Peace is our focus for April’s Through Your Body News.

Marianne Williamson once said, "The generation that lives to see peace is not the generation who hates war, but the generation who loves peace." With that in mind I offer several ways to explore finding and keeping peace--in our hearts, in our lives, and in our world.

The Artist's Way column spotlights the work of Dr. Masaru Emoto and his Hidden Messages in Water. Dr. Emoto is coming to Houston on May 4th. This event is being sponsored by Blackwood Educational Land Institute, Central City Co-op, and The Southwest Bioneers. Contact www.blackwoodland.com 832-721-4711 for more information.

Several people asked how to sponsor me for my bike ride from Houston to Austin (182 miles and benefits the MS society). My friend Steve Satterwhite loaned us the journal of his ride a few years ago. The link to sponsor me and donate to the MS follows.

And finally Sharon Walker is hosting a teleclass study group on the book Healing the Heart of the World. I am the special guest on Tuesday night May 9th to discuss my chapter from the book "Your Body Tells the truth."

Rock On and Peace Out, baby!

We intend to give you a monthly source that is useful, inspiring, beautiful, informative, and funny. How best can we serve you? If you have ideas about articles or creative criticism, we'd like to hear from you. If you like what you read here please share it with your friends.

Love your way,
Alan Davidson

• The Artist's Way--The Hidden Messages in Water
• Visions of Peace: Arun Gandhi
• Peace Pilgrim
• Giving Peace a Chance
• Consciousness-Based Education
• 21 Ways to Stay in the Peace
• The United Nations University for Peace in Costa Rica
• Butt's Sore But Heart Soars
• Sponsor Alan for the BP MS-150
• “HEALING THE HEART OF THE WORLD” BOOK CLUB-DISCUSSION
• Your Monthly Astrocast by Michael Lutin

The Hidden Messages in Water

Love and Gratitude

Before Masaru Emoto no one thought to freeze water crystals in different conditions, then photograph its crystalline structure.

What is so startling about his water crystal photographs is that the crystals change depending upon the thoughts, intentions and prayers of the people viewing the water. They appear to show that thoughts and feelings affect physical reality. Since the earth is 70% water and so are we, this has earth- changing implications especially if his work is replicated in more traditional universities.

See more water crystals

Interview by Alan Davidson

One of the signs of Mahatma Gandhi’s profound influence was how many people have followed in his footsteps, from Martin Luther King Jr. to Archbishop Desmond Tutu to the Dali Lama. In a very direct hands-on way, Gandhi’s work has been continued by his own grandson, Arun Gandhi, who has opened a center in this country dedicated to teaching Gandhi’s principles.

Another of Gandhi’s followers has been the Rev. Mel White, who has used Gandhi’s teachings about civil disobedience to organize nonviolent protests of the "spiritual violence" against gays preached by the Methodists, Baptists, Catholics, and many of this country’s mainstream denominations. To learn more about Gandhi, Rev. White sought out Arun Gandhi’s help, even traveling to India with him. In return, Arun Gandhi has joined Mel White for six of his civil disobediences.

Full article

This is a powerful documentary about an extraordinary woman, At age 44, Mildred Norman left her life circumstances and became Peace Pilgrim -- walking coast to coast for peace for nearly 30 years, living on faith and sharing her wisdom and exuberance generously with people across the land. This 60-minute documentary is a poetic and musical exploration of her life and message, which is as relevant today as ever. Also included are interviews with Dalai Lama, Maya Angelou, John Robbins, Elizabeth Kubler Ross, and many of Peace Pilgrim's friends, admirers, and relatives, along with newsreel footage from the 1950's, 1960's, and 1970's, when Peace was on her walk for peace.

Click to View this documentary in streaming realplayer!

A growing number of older Americans are signing up for the Peace Corps, which sees their experience as a big plus.

By Robert Schlesinger

Marie Shockley heard the call in 1961, when John F. Kennedy challenged a generation to change the world and, within two months of his inauguration, called for a Peace Corps to advance "the great common cause of world development."

There would be marriage, two children, divorce, a career as a civil servant and retirement before Shockley could say, "Dream fulfilled."

Shockley, now 67, is one of a growing number of retirees and other older Americans who enlist in the Peace Corps, which is celebrating its 45th anniversary this month. In 1966, 135 of 15,556 Peace Corps volunteers—less than 1 percent—were 50 years of age or older. As of September, 435 of its 7,810 volunteers—nearly 6 percent—were 50 or older.

Full Story

Message from David Lynch

“In today’s world of fear and uncertainty, every child should have one class period a day to dive within himself and experience the field of silence— bliss—the enormous reservoir of energy and intelligence that is deep within all of us. This is the way to save the coming generation.” These words from the great educator and scientist of consciousness, Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, simply and beautifully describe the urgent need in education today.

I have been “diving within” through the Transcendental Meditation technique for over 30 years. It has changed my life, my world. I am not alone. Millions of other people of all ages, religions, and walks of life practice the technique and enjoy incredible benefits.

Someday, hopefully very soon, “diving within” as a preparation for learning and as a tool for developing the creative potential of the mind will be a standard part of every school’s curriculum. The stresses of today’s world are taking an enormous toll on our children right now. There are hundreds of schools, with thousands of students, who are eager to relieve this stress and bring out the full potential of every student by providing this Consciousness-Based education today.

