No. 100
peace ideas
‘’If five percent of the people work for peace, there will be peace.’’ A Quarterly Publication of the Peace Center
Theosophical Society in the Philippines, 1 Iba Street, Quezon City, Philippines Tel. No. 741-5740; Fax: 740-3751; E-mail address: philtheos@gmail.com; Webpage: http://www.theosophy.ph
Inner Peace ____________ Peace Practice ________________________________
Be at One, and Happy A new study from the University of Mannheim has shown that a sense of oneness is a key to happiness, regardless of the person's religion. Published in the journal Psychology of Religion and Spirituality, the study revealed that— 1. A sense of oneness is a relatively stable part of one's makeup, rather than a fleeting state. This is a finding based on the results of a psychometric scale developed by the study author to measure feelings of oneness. 2. People who reported more feelings of oneness, regardless of religion, generally felt more satisfied with life. This is a finding based on a poll of 67,000 people across dif fer ent re li gions: Roman Catholic, Protestant, Judaism, Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism, Taoism, and so on. Other re cent stud ies have hinted at the same thing about feeling oneness. Among the findings of these studies are that— 1. Monks are generally the happiest people in the world seemingly because of their high levels of love and compassion. 2. Raising kids with religion or spirituality is linked to better mental health as they age. 3. The more people interpret events in their lives as having meaning and significance, the more positive emotions they experience in general. Source: Alice G. Walton, "A Sense of Oneness May Be a Key to Happiness" Forbes (April, 2019)
The Stoic's Guide to a Peaceful Life We all need stoic calm today in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic. But what is Stoicism? Stoicism is an ancient but timeless practical guide to life for gaining self-mastery, wisdom, equanimity, and inner peace. That said, here is a mix of empowering stoic advice from author Jonas Salzberger and the Daily Stoic: 1. Embrace whatever happens. When we accept life as it comes, trusting that everything has a beneficent divine purpose, we avoid unnecessary suffering, and maintain the calm we need to best act wisely and compassionately. Eckhart Tolle echoed stoic wisdom when he wrote, "Life will give you whatever experience is most helpful for the evolution of your consciousness." 2. Practice misfortune. When we practice poverty, for example, we increase the chance that loss will not disrupt our life.
3. Train perception to see the good in the "bad." For example, seeing the opportunity in the challenging situation, use your interaction with a difficult person as a way of developing patience. 4. Remember that everything passes away. So don't cling to pleasure or pain, nor anything. 5. Take the view from above. Take a step back from your own concerns and envision all the suffering in our world. This is more conducive to caring for others. 6. Don't be negatively affected by circumstances. They are what they are; it is our response to them that makes us suffer or remain at peace. 7. Always be kind. Repaying unkindness with kindness is a great way of developing virtue as well as maintaining inner peace. Sources: Jonas Salzgeber, The Little Book of Stoicism (NJLifehacks: New Jersey, 2019); https://dailystoic. com/what-is-stoicism-a-definition-3-stoic-exercisesto-get-you-started/)
Inside ____________________________________ Sewing for Peace Why Killer Viruses Are on the Rise Classic Kids Films That Adults Can Learn From Early Exposure to Dogs = Lesser Risk of Going Nuts Weird Brain Exercises to Boost Learning Africans Who Became Nobel Peace Laureates
Attitudes Are Contagious: Is Yours Worth Catching? Using the Write Tool for Spiritual Practice Rights for Mother Earth! Beauty Sleep: Is it Fact or Fiction? Why Eggs-actly Don't Vegans Eat Eggs? The 10 Best Self-Help Books And More…
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Peace Advocacy _________ Outer Peace___________________________________
Sewing for Peace If you are wondering whether sewing and peace activity can go to gether, know that “sew for peace” groups and programs are already in existence around the world. For example— · Sewing for Peace, the brainchild of Pedram Veisi, a University of Alberta Master of Science graduate, is a program that runs a sewing studio for refugee women. Veisi’s idea arose when Canada decided to resettle more than 25,000 refugees displaced by the war in Syria. Sewing for Peace began through a $10,000 Davis Project for Peace grant. · The Boise Peace Quilt Project is a sewing project wherein patchwork wallhangings are created and sold so the proceeds can be donated to different peace initiatives. It has spawned dozens of peace quilt projects in the US. · Sew for Peace is a group formed within the Paxton Church of the United Methodist community that meets weekly to make clothing from scratch. The clothing products are then sent all over the US and elsewhere to those in need. Sources:https://www.paxtonumc.org/sew-for-peace/; https://www.ualberta.ca/international/about-uai/international-news-and-views/news/2019/february/sewingfor-peace; http://sewingforpeace.de/
peace ideas No. 100
A quarterly publication of the Peace Center of the Theosophical Society in the Philippines, 1 Iba Street, Quezon City, Philippines. The Theosophical Society is a non-profit, non-sectarian organization dedicated to the promotion of universal brotherhood without distinction of creed, caste, sex or color.
