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By
Michael Lightweaver
Mountain Light Sanctuary
Welcome....
To the third issue of The World Report & Global Resources, a monthly
publication dedicated to providing you with brief innovative news and
resources about people and events on the leading edge of planetary
transformation.
The World Report is published by Network 2012, an international project
dedicated to linking up "World Servers" globally for the purpose of promoting
cooperation and communication. To learn more about Network 2012, click here: <
A HREF="http://www.n2012.com/">Network 2012</A> or go to
http://www.n2012.com
You can visit Mountain Light Sanctuary, the international networking hub
where The World Report is produced by clicking here: <A
HREF="http://www.mtnlightsanctuary.com/">Mountain Light Sanctuary</A> or
going to http://mtnlightsanctuary.com
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Toward A Peaceful and Prosperous Planet,
Michael Lightweaver
Mountain Light Sanctuary
Asheville, NC. USA
lightweave@aol.com
The reports or web listings contained herein do not constitute endorsement,
recommendation nor validation by the publisher. Before submitting an entry
or article for The World Report, please request the submission criteria.
July 2000 * Issue #3
Contents
World Report
Solutions Oriented News From Around The World
News Briefs
Inspiring News Briefs From Around The World
Global Resources
Websites Devoted To Positive Planetary Transformation
Editorial
The Publishers Perspective
--------------------------------------------------------------
Featured Story
Learned Optimism More Useful Than Truth
USA - Philadelphia, Penn. - According to a recent study with students by
Martin Seligman, director of clinical training at the University of
Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, high scores for optimism are predictive of
excellence in everything from sports to sales. Analyzing campaign speeches
for the prevalence of optimism, Seligman predicted the winners of the 1988
presidential and Senate elections more accurately than veteran political
forecasters. "I used to be an agent of both truth and happiness," says
Seligman. "That's still a central premise of most therapists. But research in
our lab and others is increasingly challenging that view. Optimists have a
set of self-serving illusions that enable them to maintain good cheer and
health in a universe essentially indifferent to their welfare. Optimists are
more resistant to infectious illness and are better at fending off the
chronic diseases of middle age." According to Seligman, depressed people
would do well to adopt the same self-serving illusions that optimistic people
hold. "We can choose how we think. Styles of thinking can become habits. We
can control our thoughts as we can our muscles," says Seligman. Studies
show, if you think about problems in a negative frame of mind, you come up
with fewer solutions. And you're likely to spiral into deeper depression. By
boosting mood and self-esteem, people with pessimistic tendencies can break
that cycle and free themselves to think more creatively. This is consistent
with other studies which show that, while pessimists may be more realistic,
optimists live longer and happier lives. Seligman is author of a new book
entitled "Learned Optimism."
-----------------------
Historic Victory for Brazilian Amazon
BRAZIL - The Environmental Defense Organization has announced that leaders
of Brazil's Congress have just shelved proposed legislation to increase the
area and rate of Amazon forest destruction, handing the Brazilian
environmental movement its first major and precident-setting victory in
protecting the rainforest. Representatives of powerful special interest
groups had pushed a draft law through a joint House/Senate Committee that
would have loosened restrictions on Amazon deforestation, and could have
caused a 25% increase in annual rates of clearing and burning.
Massive e-mail and fax protests to Congress and the President from all
over the world, and broad national media coverage killed the measure before
it could come to the House floor. At one point, government officials
blocked the massive flux of protest emails - but backed down when the move
was derided as censorship in the press. Press and TV coverage overwhelmingly
opposed the measure, as did the Environment Ministry.
The special interest caucus, which was pushing for passage of the law, has
some 200 votes in the Congress, and represents the 1% of the landowners who
control more than 50% of Brazil agricultural land (while 50% of the farmers
have only 3% of the land). The group has repeatedly used government-sponsored
legislation to support parochial, pork-barrel projects considered unseemly
even by the standards of the Brazilian Congress. These maneuvers have
yielded tens of billions in official debt forgiveness for the few largest
debtors while health care, education, and environment budgets suffered deep
cuts. So this "first victory" is particularly significant in Brazil, beyond
just helping to save the rainforest. According to Environmental Defense
senior scientist Stephan Schwartzman, "it is a victory over the inequality,
injustice, class privilege, and impunity that have plagued Brazil for 500 years. This
legislation represented a battle between the mentality of the 19th century
and the 21st, over the future of the Amazon. Its important that the 21st
won." For further information: Steve Schwartzman sschwartzman@environmentald
efense.org
-----------------------
Nursing Home Or Garden Of Eden?
