Peace Be with You, Grandma

I would like to dedicate this
Second CM1111 Event to my
Grandma Herminie. She just
passed on February 2nd, 2008.
She had recently turned 89.

After the tears and the funeral,
our family shared many hours
pouring over old photographs
and reliving her life. Most of it
was unknown to me, and I feel
very blessed to have been able
to be there in person this week.

One of my favorite things that
came out of Thursday's events
was that the family thought I
should have a piece of her
jewelry...a small silver and white
charm with the word PEACE in
bold, capital letters.

There could not have been a
more appropriate piece! I will
wear it with pride and in honor
of her, my peace lovin' Grandma.

Even though I was not able to
have a verbal two-way conversation
during my last visit on January
29th, I shared with her about our
first CM1111 event. I'm sure she
liked the idea and will be with us
today as we unite together to focus
on inner and outer peace.

May peace be with all of you...
and on this day, especially with you, Grandma!

2nd CM1111 Event ~ Tomorrow Monday, February 11th

We look forward to having all of you join us,
whether in person or in spirit tomorrow at
11:11am, no matter where in the world you are!

By setting a united intention at the same time,
our collective energies will merge together to
synergistically focus on world peace. At 11:11
peace will move like a wave, from one time zone
to another, throughout the world.

Rather than being against something, this
project is for something – and it’s all about peace.
Peace within our selves, our communities, our
nations and ultimately the entire world.

There’s no right or wrong way to participate!
By solitarily thinking “peace” for even
just one second at 11:11am on the 11th or
gathering with a group of friends/colleagues,
you’ll be joining with hopefully hundreds, perhaps
thousands, of others who are beginning to participate
in our new peace project.

Do Your Piece 4 Peace!
Arrive around 10:45am at the Labyrinth in
Audubon Park, Uptown New Orleans
or
Create your own group in your area
or
Take a moment of silence during your busy day

For every action there is a postive reaction.
Let us choose to give, and therefore receive,
PEACE.

Dedicated in Memory of Amber, the 11 Angel

Sitting at the center of the Labyrinth on 01.11.08, I started chatting with one of our participants after I asked if I could take her picture. “Looking peaceful,” she commented as I snapped the photo.

She remarked with surprise that my tiny point and shoot camera was the one taking the pictures posted on the site. “The only reason I decided to read your blog was because of the detailed photo of the Labyrinth.” She continued, “Yesterday I called a friend of mine who I knew was having a hard time. As I read (The Space Between blog entry) to her, she started bawling by the end of it.”

She relayed her friend’s explanation of her rise in emotions. “My daughter always speaks to me in elevens, and today is the anniversary of her death. Amber was speaking to me through this writing!”

While focusing on peace today at 11:11am, we all met where these paths cross at the space between.

This first CM1111 Event is dedicated in memory of Amber, the 11 Angel. May you rest in peace.

PJs and PJ’s

“Grrrrllll,” my friend said yesterday when he phoned me from a local coffee shop in New Orleans called PJ’s, “you can get it all done with a cup of tea, sitting in your pajamas at your house!” I readily laughed because that is exactly how this CM1111 Project has come to be in existence.

We discussed how technology has evolved to bring communities together, making it easier for like-minded folks to find each other. Yes we still put up flyers on bulletin boards at coffee shops and make phone calls to our lists, but the internet has become such a vital tool. The ease of spreading the word allows it to go further faster with just a few strokes on the keyboard.

I thank all of you for taking that extra minute out of your day to forward this information on to those you think might be interested. Together we can, and I truly believe will, bring about world peace with the click of a button and of course, focused intent and action.

As someone commented earlier today, “I don’t even need to leave my house; I just need to have the intention and commitment.” Know that you, too, can easily start doing your piece for peace…even in your PJs.

Yoga for Peace: The Yogic CM1111 Challenge

One local yoga teacher who was present at our gathering in New Orleans has already taken the Yogic CM1111 Challenge. Will you and your yoga students join her in helping spread peace on the 11th day of every month?

Let me begin by saying that to me a challenge is not a competition, but rather a way to encourage oneself to go deeper or higher and to push beyond one’s normal limitations. Rather than acting as a divisive measure, a challenge can bring people together in a united effort to do more than they would individually. This yogic challenge is a win-win situation for all involved.

