)
July 14, 2012Texas Prisoners Find Inner Peace
Here's an extraordinary fact: There are more people living in US jails than live in the entire state of New Mexico.
Based on the latest data, the combined inmate population of correctional facilities in the United States is currently about 2.35 million.
The cost to the US Government? $74 billion dollars. That's $30,600 per prisoner. Those are staggering numbers. But even more staggering are the recidivism rates. 60% of all prisoners released from jail eventually return.
Clearly, the prison system is broken -- not just in this country, but in the world. Attempts at rehabilitation -- and there have been many -- have simply not worked. Until recently.
The Prem Rawat Foundation's (TPRF) Peace Education Program, now being piloted in Texas' Dominguez State Prison, is getting extraordinary results. Here is the story (be sure to watch the video).
More about the program in Spanish.
More about the Peace Education Program
Inmate expressions
Letters from Prison officials
Recent PEP news
TPRF
Words of Peace Global
Posted by Mitch Ditkoff at 08:00 AM | Comments (0)
February 09, 2012Letter from an Inner Mate
Posted by Mitch Ditkoff at 12:50 AM | Comments (0)
February 02, 2012Good News from a Texas Jail
Posted by Mitch Ditkoff at 06:18 PM | Comments (0)
January 24, 2012Prem Rawat in Long Beach, 1/29
Long Beach, California, located 20 miles south of downtown Los Angeles, is the 36th largest city in the US and the 7th largest in California -- with a population of 465,000.
On Sunday, January 29th, its population will increase by another 2,000 or so -- at least for the evening -- as people from far and wide will be flocking to the Long Beach Convention Center, at 6:00 pm, for an inspired presentation by Prem Rawat, widely known as "Maharaji". Admission is free, but if you want to attend, please click here to request an invitation. The event is open to everyone.
Short video clips of Prem Rawat
Longer videos of Prem Rawat
More
Posted by Mitch Ditkoff at 10:10 PM | Comments (0)
January 17, 2012Introducing the Premium Channel!
Words of Peace Global has just launched an exciting, new service -- the Premium Channel, which will make Prem Rawat's most recent talks available online within two weeks of his public presentations.
Premium Channel broadcasts will be high quality, full length, and available every Friday night (give or take a few). This new feature is a departure from previous WOPG "Lifestreams", insofar as the Premium Channel will be pay-per-view. WOPG.org will continue offering lots of videos, online, for free.
More info about it here.
Watch the premiere
Posted by Mitch Ditkoff at 01:53 PM | Comments (0)
December 02, 2011European Parliament Welcomes Back Ambassador of Peace
Against a backdrop of international uncertainty, including riots in many European cities, government change and continued unrest in the Middle East, an audience of institutional representatives and members of the European Parliament joined academics and business people from more than 25 countries to explore the most pressing issues facing Europe and the world today: peace and well-being.
Prem Rawat was the keynote speaker.
Posted by Mitch Ditkoff at 04:47 PM | Comments (0)
June 02, 2011Stone Walls Do Not a Prison Make
Inmates in correctional facilities around the world are listening to Prem Rawat's message of peace... and responding in extraordinary ways. Like this, for example, from a prisoner in Texas:
"Thank you for providing a perspective that has given my life significance, meaning, and most of all, peace applied directly to the wounds of my life that personally, privately, and powerfully give me the direction I longed for."
Posted by Mitch Ditkoff at 12:23 AM | Comments (0)
January 22, 2011A Sign of the Times
I've been doing some fascinating research lately on the origins of common objects in our lives -- things we see daily, but often take for granted.
Like the Stop Sign, for example.
Most people think the Stop Sign was created to regulate traffic. Not true.
According to Dr. Ellison Burke of the Global Institute for Cross-Cultural Studies, the origin of the Stop Sign has nothing to do with traffic -- and dates back several thousand years.
Historical references to the Stop Sign have been noted in more than 27 civilizations, most notably Babylonia, Egypt, Mesopotamia, Sumeria, Crete, Rome, and the Han Dynasty.
