martes, 21 de noviembre de 2017

Peace Education Program Showcased at International Corrections Conference

This article is also available in: French  Spanish
Mary Dalgleish is a volunteer with the Peace Education Program (PEP) in the UK. In this blog she writes about her experience presenting the program at the recent International Corrections and Prison’s Association conference in London.
Founded in 1998, the mission of the International Corrections and Prison’s Association (ICPA) is to promote and share ethical and effective correctional practices to enhance public safety and healthier communities worldwide. This year the ICPA selected London for its annual conference, entitled “Innovation in Rehabilitation: Building Better Futures.” The conference was hosted by Her Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service, October 22-27, 2017.
The ICPA conference was first brought to my attention in May by the UK charity Peace Partners, which offered to sponsor a PEP presentation there. PEP was implemented at a London prison in May 2015 and has been running continuously at the facility twice a week since then. It has also been successfully implemented in several other UK prisons.
I spoke to PEP volunteer Tony McLean, who has been instrumental in promoting PEP to UK prisons, and he said that he would be happy to collaborate with me on this, should our proposal be accepted. I then set about writing an abstract titled “Innovation in Rehabilitation: Building Better Futures with Personal Peace Education,” which I submitted to the ICPA’s selection team in June. The proposal was accepted as part of the agenda for October 23rd and I then started working on the presentation, with the help and advice of other PEP volunteers and The Prem Rawat Foundation (TPRF) PEP team. Tony and I got together to rehearse and prepare several times before the event.
We arrived early on the 23rd and attended the opening ceremony and a couple of the morning sessions. The ICPA and ITN TV Productions UK launched a news program called “Prisons: The Last Resort,” which explores the challenges caused by growth in prison populations and the solutions that are being implemented around the world. The trailer and film can be viewed here. Perhaps PEP can be featured in a future episode!
We were attending the conference as “one-day delegates” and did not have a booth or a table in the marketplace area, so I asked one of the organizers if we could display some PEP materials. She kindly offered us free use of a display table and said that we could leave PEP flyers there for the week. Jeff Allen, PEP volunteer and Peace Partners member who also attended the conference, helped with leaflet distribution throughout the day.
At lunchtime Tony and I had our final rehearsal, and although we were a bit nervous because this was our first time presenting PEP at such an event, we were also excited by the prospect. Our session was scheduled alongside two other presentations. We were each allocated 20 minutes followed by a half-hour at the end for general Q & A about the three projects.
Although a bit of a rush, we managed to cover everything in the allocated time. There were lots of other presentations taking place at the same time in various other rooms so we didn’t have a full house, but those who came appeared to enjoy the presentation and we got a good round of applause afterwards.
There was particular interest from the Director of Oregon’s Department of Corrections, Colette Peters, who said that PEP would be ideal for a wellbeing program she is hoping to implement for prison staff. I had chatted with her earlier during morning coffee time and told her about our presentation. She said she enjoyed it very much and would be in touch with TPRF for more information soon.
Two lovely ladies from Armenia (Gayne Hovakimyan, Deputy Director of Rehabilitation, and Shushanik Ghukasyan, Deputy Head of Anti-Corruption and Penitentiary Policy Development Department) were very impressed and asked if we would come to Armenia to help get PEP going there! We exchanged contact details and gave them flyers with all of the necessary information about PEP.
Delegates from correctional departments in Namibia and Nigeria were also very interested and exchanged contact details with Tony. We gave them some sample PEP materials (a few workbooks and booklets) and briefly explained how PEP works. Both would like to use PEP in their respective countries and will be looking into this soon.
Although we were only there for one day, we felt it was a great success and thoroughly enjoyed being part of this great conference. We took the opportunity to network and share flyers with other organizations working in prisons such as Finding Rhythms, a charity that uses music to help offenders rehabilitate.
As most of the attendees were involved in commercial projects, and their attendance was funded by their respective organizations, I asked one of the ICPA staff if they would consider a reduced fee in the future for volunteers who implement projects that are offered free of charge to prisons, and she promised to consider this. ICPA 2018 will be held in Montreal, Canada, October 21-26, so perhaps TPRF can plan to be there as it attracts a large global audience and is a great opportunity to showcase PEP!