When I was around nine years old my Grandmother used to do fundraising for a non-profit organization. I remember her pulling me before the cameras with her and putting out a challenge to all the other grandmothers out there who were watching the telecast. She pledged a certain amount of money in my honor, and challenged them to match her. The donations from other grandmothers around the country started pouring in almost immediately! The challenge connected these women on a level which they understood so personally, bringing them together to unite on a common goal.

This is why I challenge the yoga community to join CM1111 and other yoga teachers around the country to set aside a special time for focusing on world peace through their practices.

My idea is that a special Yoga for Peace class could be scheduled for the 11th day of every month. Starting at 10:30am and ending at 11:30am would give enough time for everyone to have their usual yoga practice while getting the brain and heart in alignment with the peace mission.

Then just before 11:11am the yogis and yoginis would enter into a meditation pose (corpse or seated) they would hold for however long with the focus on peace. Perhaps “Om Shanti” could be playing in the background or everyone could be chanting this together. Whatever feels right for you and your particular class works great. In this way people would be uniting their intentions and spreading peace to the world while doing something that brings them solace and inner peace.

If you're a yoga student who would like Yoga for Peace classes to happen in your area, please contact your local studio(s) to see if they'll join in the Yogic CM1111 Challenge. If you're a yoga teacher or studio interested in participating, please use the comment link below to add your contact information to this entry.

Critical Mass Defined: We’re on the Edge!

When someone asked me the other night if I knew what critical mass was, I stated something similar to the definitions below.

The online Encarta Dictionary defines it as:

crit·i·cal mass (noun)

1. point of change
   a point or situation at which change occurs
   * Support for the measure has reached critical mass.
2. necessary size or amount
   the size or amount of something that is required before an activity or event can take place.
   * For our world vision of peace to be attained, enough people must join together in a critical mass.

If you break the word down, critical is defined as:

1. crucial
   extremely important because of being or happening at a time of special difficulty, trouble or danger, when matters could quickly get either worse or better
2. essential
   absolutely necessary for the success of something
3. undergoing change
   relating to a property of a system that is undergoing a sudden change

and mass is defined as:

1. collection
   a collection of many individual parts
2. great unspecified quantity
   a large but unspecified number or quantity
3. major part
   the greater part or majority
4. collect (verb)
   to be gathered in a mass

I gave an example of the well-known Critical Mass bicycle rides. The unified effort started in San Francisco in the 1990’s and has spread across the nation. I explained that my vision was more of a spiritual nature as we join together, either privately or with a group, to focus on world peace.

He, in turn, gave me a physics definition -- something along the lines of when atoms build up enough they begin to reach the tipping point. “And when you reach that point,” he said, “you’re on the edge!” I agreed saying, “We’re approaching that edge, and we need others to join us.” He responded, “I’ll be thinking peace at 11:11 with you.” His co-worker, the one who was into things exploding (see blog entry "Synchronicities Abound"), smiled behind him.

Thanks, guys, for doing your piece for peace! You’re helping push our numbers to the edge of something really wonderful.

Do You Have Any of These Symptoms? I Hope So...

The Symptoms of Inner Peace

A tendency to think and act spontaneously, rather than from fears based on past experiences;

An unmistakable ability to enjoy each moment;

A loss of interest in judging others;

A loss of interest in conflict;

A loss of interest in interpreting the actions of others;

A loss of ability to worry;

Frequent overwhelming episodes of appreciation;

Contented feelings of connectedness with others and with nature;

Frequent attacks of smiling through the heart;

Increasing susceptibility to love extended by others, as well as the uncontrollable urge to extend it;

An increasing tendency to let things happen, rather than to manipulate them and make them happen.


Thanks to MLS for sharing this with our group! She read this as we gathered in a circle at the center of the Labyrinth, setting our intentions as 11:11am approached. A wonderful piece that kept us all smiling.

Sticking Your Neck Out for Peace

A few days before the first event, I decided to visit the Labyrinth in preparation. On my way there, I was stopped in my tracks. Even though I knew that the zoo is right there, I didn’t expect to see them. The giraffes were out!

