In these tumultuous times, in America and abroad, let us take a moment to remember Nicholas Roerich’s Banner of Peace as a global symbol and a call to peaceful action. Since time immemorial, warriors have carried banners into war. This is a banner of peace:

This ancient universal symbol is one of the world’s oldest. Its three spheres were designated by Nicholas Roerich, the designer of the banner, as the synthesis of all arts, all sciences, and all faiths within the circle of culture.

Wherever the Banner is displayed, it recognizes the great achievement of the past, the present, and the future. It encourages the individual to strive to fulfill his or her highest potential, beautifying all aspects of life; it encourages each person to take responsibility for the evolution of the planet; it signifies the peace-builder; and it symbolizes the transformation of the individual and of society. It represents cooperation—the cornerstone of the emerging planetary culture—in all aspects of human activity.

Nicholas Roerich was a world-renowned artist, philosopher, archaeologist, and author. He created an international treaty, the Roerich Pact and Banner of Peace. It provided that the Banner fly over all historic monuments and educational, artistic, and scientific institutions to indicate special protection and respect in times of war and of peace. It acknowledged that cultural treasures are of lasting value to all people as the common heritage of humanity.

The Pact was introduced by Roerich in New York in 1929, and earned him a nomination for the Nobel Peace Prize. On April 15, 1935, President Franklin D. Roosevelt presided over ceremonies at the White House in Washington, DC, in which twenty Latin American countries joined the U.S. in signing this historic document.

Nicholas Roerich said, “Positive creativeness is the fundamental quality of the human spirit. Let us welcome all those who, surmounting personal difficulties … propel their spirits to the task of Peace-building, thus ensuring a radiant future.”

There is no better time than now to join together in peace.

The information from this posting was borrowed directly from the Center for Peace through Culture.

We are close to all beings around us as flowers, trees, birds, coyotes, bears and other members of the beautiful creation of the Mother and the Father energy. But Human beings are the most creative and joyful and I love to spend time with them. I feel more and more at home in my cozy room. I like to work here with my computer; Skyping, being on go-to-meeting, networking with friends and relatives around the world or sharing a meal with my friends here in Ojai. I have found myself perfectly comfortable place in my new life

And every morning we meet together to get the inspiration and insights from the meditation to continue to co-create the New Civilization. I assisted my mentor in the garden, Marcy Graham, to create this beautiful centerpiece in the Meditation Room and for the full moon meditation in the Auditorium.

It has sometimes been hard work in the garden but it has been very good for my body, mind and soul. I have been hacking and digging, creating a wheelbarrow path to bring compost up to the vegetable garden and to the pots and plants on the hillside. One benefit of this work is being able to pick oranges, lemons, lettuce and greens and blend them into an energy drink every morning.

We, Mac & Marcy and I, have also been weeding in the flowerbed at the entrance which is also hard work because the weed and all its roots have to be removed. So we had to dig out everything with a pitchfork and cover it with cardboard and put new soil and compost on the top. We have been able to plant Korean grass since there is no longer risk of frost.
Here are some pictures to show the new magnet at the Mount, the Map of the place, that was handmade by Mac Graham. Everybody stands there to have a look before they continue to enjoy the beautiful Garden.

It is a privilege to live in a place where people have worked with inner and outer life consciously and soul inspired since 1971 to create a new civilization.

At Meditation Mount we attempt to discover on a daily basis how the Six Laws and Principles can be brought into practical application in our lives. They are even engraved into boulders in the International Garden of Peace. The Six Laws and Principles are: the Principle of Goodwill, Law of Right Human Relations, Principle of Unanimity, Law of Group Endeavor, Principle of Essential Divinity and Law of Spiritual Approach. They are not just words, but brought out into actions everyday. I am happy to be able to be a part of co-creation at a multidimensional place

During my stay, we celebrated the Full Moon in Pisces and I started to reflect on my stay as a volunteer from Sweden at this wonderful place. The insight from the meditation was to stretch our capabilities to include more and more in our consciousness, and that it is only possible to do this more fully in a group. Everything in the universe depends on relationships. All beings want to dance with you if you find a way to tune in and start to co-create.

