Briana (enters, to center stage, candlelighting): Peace is the breath of our spirit.
Jade (from east): It wells up from within the depths of our being
Ian (from west): to refresh,
Elizabeth (from south): to heal,
Andisa (from north): to inspire...
Briana: These are the opening words of the Universal Peace Covenant.
It is a seed for peace.
“Breath of Our Spirit” by Dr. Barbara Condron, chorus solely
(music) Peace is the breath of our spirit.
Peace is the way to come home.
Peace is divine and is human.
Peace, paz, mir, shanti, shalom!
(voices-three times)
Peace is the breath of our spirit. (star, clockwise)
Peace is the way to come home. (star, counterclockwise)
Peace is divine and is human. (outward, Garuda mudra)
Peace, paz, mir, shanti, shalom! (chin/jnana)
Narrator (Dr. Sheila):
A prayer is a seed. A thing, devoutly desired. When it is planted in fertile soil, given the warmth of the sunlight and the freshness of the rain, it breaks forth.
A plant is born that, in time, flowers and produces its own seed. (give to Andisa)
Andisa:
Peace is something inside everyone’s soul that cannot be hurt.
Peace is love, opposite of hate, harmony among humans and creatures alike, together.
Although peace can be seen, there are many different definitions of peace.
We are seeds. Our prayers are the water that nourishes them.
Narrator (Dr. Sheila):
A story is an experience. It tells of people and their lives.
Some stories have happened in the outer world. We call those experiences– history.
Other stories remain in the inner world, awaiting the time of happening. These stories tell where we have been, where we are, and how far we have yet to go.
Briana:
Peace is only peace, it tells its own story through many faiths.
Peace is feeling freedom with responsibility to our kin.
Peace is feeling energy through matter and space.
Peace is feeling compassion for others with our own unique touch.
Peace is knowing God brought us to earth to learn.
We are the creators and the carriers of the tales. The actors and the witnesses to all happenings.
Narrator (Dr. Sheila):
A song is a lotus. Its melody -- the voice of God waiting to be heard.
Its rhythm -- the pulse of the universe, the charge that makes it all happen.
(give-Ian)
Ian:
Peace is divine harmony. Peace is the answer to all problems.
It is much more than just stopping conflict.
We all need to raise ourselves to our highest mind and self. Us.
Peace is like a river. It never stops flowing unless the source is destroyed. But Peace’s source can never be destoyed.
We are that source! We are Peace’s song.
Narrator (Sheila):
There are many lessons in our Book of Peace.
Tonight, we share with you the world’s prayers and stories and songs of
Briana: peace,
Jade: paz,
Ian: mir,
Elizabeth: shanti,
Andisa: shalom!
A The Seed of Peace
Zarathustrians follow the teachings of a Persian prophet who lived before Gautama, before Jesus, before Mohammed. Here is a Zarathustrians Seed for Peace, a Zarathustrians prayer:
“We pray to God to relieve all misery in the world.
We pray that understanding triumph over ignorance,
that generosity triumph over indifference, that trust triumph over contempt, and that truth triumph over falsehood.”
EUROPE
European narrator (Jade):
Around the world there are stories of peace. Many contain war, stories of people hurting one another. Some people stop and ask “why?” We want the pain to end. So we keep looking for answers.
Come with us and travel the world to discover the meaning of peace as it has been taught on our planet for centuries, generation after generation.
We begin our journey in (spin globe) Europe.
The Stories of Peace
Our first story comes from Russia. It is called...
Two Goats on the Bridge
“Between two mountains lay a narrow bridge.
On each mountain lived a goat.
Some days the goat from the western mountain would cross the bridge
to graze on the eastern mountain.
Some days the goat from the eastern mountain would cross the bridge
to graze on the western mountain.
But one day, both goats began to cross the bridge at the same time.”
(Goats meet in middle, neither wanting to give way.)
Western Goat: “Move off! I am crossing this bridge!”