Why Killer Viruses Are on the Rise Rainforests, being the "biodiversity hotspots" that they are, are nature's "secret laboratory" where "evolution experiments with body shapes, sizes and colors." This rich diversity in the rainforest does not just apply to creatures we can see, but also those we don't--like viruses. As a result, many deadly viruses like HIV, Ebola, Zika, and Yellow Fever originated from rainforests. Today, the world is in new terri tory when it co mes to contagious dis eases. Sta tis tics show that— · Over the past century, the number of new infectious diseases that emerge each year has nearly quadrupled. · The number of outbreaks per year has more than tripled. · In the US alone, we have seen more than a dozen new human diseases appear over the past 25 years, e.g., "a killer tick-borne virus showed up in Kansas in 2014; a new type of leprosy dismembered a man in Arizona in 2002; a new hemorrhagic fever jumped from rodents into people, killing three women in California in 1999;" and so on. Deadlier viruses. Not only are killer viruses on the rise; they also tend to become deadlier. Why? Bats play host to many of the world's deadliest viruses. This is
because bats' fierce immune systems drive viruses to become more virulent, making them deadlier in humans. Hence, the worst viral outbreaks of late--SARS, MERS, Ebola, and likely the COVID-19 (or Wuhan) virus--originated in bats. Now it is not a good idea to kill the bats because without them, we wouldn't have rainforests at all. For example, "bats are key pollinators for more than 500 species of flowers and trees. They disperse seeds for many other plants, and they keep insect populations in check with their arthropod-rich diets." Who is to blame? The truth is that bats aren't the ones to blame for the outbreaks. Bats and viruses have been around for tens of millions of years. It is the intruders into their homes that are the problem. It is us human beings. Today, only 15% of the world's rainforests remain. The result is that wild animals become refugees. They come nearer our places, enabling their viruses to get to us and infect us. "It's really the human impact on the environment that's causing these viruses to jump into people," says leading ecologist-evolutionary biologist Kevin Olival.
