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 By Stephen Dinan, founder and CEO of The Shift Network
I absolutely love this time of year: the start of the Summer of Peace and several other wonderful global peace initiatives!
Peace is a high priority for The Shift Network and it is our biggest philanthropic effort. We dedicate a lot of resources to the Summer of Peace and other peace initiatives because we deeply believe the science and art of peace must spread around the world for humanity to successfully make a shift to a harmonious global era.
The Summer of Peace is truly a collaborative initiative! Over the past five years, dozens of organizations and hundreds of speakers have donated their time, energy and resources in co-creating the Summer of Peace, a testament that peace is a priority for people around the world! Last year, people from 141 countries participated in the Summer of Peace.
We kick off the 5th annual Summer of Peace on June 13 by celebrating the 100-day countdown to the United Nations International Day of Peace (September 21). We then have four summits during the next three months:
- Everyday Peace Summit (Tuesdays, June 28 – Sept. 6) — produced in partnership with PeaceJam, a nonprofit working with Nobel Peace Laureates to inspire the next generation of peacemakers
- Global Compassion Summit (July 13–14) — produced in partnership with the Center for Compassion Altruism Research and Education (CCARE) at Stanford University;
- Countering Violent Extremism Summit (August 10–11) — produced in partnership with Alliance for Peacebuilding
- 11 Days of Global Unity Summit(Sept. 11–21) — produced in partnership with We, The World
This year we are featuring 50+ world renowned peacebuilders, including Azim Khamisa, Jane Goodall, Tavis Smiley, Sharon Salzberg, Neale Donald Walsch and more! Plus, PeaceJam is providing teachings from five Nobel Laureates — His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Archbishop, Desmond Tutu, Jody Williams, Rigoberta Menchú Tum and Shirin Ebadi.
Like the previous years, all of the Summer of Peace sessions and recordings are available free and eventually will be placed in the free World Peace Library — one of the first online resources to map peace from inner to international levels.
Register free for the Summer of Peace: click here.
We hope you will invite your family, friends, schools, places of worship and communities to enjoy listening to world leaders on how to find inner peace and take inspired action!
We want to give a big thanks to our friends at PeaceJam, CCARE, Alliance for Peacebuilding and We, The World for their partnership and commitment to peace; along with all our friends over the years who have helped create the Summer of Peace and World Peace Library.
And, of course, I personally want to thank Emily Hine, the Global Compassion Summit Host, and Philip M. Hellmich, our Director of Peace, who teamed up to co-lead the production of the Summer of Peace. Also, a big thanks to all the staff on our production and marketing teams that created this amazing event!
In addition to the Summer of Peace, we have the Yoga Day Summit taking place on June 21, 2016. As mentioned in the previous edition, the Yoga Day Summit has over 12 hours of amazing content, much of it filmed in Rishikesh, India. (Register free for the Yoga Day Summit – click here.)
We also want to bring attention to the annual World Peace and Prayer Day on June 21. We are featuring a beautiful video message from Chief Arvol Looking Horse who was spiritually guided to create World Peace and Prayer Day. (See Featured Media).
In this edition of The Catalyst, we have wonderful articles by Emily Hine, Philip M. Hellmich, Jon Ramer, and Children of the Earth. Our member profile features our beloved Deborah Moldow, host of our 100-day countdown to the International Day of Peace.
We would love to hear your voice: If you were president of your country, what would you do to promote world peace? To share in our Facebook Page community, click here.
Our Shift Philanthropy features the The Bear Hugs Project and for our Featured Artist, we are showcasing Heartbeat, an organization that build bridges between Israeli and Palestinian youth musicians.
Finally, we want to congratulate Unity Foundation for launching a new film, the The UN at 70 and Beyond, which begins airing online on June 13 – click here. (See Movement News).
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  5th Annual Summer of Peace Packs a Big (Nonviolent) Punch!
By Emily Hine & Philip M. Hellmich It’s been scientifically proven that positive emotions have a higher vibratory rate than negative emotions. And, because positive energy is finer and lighter, it will spread more easily and more quickly than negative energy. That means that even though we hear a lot of negative news that can ignite fear, vengeance and hatred, the reality is that love, compassion, collaboration and peace will always overpower the negative. Every. Single. Time.