I admired them and their gracefulness, their diligence in reaching that higher branch which still had something on it that they wished to attain. And that’s when it hit me – they were not afraid to stick their necks out! In fact, they couldn’t help themselves. Those long, beautiful necks were their means for reaching up, constantly striving for what is above and beyond.

They inspired me to stick my own neck out -- to move forward fully with this CM1111 vision by continuing to speak my truth. Encouraged, I set intention for the project while walking the labyrinth that day. In my mind’s eye I saw the coming together of many, many people. Thank you for being a part of that vision. Let's stick our necks out together for peace!

~

I just looked up the animal totem explanation for giraffes – and the first site whose explanation came up perfectly fits my experience! An excerpt from www.sayahdam.co/cyc2.html is below. For more information on animal totems and their gifts, visit their site or google the name of your animal with the word totem.

“The giraffes’ strength and flexibility shows us how to gain control of our physical bodies while expanding our mental and spiritual faculties.

With their heads towering high in the sky and their feet firmly planted on the ground, they serve as links between the higher and lower worlds.

What we think and what we feel on a heart level need to be aligned in order for this medicine to benefit us.

Its flexible neck allows it to see what's behind it, alongside it and in front of it. This gives the giraffe the ability to know the future and understand the past while walking in the present moment. It holds the teachings of clear sight and can be a powerful ally for those with this totem.

They are quiet animals making little noise except for an occasional bleat. This silence is a great teaching for those with this medicine. The giraffes’ lack of vocal communication suggests that we follow suit. Words often distract us from silent reflection. Learning to balance one’s speech with quietude is important.

Although the head of the giraffe appears dainty, its three horns give it the ability to strike a nasty blow. One of its horns is somewhat hidden located under the skin just above its eyes. This placement is similar to that of the third eye in man and reminds those with this medicine to honor their visionary abilities.

The giraffe teaches us how to increase our perceptions by viewing life from all angles. When we look up, forwards, sideways and down the past, present and future is known. A wonderful totem to have, the giraffe is a bearer of many gifts.”

So thanks, Giraffes, for showing up at the perfect moment! Their divine timing, along with everyone else who has been called to support this project, inspires me to continue sticking my neck out to reach for something higher. And that something is world peace.

When one puts forth positive effort, others will join…as seen in all aspects of the animal kingdom.

A World of Thanks on 01.11.08

Words cannot begin to express my heartfelt thanks
to each and every one of you for contributing
to CM1111's first world peace project!
Thank you
Merci

Danke
Tack

Grazie

Gracias

Ευχαριστίες

شكور

Dank

Obrigado

Спасибо

Please send us quotes, poems, pictures, etc about how

you did your piece for peace today! You can comment

directly on the blog or email us at directly at

CriticalMass1111@gmail.com.

11 Participants at the First CM1111 Gathering

~The Labyrinth @ Audubon Park, New Orleans, LA~

This piece by Pierre Teillard de Chardin was shared by MLS:

The day will come
When after harnessing the winds,
The tides
And gravitation,
We shall harness for God the
Energies of love.
And on that day, for the
Second time in the history of the world,
Man will have discovered
Fire.

More details, photos and comments on today's event coming soon.

Word for the Day: Compassion

This morning I awake, as usual, to find my word (or more typically quote) for the day in my inbox. Its message is so pertinent to my day ahead, especially after the resistance I encountered last night...

WORD FOR THE DAY
Friday, Jan. 11, 2008

You must not hate those who do wrong or harmful things; but with compassion, you must do what you can to stop them — for they are harming themselves, as well as those who suffer from their actions.
-- His Holiness the Dalai Lama

This quote reminds me to approach this day, and every day, with a focus on what I want rather than what I do not. May peace and compassion fill all of our hearts as we shine that light forth into every direction.

Check out http://www.gratefulness.org/.

It's Almost 11:11am on January 11th Somewhere in the World Right Now

Synchronicities Abound

The last 24 hours have been very interesting. The synchronicities which are occurring for myself and my friends, the excitement I hear in someone’s voice as she tells me she has chills covering her body as I’m explaining the CM1111 concept and the outward signs I’m getting are truly amazing.