USA - Miami, Fl. - Close you eyes in the hallway of the Perdue Medical Center
in Miami and you might think you just stepped into a tropical rain forest.
The chirping and warbling of birds are a part of an innovative new approach
to therapy called "Edinization." Perdue is one of scores of medical centers
and nursing homes around the country to adopt this novel approach to patient
care developed by Dr. William Thomas, a Harvard-educated physician who
contends that the answer to the healthcare problems of young and old lies not
in drugs & knives, but in the "edenization" of the patients environment.
"I've seen them come alive and sparkle again, and I've seen their faces light
up... There is no way you can get that out of a pill bottle," says Thomas.
And the statistics back up his theory. Within two years the death rate
dropped 25 percent at the first nursing home where he introduced the concept.
"People were living longer," he says. "...they had a reason to live. They
had gotten hooked on living again." More than 100 facilities nationwide are
now using the idea, and health care workers say that, while pets and plants
and children are not a cure-all, they are proving to be a tremendous
stimulant. Even for the most difficult cases.
-----------------------
Human Rights Festival Offers Inspiring Model
USA - Athens, Ga .- From Selma to Seattle and from Birmingham to Berkeley,
the road to human rights in America has been a long and arduous "stride
toward freedom." The 22nd Annual Athens Human Rights Festival that took place
downtown in Athens, Georgia on April 15 and 16, 2000 is an activist tradition
which has continued for more than two decades in the "Classic City." The
festival is an annual reunion for the family of humankind combining oratory,
music, poetry and dance as a colorful local signpost on the road to peace and
justice. The festival began in 1979 with an outdoor event on the University
of Georgia campus featuring speeches and music in a living memorial to the
student protesters killed by the government during demonstrations at Ohio's
Kent State University and Mississippi's Jackson State College in 1970. Today
the Athens Human Rights Festival continues to celebrate the lives of those
who died for human rights while working hard to forge a brighter future.
What if a grass roots movement started and communities all over the world
began to hold annual Human Rights Festivals? How long could hatred,
injustice, violence and oppression continue? For more information, contact Mi
chael Collins at AthensHRFestival@hotmail.com
-------------------------------------------------------------
Do Humans Share A Common Original Language?
UK - After years of research, Jeffery Sharp from England claims to have
discovered the 'master-code' of all spoken languages. According to Sharp,
this phonetic code allows a person to see the solution behind any problem.
You can learn more at http://www.insideoutlearning.net
UFO Sightings Over Eastern Washington
USA - Washington State - UFO sightings have become so commonplace around the
world that, unless they are massive or have a peculiar twist, they are no
longer real news. The sightings in late May over Eastern Washington state
(USA) are interesting in that they are repeatedly occurring over a ranch
that serves as a spiritual retreat called The Self Mastery Earth Institute
and Sattva Sanctuary. In the latest sightings, fourteen high-flying UFOs
that were visible in the sky over the ranch on the nights of May 24th & 25th.
