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 By Stephen Dinan, founder and CEO of The Shift Network
We have amazing home stretch of the Summer of Peace!
The 11 Days of Global Unity and the Compassion Games began on September 11. We are in the countdown to the International Day of Peace, September 21.
The Summer of Peace is supporting these international efforts in part by offering a special 11 Days of Global Unity series underway right now as part of the Summer of Peace free telesummit. The Compassion in Action Panel hosted by James O'Dea on September 11th was by far one of the most enlightening, expansive looks at compassion. (See recording below - Dr. James Doty from Stanford.) Next, we will be hearing from Deepak Chopra, Desmond Tutu and others! (Register free for the Summer of Peace - click here.)
In this edition of The Catalyst, we celebrate several remarkable peacebuilding efforts.
We open with a video about the new film Awake: The Life of Yogananda and an article and recording by the film director, Paola di Florio. Yogananda's impact on the world through the spreading of yoga and meditation has reached millions of people; he literally paved the way for the new consciousness movement, as well as illuminating the path to live peacefully. Awake: The Life of Yogananda opens in theaters this fall and you can contact the filmmakers to arrange a screening - click here.
We also feature Matthew Albracht and our good friends at The Peace Alliance. We strongly support their efforts with The Youth PROMISE Act and invite you to sign the petition and contact your Congress person - click here. Also, David Nicol, co-founder of the Gaiafield Project and BeThePeace, wrote a stunning piece about the power of subtle activism. We are thrilled to be partnering with David and the BeThePeace global meditation on September 21 as the culminating event of the Summer of Peace. (To participate in BeThePeace, click here.)
Rev. John Dear, who was nominated by Desmond Tutu for a Nobel Peace Prize, wrote a compelling article about Campaign Nonviolence taking place September 21–27. And our dear partner and friend Fred Arment of International Cities of Peace invites people to join The Global Feast for Peace on September 21.
Finally, our Member Profile is about Treating Ebola with Mindfulness in Liberia by Cynthia Jurs with Harper Karmon and Christian Bethelson. The Ebola crisis is still very intense and we are adding incredible special reports from Liberia (with Cynthia, Harper and Christian) and Sierra Leone (with Foday Sajuma, Andrew Kromah and Topher Hamblett) to the Summer of Peace/11 Days of Global Unity telesummit this Monday, right after the interview with Deepak Chopra and James Maskell. Please listen to these interviews and do what you can to support the efforts to stop the Ebola crisis (see Movement News).
There are so many ways to join the global family in peacebuilding - assisting efforts in West Africa, supporting The Youth PROMISE Act, celebrating the International Day of Peace, etc.... Please look for the activities that call you and engage! We list many opportunities in the Movement News, Action of the Week and Partner Spotlight.
We will have a special edition of The Catalyst next Sunday on the International Day of Peace. Let's stand together for a culture of peace!
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 Awaken the Peace — Insights from Paramahansa Yogananda
By Paola di Florio
Peace is that underrated quality, the one we sometimes don't realize we're living without. Given the myriad distractions of modern life, it sometimes takes a major wake-up call to remind us to stop and tune in . . . [read more]
 The Youth PROMISE Act
By Matthew Albracht
There is a wave of innovative and transformative work happening in our communities around the nation, programs that uplift and empower our youth, steering the most at-risk away from violence and crime, towards leading fulfilling lives and becoming productive members of society . . . [read more]
 BeThePeace: Can Global Meditation Shift Planetary Consciousness?
By David Nicol, PhD
Watching the news over the past several months, we can easily get the sense that the world as we know it is on the verge of falling apart. The outbreak of violence in Israel and Palestine, the emergence of ISIS in Syria and Iraq, the tension in the Ukraine, the Ebola epidemic in Africa – these flashpoints seem to indicate very high levels of tension in the global body. At times like these, we can feel hopeless about the global situation and powerless to do anything about it. We can feel challenged to remain connected to our inner knowing and to our trust in the unfolding of reality . . . [read more]
 Practicing Nonviolence, Joining the Movement
By Rev. John Dear
Beginning on September 21, International Peace Day, a week of protests, rallies and marches called "Campaign Nonviolence" will start across the nation making the connections between the climate crisis, war, poverty, and the epidemic of violence . . . [read more]
 Global Feast for Peace
By Fred Arment
Annual Event on International Day of Peace, September 21:
Sharing food together in celebration of friendship and common interest is a tradition as old as the human family. The Global Feast for Peace is part of the U.N. sponsored International Day of Peace, celebrated around the world on September 21 each year. Whether it's a small family celebration or a large community gathering, the Feast for Peace is a simple and profound expression of peace that everyone, no matter how humble or blessed their circumstances, can connect with and enliven the global celebration . . . [read more]
For submissions and recommendations, email
editor@theshiftnetwork.com.
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Film premiere of Awake: The Life of Yogananda is opening in Theaters in October 2014 — including New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago, Boulder, Santa Fe, Tulsa and many more places. To find a showing near you or to arrange for a screening, click here. (The filmmakers were interviewed in the Summer of Peace, the recording is available for free — see Paola di Florio interview and article above.)