According to social scientists, each of these civilizations experienced one or more periods of rapid growth now referred to in the literature as "Societal Acceleration Syndrome" -- the way in which daily transactions speed up in proportion to a civilization's escalating Gross National Product.
In other words, speed has become one of the most statistically predicable indicators of a civilization's development and, as I will get to later in this posting, eventual decline.
My research doesn't end here, however.
In each of the above-mentioned civilizations, there have always been a small, but vocal, group of citizens who -- concerned about the quickening pace of daily life -- have warned about this phenomenon.
Indeed, a joint longitudinal study conducted by the American Archeological Institute and the Asian Society for World Growth, has revealed that this "small, but highly committed group of citizens" has made repeated efforts to diffuse their respective society's "escalating addiction to velocity."
In Sumeria, for example, a fringe group of philosophers and poets routinely posted "Styopsian" signs at strategic intersections throughout the country -- not to stop traffic, but to stop unnecessary "mind movement."
Their effort resonated with the citizenry and eventually led to the widespread appearance of what modern day sociologists now refer to as "stop signs" -- in urban centers, small villages, cattle crossings, universities, and even cornfields.
One of the most curious facts I've unearthed in my research is this: For the past 2,000 years, Stop Signs, regardless of the country of origin, have always been octogonal.
Apparently, each side of this iconic 8-sided, cross-cultural symbol of hoped-for stillness, has been imbued with a secret teaching of great import:
1. Slow down
2. Pay attention
3. Look around
4. Pause
5. Look within
6. Breathe deeply
7. Appreciate
8. Move consciously
And so... the next time you see a Stop Sign, you may want to remember that you are in the act of receiving a very ancient message -- one that preceded Starbucks, Twitter, YouTube, MTV, and email by thousands of years.
Next week... the YIELD SIGN.
ED NOTE: It has recently come to my attention that some readers of this blog have questioned my research methods and the veracity of my findings. A quick Google search of "Dr. Ellison Burke" and the "Global Institute for Cross-Cultural Studies," they claim, reveals not a single link. Frankly, I am baffled by their assertions and have assigned five of my brightest research assistants to get to the bottom of this immediately. In the meantime, you may want to contemplate the semi-ancient words of modern day social scientists, Simon and Garfunkel:
"Slow down, you're moving too fast. Ya gotta make the morning last..."
PS: Here's what helps me slow down, pay attention, look around, pause, look within, breathe deeply, appreciate, and move consciously.
Posted by Mitch Ditkoff at 12:56 AM | Comments (4)
July 28, 2010Who's a Turkey?
OK. Here I am in Istanbul.
Wow. Fabulous. Inspiring -- even if it seems like every Turkish word was created by someone who threw all the letters of the alphabet into a silk bag, shook, smoked, then randomly pulled out a few too many and gave them a definition.
Before I got here, Yoram Weiss suggested I check out the music of Omar Faruk Tekbilek -- a legendary Turkish master musician -- but as fate would have it, Omar is part of the Creative Music Studio (the group that invited me) and I will get to meet him in a few days. Talk about synchronicity!
While walking through Istanbul, levitating on two Turkish beers and thinking about nothing, the following made its way to me or vice versa.
IMMERSION
Yes, you are the ocean --
there is no doubt about that.
Great waves within you, born before words,
are rising and falling.
But remember this:
you are also the undertow.
Something at the core of your being
is taking you far out to sea,
far beyond the sight of even those
who lovingly wait for your return.
Do not concern yourself with this, my friend.
Do not worry.
You are not drowning
when the water is over your head.
You are only immersed.
Posted by Mitch Ditkoff at 02:43 PM | Comments (1)
July 27, 2010The Heart of the Matter Is Now Available on Kindle
Guess what? The Heart of the Matter is now available on Kindle. Cool. Very.
If you find this blog inspiring or useful in any way and want to help me spread the word, please take a few minutes to write a review for Kindle readers.
Your review may be just the thing to attract someone who would find The Heart of the Matter no other way.