jueves, 16 de noviembre de 2017

Government and Education Leaders Praise Food for People in Ghana

This article is also available in: French  Spanish
On the 13th of September 2017, Food for People (FFP) Ghana, situated in the village of Otinibi, received an unannounced visit from local dignitaries. The group was led by the Honorable Abubakar Saddique Boniface, Minister for lnner City Development and Member of Parliament for La-Nkwatanang-Madina in the Greater Accra Region, who was eager to see the activities of the facility firsthand after hearing glowing reports about it.
It was the first day of the new school year, and the Canteen, as it is known locally, quickly filled up with eager students. The Honorable Boniface said afterwards, “I think this is one of the best facilities I’ve seen so far. It’s well organized, the children are well disciplined, and the way they come in for their food is so impressive. And I can see that the kids are well satisfied. I believe this is something future schools should emulate.”
FFP is well-known locally for having been the catalyst for doubling enrollment at the Otinibi Basic School and the nearby Aisha Bintu Khalifa Basic school. Performance has also been on the rise, with students receiving higher scores than ever before on the national Basic Education Certificate Examination, which they must pass in order to go on to senior high school.
With the help of one nutritious meal a day and hygiene education, students have been able to concentrate in school and learn to their highest ability. Parents are happy that their children’s health and performance have both improved, and the community is proud that students have begun to excel in the municipal sports competitions and other extracurricular activities of the Municipal Education Service.
Other prominent officials in the Member of Parliament’s group were Miss Jennifer Dede Afagbedzi, Municipal Chief Executive; Mrs. Margaret Nsia Asamoah, Municipal Director of Education; and Mr. Dramani Saaka, Municipal Coordinating Officer. All expressed appreciation to The Prem Rawat Foundation for making this facility possible.

domingo, 29 de octubre de 2017

Prem Rawat







When you get angry…. Mmm, do you ever get angry? Only three or four people in Benin get angry? Wow! I’m moving here. I mean, come on! How many of you get angry? I’m raising my hand.
And when you get angry, where does it come from? Where does it come from? In you? Wow. So, that means…. Oh, do you get angry after you leave home, ever? Mmm? After you leave home, you can get angry? Yes or no? Yes? So that means you don’t leave anger at home.
That means, wherever you go, the anger goes with you. Wow! So next time you go in the bathroom and close the door and think it’s private, just remember, anger just came with you. Frustration came with you. Confusion came with you. Joy came with you. Clarity came with you. Understanding came with you. Kindness also came with you.
All these go wherever you go. Do you know that? Wherever you go! This is all… This is you. See, it’s not just you. You look at yourself in the mirror and you go, “That’s me.” No, no, no, no, there’s a lot more going on. There are other ones. There’s another one of you. It’s an anger. You don’t see it in the mirror, but it’s there.
And there is one that has joy, clarity, understanding, and beauty, and kindness, and all these things. And the opposites of all of them go wherever you go. Now, the question is, what do you practice the most? Do you know what that means?
What do you practice? Every day, what do you practice? How long does it take you to get angry? Oh, so you must…you’re good at it.
You’re good at getting angry. So, if you’re good at getting angry, what does that mean? You practice anger? Oh, how long does it take for you to get afraid? How long does it take for you to get afraid? Not very long. Oh, so you practice fear?
That’s why you’re good at it. How long does it take you to lie? Did I ask a personal question? How long does it take you to lie? Not very much, does it? It can just flow right away.
At home, you don’t even say “bonjour” to anybody—your wife, your friends, your children. You go outside? And it’s “Bonjour.” That’s what you practice, telling lies? You have become good at it.
So I say to you, if you start practicing courage, you will get good at it. If you start practicing kindness, you will get good at it. If you start practicing understanding, you will get good at it. If you start practicing clarity, you will get good at it. And if this is what you want in your life, that’s all you have to do. Practice what you want.
If you practice knowing yourself, you will become good at it. If you practice peace in your life, you will become good at it. That’s the magic formula. That’s how you do it.