Peace Ideas seeks to disseminate workable ideas that will promote lasting peace and universal brotherhood. Contributions frelcome, whether their own or clipped from their readings. Previously published materials must include name and address of publication from where the materials were taken. The views expressed herein do not necessarily express those of the editors or the publisher. Subscriptions: In the Philippines: P120.00 per year. Foreign: US$8.00 per year (postpaid airmail). Single copies: P30.00 (Foreign: US$2.00). Bulk orders for redistribution are entitled to sub-
stantial discounts. For information please write to: Peace Ideas, 1 Iba Street, Quezon City, Philippines. Tel. No.8741-57-40. Fax No. (63-2)8740-3751. E-mail address: philtheos@gmail.com
Sources: Michaeleen Doucleff and Jane Greenhalgh, "Why Killer Viruses are on the Rise" (https://www. npr.org/sections/goatsandsoda/2017/02/14/ 511227050/why-killer-viruses-are-on-the-rise
Editor: Joselito Belmonte Cendaña Editorial Staff: Vicente R. Hao Chin, Jr., Estrellita V. Gruenberg, Lea Mactal-May
© Copyright 2020 by The Theosophical Society in the Philippines. Permission to reprint is granted provided Peace Ideas is acknowledged. ISSN 0118-9883
Peace Ideas, No. 100
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Personal Growth _______________________________ Inner Peace ____________
Classic Kids Films That Adults Can Learn From Adults can also learn from kids films. Here are just some of the classic kids movies that hold hidden wisdom for adults: 1. The Lion King. ”"The past can hurt. But the way I see it, you can either run from it or learn from it.” – Rafiki. Learning from our mistakes, instead of ignoring or justifying them, is an important part of our personal growth 2. Mulan. “The flower that blooms in adversity is the most rare and beautiful of all.” – Mulan. Life's difficulties are but steppingstones in our spiritual journey. The more we use them well, the better. 3. Finding Nemo. “Just keep swimming.” – Dory. It is in accepting life as it flows, persevering even in the face of "rough waters," that we evolve the fastest.
4. The Wizard of Oz. ”Some people without brains do an awful lot of talking, don’t they?” – Scarecrow. We need to be more mindful and aware to produce the kind of clearer thoughts that lead to wiser speech and actions. 5. Lilo and Stitch. “’Ohana’ means ‘family.’ ‘Family’ means ‘no one gets left behind.’“ – Stitch, Lilo and Stich. Our world will be a much better one if we can expand our circle of love to include all beings like we are all one family. 6. The Sandlot. “Follow your heart, kid, and you’ll never go wrong.”— the Babe. Overthinking breeds fear and unwise decisions. Our heart is the seat of intuition or direct knowledge. Follow it. Source: Matt Duczeminskit, "10 Classic Kids Films That Hold Hid den W is dom for Adults" (https://www. wisdompills. com/10-classic-kids-film
Childcare _____________________________________
Early Exposure to Dogs = Lesser Risk of Going Nuts A study from Johns Hopkins Chil dren's Center has shown that the company of dogs from an early age may lessen the chance of developing schizophrenia later in adult life. Interestingly, no such benefit was found in the case of cats' company. In the study, lead author and professor of neuvirology in pediatrics, Dr. Robert Yolken, together with his colleagues at Sheppard Pratt Health System in Baltimore, investigated the relationship between exposure to a pet cat or dog during the first 12 years of life and a later diagnosis of schizophrenia or bipolar disorder. The researchers were surprised to find– · a statistically significant decrease in the risk of a person
developing schizophrenia (but not bipolar disorder) if exposed to a dog early in life. · no similar decrease in such risk if exposed to a cat early in life. Previous studies have already shown that early life exposures to dogs provide health benefits, apparently due to positive alterations in the immune system through such means as– · allergic responses · contact with zoonotic (animal) bacteria and viruses · changes in a home's microbiome, and · pet-induced stress reduction effects on brain chemistry. That early exposure to dogs can help prevent schizophrenia later in life is a new scientific finding. Source: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/12/191218153448.htm
The Seeds of Anger Anger is natural, but it becomes a problem when we fail to control it. Zen teacher Jules Shuzen Harris gives these tips for "uprooting the seeds of anger": 1. Bear in mind that we create our anger; no one else does. External stimuli are just what they are. It is how we respond to them that shapes our emotional state. 2. Know that we often become an gry ul ti mately be cause of fear—that is, our ego's fear of ceasing to exist, being forgotten, becoming irrelevant, and so on. 3. Know that our anger can reveal our constructed sense of selfidentity. For example, if we have childhood wounds of being neglected, we may think we are unworthy or unlovable when we don't receive the attention we want from a loved one; and so, we may become irritable, even angry. 4. Become aware of the space between your anger's trigger and your ac tual re ac tion through mindful practice. Through mindfulness—or focusing awareness on the present moment without judging—we can learn to trace the real source of our reactivity. 5. Learn to diffuse anger by becoming one with it as it arises. This does not mean that we act out our anger, but instead, embrace it with our compassion so we can understand what is behind it. Source: Jules Shuzen Harris, "Uprooting the Seeds of Anger" Tricycle magazine (Summer 2012)
Peace Ideas Online Read entire issues of Peace Ideas plus outlines of essays on Self-Transformation in the Internet. The webpage of the Theosophical Society in the Philippines can be found in: http://www.theosophy.ph/
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Peace Ideas, No. 100
Interpersonal Relationships
Education ____________________________________
You Argue Maturely When . . .