And you don't have to be a Kindle owner to write a review. Just a human being.
Here's my other blog on Kindle.
Oh, and here's what Wikipedia says about artistic inspiration, just in case you decide NOT to write a review. "So it shouldn't be a total loss," as my mother would have said.
Posted by Mitch Ditkoff at 05:44 AM | Comments (2)
July 05, 2010TPRF Launches New Website
If you are interested in the work of Prem Rawat (aka Maharaji), you would be well served to check out the Grand Opening of his foundation's new website.
TPRF.org includes the latest news about Prem Rawat's travels, as well as links to inspiring webcasts, publications, and updates on the Foundation's humanitarian aid projects.
Just posted is a news flash about Prem Rawat's three recent European events, including a conference on peace that took place in Brussels, Belgium, at the European Parliament.
There's also a compelling video called "Flame of Hope" which chronicles the first four year's of TPRF's very successful Food for People program in Nepal and India.
Posted by Mitch Ditkoff at 08:32 PM | Comments (0)
April 30, 2010Maharaji in Jaipur
Maharaji (aka Prem Rawat) spoke to 14,000 people in Jaipur, India on April 15th. Here is a link to the article on the Words of Peace Global website. It's happening, folks.
Photo: Priyanka Mast
More
Posted by Mitch Ditkoff at 09:51 AM | Comments (0)
October 17, 2009Clean Machine
With this blog posting, I am pleased to announce a totally new, high tech, environmentally friendly, productivity-enhancing service.
Based on the surprising results of a survey I conducted with 3,500 people, an astounding 87% of all laptop owners never clean their screen.
I've been working overtime to bring this new product to market and now, I am thrilled to say, it is done -- a unique, low carbon footprint, screen-cleaning service. No sprays. No static-free cloth. No muss. No fuss. And absolutely FREE to all the the faithful readers of this blog. Enjoy!
Posted by Mitch Ditkoff at 03:38 AM | Comments (1)
June 08, 2009Words of Peace Global.org launched!
This just in! A beautiful new website, www.wopg.org, featuring the message of Prem Rawat (aka Maharaji) has just been launched.
Elegantly designed, easy to navigate, the site has something for everyone: excerpts of his talks set to music, webcasts, Words of Peace TV listings, photos, news reports, downloads (video, audio, music, print), updates on humanitarian initiatives, poetry, interviews, info about The Keys, and a very cool photo gallery of people who've attended Maharaji's events.
There's also a great feedback feature that allows you to offer suggestions about the site and/or vote on other people's suggestions.
Here's how the site describes Prem Rawat...
Prem Rawat is a man of singular vision and clarity. He is a teacher with a core message: the peace people are looking for is already within.
He has dedicated his life to the dissemination of this message and has spoken in person to millions of people on six continents.
His words are translated into many languages and are now accessible in most countries via TV broadcasts and video, in print and online.
Whatever the language or the medium, the message remains the same: there is a very practical way of getting in touch with the peace that already exists within each person, and world peace begins with individual peace.
Words of Peace Global
Sample of downloadable pdfs:
Download file
Posted by Mitch Ditkoff at 11:43 PM | Comments (1)
May 20, 2009MAHARAJI IN AMAROO: May 1
(Excerpts of Maharaji's talk, as recalled by two World Wide News Reporters.)
"In Australia, sometimes on the land, the Milky Way is very visible at night. Looking at this vastness, one could feel very insignificant; all those questions come rolling in about how small you are in comparison to these galaxies."
"Even the Earth, itself, is tucked away in some small corner of space, way outside the Milky Way, and billions of stars and galaxies."
"You, though, are not small. No, no, you are a part of this creation... and to feel how connected you are to all of life and how that light is not bound by form, but suffuses throughout, connecting to the energy that is at the heart of all existence."
Read the complete World Wide News report Download file
Posted by Mitch Ditkoff at 12:42 AM | Comments (0)
May 16, 2009Maharaji in Auckland, New Zealand
This just in. Hot off the virtual press. Coverage of Maharaji's May 9th event in Auckland, brought to you by the newly launched World Wide News Pool. Download file
A few excerpts from Maharaji's talk:
"What if we bypassed all fear, all excuses, and fully accepted that power in our life? What would happen if we did that?"
