Peace Ideas - Issue No. 80 by Peace Ideas

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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

Health and Spirituality ___

Inner Peace __________________________________

The Healing Power of Belief

Seven Habits of Highly Mindful People

A radically new understanding of the healing power of belief is unfolding at the leading edge of science: Dr. Bruce Lipton, developmental biologist, bestselling author of Biology of Belief, and internationally recognized leader in bridging science and spirit, has been doing groundbreaking research in cell biology and quantum physics, hailed as a major breakthrough, showing that-1. Our bodies are not controlled ultimately by our genes but by our thoughts. Genes and DNA are controlled by signals from outside the cell, including the energy messages emanating from our positive and negative thoughts and feelings. Hence, we can make changes in our bodies by retraining our thinking. 2. Positive attitudes and beliefs can heal us while negativities harm us. For example, Dr. Lipton explains, "You can live a life of fear or live a life of love. You have the choice!...if you choose to see a world full of love, your body will respond by growing in health. If you choose to believe that you live in a dark world full of fear, your body’s health will be com pro mised as you phys i o log i cally close your self down in a protection response." Source: Bruce H. Lipton Ph.D, The Biology of Belief: Unleashing the Power of Consciousness, Matter and Miracles (USA: Hay House Inc., 2005)

2014 was dubbed "The Year of Mindful Living." This year, the Mindful Revolution continues as more and more peo ple are appreciating the numerous immense ben e fits of mind fulness--the meditative state of being fully aware of the present mo ment--to body, mind and spirit. That said, here are seven key habits of highly mindful people from which we can learn: 1. They hold thoughts lightly. They are able to watch their thoughts as they arise but they do not cling to them. They are, there fore, free from re ac tive ways of living and thinking. 2. They allow themselves to feel what they are feeling. Mindfulness is not about always having pleasant feelings but about calmly accepting the present moment as it is, without resisting it and losing peace.

3. They accept the transient nature of things. Because they accept what is transient, they become firmly rooted in the silent unchanging awareness that is at the core of our being, the space in which all that is transient come and go--the place of serenity. 4. They meditate. You can be mindful without meditating, but most highly mindful people have a regular practice of meditation. 5. They do one thing at a time. They just focus fully on the task of the present moment. 6. They turn everyday tasks into mindful moments. They savor every moment as if every little act is a sacred ritual. 7. They protect and nurture their minds (and bodies). They listen to their bodies and minds and discern what is nourishing. Source: http://mrsmindfulness.com/7-habits-highly-mindful-people-integrate-life/

Inside ____________________________________ Celebrate the Earth The Folly of War and Violence Are You Suffering from Facebook Addiction? Laugh Your Way to a Better Marriage Arts and Smarts: Why Art Matters in School Pope Francis: A Voice of Peace in Our World

Uprooting the Seeds of Anger 5 Things That Could Be Stealing Your Joy Sing for Your Health Help Save the Planet--One Meal at a Time Steve Job's 5 Secrets to Success The Monk in the World And More…

Peace Ideas, No. 80

Peace Advocacy ________ Outer Peace___________________________________

Celebrate the Earth Why celebrate the earth when it is besieged by all kinds of problems? The Chris tian Monitor website explains, "Celebrating doesn’t mean just having a party or other festivities. It also means to honor or extol, to raise 'to heavenly glory.' So, to truly celebrate Earth involves lifting our concept of it from that of an endangered physical planet in a material universe to being a spiritual idea in the universe of Spirit’s (God’s) creation." Thus, we celebrate Earth Day and observe Earth Hour to help raise awareness both of the preciousness, even sacredness, of our planet as well as the need to protect and save it. Earth Day is celebrated globally on April 22 while Earth Hour is observed the world over from 8:30 to 9:30 pm of the last Saturday of March by turning off the lights as a symbol of commitment to the planet. Both movements are increasingly gaining government support worldwide. In the Philippines, for example, a resolution has been filed in the Senate reaffirming the legislative body's support for the objectives of Earth Day and Earth Hour, and encouraging Filipinos to observe these celebrations. Sources: www.csmonitor.com/.../2010/0422/Celebrate-the-Earth; http://www.senate.gov.ph/press_release/2015/0327_angara1.asp

peace ideas No. 80

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.

