I just want to draw everyone's attention to something I found not only to be personally beautiful in a soul-stirring way, but also something that could potentially benefit the whole world. I first found the Peace Mala Organisation through links found in the liner notes of Beth Nielsen Chapman's latest CD Prism: The Human Family Songbook.
Here's some more information I've copied from the following website:
****A Peace Mala is a symbolic bracelet that promotes friendship, respect and peace between the faiths and all people in our world. It cuts through all forms of prejudice and celebrates what makes us different from each other. It is a vision for the future. Wearing the mala is a promise to help create a better world.
Peace Mala is a non-political organisation. It does not support any party or movement over any other. Neither does it support one belief system above another. The aim of Peace Mala is to contribute to education for global citizenship through promoting understanding, respect, tolerance and peace between communities, cultures and faiths. Our compassionate wish is for people, animals and the environment to be at peace.
Anyone may wear a Peace Mala. If members of political parties or peace movements choose to wear Peace Mala bracelets, it does not mean that Peace Mala automatically endorses that cause, although if it is working towards peace this is a good step forward. Peace Mala stands for total compassion for all beings without exception, and does not take sides with anyone against anyone else.
This message comes from all of us at Peace Mala with love to all of you who walk this beautiful planet we call Earth.
May it motivate us all to give thanks for the awesome beauty and majesty of our planet. May we stop a while and think of all the life forms, including human kind, who share this planet. May we consider the future of this planet and all who will live on it, long after all of you and all of us have departed this life. May there be compassion and justice in the hearts and minds of those who hold power in governments and all areas of commerce, religion and education. Do whatever you can to help make this a better world. Send out a prayer to all who suffer on this planet at this present time, including animals and the environment. Please do it now...before you forget!
Main aims of Peace Mala:
Education for global citizenship through the promotion of understanding, respect, friendship, tolerance and peace between all communities, cultures and enlightened, compassionate faiths.
Peace Mala supports human rights, confronts bullying and all forms of prejudice.
Peace Mala raises awareness of issues of global interdependence and encourages active compassion by learners that will effect positive changes locally and globally.
Each coloured bead on the Peace Mala represents a spiritual path or faith and carries the universal peace message known by many people as the Golden Rule. This rule encourages us to treat others as we wish to be treated. By focusing on the Golden Rule, people of all faiths can cooperate with one another without having to participate or believe in each other's particular belief system. This is a basis on which believers of all faiths and spiritual paths can work together for peace and mutual respect.
Running through the peace mala is a simple thread which holds all the rainbow beads together. This may be called the Golden Thread of Spirituality which connects us all through the love in our hearts: acknowledging the Golden Rule and our spiritual unity opens up the pathway to peace.
The Peace Mala is a vision of the future which celebrates diversity, while promoting unity, awareness, tolerance, compassion, forgiveness, and respect. Wearing the Peace Mala is a promise to help create a better world.****
Here are what the following colours represent:
FIRST KNOT: This represents when you were born. You are unique and special! Each one of us is important no matter what our race, colour, religion, gender, sexuality or ability.
RED: This is for Christianity which grew out of Judaism. Jesus taught that we should love and forgive our enemies if we hope to enter the Kingdom of God.
Peace message: Treat others as you would like them to treat you.
ORANGE: This is for Buddhism. Buddha Shakyamuni taught that we should be mindful of our thoughts, words and actions and show loving kindness to everyone. All beings by nature are one.
Peace message: I will act towards others exactly as I would act towards myself.
YELLOW: This is for Sikhism whose founder, Guru Nanak, preached equality, love and tolerance between all people.
Peace message: As you wish for yourself, so wish for others.
GREEN: This is for Islam whose prophet Muhammad (p.b.u.h.), taught that Allah created the whole of humankind from one soul and that their differences were intended. (Surah 30.22)
Peace message: None of you truly believe until you wish for your brother and sisters what you wish for yourself.
BLUE: This is for Judaism, an ancient faith which started in the Middle East and gave the world some of God's earliest messages of love.
Peace Message: What is harmful to you, do not do to other people.
INDIGO: This is for the Baha'i faith. Baha'u'llah, taught that all of mankind will be united when there is world peace and equality.
Peace message: Blessed is the person who loves his/her brother and sister more than him/herself.
VIOLET: This is for ISKCON popularly known as the Hare Krsna movement which promotes the well-being of human society by teaching the science of God consciousness. Prabhupada, its founder, taught that we are all spirit souls and that loving kindness and spiritual devotion will bring peace and happiness.
Peace message: Live in loving harmony with all of God's creation.