For more information go to www.cazekiel.org The Self-Mastery Earth Institute
Homeless Create Groundswell In Self Help Program
UK - In the United Kingdom there is a groundswell of real change taking place
as homeless people are beginning to organized themselves and seek a seat at
the table of plenty enjoyed by the majority of the English. Jerry Ham, who
once ran hostels in London's inner city, now coordinates "Groundswell," a
large network of homeless people involved in self-help. Groundswell is
offering the homeless an opportunity to dialog with decision makers about
their own welfare and future - something new in the history of "helping the
unfortunate." for more information, Email: groundswell@home-all.org.uk
Alternative Cancer Treatment Makes Medical Inroads
USA - Chicago, IL. Dr. Steven G. Ayre, M.D., a physician in Chicago, has
developed an innovative cancer treatment which is attracting the attention of
the mainstream medical establishment. The treatment is called Insulin
Potentiation Therapy, or IPT. Like a growing number of physicians, Dr Ayre
sees himself as a bridge between the conventional and alternative medical
worlds with the goal of integrating the best of both. You can learn more
about IPT at www.contemporarymedicine.net or by clicking here:
"http://www.contemporarymedicine.net/">Contemporary Medicine
Maya Leaders Find Self-support Via Internet
Guatemala - Self help projects around the world designed to empower the
disempowered are steadily growing as people gain a greater understanding
that real change begins from the bottom up. But funding for such endeavors
often lags far behind. One such project is Ukush Mayab, an indigenous
organization based in Momostenango, Guatemala. Working closely with the
elders of the community to preserve the culture of the Kiche Maya in the
Western Highlands of Guatemala, Ukush Mayab is reaching out to the larger
world via the internet, and has developed innovative ways to support its
work. You can learn more at http://geocities.com/momostenango or by clicking
here: <A HREF="http://geocities.com/momostenango/">http://geocities.com/momost
enango</A>
Bits & Pieces
USA - The federal income tax burden has shrunk to the lowest level in 40
years for all but the wealthy. Most Americans will pay less than 10% to Uncle
Sam in 2000. -
USA - A New University of Maryland study reveals that today's mothers, even
those with jobs outside the home, spend just as much time with their children
as mothers did in 1965. Mothers interviewed reported spending 5.8 waking
hours a day with their kids in 1998, compared with 5.6 hours in 1965. Moms in
the workforce sleep 5-6 hours less and take less time for themselves, 12
fewer hours per week, than stay-at home moms.
USA - Microsoft Corp. announced it is donating more than $2.7 million in
software and cash to help bridge the "digital divide" which is leaving behind
Indian tribes that are entrenched in poverty. The company said the gift will
be divided among eight tribal colleges, including Dine College in Shiprock,
NM.
----------------------------------------------------------
Communities
Intentional communities are nothing new. Viable, self-sustaining ones and
egalitarian ones are much rarer. One of the best examples of such a
community is the Damanhur Community Federation In Italy. Founded in 1977, is
an internationally renowned center for spiritual research. Situated in
Valchiusella Valley, in the Alpine foothills of northern Italy, Damanhur is a
Federation of Communities with over 800 citizens, a social and political
structure, a Constitution, 40 economic activities, its own currency, schools
and a daily paper. You can visit their excellent website at http://www.daman
hur.it or by clicking here: <A HREF="http://www.damanhur.it/">Federazione di
Damanhur </A>
Destinations
The "troubles" in Northern Ireland which dominate the news are but a very
tiny fraction of the reality of "The Emerald Isle." Most of Ireland is
beautiful, quiet and peaceful; the perfect place for holistic living, healing
and inner growth. You can find out about the abundant holistic centers and
services available in Ireland by visiting the Holistic Ireland website at http
://www.holistic.ie or by clicking here: <A HREF="http://www.holistic.ie/">Hol
istic Ireland</A>
Directories
Global - The Global Ideas Bank could well be described as a "supermarket for
good ideas and model projects." And they aren't just theory. Many of them
are already in place and working smoothly for creating positive change in the
world. Covering such diverse areas as Children and Education, Relationships,
Housing, Monetary & Financial Innovations, Taxation, Work & Unemployment,
Economics and Business, Welfare, Crime & The Law, Health & Therapy,
Environment and Ecology, Science, Technology and Energy, Transportation,
Communications, Arts, Leisure & Lifestyle, War & Peace, Politics,
Spirituality, Aging, Death and Dying and a score of other topics, the Global
Ideas Bank brings it all under one roof and makes it accessible to internet
surfers from Timbuctu to Tokyo. Check it out at http://www.globalideasbank.or
g or click here: <A HREF="http://www.globalideasbank.org/">Global Ideas Bank</
A>
Economy, Finance & Business
The Global Resource Bank was established as a "transparent clearinghouse for
an equitable and ecologically sustainable global economy." It does this by
replacing current debt-money that values unsustainable production with GRB
ecocredit. Ecocredit measures the life-supporting value of ecosystem
production while the Global Resource Bank's issue of ecocredit capitalizes a
prosperous global society that lives in harmony with the nature of its
environment. All the details are available at http://www.grb.net or by
clicking here: <A HREF="http://www.grb.net/">Internet Banking for Sustainable
Development </A>
Education
The Natural Systems Thinking process is a webstring science developed by the I
nstitute of Global Education, a special NGO consultant to the United Nations