Weird Brain Exercises to Boost Learning
Only when disagreements are handled in a mature way can there be a chance for a peaceful resolution to an argument. Know whether you argue maturely or childishly. You argue maturely when-1. You are calm; childish arguments are frantic. You wish to rem o v e y o u r " s e l f" f r o m t h e situation, and focus solely on the issue at hand. 2. Your arguments are based on facts and logic; child ish arguments are based on emotions and falsehoods. This comes naturally when there is intelligent focus on the issue, rather than the ego. 3. You seek to understand opposing viewpoints; childish arguments shut out other perspectives. You listen to the other person in order to learn. 4. You seek common ground; childish arguments are all about winning. You try to find a consensus which you and the other person can agree upon. Source: Matt Duczeminski, "4 Psychological Signs You've Learned How to Argue Like an Adult, Not a Child" (https://www.wisdompills.com/4-signs-know-argue-like-mature-adult-backed-psychology/)
Bulk Copies of Peace Ideas Bulk quantities of Peace Ideas either in newsprint or standard paper may be ordered at very low prices. It is a very economical way of promoting inner and outer peace. Contact the Peace Center, 1 Iba St., Quezon City, Philippines, Tel. 741-5740; Fax No. (63-2) 740-3751.
In their book, Keep Your Brain Alive, Lawrence C. Katz and Manning Rubin coin the term "neurobics" to refer to mental exercises designed to work the brain in new ways. Because they result in enhanced brain power and endurance, there is a growing interest among educators not only to bring them to the classroom but encourage students to try them at home. If you are a student who'd want to boost learning through neurobics, try the following brain exercises: 1. Do things that get you out of your normal thinking pattern. For example, spend more time study ing the sub ject you least like, or pick a textbook or reading material you would normally rather not read. 2. Write with your non dominant hand at least once in a while while doing homework.
3. During free time, turn on your laptop and watch a YouTube vid on mute while creating a dialogue for the characters on screen. 4. Try to take an opinion that is adverse to yours and defend it. For example, put the TV on a channel that has a different political opinion than yours. For a moment, try to think that way. 5. Close your eyes and walk around your house while trying to recall where your furniture pieces are. It does not have to be fast; go slow at first so you don't get hurt. 6. Grab some coins and put them in your pocket or some other container where you can't see them, then reach in and feel them. Try to figure out what each coin is. Source: https://memorise.org/brain-exercises/neurobics
Africans Who Became Nobel Peace Laureates To date, 10 exceptional African men and women have won the Nobel Peace Prize since the award's inception in 1901. They include: 1.) Albert Luthuli (South Africa, 1960) for his role in championing for non-violent resistance to racial discrimination in South Africa; 2.) Anwar al-Sadat (Egypt, 1978) for his and Israeli PM Menachem Begin's contribution to the two frame agreements on peace in the Middle East; 3) Desmond Tutu (South Africa, 1984) for being a leading voice against apartheid; 4) Nelson Mandela (South Africa, 1993) for his tireless dedication to the liberties of his people; 5) Frederik Willem de Klerk (South Africa, 1993) for working for a non-racist South Africa as the country's president; 6) Kofi Annan (Ghana, 2001) for his work for a better organized and more peaceful world as UN Secretary; 7) Wangari Maathai (Kenya, 2004) for founding the Green Belt Movement and for her contribution to sustainable development, democracy and peace; 8) Mohamed ElBaradei (Egypt, 2005) for their (together with the UN nuclear watchdog IAEA's) efforts to prevent nuclear energy from being used for military purposes; 9) Ellen Johnson Sirleaf (Liberia, 2011) for her non-violent struggle for the safety of women and for women’s rights to full participation in peace-building work; and 10) Lymah Gbowee (Liberia, 2011) for championing women's rights. Source: https://africa.com/africas-nobel-peace-prize-laureates/
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Interpersonal Relationships _______________________