The Folly of War and Violence During the past millenia, mankind has made advancement in abolishing a number of barbaric practices like human sacrifice, dueling, infanticide and slavery. But war--the most deadly and destructive of them all--has been, as author Donald Schmidt put it, "mankind's greatest remaining folly." War is foolish because-1. Hatred and violence breed more hatred and violence. As the Buddha put it, "Hatred will not stop in this world by hatred but by love. This is an eternal law." For example, experts have observed that the hateful mindset and extremely violent tactics (use of hellfire missiles, white phosphorus, and other weaponry that have resulted in the maiming and death of countless civilians) employed by the US in its Global War on Terror over the last twelve or more years are inextricably linked to the "barbarism" and "savagery" of ISIS and other Islamic terrorist and secessionist groups. 2. War causes more harm than good. For example-· 4 million people (the vast majority civilians) died in the Vietnam War · A decade of warfare left Vietnam utterly devastated with 2-3 million people fleeing the country in the aftermath. Peace Ideas seeks to disseminate workable ideas that will promote lasting peace and universal brotherhood. Contributions from readers are welcome, 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-

The US fought this war in the name of democracy and a better way of life for the Vietnamese. The US eventually lost the war to the Communists and yet,-· Vietnam's economic growth has been among the highest in the world since 2000 · In 2011, it had the highest Global Growth Generators Index among 11 major economies. 3. There are more effective, non-violent alternatives to war. It has become evident that--· Ecological-humanitarian-economic development is a better alternative to armed conflict as a response to failed policies in the past · Proactive removal and prevention of "root causes" is a better alternative to reactive response to symptoms of unaddressed "root causes." For example, war is only causing more individuals in the Middle East and elsewhere to join ISIS. The extreme poverty and injustices which prevail throughout the Middle East and Third World should not be ig nored if the spread of terrorism and hatred for the US are to stop. Sources: http://www.commondreams.org/news/2015 /02/04/folly-us-war-terror-looms-jordan-and-isis-exchange-executions; http://alphahistory.com/vietnam/costs-of-the-vietnam-war/; http://www.cmsupport. org/Alternatives/Donahue_Alternatives_to_War.pdf

stantial discounts. For information please write to: Peace Ideas, 1 Iba Street, Quezon City, Philippines. Tel. No. 741-57-40. Fax No. (63-2) 740-3751. E-mail address: philtheos@gmail.com Editor: Joselito B. Cendaña Editorial Staff: Vicente R. Hao Chin, Jr., Estrellita V. Gruenberg, Jenifer Aposaga

Peace Ideas, No. 80

Self-Improvement _______________________________ Parenting ______________

Are You Hooked to Facebook? Have you ever won dered whether you are ad dicted to Facebook because of the huge amount of time you spend on it? There is a way to find out. Researchers in Norway have published a new psychological scale to measure Facebook addiction called the Bergen Facebook Addiction Scale (BFAS), a first of its kind in the world. If you want to use it, just follow this instruction: Give one of the following five responses to each of the five critera or items below: (1) very rarely, (2) rarely, (3) sometimes, (4) often, and (5) very often. 1. You spend a lot of time thinking about Facebook or planning how to use it. 2. You feel an urge to use

Facebook more and more. 3. You use Facebook in order to forget about personal problems. 4. You have tried to cut down on the use of Facebook without success. 5. You become restless or troubled if you are prohibited from using Facebook. 6. You use Facebook so much that it has had a negative impact on your job/studies. Scoring “often” or “very often” on at least four of the six items strongly indicates that you are addicted to Facebook. If that is the case, it is high time you consider finding ways to overcome it. Source: http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/245251.php