Eastern Goat: “Move yourself! I am crossing here!”
Narrator: As neither would retreat and neither could move forward,
they stood in anger for some time.
At last they locked horns and began to push.
They were so evenly matched in strength that they succeeded
only in pushing each other off the bridge.
Wet and furious, they climbed from the river and stomped off to their homes.
Goats mutter: “See what his stubbornness caused!”
Jade:
Sometimes a small change makes all the difference.
Listen to the same tale as it is told in Germany.
Two Goats on the Bridge
“Between two mountains lay a narrow bridge.
On each mountain lived a goat.
Some days the goat from the western mountain would cross the bridge
to graze on the eastern mountain.
Some days the goat from the eastern mountain would cross the bridge
to graze on the western mountain.
But one day, both goats began to cross the bridge at the same time.
They met in the middle of the bridge.”
Western Goat: “We have a problem here.”
Eastern Goat: “So it seems.”
W. Goat: “I do not want to back up.”
E. Goat: “Neither do I. This bridge is too narrow, but perhaps...”
W. Goat: “Maybe if we are both very careful.....”
E Goat: “We can pass without falling.”
Both goats: “We can try!”
Narrator: Cautiously they squeezed past, being careful not to overbalance the other.
Thus the goats passed peacefully and went on their way, muttering,
Both Goats: “What a cooperative fellow he is!”
Jade:
A change in attitude made all the difference for the goats.
A change in attitude is what all spiritual leaders have encouraged for there to be peace on earth.
Briana: Gautama the Buddha said, “Hurt not others in ways that you yourself would find hurtful.”
Jade: Confucius said, “Surely it is a maxim of loving-kindness: do not to others that which you would not have them do to you.”
Ian: Lao Tsu taught to “regard your neighbor’s gain as your own gain, and your neighbor’s loss as your own loss.”
Elizabeth: Zarathustra, the Persian Christ, observed “that nature only is good when it shall not do to another whatever is not good for its own self.”
Andisa: Jesus the Christ taught to “love your neighbor as yourself.”
Jade: This is my prayer:
When I think about peace, I think about 9/11.
I pray for peace in Afghanistan, in Israel, and here in the United States.
Peace wherever you look.
Dear Lord,
We ask may love and peace take over the planet
and let there be hatred and killing no more. No more fatal accidents.
We pray that the people and animals come together from all over the
planet to get to know and love each other.
Dr. Laurel: Every master taught the inner secret of friendship. The Universal Truth that makes all of us friends. In making friends with people around the globe, we learn that we are all related in spirit. We want to share with you the letters of friendship we wrote this week to our new brothers and sisters half a world away.
Elizabeth, will you share first?
Elizabeth: My pen pal’s name is Zainab Hameer. She is from Tanzania and speaks Swahili, English, and Hindi. Here is the letter I wrote:
Hi, my name is Elizabeth Vaughan. I’m from Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, U.S.A. I’m at camp right now and we’re all doing pen pals. This is my first time doing pen pals.
Do you have any animals? I have a dog, cat, 6 goats and 8 chickens. I love animals, they’re so cute.
I don’t know what else to say, but maybe when you write me back I’ll know what to say.
Your pen pal,
Liz
Ian: My pen pal is from Oman. He is 11 years old like me and his name is Qusai Alshidi.
Dear Qusai,
My name is Ian James Cantrell and I live in the U.S.A. I’ve been playing piano for over 5 years. I’ve also been taking French for 5 years. What language do you speak? I like to ride my bike a lot. It’s fun! I also like art. Do you have any hobbies or collect anything?
I am at camp away from home right now. I’m looking forward to hearing from you. Write back soon,
From,
Ian Cantrell
Briana: My new pen pal is from France. I wanted to write to a girl from France to help me with my French.
Chere Mademoiselle Gardner,
Je m’appelle Briana Padilla. J’ai quatorze ans. Je veux ecrire a une jeune fille de la France pour meilleur apprendre le francais.