"Do you have real passion in your life? If you don't, you are missing something. Longing cannot just be a 'hood ornament.' It has to be real. It has to be deeply felt and permeate right through you. This longing... is the magic... the beautiful dance of the quenching of the thirst."
To subscribe: worldwidenews@1207.dk
Heart of the Matter poll
Posted by Mitch Ditkoff at 04:47 AM | Comments (0)
September 11, 2008What You've Liked So Far...
Since the launching of this blog on April 1, 2008, I've posted 168 items that have been viewed thousands of times. Of these, ten have risen to the top as the most viewed. Here they are:
1. When You Walk Into the Room
4. Home Base
7. This Thirst
10. Someone to Call
If you have other favorite postings or would like me to address specific topics not yet addressed in this blog, please let me know. Your feedback helps. Thanks!
Posted by Mitch Ditkoff at 12:38 PM | Comments (0)
August 01, 2008NEWS: Maharaji's Broadcast to One Million People in India, Nepal, and Mauritius: 7/31/08
Thanks to Dagmar Zierer, Cath Carroll, Jan Buchalter, and others for forwarding their recollections and impressions of the Derby, UK broadcast.
On July 31, from The Assembly Room in Derby, England, a broadcast of an event with Maharaji went live to more than one million people in India, Nepal and Mauritius in 4,000 centers and countless other locations.
Having completed his recent European tour of Madrid, Ljubljana, Glasgow, Birmingham, Warsaw, Corleone, Palermo, Gothenberg, Barcelona, Belfast, Berlin, Calpe, Bilbao, Torquay, Hinkley, Leicester and Tel Aviv, Maharaji was responding to an invitation for a broadcast event from people in India -- and beyond -- who hadn't yet seen him this year.
Before a local audience of about 1,200 people, mostly from Derby's Hindi speaking community, Maharaji spoke on a number of topics, including the role of the Master, recognition, and Knowledge.
The broadcast was recorded and will soon be available to Hindi speaking communities.
During his talk, Maharaji noted that when he goes to India later this year, events will be done in a different way -- something even more enjoyable than in the past:
"All I want is for you to experience the joy of Knowledge in your life," he said. "Events are not a social thing. Even if you lived on a desert island and experienced this, I would be happy. These are not just empty words. What I say, I back up. I can take you to a place within."
What follows are a selection of additional excerpts from the Derby broadcast. These excerpts are not verbatim, but are the paraphrased recollections of a few people who attended the event. Enjoy!
"That which can bring light in your darkened life is the Master --
the one who takes you out of unrest and brings you to peace."
"As soon as you get up in the morning, you remember that which preoccupies you -- be it your worries or your problems. If you worship your problems, they will increase. Instead, if you want to worry, worry about remembrance. 'May I have time today so I can practice'. But if you are really going to worship, this can only happen through the heart."
"The coming and going of my breath is my blessing."
"The true Master connects you with the inner feeling. If illusion is your Master, then the opposite happens. The consequences of devotion to the mind is a multitude of reasons which you end up using to justify any action."
"Whatever the Master says, the student should listen. Truth resides in the heart. If you want to be saved from the age of darkness, go within."
"The Master knows what you are looking for. The Master brings light into your darkened life. We have made the mind our made-up guru. Mind will have you look for God or peace everywhere -- except in the place where it is. Our nature is to get stuck in the mind, which promises joy, but never fulfills."
"The Master is the one who doesn't mind reminding you again and again. The Master reminds you to go towards your heart."
"The Master can only be recognized by one thing: not by his face, not by his physical appearance, but by what he gives: Knowledge.
This is a living Knowledge -- not bound by culture or anything at all."
"The Master sees a human being as a human being -- nothing else. The Master gives us Knowledge of the self."
Posted by Mitch Ditkoff at 01:24 PM | Comments (1)