Attitudes Are Contagious: Is Yours Worth Catching? Previous studies have shown that violence and kindness are both contagious. But does this also apply to observation of mere at titude? Ac cord ing to a new study, the answer is yes. When we see people being less friendly toward a person compared with another, we often attribute that unfriendliness toward that person or his actual character or behavior. However, a new Northwestern University study (wherein participants watched a brief silent video of individuals interacting), has shown that-· people can acquire attitudes toward a person from the nonverbal signals that are directed toward him or her by other people. · people are quicker to pair a person who received positive
nonverbal signals with good things than another person who received negative nonverbal signals. · most people do not think that the nonverbal signals that are displayed toward a person influenced their attitudes. (Only about 30% of people indicated that how a person was treated influenced their attitudes toward him or her.) Hence, our positive attitudes towards people–attitudes that are friendly, loving, or caring–bring more benefits to us than just happiness, better relationships, and better health. We also gain spiritual merit in influencing others into becoming friendly, loving, and caring themselves!
Peace Quotes If it is peace you want, seek to change yourself, not other people. It is easier to protect your feet with slippers than to carpet the whole of the earth. ANTHONY DE MELLO
Interfaith dialogue is a must today, and the first step in establishing it is forgetting the past, ignoring polemical arguments, and giving precedence to common points, which far outnumber polemical ones. FETHULLAH GULEN Don't let people pull you into their storm. Pull them into your peace. KIMBERLY JONES
In a world of noise, confusion and conflict, it is necessary that Source: https://www.ted.com/talks/simon_sinek_how_ there be places of silence, inner great_leaders_inspire_action#t-254970 discipline and peace. In such Peace Practice _________________________________ places love can blossom. THOMAS MERTON
Using the Write Tool for Spiritual Practice According to poet and Adjunct Professor of Writing, Poetry and Theological Interpretation Pam Wynn– 1. Ritual is an ancient way to connect to the divine, like liturgy. 2. Writing is a ritual that also-· reduces anxiety · promotes self-confidence · increases one's sense of empowerment. Here are the basic steps she gives for making writing a meaningful spiritual practice: 1. Write for yourself unless you'd like to share your writing with others. Writing for yourself will ease off the pressure of having to write well for others. 2. Establish a routine or ritual. Find what works for you. You can meditate or pray first to be more
Our inability to think beyond our own species, or to be able to cohabit with other life forms in open to spiritual guidance. Pam's what is patently a massive collabis to write first thing in the morn- o ra tive quest for sur vival, is ing, set a timer for 20 minutes, surely a malady that pervades the light a candle, and write by hand. human soul. LAWRENCE ANTHONY 3. Mix it up. To keep the pracThe resistance to the unpleastice fresh, meaningful, and engaging, mix it up with different ant situation is the root of sufferRAM DASS prompts and exercises. Write a re- ing. sponse to a poem, photograph, or piece of art that struck you. Write Yes, we love peace, but we are a reflection on a scriptural pas- not willing to take wounds for it, sage. Choose a theme like "grace" as we are for war. or "suf fer ing" and free-write JOHN ANDREW HOLME whatever comes to mind; etc. 4. Trust the process. Pam says, Wise men don't judge. They "Trust the process. Writing helps seek to understand. WEI WU WEI us pay attention to what's going on, to know ourselves, to live intentionally." I first learned the concepts of Source: United Theological Seminary, "How to Make nonvi olence in my marriage. Writing a Meaningful Spiritual Practice" (https://blog. unitedseminary.edu/the-canvas/how-to-make-writing-a-meaningful-spiritual-practice
MAHATMA GANDHI
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Ecological Peace _________ Health and Healing _____________________________