In cool morning sun I pour the rich worm-casting tea on plants rising to thank me and the sun, and I thank All for this magnificent nutrition; the sun pouring down on us, I spin a spiral whirl in the fertile bucket, as the earth spins, molecules spin, galaxy spins… Overwhelmed in quiet perfection and beauty, I and my companions build and plant, till prune and nurture, creating and every moment re-created. We contribute our greatest skills, communing meditative revelations earth-to-cosmos, worms-plants-fishes to the stars: the One Life. Dig–the effortless sweat given freely, without obligation or expectation, looses karmic knots in ourselves and all sentient beings, perfecting the world perfecting us, strange looping oneness. New pure one comes in June, first grandchild. The wheel turns, and splashes.

With this consciously held, every act becomes a blessing, every meal a sacrament, every conversation a hymn. Whatever cosmic or creative design operates at whatever level, it manifests in every recreating breath–our sweat informing earth and sun what is needed most. So we all serve each other and the Grandest Plan, as we are in turn served. Ah, the language of religion–sometimes it serves too. Sometimes I pray for liberation from the wheel of karma; sometimes I jump in with both feet, as if to splash the whole thing dry. Sometimes I succeed! Briefly…

Sun rises, the pot boils. A brisk cup, hearty slice, maybe a bit of fruit–then convene with a handful of regulars and sometimes a few visitors, for an all-too-brief half-hour meditation. Mostly silence, and the stillness underlies all, but opened and concluded by Ellen, our director, in group direction of service.

What am I doing here? I’m not the religion type. I always flunked out, dropped out, or was gently spewed from its hold. Not out of avoidance or scorn for the Big Questions–they kept drawing me back. So what am I doing here–a six month semi-monastic stay drawing to a close?

To Be Continued…

As the consciousness of humanity expands, new spiritual energies become available for use in service. These energies follow a cyclic pattern, as does all else in nature. One such cycle has its impact on human consciousness, starting on the Winter Solstice, between December 21 and 28, every seven years. Groups all around the world observe this time as the Festival Week of the New Group of World Servers – and celebrate the work of all who selflessly serve others without distinction of race, class or creed. This week of group impact is a time to meditate and radiate the power of love and goodwill throughout the network of the new group of world servers and into the minds and hearts of the whole human race. It also provides a special opportunity to become involved in the work of this group of servers.
For more information on the New Group of World Servers click here.

Painting by Nicholas Roerich

Every day during festival week at 5:00pm there is a group alignment.
This is an opportunity to connect with servers around the world; it is a personal alignment that you can do anywhere. All are welcome to meet in the Meditation Room at Meditation Mount for the 5:00pm alignment as well. The meditation will not be guided, but you may use this mantram:
Mantram for World Servers:
May the Power of the one Life pour through the group of all true servers.
May the Love of the one Soul characterize the lives of all who seek to aid the Great ones.
May we fulfil our part in the One work through self-forgetfulness, harmlessness, and right speech.

Begin the celebration of NGWS Festival Week with
Music on the Mount! A Winter Solstice concert and bonfire

December 21, 7:00 pm
Music on The Mount will feature Duncan McNeill on saxophone. “It’s all about raising the listener’s consciousness and having them leave happier than when they came,” says McNeill. The evening will begin with a 10 minute video about what a world server is, and will honor local world servers here in our valley. Then, after the first musical set, we will take a walk to the bonfire on the Terrace. Everyone will be invited to symbolically cast their troubles into the flames. Following the fire, there will be a closing musical set and time for tea and conversation. Come on out and enjoy the music, the bonfire and the good vibes this Winter Solstice; it’s a celebration not to be missed!