miércoles, 25 de octubre de 2017

Prem Rawat




When you get angry…. Mmm, do you ever get angry? Only three or four people in Benin get angry? Wow! I’m moving here. I mean, come on! How many of you get angry? I’m raising my hand.
And when you get angry, where does it come from? Where does it come from? In you? Wow. So, that means…. Oh, do you get angry after you leave home, ever? Mmm? After you leave home, you can get angry? Yes or no? Yes? So that means you don’t leave anger at home.
That means, wherever you go, the anger goes with you. Wow! So next time you go in the bathroom and close the door and think it’s private, just remember, anger just came with you. Frustration came with you. Confusion came with you. Joy came with you. Clarity came with you. Understanding came with you. Kindness also came with you.
All these go wherever you go. Do you know that? Wherever you go! This is all… This is you. See, it’s not just you. You look at yourself in the mirror and you go, “That’s me.” No, no, no, no, there’s a lot more going on. There are other ones. There’s another one of you. It’s an anger. You don’t see it in the mirror, but it’s there.
And there is one that has joy, clarity, understanding, and beauty, and kindness, and all these things. And the opposites of all of them go wherever you go. Now, the question is, what do you practice the most? Do you know what that means?
What do you practice? Every day, what do you practice? How long does it take you to get angry? Oh, so you must…you’re good at it.
You’re good at getting angry. So, if you’re good at getting angry, what does that mean? You practice anger? Oh, how long does it take for you to get afraid? How long does it take for you to get afraid? Not very long. Oh, so you practice fear?
That’s why you’re good at it. How long does it take you to lie? Did I ask a personal question? How long does it take you to lie? Not very much, does it? It can just flow right away.
At home, you don’t even say “bonjour” to anybody—your wife, your friends, your children. You go outside? And it’s “Bonjour.” That’s what you practice, telling lies? You have become good at it.
So I say to you, if you start practicing courage, you will get good at it. If you start practicing kindness, you will get good at it. If you start practicing understanding, you will get good at it. If you start practicing clarity, you will get good at it. And if this is what you want in your life, that’s all you have to do. Practice what you want.
If you practice knowing yourself, you will become good at it. If you practice peace in your life, you will become good at it. That’s the magic formula. That’s how you do it.





jueves, 19 de octubre de 2017

Prem Rawat






These hands have cradled a baby. (In human beings, these hands have cradled a baby.) These hands with the skill and knowledge of a surgeon have healed a person. These hands, with the intent of love, have held a face and comforted. 
These hands have picked up a gun and destroyed a life. These hands—(not mine but hands of the world. Next thing you know, you know, say, “Oh, you killed somebody?” No.) No, but have taken, and destroyed.
It is of utmost importance to understand that the actions of this of these hands has to be governed by the heart and not the craziness of this world.








sábado, 14 de octubre de 2017

Keio University faculty of Happiness and Well Being in association with Bunya Publishing Celebrating the release of the new book The Stone Cutter by Prem Rawat



Harold
Harold
Prem Rawat & Takashi Maeno 12th October 2017
Keio University faculty of Happiness and Well Being in association with Bunya Publishing
Celebrating the release of the new book The Stone Cutter by Prem Rawat
Special guest: Prem Rawat
Host: Professor Takashi Maeno
Prem has been sharing his simple message of Peace with audiences around the world for over 50 years.
In October 2017 Bunya will release Prem’s third book The Stone Cutter.
We are delighted that he has accepted an invitation to come and speak to commemorate the occasion.
Professor Takashi Maeno is the head of the Keio University System Design Management research group and the leading expert on happiness and well being in Japan.
Professor Maeno met Prem Rawat in 2016 where their discussion formed the basis of a 10 page article in the Magazine Reiro.
Bunya-za events bring together the Author, the publishing team and the readers in a unique environment where learning and understanding flourish.
We invite you to come and experience this special event.
Please note: There will not be live English translation for this event.
2016年10月、月刊誌『れいろう』(モラロジー研究所)の特集対談にて。
Prem Rawat and Takashi Maeno