To read more, click here.
7 Heart-Opening Insights on Compassion - Ancient Medicine for Modern Day Suffering
By Emily Hine
Like many of you, I am constantly striving to be a better person....
Kinder and more loving to other people, and of course, kinder to myself, especially when life gets challenging. One age-old medicine that has helped me — probably more than any other — is compassion.
To read more, click here.
 Playing Compassion Games for Global Unity
By Jon Ramer
We live in a time that may come to be known as the “Great Divide,” a chilling, winter-time of the human spirit permeated with disillusionment and fear. Yet, the human spirit is fiercely resilient, and ways of living that are in harmony with the deepest needs of human nature and greater Nature are simultaneously blossoming, available to us all.
To read more, click here.
 The Bear Hugs Project
By Children of the Earth
Fellow peace advocates,
Achieving world peace is a daunting task.
However, even little acts of service can make a big difference. Help us take this small step, that can help change the world by bringing peace and comfort to children, one teddy bear at a time.
To read more and learn how to participate, click here.
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 Opening My Heart to Peace
By Deborah Moldow
I am not always the quickest to catch on. When I was first introduced to the prayer, "May Peace Prevail on Earth," I thought, "Oh, that's a lovely prayer — who could be against that?" Little did I know that over the years those five simple words would become a foundation of my life, the "amen" to every prayer and a constant thread in the weave of my thoughts.
To read more, click here.
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Global Compassion Summit — July 13 & 14 — Free Online Event
You’re invited to join the 2nd annual Global Compassion Summit focused on Mindfulness and Compassion in Daily Life. Hear from experts in the industry such as Sharon Salzberg, Vinny Ferraro, Barry Boyce, Dr. Emma Seppälä and more. Discover how compassion and mindfulness are being mainstreamed into various sectors of society — and when they’re combined, how they can change the state of our world and positively affect our evolution as a human species! This summit is part of The Shift Network’s 5th annual Summer of Peace — the largest online peace event on the planet! It’s happening for free all summer long. The Global Compassion Summit takes place July 13–14, 2016. To register free, click here.
New book by Stephen Dinan: Sacred America, Sacred World — Infused with visionary power, Sacred America, Sacred World is a manifesto for our country’s evolution that is both political and deeply spiritual. It offers profound hope that America can grow beyond our current challenges and manifest our noblest destiny, which the book shows is rooted in sacred principles that transcend left or right political views. Special Pre-Order Campaign now through May 31 — order today and get the American Evolution series for free! Click for details To stay updated on Stephen’s upcoming speaking engagements, click here.
 New Book: The New Grand Strategy describes a business plan for America, born at the Pentagon, that embeds sustainability as a national strategic imperative.
The plan combines the best of the Left and Right — a progressive agenda with a conservative approach — the adult conversation about America’s future that should be taking place during this election year. Designed to be led by business for profit, harnessing industry and local government, The New Grand Strategy illustrates that we need not fix Washington before we start fixing the country. Written by Mark “Puck” Mykleby, Patrick Doherty, and Joel Makower. To learn more, click here.
 New Book: The Reunited States of America: How We Can Cross the Partisan Divide
"Although we come from opposite ends of the political spectrum, we believe our country needs to come together. The Reunited States of America: How We Can Cross the Partisan Divide will help us do that. It reconnects us to our country's motto — "out of many, one" — and helps us meet the challenge of reuniting the country that we both love." Grover Norquist, president, Americans for Tax Reform; and, Joan Blades, co-founder MoveOn.org and Living Room Conversations. To learn more, click here.
 New Book: Heart Intelligence: Connecting with the Intuitive Guidance of the Heart demystifies the practice of inner stillness, showing us how to take the struggle out of quieting the mind in meditation or prayer and connect with our heart’s intuitive guidance. It provides hope that finally we can create a cooperative working relationship between our heart, mind, emotions and body, bringing spirituality down to street practicality with easy-to-use applications. Written By Doc Childre, Howard Martin, Deborah Rozman Ph.D. and Rollin McCraty Ph.D. Learn more here.