WHITE: This is for you and your own spiritual path.
VIOLET: This is for Zoroastrianism, an ancient faith from Persia (now Iran). The Zoroastrian ideal is "Good thoughts, good words, good deeds".
Peace message: Do not do to another what is not good for yourself.
INDIGO: This is for tribal and native people who believe that all of creation is sacred and that all people share one heart though they are many.
Peace message: "Man did not weave the web of life - he is merely a strand in it. Whatever he does to the web, he does to himself." Chief Seattle
BLUE: This is for Jainism, an ancient Indian religion which believes in ahimsa ( non violence to living things).
Peace Message: All living beings are equal and none should be harmed for in doing so one will harm oneself.
GREEN: This is for Earth Religions which have existed since ancient times and have suffered much persecution and misunderstanding. Earth religions respect all life forms and will harm none.
Peace message: "Harm none".
YELLOW: This is for Taoism, a Chinese belief meaning "the way" or path. Taoists believe in ch'i which is the life force of the universe. The Yin Yang symbol shows how harmony is achieved by opposites complementing each other.
Peace Message: Act with compassion, moderation and humility.
ORANGE: This is for Hinduism, probably the most ancient faith in the world, which teaches that we are all part of one soul created by God.
Peace message: Do nothing to others which, if done to you, could cause you pain.
RED: This is for Yungdrung Bon, the original faith of Tibet. It means Eternal Light or Enlightened Teaching. The teachings of Yungdrung Bon are based on the principle of showing indiscriminate love and compassion to all sentient beings including humankind.
Peace Message: Treat all living beings as if they were your own mother.
FINAL KNOT: This is to remind each one of us that how we behave in life affects everyone we meet. Follow the path of peace and friendship to help create a better world.****
Also, there are ways YOU can help the organisation...
****SUPPORT THE PEACE MALA
If the purpose of the Peace Mala has struck a chord with you, you may want to help us in our initiative to fight prejudice and intolerance.
Donations to Peace Mala will be very welcome and used to promote the message of harmony and respect.
For information about the Peace Mala please contact us at info@peacemala.org.uk or telephone 01792 774225.****
Also, it would be really great if you guys could forward this on to all your friends too.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- "Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass.. It's about learning to dance in the rain."
Welcome to the forum Pam! Your promotion of peace and unity among all people is commendable.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- "Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass.. It's about learning to dance in the rain."
Welcome to the forums from me too, Pam. It's an honour to have you visit us! The Peace Mala is such a fabulous idea, I just had to share it with my friends.
I LOVE Beth Nielsen Chapman's new album Prism: The Human Family Songbook and that's where I discovered the link to Peace Mala, so really, it's Beth who deserves the thanks.
I love how this particular song reflects the whole idea behind Peace Mala:
1. God Is In (Goddess In)
God is in the child's eye, see them wide, wondrous wise God is in the rain and snow, and each snowflake this we know God is in the trees and air, the rocks the birds the bees the bears God is in the clouds above, God is in each act of love God is in the oceans deep, some say God goes there to sleep God is in the mountains high whistling a lullabye God is in the darkest wood, God is in your neighborhood God is in a place that's near...sometimes it's just not so clear
God is in the Christian house-bread and wine and holy cross God is in the Jewish home-shalom chave rim shalom God is in the Muslim- Allah hu akbar salaam God is in the Hindu way...Jai Baquan Nameste God is in those dancing Pagans-each drop of perspiration God is in the Vatican, Quaker Meeting, Rhastaman God is in the flowing Tao then and now and now and now God is in the Atheist....and all the things that don't exist God is in...God is in....God is in....
I don't know where you go In between the lightning and the darkness I just know I'm not alone Born in this Beautiful Universe....
God is in the Ozone layer --holier and holier If not inside the atom bomb- at least the atom bomber's Mom God is Darfur, Bhagdhad, Jerusalem, Serbia, Morovia, Liberia Sagovia, Ugoslavia, Montana, Oklahoma God is so inspired by those who fly and those who try God is insatiable- sing and dance way past full God is in you and me, someday God will help us see God's love with love so live Live and love and that's enough
God is in sweet drops in the white flakes of the rain and snow and God is in the trees, the rocks the birds the bears....the bees ....I know and God is in the silent nights of dreams and in the sweet by and by God is in the child's eye in the sweet spot in the rain and snow and god is in the trees the rocks the birds the bees the bears and....God Is In!
Also, this particular verse from My Religion (Sweet Love)...