When12th October 2017 17:30~19:45
Part one: 17:30~18:45
17:30~17:45 Introduction and video
17:45~18:15 Professor Maeno’s address
18:15~18:45 Prem Rawat’s address
Short break 18:45~19:00
Part two: On stage discussion and Q and A 19:00~19:45
whereKeio University Hiyoshi Campus
Kyosei kan 2nd floor Fujiwara Hiroshi hall
One minute walk from Hiyoshi station
http://www.kcc.keio.ac.jp/index.html
Hosted byKeio University faculty of Happiness and Well being in association with Bunya Publishing
In collaboration with Daiwa Publishing
SpeakerPrem Rawat
Takashi Maeno

プレム・ラワットさん
Prem Rawat
前野隆司さん
Takashi Maeno
TranslationConsecutive translation from English into Japanese will be available but no translation will be provided from Japanese into English.
Admission priceAdmission price 5000 Yen

martes, 10 de octubre de 2017

2017 EVENTS UPDATE 30 MINUTES CONFERENCE CALL





Saturday 14 October (for North and South America)
Sunday 15 October (for Europe and Africa)
Times on Saturday 14 October (for North and South America)
You are invited to a special phone call (in English only) to hear the latest news about how Prem Rawat is taking his message in person to audiences worldwide - including highlights of events and media activities in Japan as well as updates on the December events in Barcelona and Los Angeles.
We will also hear about the strategy for events with Prem Rawat in the future and how you can play an important role in making these events possible.
The speakers on this 30-minute call will include:
Paul Bloomfield, Global Manager of Special Events
Hilary Davis, Global Event Organizer and Manager
Barbara Brogan, Global Sponsorship Manager
Roland Klepzig, WOPG Board President
WHEN
In order to accommodate the whole world at reasonable times, we have arranged two separate live calls:
Call number 1:
For North America, South America and the Pacific Region
Times on Saturday 14 October (for North and South America)
4 pm – Los Angeles PDT
7 pm – New York EDT
Times on Sunday 15 October (for the Pacific Region)
7 am – Kuala Lumpur MYT
8 am – Japan JST
9 am – Brisbane AEST
Call number 2:
For Europe and Africa
Times on Sunday 15 October (for Europe and Africa)
11 am - London BST
12 am - Paris CEST
1 pm - Athens EEST
To convert to other local times, click here
HOW
1-712-770-4160 in North America
Access code: 414194#. See below for list of
local access numbers that may be less expensive.
If you have problems connecting, dial: 1-518-333-1520. You will be asked to enter the dial-in number: 712-770-4160 (do not put "1" at the beginning). You will be asked to enter the access code: 414194#.
We look forward to you joining us on the call.
Best Wishes,
Barbara Brogan and Roland Klepzig
Words of Peace
www.wopg.org

jueves, 5 de octubre de 2017

Prem Rawat





You want to succeed in your life? One of the events that I did in Taiwan was at the Dong Hwa University of Hualien. And it was all these students. They were there, and then they asked me questions. 
And one of the questions was, you know, “How do I do this?” And here is the trick. If you want to be successful, it’s easy. But you have to focus, focus, focus. And this is how you focus. When you’re with your family, don’ t think of the business. Just focus on your family, even if it’s for five minutes.
You want to change your whole life? Make heaven for someone, just for five seconds. Just five-second heaven. Start with your wife. Five seconds. Start with five seconds. Five seconds, just listen. You don’ t have to say, “Bla-bla-bla-bla-bla.” You don’ t have to say. Just listen. That’ s why the creator did not put mouth where the ears are. Separated them…put the ears here; put the mouth here.
So, shut this; open these. Five second. Five seconds. Not long. You have children? Listen. Focus, five seconds—just five seconds. Not “Arghrrrrr!” But just… five seconds! Make a heaven for someone in your life—start with five seconds. And maybe they will return the favor to you. And you will have a five-second heaven.
And then, whenever you want that heaven for yourself, five seconds to remember, “You are alive.” Maybe everything is going against you. Right? This is what it feels like, right? Everything is going against you, except for one.
Your life is not going against you. The blessing which life is, is still being conferred upon you. That hand is still on your head. Five-second heaven: “Wow!”
“Even in the darkest hour, I will not abandon you.” This is what Krishna says, “Even in your darkest hour, I will not abandon you.” Well, luckily, fortunately or unfortunately, we have managed to create the dark hour twenty-four hours. And even then, it is not being abandoned.
But do you understand that? Do you understand that? I know that every human being wants to succeed. But you can only succeed at that where there is the possibility of success. You cannot succeed where there is no possibility of success.
Where is the possibility of success? You want to succeed in this world? There is no possibility of success. But finding the peace in your heart, and having that fulfillment in yourself is completely possible.






