Success of the National Conference on Creating Peace
The “National Conference on Creating Peace” held on Sunday, September 26, at Maharishi University of Management was one of the most significant events in recent history at the University and shows great promise for the future establishment of peace-creating groups across America.
Organized by Students for Peace with the guidance and support of the US Peace Government, the event showcased programs to create permanent world peace, especially the scientifically validated practice of the Transcendental Meditation® and TM-Sidhi® programs as taught by Maharishi Mahesh Yogi. An estimated 650 people attended the all-day conference, including 400 non-meditating participants who traveled from as far away as Florida and California.
News of the conference was carried nationwide by CNN, the Associated Press, and National Public Radio, as well as by many local newspapers and radio and television stations, including the Des Moines Register.
Highlights included inspiring presentations on peace by Dr. Robert Muller, Dr. John Hagelin, and David Lynch on Sunday afternoon.
Dr. Robert Muller
Dr. Robert Muller, former Assistant Secretary General of the United Nations and Senior Chancellor Emeritus of the United Nations' University for Peace in Costa Rica, has received numerous awards, including the 1989 UNESCO Peace Education Prize and the 1994 Eleanor Roosevelt Man of Vision Award. Margaret Mead called him “the most brilliant man in the United Nations,” and he is known throughout the world as one of the truly great visionaries of our time and a powerful force for peace.
Dr. Muller urged conference participants to work beyond just trying to stop war and to work toward the creation of what he called “Paradise on Earth.” A significant voice for peace in the United Nations for more than 40 years, Muller is responsible for thousands of ideas for peace and many proposals and projects to create peace and harmony among nations. Among these, he supports the creation of a US Department of Peace and of similar ministries in all governments, as well as the further unification of nations along the lines of the European Union. In his address, Dr. Muller acknowledged the wisdom of US Peace Government President Dr. John Hagelin and the profound impact of Dr. Hagelin’s vision for peace upon his own ideas.
Dr. John Hagelin
Dr. John Hagelin, world-renowned quantum physicist, President of the US Peace Government, and Director of the Institute for World Peace, followed Dr. Muller’s address with a commanding speech about Maharishi’s program to create permanent world peace. His lucid and compelling presentation included deep principles of quantum theory, Maharishi Vedic ScienceSM of consciousness, and the mechanics of creating peace through group practice of the Transcendental Meditation program and Yogic Flying.
David Lynch
David Lynch, three-time Academy Award-nominated film director whose work includes Twin Peaks and Mulholland Drive, spoke next. Mr. Lynch is a dedicated peace advocate who has traveled the world to meet with heads of state and other government leaders about effective new approaches to prevent violence and conflict. He is also a member of the Board of Trustees at Maharishi University of Management.
Mr. Lynch was bold and direct, calling conventional approaches to peace “mere fluff — a trash.” He said, “Only Maharishi is offering a true solution to war because only Maharishi’s programs enliven the field of unity at the basis of diversity. If someone offers you a peace plan that does not eliminate negativity, then that is not a true peace plan — just as if someone offers you a light bulb that does not eliminate darkness, then that is not a true light bulb.”
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Dr. Sue
McGregor |
Dr. Maureen
McCue |
Samite
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Other speakers at the conference included Dr. Sue McGregor, Professor and Coordinator of the Peace and Conflict Studies Program at Mount Saint Vincent University of Halifax, Nova Scotia; Dr. Maureen McCue, Adjunct Clinical Professor at the University of Iowa College of Public Health and a member of the Iowa chapter of Physicians for Social Responsibility for 25 years; and Samite of Uganda, one of the most acclaimed traditional musicians in East Africa and the Director of Musicians for World Harmony.
Another wonderful highlight of the Conference was a special discussion session between students of Maharishi University of Management and members of the audience. The students spoke boldly, powerfully, and with great wisdom about the effectiveness of Maharishi’s programs to create permanent world peace and the crucial need for Consciousness-BasedSM education to be offered to students throughout the world. Hearing these inspiring students from the University gave everyone great hope for the future of America and the world.
The incredible success of this Peace Conference, and its potential to attract many new students, has inspired the University to launch a series of national conferences to highlight Maharishi’s solutions in all areas of society. On Friday, October 8, the M.U.M. Institute for Maharishi VedicSM Architecture will hold the first national conference on “Vedic Architecture in Harmony with Natural Law” to introduce architects and builders to the principles and practices of Maharishi Sthapatya VedaSM design. Interest in the conference is spreading rapidly around the globe, with top architects, developers, and builders registered to attend from throughout the United States and the world.
It is clear from the attendance at these conferences and from the remarkable response by the press that the world is ready and eager to hear about Maharishi’s proven programs to create world peace — and willing to travel large distances to do so. This bodes very well for the future of the US Peace Government and the future peace of the world.
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