 New Film: The UN at 70 and Beyond — Unity Foundation is pleased to announce the premiere of the You Tube documentary The UN at 70 and Beyond. This special program will be presented on June 13th, on the occasion of the 100 Day Countdown to the 2016 UN International Day of Peace and continue in rotation on the following websites: click here and here.
New Film: Be Here Now is an inspiring love story between superstar, Andy Whitfield, of Spartacus fame and his charismatic wife, Vashti, who together take on the most heroic role he’s ever had to play. With matching 'Be Here Now' tattoos on their forearms, they go on a quest to heal Andy from a cancer diagnosis — by embracing life, rather than fear, and bravely allowing Oscar-nominee Lilibet Foster to film their journey. You can bring this film to a theatre near you or join a screening: click here.
The From Self Care to Earth Care Conference – Boulder, Colorado (June 11, 2016), Carbondale, Colorado (June 13–14, 2016) & Crestone, Colorado (June 16, 2016). These live events provide space for the leading voices and activists across the interspiritual, ecospiritual, sustainability and other transformative landscapes to vision and effectuate future programs, events and initiatives across these areas of passion. To learn more, click here.
The Points of Light's Conference on Volunteering and Service is the largest service-related convening of nonprofit, government, business and civic leaders in the world. This year the conference is in Detroit from June 27–29 and the Compassion Games is organizing a "coopetition" to Pass the Compassion Torch and Connect Points of Light! Join us and sign up to play! Click here to learn more.
 Native American Bearing Witness Retreat From July 25–29, 2016 the Zen Peacemakers will conduct the in the Black Hills of South Dakota. Oscar- and Golden Globe-nominated actor and practicing Zen Buddhist Michael O’Keefe invites you to join him, and the Zen Peacemakers, to learn from, support, and meditate with Native American leaders. To learn more, click here.
The Circle Way Practicum — August 17 to 22, 2016 Whidbey Island, Washington, USA — The Circle Way is a modern methodology that calls on an ancient tradition and helps people gather in conversations that fulfil their potential for dialogue, replenishment, working with teams and wisdom-based change. Everyone who cares for the quality of conversations and relationships is warmly welcome to attend this practicum. It particularly supports people who are ready to discover a new culture of communication. To learn more, click here.
Shift Network Trip: Iran — Splendors of the Persian Empire — Dates: October 22 – November 4, 2016. Join Stephen Dinan and Philip Hellmich of The Shift Network, and Cross Cultural Journeys on an odyssey to the Republic of Iran, commonly called Persia by the West. A multicultural nation with many ethnic and linguistic groups (mostly Shi'ites), this ancient country straddles Eurasia, Western Asia, the Caspian Sea and the Indian Ocean. Already a crossroads culture of great geo-strategic significance, Iran has endured invasions by the Greeks, Arabs, Turks and Mongols. Meet indigenous communities from the Zagross Mountains; Nomadic tribes near Tehran; Armenian Christians, and the people of remote Abyaneh, who have kept their traditions, dialect and costumes intact for hundreds of years. To learn more, click here and call Cross Cultural Journeys at (800) 353-2276 or via email at travel@crossculturaljourneys.com and they will start the process with you.
 The Spiritual Life TV Channel features free wisdom teachings from many spiritual traditions and gives a practical focus that shows how a person can use these teachings to live a more spiritual life. New videos feature: James O’Dea, Edgar Mitchell, Barbara Marx Hubbard, Marilyn Schlitz, Gleen Mullin, Stephen Dinan, Philip Hellmich, and more! To learn more, click here.
 Awake: The Life of Yogananda — Now available on Netflix, Amazon and other livestream programs. Plus, DVDs available with subtitles in Spanish, Portuguese, Italian, German, Dutch and Japanese. Plus there are new film showings in Australia and United States! You also can bring Awake to your yoga studio or community. To learn more click here. (The filmmakers were interviewed in the Yoga Day Summit, the recording is available for free.)
