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January, 2013

The New Year brings many opportunities for all who work for peace within and without. It is a good time to remember that spiritual practice opens us to be the best that we can be in the world.

Murshid Samuel Lewis was once asked about the importance of "saving the world". He replied,

"Saving the world is a difficult task. Saving the world may not be an essential task...

Stilling the heart is a difficult task. Stilling the heart may be an essential task."

This says so much about the emphasis Murshid placed on inner transformation for anyone who would hope to be of help in the world. He often said, "I would just once like to attend a peace demonstration where the demonstrators demonstrated peace!"  If our efforts in the world stem from our egoic attachments and aversions, then we may create more havoc than do any real good. The world in 2013 is, after all, a perfect reflection of the inner state of humanity at this time.

To be of any real help we have to, in some sense, be beyond help ourselves. That is, we have found our center, our inner peace of mind grounded in the Source. We have faced our inner fears and inadequacies. We are no longer divided within. Then we no longer need the world to be a certain way, or need it to be "saved." We do not need others to regard us or what we do positively. We are unattached to the fruits of our labors, and expect nothing in return. We are standing in our own inner goodness and sense of rightness. Therefore, whatever we do becomes a service and blessing to everybody.

As we lead the Dances of Universal Peace and Walking Concentrations let us remember that the dancers and musicians are attuning their hearts, their breath and being to ours. We have to open the door within ourselves that others might walk through.

Are we ready for this?!  If we first "still the heart", and release the fullness of being that we are fully into the world, then we may be of service in the work that we love, beyond our wildest dreams.

Thanks and Blessings to all in 2013,

Munir Peter Reynolds, Executive Director

Dances of Universal Peace International