Citizens For Peace Minutes 06-12-07

Dr. Deepak Choprah\u27s keynote address at the National Department of Peace Conference in Washington, D.C. in Feb. 2007. He went on to say that it is impossible to solve all the world’s problems one at a time. Whatever is happening out there is a projection of what is happening in our collective souls. Today, there is a very deep distress in our collective consciousness. We need a shift in our collective consciousness in order to make real changes in the world. • We need to evolve into a new way of being. In the history of humanity, there has always been war. We have been a violent species since our hunter/gatherer days to now. We need to sober up and stop romanticizing the human condition. We are living in perilous times where ancient habits, coupled with modern capacities, are a recipe for danger. Thus, modern technology can be used for destruction. • We have to find a way to evolve our consciousness. We’re the only species that is aware that we are aware. There is a need for a Metabiological Evolution - Survival of the Wisest, which involves the awakening of our dormant inner potential, through shared suffering. If we do not feel anguish for all the suffering in the world, then there can be no compassion. With no compassion, there is no love. • Love without action is meaningless

Citizens For Peace Minutes 12-11-07

We were pleased to welcome Loretta Johnson, from the Michigan Peace Team, who was with us to discuss her experiences in the Middle East. She presented a slid show depicting several areas she visited during her two peace-keeping visits. She thought it appropriate to start with the city of Bethlehem – the city of Peace. She said the problem today, is that the wall being built by the Israeli’s is being built well within the Palestinian areas, as a way to separate villages and capture more land. As a result, it is very hard for the Palestinian’s to lead the life they once lead, getting their children educated, going to work, etc

Citizens For Peace Minutes 11-13-07

The 4th Anniversary meeting of the Citizens for Peace opened at 7:00 pm with a welcome by President, Colleen Mills. She introduced Yusif Barakat, who led the group in a Native American Blessing: Prayer of the Six Directions. The many members and visitors then enjoyed a fabulous International themed buffet, with delicious dishes made by members. After enjoying the diverse selection of foods, Colleen shared a DVD clip of the Live Earth concert featuring Melissa Etheridge singing a very inspiring song – “Imagine That”

Citizens For Peace Minutes 01-08-08

Rudy Simons serves on the Board of the Michigan Coalition for Human Rights. He traveled to Iran, for two weeks in March of 2007, with 23 Americans from all over the United States. They were members of the Fellowship for Reconciliation (FFR), an International group, established in 1914, based in New York. FFR is one of the few groups granted visas to Iran. The group, comprised of 14 women and 9 men, studied and read about Iran for months prior to the trip. As there are no American flights to Iran, the group flew in from London. They were provided an air-conditioned bus for their travels

Citizens for Peace Minutes 1-12-10

• RP is a method of communication and problem solving used to improve behavior, instruction, discipline and form community. • RP is an alternative to traditional disciplinary actions in school (suspensions – which are pathways to prison) and judiciary systems - that offer high control and little support

Citizens For Peace Minutes 09-11-07

Remembering 9/11 and transforming ourselves from fear to love. Members shared inspirational readings that included messages of Forgiveness, Cooperation and Gratefulness. Also included in the inspirational readings were quotes from Daisaku Ikeda, Dag Hammarskjold, Mother Theresa, Kabir Helminski, Satguru Sivaya Subramuniyaswamil, the Prayer of St. Francis and an Interfaith Statement delivered to every Congressional Office and to the White House on Sept. 20th, 200