My hobbies are dancing, art, horseback riding and I love the water.
What do you like to do?
I have no siblings, do you?
My birthday is January 28, 1988. I hope that you decide to write soon.
Sincere greetings,
Briana M. Padilla
Jade: My pen pal is from New South Wales, Australia. Her name is very long: Thilothemi Balakumaran. Here’s the letter I wrote to her:
Dear Thilothemi,
My name is Jade Elise Knapke. I love little chicks and kittens. My favorite colors are blue and purple. I have a little sister named India. (I’m not kidding here, that’s really her name.)
I’m not sure what to ask you about yourself. But feel free to ask me whatever you like. I normally write in cursive but I didn’t know if you could read it or not so I wrote in print. If you would it would be really cool if you could send me your picture. Thanks!
Your pen pal,
Jade
P.S. I am 11 years old. My birthday is Sept. 4, 1990.
Andisa: My pen pal is from Belgium. She speaks Dutch and English. I drew pictures on the letter that I sent.
Dear Jolien,
Hi! My full name is Andisa Montex Khanya Jones. I’m 11 years old and I live in Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.A.
Right now I’m in camp. It’s at the College of Metaphysics. There are farm animals, and I just fed the baby chicks this afternoon. We do Tai Chi and meditation in the mornings, swimming on Tuesdays/Thursdays, and we do chores in the morning and at night.
Do you have any siblings? I have a sister and that’s all. I also have a dog and cat. Do you know any kind of dog called a Schipperke? I hear they originated in Belgium.
How’s life in Belgium? Tell me what you like to do.
Well, anyway, my address is 8 Thwing Street, Boston, MA 02119, USA. You can write me there.
Yours till the banana splits,
Andisa
PS. I really like hip-hop and I love 2 draw. What kind of music do you like?
The Song of Peace
“Friends”
I’ve known you before and I’ll know you again
for that is the way of this world.
From centuries to cultures we live out God’s plan
For now and forever we’re friends.
Chorus: We reach out. To join hands. In friendship.
United we know where we stand.
Atlantis and China, Egypt and Japan.
Wherever you are there is truth.
We come to bring kindness to our fellowman
For now and forever we’re friends.
Chorus
We will stick together through thick and through thin
We’ll always be loyal and true
We will trust each other and listen within
For now and forever we’re friends.
Chorus
A friend is someone who appreciates you.
To cherish in every way
Encouraging, helping and talking too
For now and forever we’re friends.
Chorus
From all of the globe we come to play
..... In the same language we smile
We’re learning to love in every way
For now and forever we’re friends.
Chorus:
Repeat first verse with tag ending: I’m happy to call you, my friend.
African Narrator (Andisa): Next we visit.... AFRICA
The Seed of Peace
“Almighty God, the roaring Thunder that splits mighty trees:
the all-seeing Lord up on high who sees even the footprints of antelope on a rock here on Earth. You do not hesitate to respond to our call. You are the cornerstone of peace.”
The Story of Peace
Sometimes we do not treat others well and we think there is no peace.
How do we become friends after we have fought with another?
The answer is in a Ndebele tale from Zimbabwe called...
A Blind Man Catches a Bird
Narrator 1 (Andisa): A young man married a woman whose brother was blind. The young man was eager to get to know his new brother-in-law, so he invited him to go hunting.
Brother-in-law (Ian): “You are welcome to join me.”
Blind Man (Adam): “I cannot see, remember? (pausing) But if you will help me see, I would enjoy the time together.”
Narrator: The young man led the blind man into the bush. At first they followed a path that the man knew. Here, it was easy for the blind man to tag on behind the other. After a while, though, the brush got thicker, the trees grew closely together, and there were many places for animals to hide.
The blind man now held on to the arm of his sighted brother-in-law. He told him many things about the sounds they heard around them. Because he had no sight, he had a great ability to interpret the noises made by animals in the bush.