Interpersonal Relationships _______________________

Laugh Your Way to a Better Marriage Scientific studies repeatedly show that laughter is good for the heart, reduces pain, lowers blood pressure, strengthens the immune system and boosts mood. Few medications can make that claim! And if you are a married per son, you can benefit even more from humor and laughter because they can actually work won ders for your mar riage. Laughter helps you connect with your partner because-1. Humor and playfulness relieve tension during a a conflict or stressful situation. 2. “Laughter is the shortest distance between two people,” as co me dian Vic tor Borge once quipped. Indeed, a Parade magazine poll showed that the number one quality people look for in a

partner is a great sense of humor. 3. Laughter puts anxiety on the back burner. We cannot laugh and worry at the same time. We live more fully in the present and forget the future when we laugh. 4. Laughter can freshen up a stale relationship. It can make you feel close again and bring back memories of why you chose your partner. How to get started: Look for something funny in a stressful situation you and your partner are in and make humor out of it. Develop the habit of finding ways to make your partner laugh: tell a joke, dance to cheesy music, etc. Source: Joel Silverman MA. LPC, "Laugh Your Way to a Better Relationship...Seriously" (http://www.mariadroste.org/resources/articles/laugh-your-way-to-a-better-relationshipseriously/)

Praising Your Child Praising children helps them develop a positive self-image, but praise, if overused or misused, may eventually become meaningless to them. Here are some guidelines for praising children that you may follow: 1. Praise specific actions. This allows the child to know exactly what he did right and what he will repeat to receive more praise. 2. Praise what they do rather than who they are. The latter does not tell the child what he did right. 3. Keep the development of the child in mind when praising. Praise that which is an accomplishment for the child, not something that is easy. 4. Sometimes, you need to say that some thing is not good enough. Make it easier for the child to hear what you think he can improve on by starting with what he did right. 5. Do not overpraise or continually praise the same behavior. After praising him several times for a repeated good behavior, find something new and different to praise. 6. Always be honest. Praise will become meaningless once the child notices it is not honest. 7. Praise the child openly. This will encourage other children to do the same good behavior. Source: http://www.examiner.com/article/education-101-how-to-praise-children

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/

Peace Ideas, No. 80

Art of Living ___________ Education ____________________________________

When Less is More "Less is more" is a 19th-century proverbial phrase first found in Robert Browning's poem, "Andrea del Sarto," that has since been used to express the notion that simplicity and clarity lead to good design. But in recent times, it has also become a cliche referring to the wisdom of simplicity in a world wherein the desire for more is causing much harm. Here are just some of the reasons why "less is more" in this regard: 1. The simpler our lifestyle, the more we can give time to the more important things in life like giving quality time to family, spiritual practice, volunteering, and so on. 2. The less we consume, the better for our planet. If everybody would consume as much as the av er age American, four Earths would be needed. 3. Less choices equals more happiness. Too many choices make us miserable because we tend to question more whether we are making the right choices. 4. Simplicity is conducive to spiritual practice as we let go of more of our attachments. Sources: http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/226400.htm; lhttp://idioms.thefreedictionary.com/Less+is+more; http://www.boundless.org/blog/more-choices-less-happiness/

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.

Arts and Smarts: Why Art Matters in School “Art is an irreplaceable way of understanding and expressing the world,” once said poet Dana Gioia. “There are some truths about life that can be expressed only as stories, or songs, or images. Art delights, instructs, consoles. It educates our emotions.” Hence, it is no wonder that a well-rounded education that includes the arts is closely linked to academic achievement, social and emotional development, civic engagement, and equitable opportunity. Let us take a look at examples of how the arts help students become smarter: · Learning to read music and understand concepts like time, rhythm, and pitch have a direct effect on a child’s ability to comprehend math skills. · Studying the lyrics of music can teach students about syllabification, phonics, vocabu-

lary, imagery, history, myths, folktales, geography, and culture. · Studies show that there is a direct correlation between continued involvement in theater and success in math and reading. · Students who take the time to master a musical instrument learn about hard work, practice, and discipline. While performing in a group – like an orchestra, band, or choir – students learn to work together, appreciate teamwork, strive for a common goal, and develop negotiation skills. · Cultural awareness is achieved through every form of arts education. Sources: Lauralee Moss, "Keep Arts in Schools" (greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item/arts_smarts); Jessica Velasco, "How the Arts Can Help Students Excel" (http://www.scilearn.com/blog/ how-arts-help-students-excel)

