Building Bridges in Times of Peace and Times of War

Inspired by the U.N.World Peace Prayer Day, Ottawa's first annual Peace Prayer Day on Oct 4th will bring together many traditions in song, dance, plays, live art, meditative walking, labyrinths and drumming. It will be a day-long celebration of peace in support of international peace processes and initiatives. Circle Oct.4th on your calendar. The war in Iraq was the catalyst for new grassroots peace activism in Ottawa and a new blending of the social/ political with the spiritual. We experienced the silent vigil of 4,000 on Parliament Hill, the Social Forum which was opened by First Nations Spiritual leader William Commanda, Peace Song Circle on Parliament Hill, a flurry of interfaith activity, and much more. Even Kai Brand-Jacobson's highly political talk at the NAC emphasized "deep culture" and interpersonal "conflict transformation".

The organizing committee of the Pine Gate Sangha and Friends For Peace recognizes that we must work for peace every day of our lives whether or not it is a time of war. To create infrastructure in our social and political institutions, which value and legitimize peace processes is their goal. The root of peace in the world is the individual choosing to act collectively - in coalition with others. In order for both the individual and the community to find their full potential and strength of conviction in a restless and uncertain world, inner peace processes have now become essential.

The day will open with the First Nations drum circle and ceremonial dancers followed by a massed choir directed by Mike McDonald. They will have prepared with a day-long workshop prior to the event. (If interested in participating in the workshop, contact Mike - mike@nutshellmusic.com.) There will be a labyrinth set up by United Church members. As well, the Dances of Universal Peace from the Sufi tradition will lead participants in a multi-traditional dance. Brief talks on Buddhist mindfulness, 3HO mantric meditations as well as environmental issues will be given. Lots for the ears, lots for the body; for the eyes, there will be: a Hindu dancer in full costume, artists painting their impressions of the day at hand. (Paintings will be sold by silent auction at end of day) and a wishing-well children's project for wishing wellness. Grandfather William Commanda, widely respected elder from Maniwaki, will speak. Peace awards will be given. There will be info tables for peace and environmental activists (if interested, contact Carolyn Hill at Chill@TierneyStauffer.com).

This is a full family day of fun, celebration, communing, and learning about many great projects such as the multi-ethnic housing project and the Ottawa interfaith group "Women for Peace". Our mission statement is:

Pine Gate Sangha and Friends for Peace is a coalition of environmental, meditation and peace groups which formed in Ottawa December 2002. They organized silent peace vigils across the National Capital Region before the Iraq war and the Peace Song Circle on Parliament Hill, March 22, 2003, after war had broken out. The intent is to create a different form of peaceful expression, non-dualistic in tone in order to appeal to a broad cross section of Canadian citizens who do support a major role for Canada as a peacekeeping nation.

Peace Prayer Day finishes at 4:00 pm after a silent walk along the Rideau River as a private yet collective prayer for peace. We will be met by runners carrying a flame of peace, starting from the eternal flame on Parliament Hill, symbolizing that we are all eternal flames for peace.

Offered by donation. Location: Alumni Park Carleton University; Pack a picnic lunch or enjoy on-site cafeteria at the Loeb building and student union. For info: swelchner@rogers.com 821-5599 or iprattis@cyberus.ca 613 726 0881. Peace Song Circle one-hour documentaries are available on video or DVD from kburton@cyberus.ca. (featuring 7 choirs and massed choir; these are being sold to help fund-raise for the PPD event. The words come with it and it makes a great Peace song sing-along).

Parmatma Leviton,
Pine Gate Sangha and Friends for Peace
www.ianprattis.com/friends/friendsforpeace.htm