Full Story

From Byron Katie Compiled by Mary Lynn Hendrix

Introduction

The following are simple yet powerful practices that can give you new ways of looking at your life circumstances, and in that, create new possibilities for self-realization.

1. Reversing Judgments Practice noticing when you judge or criticize someone or something. For example, in a grocery store line, you might be impatient and think the person in front of you is disorganized and rude. Quickly turn your judgment around and ask yourself: "Is it just as true about me? Am I rude? (Am I rude sometimes; to others - or to myself?) Am I being rude inside of me when I think they are rude?"

This exercise takes your attention off the "other" and places your attention on you. Forgiveness naturally results. Placing the blame or judgment on someone else leaves you powerless to change your experience; taking responsibility for your beliefs and judgments gives you the power to change them.

Remember, beyond the appearance of who it is you are looking at, it is always God disguised, standing in front of you so that you can know yourself. Reversing judgments allows complete forgiveness. Forgiveness leads to awareness of oneself, and reestablishes personal integrity.

20 more ways to keep the peace...

Interview with Ms Julia Marton- Lefèvre, Rector of the University for Peace, and Prof. Abelardo Brenes who is Head of the Peace Education Programme, University for Peace by Vicky Rossi

The University for Peace (UPEACE) has its main campus in Costa Rica. It was established by the United Nations General Assembly in resolution 35/55, 5 December 1980. It has as its mission:

"to provide humanity with an international institution of higher education for peace and with the aim of promoting among all human beings the spirit of understanding, tolerance and peaceful coexistence, to stimulate cooperation among peoples and to help lessen obstacles and threats to world peace and progress, in keeping with the noble aspirations proclaimed in the Charter of the United Nations."

UPEACE currently offers MA courses in: International Law and Settlement of Disputes, International Law and Human Rights, Natural Resources and Sustainable Development, Gender and Peace Building, Environmental Security and Peace and Peace Education. It also holds short courses and in 2005 these were offered in: Human Rights, before, during and after Conflict; Cultures and Learning: from Violence towards Peace; and Gender, Security and Peace Building.

Full Article

My Journal Of The MS 150 Bike Ride from Houston to Austin
By Steve Satterwhite

Well, it's the night before my first MS 150 ride and I arrive at the TA Riders Team Dinner and Kickoff Meeting at Grisby's restaurant in Houston. We have about 90% of the team here for a hearty carbo-loading meal the night before the big ride. After all, we want to make sure we all make it through to La Grange on the first day, which I hear is about 100 miles uphill and into the wind in all directions. We're going to need all the fuel we can get!

Saturday April 12, 2003 Day 1 - 100 miles to La Grange!

It's 3:49 AM and I'm lying in bed, too excited to sleep and I'm going over my mental checklist for the ride: sunscreen - check. sleeping bag - check. tent - check. This goes on for a good hour and so I finally get up at 5:00 AM, get dressed and drive over to our TA Riders team starting point.

Full Article

I'm Alan Davidson and I am riding in the BP MS 150 this year and am looking for your support! The BP MS 150 Bike Tour is a two-day cycling adventure from Houston to Austin that raises funds to help people living with MS. Last Year 13,000 riders raised almost 9 million dollars. This year the MS-150 riders will make the 182 mile trip from Houston to Austin in hopes of raising $10 million. It is the largest MS 150 in North America. Your tax-deductible donation made online will support the National MS Society, Lone Star Chapter and the fight against multiple sclerosis.

Just click on the links below and go to the fundraising site and you will be able to Donate Online. It's Easy!

Type in Alan Davidson for name. For details type in Urban Bicycle Gallery Team.

It's that simple!

If you would rather send a check, I have also provided that info. Make checks payable to The National MS Society. Please send your check along with my name and team name --Alan Davidson & Urban Bicycle Gallery Team--to:
BP MS 150 National MS Society P.O.Box 4585 Houston, TX 77210-4585

To sponsor Alan for the BP MS-150

From the core of their hearts to the core of the world’s heart, the authors of “Healing the Heart of the World” explore the issues and inspirations that lie at the center of the dilemmas facing humankind on the cusp of becoming a planetary species. Drawing on a rich variety of backgrounds, they offer the hard- won nuggets of wisdom they have discovered. Here are visionary ideas that point the way to a sane, hopeful and sustainable future. Their anthology is a mandala of conscious evolution we can choose to participate in.

Meet and co-create with the authors - people who create miracles every day. Alan Davidson is the special guest on Tuesday May 9th.

WHEN: Tuesdays - April 18th, (no class on April 25), May 2, 9, 16, 23, 30, June 6, 13 and 20th
TIME: From 7 to 8:30 pm EST
WHERE: Teleconference
FACILITATORS: Sharon Walker, Lee Riddell, selected authors. COST: $197 includes MP3’s of each session (10% to charity)

For more information

Michael Lutin is the weirdly wonderful, wise and mad astrologer for VANITY FAIR MAGAZINE. He doses your planetary advice with humor and whimsy.

Wisdom of the Month...