Rights for Mother Earth! Bolivia has just passed "Law of Mother Earth," granting rights to the planet as a living system! The law enumerates the following 7 specific rights to which Mother Earth is entitled: 1. To life - the right to the maintenance of the integrity of life systems and natural processes which sustain them, as well as the capacities for their renewal. 2. To the diversity of life - the right to the preservation of the differentiation and variety of the beings that comprise Mother Earth, without being artificially modified in their structure, in such a manner that threatens their existence, functioning and future potential. 3. To water - the right of the preservation of the quality and composition of water to sustain life systems and their protection for renewal of the life of Mother Earth and all her components. 4. To clean air - the right of the preservation of the quality and composition of air to sustain life systems and their protection. 5. To equilibrium - the right to maintenance or restoration of the inter-relation, interdependence, and functionality of the components of Mother Earth, in a balanced manner for the continuation of its cycles and the renewal of its vital processes. 6. To restoration - the right to the effective and opportune restoration of life systems affected by direct or indirect human activities. 7. To live free of contamination - the right for preservation of Mother Earth and any of her components with regards to toxic and radioactive waste generated by human activities. Source: Wisdom Pills Editorial Team, "Bolivia Passes 'Law of Mother Earth'" (https://www.wisdompills.com/ bolivia-passes-law-mother-earth-granting-rights-planet-living-system/
Beauty Sleep: Is it Fact or Fiction? We know that the story of Sleeping Beauty is just a fairy tale. But can beauty sleep be actually real? Science says yes. After all, sleep produces the following: 1. Faster-healing skin. Your skin uses sleep hours to heal itself from the day's damage. That's why you may wake up looking fresh and rosy. 2. Fewer break outs. More sleep, clearer skin. Lack of sleep can lead to stress, which causes pimples and blackheads. 3. Brighter eyes. Dark circles often run in families, but they can look even darker if you are not getting enough sleep. 4. Even skin tone. Sleep encourages healthy blood flow to your skin.
5. Better appearance. Studies repeatedly show that well- rested people look healthier, less tired, and more attractive. The science: A recent study at The University of Manchester has shown that-1. There are two types of fibrils that make up col la gen which con stitutes half of our body's matrix. 2. One type of fibril is permanent, but the other is sacrificial and can be replenished. 3. During sleep, our body clock replenishes the sacrificial fibrils in collages, protecting the permanent parts of the matrix Sources: https://www.webmd.com/beauty/ss/slideshowbeauty-sleep; https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/ 2020/01/200115120626.htm
Animal Welfare, Health and Environment ____________
Why Eggs-actly Don't Vegans Eat Eggs? Vegans don't eat eggs, among other animal products, for ethical, ecological, and health reasons such as the following: 1. Male chicks are ground live by the millions in the egg industry. Also known as chick culling, this systematic killing of newlyhatched male chicks is done because they have no use. 2. Female chicks have their beaks cut off (or burnt off) without anesthesia. This is done so the hens don't injure themselves or each other. Chickens, like other birds, feel pain. They are also intelligent animals. According to research, chickens outperform both dogs and cats on some tests of cognitive, emotional, and behavioral complexity! 3. Egg yolks are loaded with cholesterol, a known risk factor
for coronary artery disease and heart attacks. 4. Salmonella bacteria in eggs are dangerous and deadly. This type of bacteria is a leading cause of food poisoning-related hospitalizations, and the top cause of food poisoning-related death. 5. There is animal cruelty even in free-range eggs. Even freerange chickens are eventu ally slaughtered when they can no longer lay eggs. 6. Eating eggs is bad for the envi ron ment. Egg pro duc tion, which has increased in recent decades to over 68 million tons worldwide due to high demand, causes greenhouse-gas emissions, soil and water pollution, etc. It also requires a lot of land. Source: Diana Lupica, "The Shocking Truth About Eggs" (https://www.plantbasednews.org/lifestyle/the-shockingtruth-about-eggs-top-7-reasons-to-stop-eating-them)
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Interpersonal Relationships______________________ Personal Growth _________