domingo, 1 de octubre de 2017

Prem Rawat






You realize, human beings are trying to figure out how to fly—I’m not talking about airplanes. I’m talking, just fly, you know? “Fly, fly!” people say, “Fly, fly, fly in your success, fly in your business.” People are trying to … fly. And, you don’t have to sprout wings to fly. All you have to do is cut the bondage. Cut the bondage. That’s what’s keeping you back.
Understand your nature. Your nature is to be content. Your nature is to be happy. Your nature is to want peace.
Change your focus. It’s not that you don’t have the ability to focus. You have the ability to focus on the wrong thing. Change your focus … from all that, that’s not going to bring you peace to something that is going to bring you peace. If you’re going to search, search not for questions in your life. Search for that source that contains all the answers. If you’re going to search for something in your life, search for the mirror that will show you, you!
Search for the mirror that will show you, you, and when you find that mirror in your life, use it! Use that. Because without that, there is no difference in the dirt that doesn’t move, and the dirt that does move.
To know others is wisdom. To know others is wisdom. But to know the self is enlightenment. So, you know other people. This is, you—maybe you’re wise. But, do you know you? 
The, in one of the events it was in Hindi—and I was saying, “So, what does a hungry person need?” Food, right? Right? Right? Wrong! Absolutely 100% wrong. One million percent wrong, quadri, quadri, quadri-zillion percent wrong.
A hungry person needs to eat the food. Right? Right? Right? [Audience: “Yes.”] If you were hungry, and as soon as you walked into the halwai shop your hunger disappears? So if you think…? See, this is the…. And you know why you think that way? Because this is what you have heard. And this is what you repeat.
“Like food to the hungry.” You’ve heard this. And so you go, “Yes, that’s what you need.” And one—I used to do the same thing. See, I’m, I’m not here trying, “I’m more holier than you,” or this or that. I used to do the same thing. And one day I was thinking this: “How can that be? How can that be?”
I was flying. I felt hungry. The food—I was, I was in the airplane, and the food was right there, behind me. But I was still hungry. So, I am bhookha; I am hungry. And the only thing that the bhookha needs, the hungry needs is the bhojanBhojan is right there. 
But unless I get to eat it… I don’t eat it, my hunger will stay intact. The same thing. Just because, just because you have the mirror, if you don’t look in it, what good is it to get the mirror? 
When you go to your work, don’t think about your family. Think about your work. Get it done! When you come home, don’t think about your work! Think about your family. Focus. That’s what “focus” means. Focus.
I told that person who asked me that question in Taiwan. I said, “You know, you want to go party. You’re young, you go party, you party. When you’re partying, you’re thinking about your work. And then, when you’re doing your work, studying, you’re thinking about partying.”I said, “Cut the connection. When you’re partying, don’t think about studying. And when you are studying, don’t think about partying. Focus! Focus, focus. It makes life easy.”
“Oh, I forgot this … and I forgot this. And I forgot this. And oh, I have to do this. And I have to do that … and I have to…” No. Focus. Focus in your life.
That’s how you need to live. That’s how you need to be.