Blind Man: “There are warthogs nearby. I can hear their noises over there.” (pointing in direction of noise, taking a few steps, then pointing in another direction) “There! That bird is preparing to fly. Listen to the sound of its wings unfolding.”
Brother-in-law: “These sounds are meaningless to me. You have an ability to understand the bush which is beyond me!”
Blind Man: (urging him on) “Let us set our traps.”
Narrator 1: They walked on for several hours until they to came water.
Brother-in-law: “You can put your trap here.” (stops the blind man, helping him set his trap down) “The birds will come for water here.”
Narrator 1: The man put his trap a short distance away, taking care to disguise it so that no bird would know that it was there. He did not bother to disguise the blind man’s trap, as it was hot and he was eager to get home to his new wife. Any bird could tell that there was a trap there.
When the young man urged the blind man to follow, the blind man came willingly, believing his brother-in-law had disguised his trap. They returned home to their wives.
Narrator 2 (Jade): The next day, the pair returned to their hunting place. The blind man was excited at the prospect of having caught something. The younger man had to tell him to keep quiet or he would scare the animals away. Even before they reached the traps, the blind man could tell they had caught something.
Blind Man: “I can hear birds! There are birds in the traps.”
Narrator 2: When he reached his trap, the young man saw that he had caught a small grey bird. He took it out of the trap and put it in a pouch that he had brought with him. Then the two of them walked towards the blind man’s trap.
Brother-in-law: “There’s a bird in it. You have caught a bird too.”
Narrator 2: As he spoke, he felt himself filling with jealousy. The blind man’s bird was marvelously colored, as if it had flown through a rainbow and been stained by the colors. The feathers from a bird would make a fine present for his new wife.
Brother-in-law: (Young man bends down and takes the blind man’s bird from the trap, switching them) “Here is your bird. You may put it in your pouch.”
Narrator 2: The blind man felt the bird for a moment, his fingers passing over the wings and the breast. Then, without saying anything, he put the bird into his pouch. The two began the trip home. They talked of many hours, of many things, stopped for a rest under a broad tree.
Brother-in-law: “You are so wise. You know so many things even though you can see nothing at all. There is a question that has always troubled me. Can you tell me, why do people fight with one another?”
Blind Man: (taking his time, then looking up at the young man as if he could see him) “Men fight because they do to each other what you have just done to me.”
(Ashamed, the young man rises to his feet. Fetches his pouch, taking out the brightly colored bird, he gives it back to the blind man.)
Blind Man: (feels bird with his fingers, then smiles) “Do you have any other questions for me?”
Brother-in-law: “Yes. How do men become friends after they have fought?”
Blind Man (Smiling) : “They do what you have just done. That’s how they become friends again.”
Andisa:
This is a Muslim Prayer
“In the name of Allah, the merciful. Praise be to the Lord of the Universe who has created us and made us into tribes and nations,
that we may know each other, not that we may despise each other.
O Lord, make good that which is between us,
unite our hearts and guide us to paths of peace.”
This is my prayer:
Love, nurturing, peace
Joy, merriment, peace
Caring, sharing, peace
These things are required to be peaceful.
Do these things and be peaceful.
Help others to be peaceful, too.
Asian narrator (Ian): Our next continent is....ASIA
A Story of Peace
For our next story we need four volunteers (narrator waits as campers seat them as if at a table)
Now we are ready for a story from China called
Heaven and Hell
A man once asked if he could visit heaven and hell.
When he reached hell, he was amazed to find people seated around a huge banquet table. The finest foods were piled high on the table. “What a feast! Perhaps hell wasn’t so bad after all!” he thought.
Then he looked more closely at the diners. They were all starving! You see, each diner had been given chopsticks which were three feet long! There was no way they could carry the food to their mouths with these long chopsticks. No one could eat a bite.
What a hell indeed, to sit so close to a banquet and yet be unable to taste even a bite.
The man was then taken to heaven to observe life there.