Pope Francis: A Voice for Peace in our World Pope Francis was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize last year. He will almost certainly be nominated again this year. His outspoken leadership against military force is unparalled in papal history. More than any other world figure, his has also become the moral voice for peace in the contemporary world. Pope Francis constantly makes repeated calls for peace in his public appearances. For example, his call for a prayer vigil for peace in Syria immediately drew thousands to the St. Peter's Basilica. But what makes Pope Francis a widely well-loved pontiff of peace and for the poor is his unprecedented acts of humility and simplicity: he used public transportation as a cardinal, he refuses to live in the massive papal quarters in Rome, he washed the feet of women prisoners (one of whom was a Serbian Moslem), and so on. Never before also has a pope become so widely accepted by Protestants and evangelicals perhaps because it is difficult to be critical of someone who serves the poor and spends time with the victims of the world’s worst violences. At the end of the day, what is remarkable about Pope Francis is that he did not see the office of pope as something to be grasped, but instead, he made himself nothing, taking on the very nature of a servant, which is an imitation of Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace. Sources: http://www.faithstreet.com/onfaith/2013/09/09/francis-the-peace-pope/10811; http://www.relevantmagazine.com/current/why-pope-so-popular http://www.relevantmagazine.com/cur-

Peace Ideas, No. 80

Peace Practice_________________________________

Uprooting the Seeds of Anger We lose our peace when we get an gry, of ten giving in to thoughts and actions that we regret later. So what can we do about our anger? Zen teacher Jules Shuzen Harris says that anger has something to teach us, and we can learn from it if we listen. She points out the following: 1. The things that make us angry do not lie outside ourselves. It is how we respond to external events that makes us unhappy. 2. The other side of anger is fear. We identify ourselves with our false separate self or ego, and we get angry when it fears for its life or existence which is based on feelings of comfort, security, being right, being better, and so on. 3. Our anger teaches us something. Our anger helps us iden-

tify the ego needs and defense mechanisms that form our false self and that we must learn to let go. For example, we may get angry when we do not get the attention we want. This need usually has its roots in childhood experiences of deprivation of unconditional love which the false self tries to compensate by getting love and attention from others. 4. Meditation, mindfulness and other self-awareness practices can help us uproot the seeds of anger. Besides helping us understand where our anger comes from, they help us wake up gradually to our true self whereby our feeling of wholeness and completeness makes us heal, and love ourselves and others fully. Source: Jules Shuzen Harris Sensei, "Uprooting the Seeds of Anger" Tricycle magazine (Summer, 2012)

Peace Quotes Peace is the result of training your mind to process life as it is, rather than as you think it should be. WAYNE DYER

Peace is a precious gift that must be pro moted and protected...Never has the use of violence brought peace in its wake. War begets war. Violence begets violence. POPE FRANCIS

Veganism is about nonvi olence. It is about not engaging in harm to other sentient beings, to oneself, and to the environment upon which all beings depend for life. GARY FRANCIONE

Make no mistake: peace ful

Inner Peace ___________________________________ madmen are ahead of the future. GABRIEL GARCIA MARQUEZ