Upcoming Global Peace Events
The Unity Concert will take place in the Black Hill of South Dakota September 13–14. The Unity Concert marks the ceremonial beginning of a vital unification process for The Great Sioux (Buffalo) Nation, to reclaim their guardianship of The Black Hills as their rightful homeland, building a bridge between the sacred sites of the Black Hills and all people worldwide in support of the Earth. We invite you to join the event live via webcast at – click here.
Join Campaign Nonviolence taking place September 21–27, 2014. Campaign Nonviolence is a long-term movement to build a culture of peace by mainstreaming active nonviolence and by joining the enduring, nonviolent struggle to abolish war, end poverty, reverse climate change, and challenge all violence. Campaign Nonviolence invites you to practice nonviolence toward yourself, toward all others, and toward the world! To learn more, click here.
2014 Common Ground Awards featuring inspiring peacebuilders from around the world – November 13, 2014 in Washington, DC and live streamed globally. To learn more, click here.
Special Training — Join Shift Network Team Members
13 Moon Permaculture Design Certificate Training — Join several Shift Network team/staff members who are taking this special permaculture design certificate training starting October 18, 2014 in Northern California. Mention "Shift Network" to receive an extension of the early bird special $100 discount. To learn more, click here.
International Day of Peace Activities:
- JOIN BeThePeace
and The Peace Pole Project for synchronized meditations around Peace Poles on
the International Day of Peace (September 21, 2014)
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Peace Pole Project – where to order your Peace Pole, how to make one,
youth project, translations, etc. – click here.
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BeThePeace - Find or create a meditation – click here.
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The International Day of Peace – click here.
- JOIN the Compassion Games and make your community
safer, kinder, more just and a better place to live. By participating, players
are called upon to perform acts of service and kindness in our neighborhoods,
on the job, in service-providing agencies, and wherever their daily journey
takes them. The acts of service are organized projects or simple acts of
kindness to aid a neighbor in need or just for the pure joy of it! The 2014
Games will run from September 11 through September 21, 2014 and involves people
around the world. You can join now by clicking here!
- On September 21, 2014, Peacecast.tv is celebrating the United Nations International Day of Peace with a worldwide webcast, and we'd like you to be a part of it. Watch non-stop videos for 24 hours of music, dance, spoken word — from all over the world. Peacecast.tv will host the best and stream them to thousands of people around the planet. Peace is real. Peace is possible. Peace is worth it. You're worth it..
- JOIN the Peace Day Global Broadcast – September 20–21 – Organizations and individuals can submit brief videos (3 to 4 minutes in length) for consideration by our selection committee. The quality of the videos must be in alignment with the overall quality of the Peace Day Global Broadcast. A Preview of the 2014 Peace Day Global Broadcast can be viewed at www.unityfoundation.org. The process is to send the links for the videos to unityfoundation1@aol.com by August 21, 2014. All submissions will be reviewed by September 1. A response from the selection committee will be sent to the senders by September 10.
- Help your community become
an International City of Peace and together
we can reach the Goal 2020: 1000 Cities of Peace. For more information:
click here.
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The Facebook page: click here.
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The Global Feast for Peace: click here.
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The Eugene City of Peace organization has many resources for communities
working toward a culture of peace: click here.
Organizations You Can Support to Help Stop Ebola:
Radio Moa – provides valuable information to people along the border of Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone so they can prevent the spread of Ebola. Foday Sajuma is the station manager (see article above). Click here to help Foday Sajuma and Radio Moa Combat Ebola.
Four other organizations you can support to stop Ebola — Doctors without Borders, Catholic Relief Services, Africare and Samaritan's Purse – click here to learn more.
To help Bethelson and Harper continue to reach the people of Liberia and save lives in these struggling communities click here and chose Liberia Peacebuilding in the drop down menu. (See Member Profile above)
Partners In Health announced plans to work alongside two organizations based in Liberia and Sierra Leone to bring the staff, supplies, and expertise to help stop Ebola. Help support this vision today – click here.
Upcoming Conferences, Co-Sponsored by The Shift Network:
- The Economics of Sustainability – Emerging Models for a Healthy Planet – October 6–9, 2014 – Fort Mason, SF, CA – The Economics of Sustainability conference is looking 50 years into the future. Our challenge is to bring forth a transformation of cultural and economic relationships so that environmental sustainability, social justice, and economic democracy become our way of life. Speakers include: David Korten, Michael Brune (Sierra Club Director), Osprey Orielle Lake, Randy Hayes, Lynne & Bill Twist, Ellen Brown, Randy Hayes and Georgia Kelly. To learn more, click here.
- 10XSummit – Igniting Change – Los Angeles – October 10–12, 2014, produced by PeaceLink Live. The 10X Summit is calling together like-minded leaders, organizations and celebrities from 10 social activist movements. For three days groups will unite causes and implement innovative solutions to global challenges and develop the sustainable systems, legislation and initiative that will actualize change. (Shift Network members receive a 40% discount when registering by August 18. To register click here and use this coupon code: Shift Network).