 World Peace Library — Free Resource — Be sure to take advantage of the World Peace Library, a wide-ranging resource on peace newly compiled by the Shift Network: It contains more than 300 inspiring talks and mini-workshops from individuals such as Archbishop Tutu, Nobel Laureate Jody Williams, Jane Goodall, Deepak Chopra, James O'Dea, Karen Armstrong, Chief Phil Lane and many more. With neuroscientists and lamas, faith-based activists and political leaders, this Library offers something for all in their peacebuilding efforts. The Shift Network has made the World Peace Library a free resource for all and encourages its use to promote peace in your families, schools, and wider community.
If you have an announcement to share, please write: editor@theshiftnetwork.com.
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2016 Catalyst:
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(#10, 6/12)
(#9, 5/29)
(#8, 5/1)
(#7, 4/17)
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(#6, 4/3)
(#5, 3/13)
(#4, 2/28)
(#3, 2/14)
(#2, 1/31)
(#1, 1/17)
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2015 Catalyst:
| (#25, 12/20) |
| (#24, 12/6) (#23, 11/23) (#22, 11/8) (#21, 10/25) |
| (#20, 10/11) (#19, 9/27) (#18, 9/12) (#17, 8/30) (#16, 8/16) |
| (#15, 8/2) (#14, 7/19) (#13, 7/5) (#12, 6/20) (#11, 6/7) |
| (#10, 5/24) (#9, 5/10) (#8, 4/26) (#7, 4/5) (#6, 3/21) |
| (#5, 3/15) (#4, 2/22) (#3, 2/8) (#2, 1/25) (#1, 1/11) |
2014 Catalyst:
| (#26, 12/28) |
| (#25, 12/14) (#24, 11/30) (#23, 11/16) (#22, 11/1) (#21, 10/19) |
| (#20, 10/5) (#19, 9/21) (#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) |
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Reflect on what the word “peace” means to you — for yourself, family, community, country and world. Then visit the Summer of Peace and consider the many ways that inner peace and inspired action are being expressed around the world. Share your insights and the Summer of Peace with family and/or friends.
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 Discovering the Sufi Way of the Beloved
Ecstasy & Surrender Through the Mystical Teachings of Islam
—
With Andrew Harvey.
Open to the sublime love at the core of the Sufi path and discover teachings and practices that can liberate your soul through a profoundly intimate relationship with the Divine.
A Free Virtual Event
June 15, 2016 at 5:30pm Pacific
Writing to Heal Your Shadow
The Power of Uncovering Your Hidden Truths —
With Mark Matousek.
Uncover the gifts hidden in the shadows of your psyche by transforming shame and embracing the beautiful complexity of your humanity.
A Free Virtual Event
June 18, 2016 at 10:00am Pacific
 Relaxing into Grace
How to Let Go of the Spiritual Struggle & Awaken to Love
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With Miranda Macpherson.
Open to receive the full presence of the Divine in your body, mind and soul.
A Free Virtual Event
and
Preview of This Fall’s Awakening into Grace Retreat June 20, 2016 at 5:00pm Pacific
 3 Keys to Unlock the Power of the Enneagram In Your Life
Understanding Your Personality, Awakening Your Soul
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With Russ Hudson and Jessica Dibb.
Transcend your deepest fears and limitations and express the true gifts of your soul by effectively applying the world’s most influential psychological and spiritual typing system.
A Free Virtual Event
June 22, 2016 at 5:30pm Pacific
 The Inspiring Women Soul Sisterhood
Live deeply. Love passionately. Lead powerfully.
—
With Devaa Haley Mitchell, Marianne Williamson, Lisa Nichols, Danielle LaPorte, Jean Shinoda Bolen, Marcia Wieder and more!
Discover the keys to manifesting the life you deeply desire within a powerful circle of support and monthly access to visionary leaders, exclusive resources and cutting-edge practices. Ongoing Global Membership Circle Starts
Thursday, June 16, 2016
Creating a Feminine Soul Sanctuary
Practices to Renew Your Spirit with Grace & Beauty —
With Devaa Haley Mitchell, Anodea Judith, Luisah Teish, Lisa Schrader, Mirabai Starr, Chandanni Miglino & Zuleikha
Expertly guidance from seven amazing teachers of the sacred feminine who will all be weaving their soul gifts into a gorgeous tapestry of wisdom and grace. A Free Virtual Event
June 21, 2016 at 5:30pm Pacific
 Your Happiness Genes
Harnessing the Power of Energy Psychology & Epigenetics for Your Health & Wellbeing —
With Dawson Church, PhD.