My religion~I am a Hindu-Buddhist-Jew-Islamic-Christian Combining one soul, one vision~Living peacefully where music is the only divinity And sharing your art, the sacred creed~My confession of faith is to struggle, go out of my way~And find love to the end of my days And find love Love to the end of my daysAnd find love to the end of my days...
Thank you for the welcome. Season's Greetings to you and your friends. May I also wish a very Happy and Blessed Christmas to those who follow the path of Jesus.
I agree with you that the opening song on Beth's new double CD 'Prism' is absolutely wonderful. I love it and have already asked Beth's permission for us to use it at next year's Peace Mala International Awards for Youth. We use a lot of music at the Awards ceremony and I feel this song 'God is In/Goddess In' is perfect for the lighting of candles for world peace which takes place at the end of the ceremony. Beth has said that she is most happy for us to do that. I'm also going to share the song with as many schools and youth groups as possible. The song is very 'Peace Mala' in its message.
If you know of anyone who works with young people at school level (junior and high) or with youth groups, please do tell them about the Youth Awards. It would be wonderful to have more young people from the USA involved.
We've recently had a lovely film with animation made about Peace Mala. This was done by Imagine dpm Ltd in Hull, England. Animation artist Dave Bunting came on board to animate the Peace Mala dove and get young people and children to help with a great deal of the art work. The end product is truly delightful.Please explore Dave's blogspot and find out what he has to say about Peace Mala and the film. http:davebunting.blogspot.com
Welcome to the site Pam. Thanks for the visit. I echo Paula in that your efforts are commendable. I wish you great success in your endeavors.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ Favorite quote from 2007: Some people are like a Slinky ... not really good for anything, but you still can't help but smile when you shove them down the stairs.
Thank you for the welcome. Season's Greetings to you and your friends. May I also wish a very Happy and Blessed Christmas to those who follow the path of Jesus.
I agree with you that the opening song on Beth's new double CD 'Prism' is absolutely wonderful. I love it and have already asked Beth's permission for us to use it at next year's Peace Mala International Awards for Youth. We use a lot of music at the Awards ceremony and I feel this song 'God is In/Goddess In' is perfect for the lighting of candles for world peace which takes place at the end of the ceremony. Beth has said that she is most happy for us to do that. I'm also going to share the song with as many schools and youth groups as possible. The song is very 'Peace Mala' in its message.
If you know of anyone who works with young people at school level (junior and high) or with youth groups, please do tell them about the Youth Awards. It would be wonderful to have more young people from the USA involved.
We've recently had a lovely film with animation made about Peace Mala. This was done by Imagine dpm Ltd in Hull, England. Animation artist Dave Bunting came on board to animate the Peace Mala dove and get young people and children to help with a great deal of the art work. The end product is truly delightful.Please explore Dave's blogspot and find out what he has to say about Peace Mala and the film. http:davebunting.blogspot.com
I am so sorry to have taken so long to get back to you what with Christmas and New Years and all.
It's lovely to hear from you again! I've been listening to Prism a lot lately, and the message in the music is never so topical and important as it is now given that we have just started a New Year. I cannot help but urge everyone to check out this fabulous double CD set Prism: The Human Family Songbook by Beth Nielsen Chapman.
Please let Beth know how eager I am to help spread her message of universal love and peace for all. It would be great if she visited us here at JPL's forums too - JPL stands for Jon Peter Lewis if you are not familiar with this superb artist we all admire so much. His beliefs are much like Beth's in many ways, so maybe Jon would like to help out some way with the Youth Awards.
Someone else who might be interested in helping is actor/singer/poet Val Kilmer. I'll contact him too if you like and see if he would be able to help, given his already busy schedule.
Thanks for your reply. It's been incredibly busy this end too.
Exciting things are happening for Peace Mala this side of the pond. Firstly, please look up 'You Tube UK' and type in Peace Mala. You will find about 4 film entries there. Have a look at all of them including the credits which give a fuller version of the Peace Mala song.
If you feel you can help raise the profile on Peace Mala (especially the Youth Awards) in any way, that would be really wonderful.
I emailed Beth yesterday with an idea linked to Peace Mala. I'm waiting to hear from her.
Please keep in touch. You can also contact me through You Tube (please log in and join. There's some great stuff there). You can also contact me directly via the website e-mail: info@peacemala.org.uk
I'm afraid I don't always look at this site, which is why my response to your message has taken a while.
We hope to have a new look website for Peace Mala within the next two months. So watch out for the changes which will be exciting.
If you can get JPL or anyone else interested in Peace Mala - even by simply agreeing to appear on the endorsement page of our website, that all helps. So, yes please do contact whoever you think may respond and be of help.
