Peace is in Our Hands
Twenty five years ago the UN General Assembly adopted a Declaration of Peace, establishing International Peace Day on September 21. A gong sister in Slovenia has created a massive campaign to enlist gong players from around the world to play together in the name of peace. As of writing 84 countries are participating. If you are a sound practitioner or meditator I encourage you to join by scanning the QR code below. But first a few thoughts on peace.
Peace means either a state or period in which there is no war or freedom from disturbance, or tranquillity. (Oxford Dictionary)
Yet we make war so that we may live in peace. Aristotle.
If there is to be peace in the world, there must be peace in the nations. If there is to be peace in the nations, there must be peace in the cities. If there is to be peace in the cities, there must be peace between neighbours. If there is to be peace between neighbours, there must be peace in the home. If there is to be peace in the home, there must be peace in the heart. Lao Tzu
Oh peace, there you are
Where have you been
All this time?
Right here inside you.
anon
John Lennon says, Peace is not something you wish for; it is something you make, something you do, something you are and something you give away. And Nobody can bring you peace but yourself. Ralph Waldo Emerson
Michael Jackson says it begins by looking in the mirror, and Mother Teresa suggests, Peace begins with a smile. The wisdom of the ancients said Begin with a smile, then take one minute of patience, for one year of peace. Greek Proverb
For me, as a gong player I am the light in the dark, the peace in a storm. Leo Tolstoy. Plato said rhythm and harmony find their way into the inward places of the soul to transmute and uplift.
As a teacher of gong - Just as one candle lights another, I light thousands of others. So one heart illuminates another, one can illuminate thousands of other hearts. Leo Tolstoy
If there is something to be changed in this world, then it can only happen through music. Jimi Hendrix Music is the message of peace, and only music brings peace. Zubin Mehta
In 1984, Dr Robert Muller, Secretary General of the UN met my teacher Don Conreaux on a Gandhi cross-country peace march. Since then he and now I have been inspired by his words.... “The day of world peace will come when people will gather in circles all over the world, join hands, give thanks for life and breath, and listen to all the gongs and bells ringing around the globe celebrating the first 24-hours of a world without war!” This day is predicted as Wesak Day May 2025.
The gong players of the world are beginning NOW. We know that anything upon which we set our minds can be achieved. We know that peace cannot be kept by force, it can only be kept by understanding. Albert Einstein We know that Peace comes from within and World peace begins with inner peace. Dalai Lama
This week we congregate together to create a world of peace and love, where music is the universal language. Henry David Thoreau
You may say I'm a dreamer, but I am not the only one.
I hope someday you'll join us and the world will live as one. John Lennon