Economic and Social Council. From backyard, to backcountry, to the internet -
utilizing a school without walls - the Natureconnect learning projects spans
the gambit of skill development, career training and academic degree
programs. For more information, go to http://www.ecopsych.com or click here:
<A HREF="http://www.ecopsych.com/">Nature connected counseling, ecopsychology
and </A>
Health & Healing
With over 300 healers in 30 countries, the Healing Network represents one of
the best resources available to those with healing needs that have not been
adequately addressed by the medical profession. The Healing Network is a
group of volunteers dedicated to providing healing energy to those in need by
distributing the names of individuals, locations, events or things requiring
healing energy to as many healers, healing groups and prayer groups as
possible. For more information, contact Elana at coregp@hemc.net
Lifestyles
In many indigenous and traditional cultures, there were those who "walked
between the worlds" - both the material and spiritual worlds and the gendered
worlds of male and female. These strange or "queer" men were often the
respected shaman, healers, counselors, artists, mediators and visionaries. Ga
y Spirit Vision is a rapidly growing organization of spiritually based gay
men who are reclaiming this tradition and coming to view their uniqueness as
a God-given gift which allows them to see creatively beyond the horizon of
conventional thought. You can learn more about GSV at http://gayspirit.home.m
indspring.com or by clicking here: <A
HREF="http://gayspirit.home.mindspring.com/">Gay Spirit Visions: Home Page</A>
Media
UFO's, Crop Circles, Earth Mysteries, The Paranormal and New Science are just
a few of the topics covered by documentaries presented on The Enigma Channel,
a 24 hours a day free on-line TV station sponsored by the Global Broadcasting
Corporation. Since it's birth in September of 1999, the Enigma Channeled as
registered over one million viewers to date from all over the world.
Currently plans are underway for launching "The Healing Channel" later this
year. Probe the mysteries of the universe at www.enigmatv.com or by clicking
here: <A HREF="http://www.enigmatv.com/">!WEBTV WEB TV QUICKTIME 4
!ENIGMATV.COM</A>
Networking
Those involved in new consciousness activities in Portugal and Spain recently
joined together to create the Iberic Web Of Light. Composed of 32 different
groups throughout the two countries, the network opens up new avenues of
communication and cooperation between Iberic light workers who are working at
a grass roots level to expand the consciousness of their region. For more
information, contact Koldo Aldai at planetagaia@jet.es
Peace
Offering seminars on peacekeeping and conflict resolution for military,
diplomatic, political, and humanitarian personnel and directly facilitating
efforts to settle international and internal conflicts, the New York based Int
ernational Peace Academy is an independent, nonpartisan, international
organization dedicated to promoting the peaceful settlement of armed
conflicts. Drawing on a worldwide network of statesmen, scholars, business
leaders, diplomats, and military officers, IPA works closely with the United
Nations, NGOs, governments, and parties to conflicts. Financial support comes
from philanthropic foundations, individual donors, and voluntary
contributions from governments. For more information http://www.ipacademy.org
or Click Here: <A HREF="http://www.ipacademy.org/">International Peace
Academy</A>
Prosperity
Esoteric lessons from the works of New Thought authors such as J.R. Price,
Ernest Holmes, Wallace D. Wattles, Catherine Ponder and Dr. Ken "Kioni"
Fuller are available free as tri-weekly mental-spiritual principles for
creating a wealth consciousness. Prosperity Secrets help you develop
unlimited thinking, learn advanced manifesting techniques, create your life's
work and transform your core beliefs. These easy to learn techniques,
positive affirmations, and exercises will help you create swift changes in
your prosperity and lead you to mastery over your life as you learn to work
with the energy of the Universe in creating your dreams. Go to http://www.top
ica.com/lists/HabitsOfWealth or click here: <A
HREF="http://www.topica.com/lists/HabitsOfWealth">Topica Email List Directory<
/A>
Spirituality
Too often the view that 'westerners' have about Islam is shaped by the media
focus on a small minority of fundamentalists who mix politics & religion in a
volatile potion of hatred and bigotry. Of course the same can be found among
Christian TV evangelists from Berlin to Birmingham. In the media's obsession
with social dysfunction, what we fail to see is the essential beauty and
brotherhood which is a prime pillar of faith in Islam. The mystical essence
of Islam can be found in Sufism, which is often referred to as "The Way Of
The Heart." A good description of Sufism with a listing of 19 related
websites can be found at SpiritWeb at http://www.spiritweb.org/Spirit/sufism.h
tml or by clicking here: <A
HREF="http://www.spiritweb.org/Spirit/sufism.html">SpiritWeb: Sufism - the
Way of the Heart</A>
------------------------------------------------
Editorial
(Editors Note: I have spent more lifetimes than I care to remember as a
'heretic' of one variety or another, many times paying a very dear price for
my alternative way of seeing things. This is an opinion article, not a
statement of fact or truth. And as I have stated, do not hold me to any of
this a week from now. As I grow, I change. Something, however, that will
probably never change is my basic predilection for questioning basic
assumptions, whether they be religious, political, medical, educational,
social or my own 'whatever.' My bottom line for evaluating anything is
whether or not "it grows corn." In other words, does it work? And if it
works for you and doesn't harm others, perhaps that is as close as we will
get to 'truth' in this lifetime. The following is offered in all due respect
to those who see things differently.)