10 Paradoxical Traits of The 10 Best Highly Creative People Self-Help What would you do if you en4. Smart and naive at the Books! countered a person who picks up same time. A mix of wisdom cigaret butts off the street to get tobacco for his pipe? Or spends entire days on a chair in his hotel to avoid germs? Or tells you his musical compositions are dictated to him by Beethoven? Or fends off imaginary urchins on a street with his umbrella? You'd prob a bly look down upon them as odd, even crazy people. But do you know that each of the persons described in the above questions were Albert Einstein, Howard Hughes, Robert Schumann, and Charles Dickens, respectively? Indeed, creative people are often misunderstood, when in fact they are healthy within a cre ative norm, capable of brilliant work when recognized and nurtured! In his book, Creativity: Flow and the Psychology of Discovery and Invention, creativity scholar Mihaly Csikszentmilhalyi points out that what makes creative people different from others is their complexity. This is reflected in the following 10 paradoxical tratis that highly creative people have: 1. A great deal of physical energy alternating with a great need for quiet and rest. 2. Highly sexual, yet often celibate, especially when working. 3. Extravagant and spartan.
and child ish ness. Emo tional im ma tu rity along with the deepest insights. 5. Convergent (rational, left brain, sound judgment) and divergent (intuitive, right brain, vi sion ary) think ing. Di vergence is the ability to generate a great quantity of ideas. Convergence involves evaluation and choice. 6. Both extroverted and introverted, needing people and solitude equally. 7. Humble and proud, both pain fully self-doubt ing and wildly self-confident. 8. May defy gender stereotypes, and are likely to have not only the strengths of their own gender but those of the other. 9. Can be rebellious and independent on one hand, and traditional and conservative on the other. 10. A natural openness and sensitivity that often exposes them to extreme suffering and pain, yet also to a great deal of enjoyment. Despair alternates with bliss; despair when they aren't working, and bliss when they are. Source: https://www.wisdompills.com/10-paradoxical-traits-highly-creative-people/
Thinking of a Gift? Why not a year’s subscription to Peace Ideas? P120.00 (or US$8.00 foreign by air). If you subscribe for more than 10 friends, you get a 10% discount for all. Your friends will receive a card announcing your gift subscription together with the first issue. Just send your name with the list of your friends, together with a check or money order to: Peace Ideas, 1 Iba Street, Quezon City, Philippines.
Are you into reading self-help books for self-development? If so, you might want to pick a title from life coach Myrko Thum's following list of "top 10 self-help books that you must read before you die": 10. The 4 Hour Workweek by Timothy Ferriss - about a new kind of thinking on where to invest your time wisely. 9. Getting Things Done: The Art of Stress-Free Productivity by David Allen - presents a complete system for us ing your time most efficiently in productive work. 8. The Art of Happiness by The Dalai Lama - gives a complete guide to happiness that includes material and spiritual aspects. 7. Good To Great by Jim Collins - a great success book about decent companies that made it all the way to the top. 6. The Road Less Traveled by M. Scott Peck - gives insights about a new psychology of love, traditional values and spiritual growth. 5. Man's Search for Meaning by Viktor E. Frankl - a must-read book for those looking for guidance in life's meaning and purpose. 4. How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie - gives time-tested advice for success and good relationships 3. Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill - a book about making money, but also about personal development at its core 2. The 7 Habits Of Highly Effec tive Peo ple by Ste phen R. Covey - about how to build positive habits that will improve your life. 1. The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle - a life-changing book based on the timeless wisdom teaching of mindfulness. Source: Myrko Thum, "10 Best Self-Help Books You Have to Read Before You Die" (https://www.myrkothum. com/about/)
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Interfaith Relationships ___ Outer Peace __________________________________