Access the best holistic practices for optimal health, stress reduction and increased happiness that are easy to apply.
New Live Training Starts
Monday, June 20, 2016
 Creativity Unzipped
Liberating Your Spiritual Intelligence & Actualizing Your Creative Potential
—
With Jan Phillips.
Unleash more of your natural genius as you access a higher octave of your creative intelligence and find exciting, meaningful and life-enhancing ways to express your creativity.
New Live Training Starts
Tuesday, June 21, 2016
 Shamanic Journeying for Guidance & Healing Part 2
Practices for Divination, Collective Blessing & Helping Others —
With Sandra Ingerman.
A powerful opportunity to expand your ability to use shamanic practices to access hidden dimensions, unseen allies and healing wisdom in order to make a positive impact on your family, community and society.
New 12-week Training Starts
Tuesday, June 21, 2016
Awakening to Your Boundless Nature
The Path of Freedom, Love & Grace Through Ego Relaxation
—
With Miranda Macpherson.
Access spiritual realization that allows you to release your seeking and struggling — and find yourself at home in the palpable presence of the Divine.
New Video and Audio Training Starts
Wednesday, June 22, 2016
 The Belief Mastery Program
Clear the Blocks to Your Creative Power of Manifestation
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With Lion Goodman.
Receive proven methods to uproot limiting and self-sabotaging beliefs — and replace them with beliefs that empower you to create the life you most desire.
New Live Training Starts
Thursday, June 23, 2016
Becoming the Flame of Love Retreat
Uniting Your Inner Feminine & Masculine in the Heart of Sacred Union —
With Spiritual Teacher Andrew Harvey and
Shift Network Co-Founder Devaa Haley Mitchell.
Be prepared for a week of soul expansion, heart-opening wisdom and spiritual practices that will help you fuse the sacred masculine and feminine within you in a sacred marriage. Through this alchemical process, you’ll begin to come into fuller embodiment as a Divine Human.
September 11–16, 2016
More Upcoming Events: (all subject to change)
July
• Shakti Summit
• Andrew Harvey 7-week course
• Lisa Schrader 7-week course
• Enneagram 10-week course
• Mirabai Starr 9-month program
• Mark Matousek 9-month program
August
• American Citizens Summit
• Shamanism Global Summit
• Stan Grof 7-week course
• Marilyn Schlitz 7-week course
• Margaret Paul 7-week course
• Oscar Miro-Quesada 7-week course
• Sue Morter 7-week course
• David Nicol 7-week course
• Richard Miller 7-week course
• David Crow 6-month program
September
• Mark Gerzon 7-week course
• Ken Page 7-week course
• Tim Kelley & Jeffrey Van Dyk 4-month program
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The Bear Hugs Project — “Bear Hugs” is a project that was originally started in 2004 with the intention of delivering teddy bears to children who were victims of the Tsunami that devastated Thailand. The Shift Network is delighted to support our friends Children of the Earth with its 2016 plans to deliver teddy bears to the Balkans where there is a disastrous bottleneck with thousands of Syrian refugees stuck in camps. The children suffer great loss, without a home and fearful of what comes next. To learn how you can participate, click here.
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Heartbeat
By Philip M. Hellmich
Music can be a powerful instrument for opening people’s hearts, bridging divides and helping create peace. Heartbeat is an inspiring organization that “unites Israeli and Palestinian youth musicians to build critical understanding, develop creative nonviolent tools for social change, and amplify their voices to influence the world around them. Engaging in a sustained music, dialogue, and empowerment process, Heartbeat youth musicians become agents of change; harnessing the tools of creativity to imagine possibilities, ask questions, and publicly address systemic problems such as violence, oppression, and inequality — partnering to create a safe, equitable future for all.” To learn more, click here. To watch some of their music videos, click here.
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Global Shift Meditation — Join Free Event — 1st of Every Month
