PP 297537/00068
PO Box 627
Caringbah NSW 1495
Tel: (02) 9540 2391
Fax: (02) 9524 0025
www.sydneygoodwill.org.au

No 192 / December 2002

Dear Friends,

The Christmas Season refreshes memory with a sense of purpose behind the outer seeming. And in these days when fear and terror may distract us from the good, the true and the beautiful, it is heartening to experience anew the power of those ancient words: "Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people . . . Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men."

In more recent times a Master spoke to a disciple in these words: "Have you ever thought, my brother, that just as there is a discipline of pain and of sorrow, there may also be a discipline of joy and of achievement? . . Men need to learn this new truth, and its perception will greatly change human consciousness. That which is bliss is today here or on its way, and the disciples of the present time must be taught how to recognise and implement it."

The cyclic turn of the year brings us to this moment, always new but always re-freshed and re-enlivened by the same source of inspiration flowing down the years and urging us on to this realisation. It is in many ways the perfect time to announce the Peace Summit to be held on Saturday, 1 March 2003 in the Great Hall at the University of Sydney. An overview is enclosed with this Newsletter to introduce:

The intention is to focus on creating the future we choose whose governance is conducted through those agencies and infrastructures based on a culture of peace rather than on a dynamic of conflict. Then, knowing the future we intend, we can review and resolve the demands of the moment in the light of our purpose. Based on a culture of peace there can be no anti force or contention with anything but rather an understanding of true cause so that it can be addressed by the whole community - whether local, national or global - with each individual, community and nation taking responsibility for their own determination to live a culture of peace.

At the first summit in Vermont, the We the People Peace Summit, a speaker said, "This is a defining moment and we are the definition." We are now at a new moment where that definition has unfolded and expanded to embrace us all in Australia in the wave of Peace that is sweeping the Earth from out of the very Centre of Peace or the Centre where the Will of God is known. This wave of Peace is establishing a new culture on earth as predicted and intended a long time ago.

Peace has been defined in many ways and all may be true from a particular perspective for Peace is not the absence of something but the living presence of the whole of life, unfolding with purpose. Every part of that whole can reflect that purpose in its own way, supportive of the whole. Peace is the dynamic heart of Life itself. From that central heart, barriers, delusions and illusions are seen for what they are - either useful constructs to assist the growth of the whole or falsities when used only to further separate ambition. And from that centre they are seen through, and this insight leads to an understanding that generates true expression or truth in manifestation, operating for the good of the whole life of which we are a part and so expressing beauty in form.

Human beings have today, more than ever before, a sense of relatedness - to each other, to the other kingdoms and to the planet as a whole. The current areas of conflict are anachronisms which perpetuate only so long as we forget or forgo our interrelationship. The most dire situations only await those who have the courage to act from a point of peace, poise and the resulting sense of proportion. These are the situations where the very process of "defending peace" is predicated on conflict and is not truly peace-full. Wherever there is defensive reaction there is a sense of separateness which is being maintained at the expense of the whole and which is thereby self-defeating. Aggressive defence makes us more vulnerable, not less. On the other hand acting, with sensible precaution, to resolve cause makes us powerful.

The coming culture that we are, every one of us, creating together even now, will be predicated not on conflict but on the interrelatedness of all and on the integral value of every component. There is behind the apparent outer turmoil of the world a movement by all enlightened minds "to renew an ancient 'sharing of secrets', and to prepare humanity for a civilisation which will be distinguished by a constant intellectual perception of truth". Seeing through to the truth is the pathway of return to that essential peace which is the heart and source of life.

And truth is powerful indeed. Distorted interpretations may cloak it from time to time but these dissolve away in its light. They are wasted efforts because it is the constant search for understanding that leads to reality, to peace and to life. The direct path is highlighted by speed of movement and by the simplicity of the essentialising process. Unrelated detail is either swept aside or gathered into meaningful strands in an automatic outflow from the magnetic sense of purpose, direction and true heart. Thus it is that our world is an emerging world - not an imposed order from a rational sorting of facts - and it emerges through each and every one of us, together and as one.

The Share the Spirit of Peace keynote is operating powerfully through all efforts to organise the Peace Summit. There has been a wonderful sharing of expertise, willingness, facilities, equipment, services and support. It is truly a communal effort in the deepest and greatest sense with individuals, organizations and businesses giving as they respond to the note. However there are still some fairly large costs to be covered such as travel costs for presenters and performers, venue, catering etc. We know that this will be covered, as there is an amazing power behind the way it is all unfolding - yet we are not sure how all the funds will emerge.

Donations - Someone said recently that if everyone on the mailing list were able to give $50 most expenses would be covered. In the light of this remark if any friends and co-workers would like to support the event in any way your offers or donations (to the Share the Spirit of Peace - Peace Summit) may be directed to the Sydney goodwill Office at the above address. We are currently applying for tax exemption on donations so please include a return address for the mailing of a receipt.

Co-workers Support - For any who would like to be amongst the volunteers to assist the event a planning meeting has been scheduled for next Sunday evening 15 December, at 7pm at the YWCA 5-11 Wentworth Avenue, Sydney. All are welcome. If you are unable to attend but wish to be advised of further opportunites, please send your email address to judynorman@optusnet.com.au .