Interfaith Family Tips When it comes to marital relationships, few differences can seem as difficult to surmount as those between spouses from two different faiths. Here are wise tips from the "Relationship Rabbi" herself, Rabbi Judy Greenfeld, on how to create an interfaith family successfully: 1. Believe that the relationship will definitely work. Relationships are all about compromise—even between interfaith couples. Like successful interfaith dialogue is possible in our world, successful interfaith marriages are likewise possible. 2. Be cu ri ous. Be open to learn ing about the beauty of other peo ple's spiritual tra ditions. Find joy in discovering the inner treasures across the world's different religions and spiritual traditions. 3. Don't make one better than the other. This is especially important with the kids. Let them know that there are different ways of spiritual connection. 4. But do have some guidelines. You don't want to confuse the kids. For example, set boundaries during the holidays. You don't want a situation where they get lots of presents on Christmas Day, and nothing on Hanukkah. 5. Make some thing new. Coming from two different religious backgrounds will present challenges, but think of it as an opportunity to synthesize and unite your two traditions, finding the living water in both vessels. 6. Don't force it. Present your kids both faiths and let them figure out what works for them so they can be more devoted. Source: Alexia Dellner, "6 Tips for an Interfaith Houshold, According to the 'Relationship Rabbi'" (https://www.purewow.com/wellness/interfaith-relationship-tips)
Pandemics Fuel More Domestic Violence Research show that that increased violence against women and children occur during pandemics. Understanding why this happens is critical to inform policy and program responses to mitigate adverse effects. Here are 8 ways in which the consequences of, and responses to, pandemics like COVID-19 can lead to or increase domestic violence: 1. Economic insecurity and poverty-related stress. These correlate with poor coping strategies, e.g., substance abuse, that can lead to increases in violence against partner and children. 2. Quarantines and social isolation. Close quarters, especially those tied to stressful conditions, are linked to stress, fear, poor mental health, and disorders, which can in turn increase the likelihood of domestic violence. 3. Disaster- and conflict-related unrest and instability. Pandemics can break down social infrastructure which may lead to in creased fam ily sep a ra tion, intra-familial violence, and exposure of women and children to unsafe conditions, including exposure to sexual violence. 4. Exposure to exploitative relationships due to changing demo graph ics. Higher mortal ity rates drive extended family net-
works to care for orphans who have lost their parents to disease, creating new strains on households and risking a decreased quality of care, and even violence, directed at children. 5. Inability of women to temporarily escape abusive partners. This is inevitable when the mobility of people are con strained through quarantines, lockdowns, and other similar measures. Other forms of violence against women and children also occur due to-1. Exposure to violence and coercion in response efforts. There are cases of aid workers responsible for assisting vulnerable populations committing acts of violence against women and children 2. Virus-specific sources of violence. The COVID-19 pandemic has already documented ways perpetrators are using virus-specific misinformation and scare-tactics, as well as controlling behaviors to withhold safety items. 3. Re duced health ser vice availability and access to first responders. With all hands on deck needed to respond to pandemics, first responder resources may not be available. Source: Megan O’Donnell, Amber Peterman and Alina Potts, "A Gender Lens on COVID-19: Pandemics and Violence against Women and Children" (https://www. cgdev.org/blog/gender-lens-covid-19-pandemics-and- violence-against-women-and-children
The Peace Center The Peace Center of the Theosophical Society in the Philippines is open Tuesday to Sunday from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. The Center is located at the National Headquarters of the Theosophical Society in the Philippines, 1 Iba Street,
Quezon City, Philippines. Tel. No. 741-57-40. The Board of Trustees of the Center is composed of the following: Vicente R. Hao Chin, Jr. (Chairman), Rudy Rodil (Executive Director), Flerida Ruth P. Romero, Leticia R. Shahani, Concepcion L. Madarang, Luis Torres, Leonardo Salazar and Patricia G. Muñoz (Trustees).