LIVING IN THE CULTURE OF PEACE

The BRIDGES OF PEACE program, “Education for Living in the Culture of Peace” is growing and active in many schools and youth centers across Israel and Palestine. When participating youngsters meet for the first time, they already share the common language of inner peace that starts in the heart.

"Culture of Peace" Educational Program

The Culture of Peace program offers many types of activities that touch the "inner child" within all of us. It focuses presently on children in Israel and Palestine and includes dialogues and conversation reflecting Inner Peace approach, brain storming, personal responsibility, mutual respect, identifying the needs & abilities of the other, listening to providing a safe environment in which to share.

It is based in a profound understanding that World Peace can be revealed only by connecting its buds that dwell in all hearts.

It is hoped this program will help develop tools to recognize the Inner Peace and awareness that it is every individual’s responsibility for generating World Peace, that Peace starts with me, expands through peace in my family, between countries and with the environment until World Peace prevails on earth.

It is focused on young people of all ages, teachers & educators of all educational systems, social workers, children welfare workers and parents. It is applicable to everyone.

The program connects the buds living in the heart of each person and creating conditions for them to blossom

Through a series of groundbreaking exercises and applications, participants build their confidence and develop their own capacities as peace makers. Activities include groundwork initial conversations, inviting the children to choose actual issues to deal with in their meetings, meditation, activities for both indoors and outdoors.

Non-competitive games, where there are neither winners nor losers such as the "Changing Rolls Game", creatively stretch habitual ways of viewing our own lives; collective art work like “Cloth of Many Colors” provides a common goal for participants. Uses are made from traditions of peace-making in many locations around the globe: Sadako and the 1000 cranes, books’ texts like “Peace – Shalom – Salaam”, and “International One Day of Peace”.

Activities are also generated from the World Peace Prayer Society: Peace Poles and Peace Ceremonies (with Flags from all countries), Gratitude Mandalas, world essays contest on Peace Within/Peace Without, memorizing the “Declaration for All Life on Earth”

Declaration for All Life on Earth

(see also the GOI Peace foundation page and a video)

INNER PEACE SPACE

“Inner Peace Space” is a dedicated space in school, which is created by the pupils for the pupils. It is a place for quiet reflection, where all of its components are ultimately chosen by the pupils to develop an alternative to the usual ‘school punishments’.

Instead of being afflicted with punishments which are generally ineffective, the INNER PEACE SPACE provides the pupil with a way, supported by the system, to control emotion. Such an alternative encourages pupils to take responsibility for understanding and controlling their own behavior, for creating their own inner peace, and for choosing when to re-join class activity.

The Inner Peace Space opens the possibility for pupils to learn that peace begins with in. Each one of us, including each teacher and pupil, is responsible for peace in one’s immediate environment.

One learns to realize that peace in the wider world can only be achieved when each one of us uses his own individual power to achieve peace. This is a concept that each pupil will discover for himself over time when involved in such a framework.

Procedures for establishing the INNER PEACE SPACE

Initial discussions begin with teachers and pupils about establishing an Inner Peace Space and what elements they wish to have in it. During planning for the physical elements of the Inner Peace Space, the following can be suggested to the pupils for their consideration: background soft calming music, pot plants, small element of bubbling water, reclining chairs/cushions/mats, a Creative corner and artwork

Guidelines for everyone involved are that everything is decided

by the pupils.

Teaching techniques are used for gaining inner peace.

Responsibility for maintaining the Inner Peace Space is held by the pupils. It is run by ‘older pupils’ to be passed on to next year’s ‘older pupils’

INNER PEACE SPACE Programs:

The program offers many types of activities, dialogues and conversations and is part of the larger “culture of peace” programme

Confidential and Gifts to Share

One of the major segments in this place, located in the creative corner, are 2 boxes. Designated as Gifts Boxes. While sitting in the Inner Peace Space, pupils are encouraged to put on paper whatever they feel, if they wish to share it - place it in the Gifts Box, and if they just want to get it out of their system - place it in the Confidential Box.

Both boxes are locked to be open several times a year in the presence of all pupils. Confidential messages are never read by anyone, and are burned in a public fire annually…

“Gifts to Share” – may usefully be included in the school magazine as well.

Positive Affirmations are used on a daily basis, which include a declaration for all life on Earth and Singing and Dancing together. These physical activities undertaken together ensure that the life of the Inner Peace Space remains grounded in the lives of these young people.

BRIDGES OF PEACE TRAINING PROGRAM:

“Creating a Culture of Peace” offers seminars about how to activate the program in the different educational systems and other organisational contexts. We all share in common the quality of Peace in the Heart. Our training program awakens this essential memory of who we are in essence…in children, in adults, Israelis and Palestinians, and in so doing will bridge all prejudical illusions and falce ideas about one another.

Peace in my Heart! Peace in my home and family! Peace in my country! Peace on earth!

World peace exists when we wake up to the peace that is already present within each human heart. From there it transforms individual lives, and from there, the entire Earth is ultimately transformed!

Each of us is directly responsible for this posibility happening.

We shouldn’t wait for others to “do it” for us. Peace exists first in each heart and after connecting at that Source, the circle grows. Only after I am at peace with myself, can I be at peace with my family, friends in ever expanding circles until Peace on Earth also includes peace with nature.