To his surprise he saw people seated around a banquet table in exactly the same situation. Each person had been given three foot long chopsticks in heaven too!
But here, everyone was happily eating the delicious food.
The residents of heaven were using their yard long chopsticks to feed each other!
Ian:
Some people look at a glass of water declaring it half full. While others insist it is half empty. It has been said that a fool can make a Hades of Heaven.
It is also true that a wise one knows how to make Heaven anywhere he or she goes.
This is my prayer:
At one time, Peace shall unravel on all the earth.
Fill every crevice and open space.
At one time, Peace shall free the hearts and souls of all life.
At one time Peace will enable us to have tranquility
and be free of destruction. Love all.
That one time is soon.
The Song of Peace
Eternal Tao (music and lyrics by Dr. Barbara Condron)
Let the mind rest in peace! Let the mind rest in peace!
Ten thousand things rise and fall. Self watches their return.
Let the mind rest in peace! Let the mind rest in peace!
All creatures have form. I see them return again.
Return to the source. Where there is stillness.
Return to the source. The way of nature.
The way of nature is repose.
Bringing insight. Bringing peace.
The mind is open.
The open mind knows eternity.
Great of soul. Acts royally.
The ruling soul is divine.
Being divine you are conscious of life.
Being conscious of life you endure.
As does the Tao. The eternal Tao!
Narrator (Elizabeth): The WORLD
A Christian monk, half a world a way, understood what it is to be alert.
He created this prayer. A timeless seed for active peace.
“Lord, make me an instrument of your peace.
Where there is hatred, let me sow love,
Where there is injury, pardon,
Where there is doubt, faith,
Where there is despair, hope,
Where there is darkness, light,
Where there is sadness, joy.”
St. Francis of Assisi knew the importance of each of us. So did a little hummingbird in China who was intent upon....
Holding Up the Sky
Narrator: One day an elephant saw a hummingbird lying flat on its back on the ground. The bird’s tiny feet were raised up into the air.
Elephant: “What on earth are you doing, Hummingbird?”
Hummingbird: “I have heard that the sky might fall today. If that should happen, I am ready to do my bit in holding it up.”
Elephant (laughing): “Do you think those tiny feet could hold up the sky?”
Hummingbird: “Not alone. But each must do what he can. And this is what I can do.”
Elizabeth:
This is my prayer....
I pray for peace everywhere.
In the ocean. On the land.
On Earth, and in space.
Everywhere!
Amen.
Dr. Barbara:
For peace to prevail on earth, we must claim what we can do to make that peace.
Some of the oldest recorded scriptures in the world, the Vedas, describe the eternal seed of peace waiting to be planted in fertile minds. Please repeat after me:
“Shanti! Shanti! Shanti!
May there be peace in heaven,
may there be peace in the skies,
May there be peace on earth,
may there be peace in the waters.
May there be peace in the plants,
may there be peace in the trees,
May we find peace in all the diving powers,
may we find peace in the supreme Lord,
May we all be in peace,
may that peace be mine.
Shanti! Shanti! Shanti!”
Om
The song of peace
We created a dance to illustrate peace. The words of Om Shree Sache mean “may the ultimate truth be victorious. May that which is beyond all boundaries be victorious. May there be peace, peace, peace!” In our dance, peace sends its messenger to Earth where she is received and ignored, embraced and rejected by a people asleep. She must prepare the way, awaken the lotus in the people, ready them for the coming of Shanti. The people move through the stages of Man to reach the wisdom that brings peace. Self love followed by love of others, brings connectedness with all, opening the Self to receive divine wisdom. Shanti comes to earth.
Our dance is our seed of peace that we plant.
“Om Shree Sache”
Seeds of Peace teleplay by Dr. Barbara Condron, stories from Peace Tales
Breath of our Spirit, Eternal Tao, Friends, music and lyrics by Dr. Barbara Condron, ©School of Metaphysics.
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