5 Things That Could Be Stealing Your Joy Author, award-winning motivational speaker, and joy facilitator Amanda Gore enumerates the following "joy stealers" that people should be wary of: 1. The story you tell yourself. What you tell yourself about yourself, others and everything that happens to you will determine how you feel. Period! So if the stories you tell yourself are not positive ones, change them. 2. Fear. Joy is our natural state but our fears block the joy that is inherently inside us. Here are a few examples of these often irrational fears you must avoid: 路 fear of what others think 路 fear of missing out 路 fear of not being good

enough 路 fear of not being lovable 3. Your health. If you see that you need to change your lifestyle, or exercise more, or eat a different diet, or lose weight, or take more time for yourself, or meditate, or relax more, then do it. 4. Spirit foofers. Make a conscious effort to surround yourself with positive, enthusiastic people rather than "spirit foofers" or people who often complain, blame, judge, criticize, and so on. 5. What you focus on. Shift to focusing on the good in everything that happens and everybody you meet. Source: Amanda Gore, "5 Things That Could Be Stealing Your Joy" (www.huffingtonpost.com/amandagore/joy_b_4944794.htmlt)

Change occurs when one becomes what he is, not when he tries to become what he is not. ARNOLD BEISSER

Every thought, every word, and every action that adds to the positive and the wholesome is a contribution to peace. Each and every one of us is capable of making such a contribution. AUNG SAN SUU KYI

To understand the immeasurable, the mind must be extraordinarily quiet, still. JIDDU KRISHNAMURTI

Man, when pre par ing for bloody war, will orate loudly and most eloquently in the name of peace. ALAN MOORE

Peace Ideas, No. 80

Health and Healing_______ Environment _________________________________

Sing For Your Health Singing is good for your health. So even if you sing out of tune or can't keep up with the beat, sing any way for the sake of your health. Some of the health benefits of singing are: 1. Singing reduces stress and pain. Studies have linked singing with a lower heart rate, decreased blood pressure, reduced stress and reduced feelings of pain, says New York City board-cer tified mu sic ther a pist Pa tri cia Preston-Roberts. 2. Singing reduces the effects of old age in the elderly. As part of a three-year study examining how singing affects the health of people 55 years of age and older, a Se nior Sing ers Cho rale was formed by the Levine School of Music in Washington, D.C. Compared with other control groups, the singing group reported an average of: · 30 fewer doctor visits · fewer eyesight problems · less incidence of depression · less need for medication · fewer falls and lesser injuries 3. Singing boosts the immune system and well-being. A University of Frankfurt study in Germany found that choral members had higher levels of immunoglobulin A and cortisol--markers of enhanced immunity--after they sang Mozart’s “Requiem." Just listening to the music did not have the same effect. In another study, members of a choir enjoyed the benefits of-· improved lung capacity · high energy · relieved asthma · increased mental alertness · better posture · enhanced feelings of relaxation, mood and confidence. Source: http://www.sixwise.com/newsletters/06/06/07/how_singing_improves_your_health_even_if_other_people_shouldnt_he ar_you_singing.htm

Help Save the Planet — One Meal at a Time The United Nations Environment Programme, the voice for the environment in the UN, has been reiterating its view that it first stated in its initial report in 2010 that a global shift towards a vegan/vegetarian diet is vital to save the world from hunger, fuel poverty and the worst impacts of climate change, especially now that things are not getting better. Reasons why going veg is our most sustainable choice for our planet include: 1. It protects the soil. Raising animals for human consumption contributes to erosion and nutritional depletion of soil, desertification and deforestation. 2. It conserves water. 100 to 200 times more water is needed to produce a pound of beef than

to grow a pound of plant food. 3. It saves energy. Producing an i mal-based pro tein re quires eight times more fossil-fuel energy than creating plant-based protein. 4. It clears the air and prevents global warming. Animal agriculture is the largest contributor to greenhouse-gas emissions, larger than all forms of transportation. 5. It alleviates world hunger. We are growing enough food to feed as much as 15 billion people but around 1 billion people are hungry or starving because we feed most of our grain and legumes to farm animals. Global food production must increase by 70% by 2050 at the rate the world population is consuming animal flesh. Source: Whitney Lauritsen, "5 Ways Being Vegan Saves the Planet" (http://vegnews.com/articles/page.do?pageId=4425&catId=3)