sábado, 30 de septiembre de 2017

Prem Rawat







There are many, many, many interpretations of this story, or many ways this story has been put—but there is a new one. And a man came…and he came to the Master. The Master had a very beautiful palace that he lived in, a beautiful city that he lived in. 
So the Master told the guy, he says, “Oh, you have come?” And he goes, “Yeah, I’ve come to you; I want to talk to you; I want to learn from you; I want to be enlightened by you.” The Master said, “No problem. But first, go enjoy—enjoy my gardens; enjoy my palace; enjoy the city—it’s really beautiful, really, really beautiful.” And the man said, “Okay, I will.”
He said, “Before you go, take this lamp with you.” And he filled the lamp completely full of oil, right to the top, right to the brim—and he said, “Here, take this with you when you go seeing everything, and make sure you don’t spill a drop. Don’t spill a drop.” 
The man went seeing, appreciating the palace, appreciating the gardens, appreciating the city. And when the man came back, the Master asked, “How was it?” And he goes, “Well, my whole attention was on not spilling a drop from this cup. I really walked around aimlessly. I didn’t really enjoy anything because my focus was here, instead of where it should have been.” 
The Master said, “Okay. Now, go again! Leave the…leave the lamp behind. Don’t worry about the lamp.” He came back: “How was it?” “Oh, oh, I enjoyed—oh, and the statues were beautiful. Oh, that was…it was just marvelous; the garden was incredible; the flowers were incredible; the statues were incredible; the paintings were incredible; the marble was….”
The Master said, “Look, all that existed then too, but you were not focusing on that. Your focus was somewhere else.”
Where is your focus? In your life, where is your focus? You should be enjoying being alive. Do you enjoy, just enjoy being alive? Just being alive? Do you enjoy being alive? 
I know, I know, I know you enjoy parties; I know you enjoy going to your friend’s house; I know you enjoy your songs; you enjoy your movies; you enjoy this; you enjoy that. I know you enjoy all of that. But do you enjoy being alive? Just being alive?! 
Because if you don’t, you’re focusing on the wrong thing. Because this is the garden; life itself is the garden of the Divine. Its beauty is unparalleled. It is full of the reflection from the Divine. It is fine; it is beautiful; it has colors….
That’s where truth resides—a truth that is non-confrontational, a truth which is simple, a truth that’s embracing, a truth which is real, a truth that brings peace. That’s where this heart wants to dance.

martes, 19 de septiembre de 2017

Prem Rawat





Who are we? Maybe I should talk about that. So don’t think this is un-significant. We’re dirt. Why do you laugh? Because you don’t understand the value of dirt. Dirt is the most significant thing there is. Do you know? You know why?! Because the entire universe is made out of it. 
We all are considered patriots if we sing praises of our countries. “Know the anthem.” I mean in India they’re going through it; it’s like you know “You have to be able to say this; yes, you have to say this; you have to be patriotic! You have to…”
Courtesy of? All these countries, courtesy of? Dirt. You can’t have a country in floating ocean! All courtesy of dirt! So dirt is very significant! People have died protecting dirt! People have become heroes protecting dirt.
Civilizations were raised and razed (that’s a good one, huh?) raised and razed because of dirt! 
And when the sun is finished glowing, what does it become? Dirt! What is gold? Compressed dirt. (See, you’re catching on, how important dirt is!) And guess what moi is made out of. Dirt!
And then, the most incredible pillar of this temple when it falls apart, what will all this become?—it’ll, will become dirt.
So don’t laugh the next time you hear the word “dirt”—smile. Smile, because there’s nothing funny about it, but now you know now you know how important this dirt is. And so, you are made out of the same stuff as the universe! “Wow! That’s impressive. I mean…!”
Next time, “What is your lineage?” Same stuff the sun is made out of, same stuff the moon is made out of, same stuff the galaxies are made out of, same stuff the universe is made of—that’s my lineage. That is your lineage.
So now that we’ve put that aside, who you are; pretty impressive stuff. Nothing trivial, incredible, incredible… to get the dirt to talk, to walk, to smile, to think, to see… to have the nuances of expression on the face from slightly upset to slightly more upset.
Then, made out of that, and then to have this incredible thing called life! (H’aaah,) life! You can love; you can hate, you can have fear; you can have joy. This—and just machine puts it all out! I mean, it puts it all out. If it’s feeling good, it’s like, “Good … yes”.