Thanks for your reply. It's been incredibly busy this end too.
Exciting things are happening for Peace Mala this side of the pond. Firstly, please look up 'You Tube UK' and type in Peace Mala. You will find about 4 film entries there. Have a look at all of them including the credits which give a fuller version of the Peace Mala song.
If you feel you can help raise the profile on Peace Mala (especially the Youth Awards) in any way, that would be really wonderful.
I emailed Beth yesterday with an idea linked to Peace Mala. I'm waiting to hear from her.
Please keep in touch. You can also contact me through You Tube (please log in and join. There's some great stuff there). You can also contact me directly via the website e-mail: info@peacemala.org.uk
I'm afraid I don't always look at this site, which is why my response to your message has taken a while.
We hope to have a new look website for Peace Mala within the next two months. So watch out for the changes which will be exciting.
If you can get JPL or anyone else interested in Peace Mala - even by simply agreeing to appear on the endorsement page of our website, that all helps. So, yes please do contact whoever you think may respond and be of help.
Keep passing the word.
Love and every blessing Pam Founder of Peace Mala
Dear Pam
I've written the following message and am posting it around on places like my MySpace page in hopes that I can rustle up some more help for Peace Mala. I hope you don't mind, but I've included your recent message to me so people will know what it's all about, and you speak much better about things than I can.
Here is my message to be sent around:
****Hey Ladles & Jellyspoons
I hope most of you remember me posting about the Peace Mala organisation I've become interested in helping. It's all about unifying people of all different religions, races, genders, sexualities, planetary regions, and the whole cosmos in the power of love and peace...even mimes!
In short, a Peace Mala is: ****a symbolic bracelet that promotes friendship, respect and peace between the faiths and all people in our world. It cuts through all forms of prejudice and celebrates what makes us different from each other. ****
Anyway, the lady who wrote to me at Jon Peter Lewis forums, Pam Evans, wrote back to me and I'm sure she wouldn't mind my sharing her message about how YOU can help Peace Mala. The wonderful Beth Nielsen Chapman is already an endorser of Peace Mala and it would be great if more of my celebrity compadres, and of course my non-celebrity (but still very much loved) friends as well, all jumped on the bus, so to speak.
Don't worry, I'm not driving the bus, I'm just advertising the ride...and maybe supplying snacks.
[****INSERT PAM'S MESSAGE****]
If anyone is interested in endorsing this wonderful cause, please contact Pam at the above adress and consider endorsing the cause on the website.
Cheers, Michael****
I hope this helps, Pam and please let Beth know how eager I am to help spread the word. I'll contact her myself as well soon.
There is one more thing. I will try and access those videos you mentioned, but my computer is notoriously well-known for being temperamental when it comes to downloads and multimedia files, and YouTube especially is difficult to make work. I will try though.
Just read your message. Thank you for all your interest and your support of Peace Mala.
I think it's time you had a Peace Mala bracelet to wear! Which would you prefer - the original double rainbow or the alternative black and white...unless, of course, you'd prefer the solid sterling silver bespoke Peace Mala which is fabulous. Beth already has one!
Why not send me your address via the info@peacemala.org.uk e-mail and we can sort something out that way.
I hope your friends pick up on this.
With my love and every blessing Pam Founder of Peace Mala
Thanks so much for keeping in touch! It's lovely to hear from you! It's nice that you are offering me a Peace Mala bracelet, but I wouldn't feel right unless I paid for it and helped support Peace Mala more. I will log onto your website soon and we can arrange something like you said. It's a lovely gesture, but I worry about taking advantage of your generosity.
I will do all I can to help Peace Mala, because I adore Beth, I am always delighted to hear from you, and I wholeheartedly believe in the message. I just don't want people to think I am after merchandise without earning/paying for it in some way.
I haven't heard from you in a while, and I do so hope I haven't offended you in any way. I didn't want you to think I was refusing your offer, as I would love to wear the Peace Mala and do all I can to support you.
Unfortunately, I did try and promote Peace Mala at a few other forums, but they aren't as kind and generous as my dear friends here at JPL's forums. The other sites not only deleted my thread, but I was warned not to preach religion - that's what they said. I tried to explain that Peace Mala is not about either religion or politics of any one kind over another, but a way to encompass and embrace ALL beliefs and different types of people. Sadly, they wouldn't listen, and I kind of feel I've failed you. I tried to do good and it backfired, for which I'm sorry.
I'll still do all I can for Beth, you, and Peace Mala, but I worry that my Ambassador powers aren't working for me anymore.