- Join the Shift Network in supporting the 25th Anniversary Bioneers Summit Conference this October 17, 18 & 19 in Marin, California! Practical solutions for the most urgent, paradigm-shifting issues of the day. (Shift Network members receive a 10% discount – use code "SNB14.") To learn more, click here.
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2014
Catalyst: (#18, 9/14) (#17, 9/01) (#16, 8/17) (#15, 8/3) (#14, 7/20) (#13, 7/4) (#12, 6/15) (#11, 6/1) (#10, 5/18) (#9, 5/4) (#8, 4/20) (#7, 4/6) (#6, 3/23) (#5, 3/9) (#4, 2/22) (#3, 2/8) (#2, 1/26) (#1, 1/12)
2013 Catalyst: (#22, 12/14) (#21, 11/30) (#20, 11/16) (#19, 11/3) (#18, 10/20) (#17, 10/6) (#16, 9/21) (#15, 9/8) (#14, 8/25) (#13, 8/4) (#12, 7/21), (#11, 7/7), (#10, 6/16) (#9, 6/2) (#8, 5/12) (#7, 4/28) (#6, 4/14) (#5, 3/24) (#4, 2/24) (#3, 2/9) (#2, 1/26) (#1, 1/13)
Birth 2012 Catalyst: (#15, 12/9) (#14, 12/1) (#13, 11/22) (#12, 11/10) (#11, 11/3) (#10, 10/20) (#9, 10/6) (#8, 9/16) (#7, 9/8) (#6, 8/25) (#5, 8/16) (#4, 8/4) (#3, 7/28) (#2, 7/21) (#1, 7/14)
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Support the Youth Promise Act – click here.
Join BeThePeace on September 21 – click here.
Celebrate the International Day of Peace on September 21 – see Movement News.
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 Manifesting in a Feminine Way: 4 Keys to Living Your Soul's Calling with Devaa Haley Mitchell & Elayne Kalila Doughty,
Founders of The Inspiring Women Summit & Soulful Women Wisdom School.
Create a truly beautiful and life-affirming path that fulfills your soul's purpose in a way that doesn't lead to stress, rebellion or burnout.
September 17, 5:30pm Pacific
 Approaching the Enneagram in a Multidimensional Way: Integrating the Spiritual & the Practical Dimensions of Yourself. A free online event featuring teachers from primary wisdom schools of the Enneagram.
With Russ Hudson, Helen Palmer, David Daniels & Jessica Dibb.
September 18, 5:30pm Pacific
 Co-creators Rising: Evolving a New You, a New We & a New World. A 12-Week Course Featuring Beloved Evolutionary Barbara Marx Hubbard
with Co-creators: Deepak Chopra, Neale Donald Walsch, Riane Eisler
and 20 other leading pioneers.
New Live Course Starts Tuesday, September 16
 Relaxing into God: Awakening to Your Boundless Nature with spiritual teacher Miranda Macpherson.
Relax into a larger field of grace — feeling the healing balm of unconditional love AS yourself — and learn why so many of your efforts to improve, grow and evolve leave you unsatisfied.
New Live Video and Audio Training Starts Monday, September 22
More Upcoming Events: (all subject to change)
September
• Tim Kelley 7-week course
• Devaa Haley Mitchell 7-week course
• Lisa Schrader 9-month intensive
• Enneagram 9-month intensive
October
• Enlightened Business Summit
• Women's Wealth Revolution summit
• James O'Dea 7-week course
• Andrew Harvey 7-week course
• Sally Kempton 7-week course
• Rev. Jim Lee 7-week course
• Enlightened Business Academy 6-month intensive
• Robert Moss 6-month intensive
November
• Sandra Ingerman 7-week course
• Chief Phil Lane, Jr. 9-week course
• Joan Borysenko 10-week course
• Mirabai Starr 7-month course
December
• Gangaji 7-week course
• Andrew Harvey 12-week course
• Peace Ambassador Training 14-week course
• Patricia Albere 4-month course |
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The Youth PROMISE Act will give our communities the support and funding they need to effectively address youth violence issues. By specifically focusing on violence prevention and intervention strategies, this bill ensures we are funding programs that save lives and give every young person the opportunity to meet his or her potential. To learn more, click here.
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Rising Appalachia
By Eleanor Tara
Steeped in the traditions of Southern Soul and international Roots Music, internationally acclaimed Rising Appalachia is transforming the music industry by prioritizing community awareness, sustainable touring practices and wellbeing over the empty pursuit of fame and fortune. In this way, sisters Leah and Chloe walk their talk by truly embodying their conscious awareness in everyday life. Together they bring to the world new sounds, stories and songs collected from around the globe to represent the human journey, global community and soul harmony.
The title track to their most recent album, Filthy Dirty South, offers "a lyrical analysis of our southern regions and the onslaught of environmental abuses laid onto sacred lands. The lyrics touch on the Gulf Coast oil spill, Mountain top removal, and fracking, and beg the question WHY is this south is so 'Filthy Dirty.'" You can experience their music, including their most recent album by clicking here. (Listen to interview in Summer of Peace.)
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Awake: The Life of Yogananda Trailer 