Animal Welfare _______________________________

The 10 Commandments of Canine Pets Here are 10 canine commandments written by dog behaviorist Stan Rawlinson: 1. Think before you buy me. I will live for 10-15 years. Regular separation from you will be painful. 2. Give me time to understand what you want from me. Don't be impatient or short-tempered. 3. Place your trust in me and I will always trust you back. 4. Don't be angry with me for long, and don't lock me up as punishment. It feels bad to be rejected. You have your work, play and friends. I only have you. 5. Talk to me sometimes. Even if I don't understand your words, I do understand your tone . Be aware that however you

treat me, I will never forget. Your bad treatment may spoil the special bond between us. 7. Please do not hit me. I don't ever want to need to fight back. 8. Before you tell me off me for being uncooperative or lazy, ask yourself if something is wrong with me. Perhaps I'm not getting the right food, my heart is getting old and weak, and so on. 9. Take care of me when I get old. You too will grow old and will also want love and care. 10. Go with me on difficult journeys. Never say, "I can't bear to watch." Everything is easier for me if you are there. Remember: irrespective of what you do, I will always love you. Source: www.stallionstation.com/dogs/commandments.html

Peace Ideas, No. 80

Parenting ___________________________________ Self-Improvement _________

What it Means to Be a Peaceful Parent Dr. Laura Markham, clinical psychologist, parenting expert, and author of Peaceful Parenting, Happy Kids: How to Stop Yelling and Start Connecting, says that in order to be a peaceful parent, you should be able to-1. Regulate your emotions so you can be calm with your children. Because your child is still a child, that is, someone who is still learning, has different priorities than you do, and cannot always manage her feelings or actions, his behavior will often push your buttons. The problem is when you also act like a child because one of you has to show the example of acting maturely. If, instead, you stay mindful—meaning you notice your emo tions and let them pass with out acting on them—you model emotional regulation and your child learns from your example of serenity. 2. Set limits with empathy. Peaceful parents discipline from a place of love and understanding rather than out of fear, a desire to control, a need to feel superior or some other sub con scious ego need. Virtually all human beings get wounded emotionally or psychologically as children, so parents some times iden tify with parenting as a role to compensate for their sense of inadequacy such that they easily become an-

gry when frustrated by their children's misbehavior. The good news is that parenting gives parents the opportunity to heal. Children have an uncanny ability to show their parents their wounded places, drawing out their unreasonable fears and angers. As parents slowly heal from understanding how their fears and angers arise from childhood wounds, they increasingly become more compassionate to their children. 3. Reflect before you react, look ing for the un der lying need behind your child’s misbehavior--whether it is a need for attention, the need to explore, a need to learn to handle his feelings, and so on. 4. Connect before you correct. Children are not open to learning when stressed. For example, receiving genuine praise for the things he did right before being corrected for the things he did wrong will enable him to cooperate more. 5. Keep your “love cups” full so you can pour your acceptance, appreciation and unconditional love into your child. Love yourself unconditionally. Slow down. De-stress. Relax. Center yourself and be love. Source: Dr. Laura Markham, "The Peaceful Parent" (http://www.ahaparenting.com/parenting-tools/Peaceful_Parenting)

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Steve Job's 5 Secrets to Success Carmine Gallo, bestselling author of The Innovation Secrets of Steve Jobs, has made a career of sharing the success secrets of Steve Jobs, the founder of Apple who was also a devoted Zen practitioner. Gallo gives the following seven ways Jobs managed to achieve success in the face of daunting circum stances (Jobs was a college dropout and once kicked out of his own company!) and how you can do the same. 1. Do what you love. “Don’t settle...as with all matters of the heart, you’ll know when you find it,” Jobs once told Stanford University graduates in a commencement address. 2. "Put a dent on the universe." This means "you have to have a big, bold, clear, concise vision," as Gallo puts it. 3. "Say no to 1000 things." A key to Jobs' success is simplifying his business. “In 1997, when he returned to Apple, Apple was close to bankruptcy. He took 300 products and condensed them to 10 within a two-year period,” Gallo says. And the rest is history. 4. "Kickstart your brain" by doing something new. Jobs was an innovator. In the words of Apple’s own slogan, “Think differently.” 5. "Sell dreams, not products." Jobs explained that the iPhone was not just a phone but a lifestyle. 6. "Create insanely great experiences." “For Jobs, it wasn’t just about selling 29 million iPads this summer but entertaining the customer at the same time,” Gallo says of Jobs' vision of creating a great experience for the customer. 7. "Master the message." Jobs wasn't born a naturally gifted product presenter but he improved in time through practice. Source: http://abcnews.go.com/Technology/steve-jobs-secrets-success/story?id=14692969