The Ultimate Guru
Seeking a wise teacher in the caves of the Himalayas or a wizened shaman in
the Andes or Amazon are always an option. Certainly we have long held a
strong attraction to "the exotic other" as a source of wisdom and
enlightenment. However, in our ongoing quest for a deeper understanding of
ourselves and our world, we have often failed to recognize the Ultimate Guru
in our lives.
This "Master Of All Masters" wears no robes. There are no sonorous chants in
ancient languages; No hidden teachings to tantalize the seeker; No rituals,
ceremony or hierarchy of believers; No special relationship with ascended
beings; No occult techniques, formulas, prayers or meditations. The truth is,
this "Master Of All Masters" is the most unglamorous and mundane guru one
could possibly imagine: So much so that she is always overlooked in our
attraction to "the exotic other."
Who is this "Master Of All Masters" - This Ultimate Guru? Relationships. Yes,
just that: Simply relationships.
Our magnificent world offers a wondrous array of "the exotic other" in terms
of teachers. They are all gurus of various kinds and types. Each has a
teaching to offer at the various stages of our lives and journeys into
consciousness. But when we have walked the many byways to enlightenment,
ultimately the last path will bring us back to where we started. Relationships
When we hear the word Relationships, our first thought is often "romantic."
But this is but a tiny fraction of the whole; like only the big toe of the
guru.
Consider all of the relationships in your life: Your relationship with your
body; your relationship with money; your relationship with The Divine realm;
your relationship with your own beliefs, your relationship with your own
personal myth of who and what you are; your relationship with your home; your
relationship with the Earth. And then there are people: Your relationship
with your spouse, your children, your parents, siblings, friends, enemies,
coworkers, strangers - and of course your romances. And there is that
relationship with the intangible "Self" - the who and what you truly are at
the deepest core of your being. Indeed, what is your life & who are you but
your relationships in the very broad sense of the term?
And how is your relationship with each of these? Are you consciously working
with them or only learning indirectly and by default? Are you journeying to
exotic inner and outer destinations and ignoring the Ultimate Guru at your
doorstep? Are you ready to embrace her in all of her homely mundane
worldliness and make this a truly conscious adventure this time around?
It is said that we teach what we most need to learn and that to understand
the issues in another's life, look at what they are teaching. I don't
pretend to be a teacher, for truly, I have no teachings. And as for beliefs,
don't hold me to them next Tuesday. Something may occur this weekend that
will give me a greater or deeper understanding of Life.
But a guide, yes. I have walked many of the paths I have alluded to. Ten
years ago, with my own tour company, I was leading pilgrims to the ancient
sacred sites of Earth. Early in life I embarked on the marriage & family
path. Five years ago I moved to a secluded mountain sanctuary to explore the
path of a solitaire - to pause and look at my many relationships in life.
I've learned a few things along the way and I have many yet to learn.
Stepping beyond this as simply an editorial, I would extend an invitation to
you to visit the Mountain Light Sanctuary this August 18-20, 2000 and
participate in our summer retreat. The subject of this editorial will also
be the theme of the retreat "Relationships: the Ultimate Guru." Our point of
departure will be an understanding that the answers to the deeper questions
of life do not lie somewhere outside of ourselves, but within. From this
point, with Relationships as our path, we will explore together the deeper
realms of consciousness. For complete details you can email me at
lightweave@aol.com
Michael Lightweaver
Mountain Light Sanctuary
Asheville, NC. USA
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