Peace Ideas, No. 80

Interspirituality _________ Inner and Outer Peace___________________________

The Monk in the World In their extended essay, "New Monasticism: An Interspiritual Manifesto for Contemplative Life in the 21st Century," interspiritualists Adam Bucko and Rory McEntee speak of a "new monasticism" practiced by those in the new generation who are called to lives of contemplation and compassionate action but who do not necessarily feel drawn to one particular religious tradition or called to traditional forms of monasticism that are characterized by seclusion. The "new monk," "new monastic," or "monk in the world," as the practitioner of this "new monasticism" is called-· commits himself to achieving life's ultimate purpose of spiritual awakening and saving all beings · dedicates himself fully to the contemplatve (or meditative) life · dedicates himself wholeheartedly to compassionate service to all beings · integrates contemplation and action, and works toward a new way of being in the world where one becomes an expression of Spirit · understands the holiness of the secular, and moves in the secular world without diminishing his pursuit of holiness; hence, he is "in the world but not of it" · may be an artist, scientist, spiritual teacher, elementary teacher, social worker, waiter, and so on; it is not so much the job that matters as the place from which he approaches his work which is not separate from his spiritual path · works to incarnate a new world that wil allow for the unique flowering of the spirit of every individual and community on Earth. Source: http://www.scribd.com/doc/101981 052/New-Monasticism-An-Interspiritual-Manifesto-for-Contemplative-Life-in-the-21st- Century#scribd

Why Depression is on the Rise Depression is widespread and it is getting worse. For example, 19 percent of Americans will suffer from depres sion at some point of their lives, with 12 % taking Prozac at any given time-a significant rise over the past decades. As depression is on the rise, the costs are escalating. In the US alone-· 35,000 people commit suicide every year because of depression (people who are depressed are 30 times more likely to commit suicide) · Depression is now the leading cause of medical disability for people aged 14 to 44 · Depressed people lose 5.6 hours of productive work every week when they are depressed · $8.27 billion every year is the cost of lost productivity due to absences of workers with depression · $35.73 billion every year is the cost of lost productivity of workers with depression even while they are present at work. But why are more and more people getting depressed? Author and psychiatry visionary Dr. Robert J. Hedaya observes that-1. The densely pop u lated Western city is the setting where the incidence of depression is most rapidly rising.

2. We have lost our connection with the natural world. In the purely physical universe where there is no inherent meaning and dialogue with nature, we seek solace in the physical. We buy what we do not need because it is supposed to make us feel good, so we work harder to buy more and then become alienated from our families and even our coworkers who are generally viewed as competition. 3. Furthermore, as a culture, Western society seems to have lost its center, is disoriented, and without a higher purpose. 4. Ultimately, the reduction of the prevalence of depression will not come from anti-depressants or psychotherapy but a re-connection of the individual with the larger whole of the family, the community, a purposeful culture, and a dialogue with nature and mean ing. This will re quire a rebalancing of the male-dom inated, in di vid u al istic, dom i nation-oriented culture (in which reason and logic are the only way of knowing) with the feminine, wholistic, interactive and participatory approach to life. Sources: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/robert-leahy-phd/the-cost-of-depression_b_770805.html; https://www.psychologytoday.com/articles/200312/the-price-depression; https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/health-matters/200901/the-culture-depression-nature-materialism-and-depression

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).