They started last night when I was eating dinner with one of my dearest friends. We were discussing the project since she did not have a chance to get online and check out the blog just yet. In her wonderfully supportive way, she donated $3 to me for one of the bumper stickers. Then I gave $2 right back because we split an appetizer. I jokingly commented I should frame the remaining dollar for the CM1111 project, like a restaurant does when they open their doors. We started laughing, but as I looked closer at the bill my mouth dropped open. I had to do the math twice to be sure...

Not only were there four ones in the corner of the bill like every dollar, there were also four 11s on the inside corners (the others in our wallets had 12s and only one other had an 11), the K in the serial number is the 11th letter of the alphabet AND the serial number added up to 29 which, in numerology, is 11. WOW!




~

As I drove down a residential street to avoid rush hour traffic tonight, I was recalling a website I came across the other day. The man was interested in 11’s, too. He showed a picture of his house which he had just realized, after all this time, had four posts that looked like 1111. As I was hoping to catch a glimpse of some 11 posts as I drove down this new street, look what was shining before me at the intersection!


~

What has also surprised me are the polar opposite reactions I’m getting from a few people tonight. “Oh, no, I don’t want to participate," said the Office Max worker. He added with a smile, "I like when things get blown up!" I know he was mostly kidding (I hope), yet another I encountered tonight really played devil's advocate for a good 45 minutes. “World Peace? I don’t believe in it,” he said while shaking his head. As I listened to his stories and mini history lessons, I found myself smiling. In the past so many buttons would have been pushed I would have rocketed into outer space, yet tonight I smiled and thanked him for his opinion. Even though it was almost exactly opposite of mine, we did finally find common ground. His tone softened up as he said, "You know, I really would like for there to be peace in this world as my new baby granddaughter grows up." At that moment, after all the healthy debate about war and the human condition, I saw a spark light up in his heart -- he loves that little girl so much and wants the best for her. That is the very light I see being ignited within all of us as we participate in CM1111 and other peace projects. He still challenged me, though, as I bid him farewell for the evening. “So what do you really think you can do for world peace?” I smiled as I walked out the door saying, “I’m doing it right now.”

As I continued my errands I marveled at how rapidly this has all come together and actually began to wonder if I could do anything for world peace. I had always been an activist in one way or another for most of my life, yet in the last few years I let that take a backseat. Was I really supposed to be doing this now? Will others actually support the project? For all the visitors we’ve had to the site only 19 said they’re participating. Can little me in New Orleans really make a difference in this big world? The doubt crept in as these questions raced through my mind.

And at that exact moment, stopped before me at a red light (which I was only approaching now because I missed my turn while I was deep in thought), was my answer:



The license plate read "NOW 515" and in numerology, 5+1+5=11.

I smiled with renewed confidence and felt reconnected as I turned to continue on my new path, slightly altered from the direction I had originally planned yet very worthy of the detour. Unbeknownst to him, the messenger in the red car sped away in the opposite direction.

What’s YOUR Piece 4 Peace Look Like?

As we prepare for the first CM1111 World Peace Project event, I invite you to consider sharing how you are personally doing your Piece 4 Peace today/tomorrow.

Poems, prayers, journal entries, affirmations, photographs of your gathering or personal sacred space…anything you’d like to share with us is most welcomed. Merging our collective energies and inspiring one another is what this is all about!

May all of our efforts, which are as unique as every one of us, synergistically combine to create something more beautiful than we ever thought possible.

With gratitude to all you peace-loving people!

~

Below is a picture of the tree where I received the guidance to start this group. Some of you locals may recognize it as the large oak tree on the St. Joseph’s Abbey Retreat Grounds in Covington, LA. A wonderful soul will be on site holding the energy for us there at 11:11am CST. I was very excited when I received her email earlier today! As I post this photo that my friend just forwarded me, I see something that I have never noticed in the six years I've been visiting this retreat center -- the large metal poles which are helping support its heavy boughs look from a distance like 11 11 11.


And this CM1111 Project obviously isn’t just for humans! This meditation spot is a favorite of my feline friend where she regularly likes to contemplate a mosaic art piece called "Chakra Universe."

200 Strong and Counting

Just an hour shy of our three day mark,
we've had our 218th visitor tonight.

That means within the last 24 hours
exactly 100 new people have visited
the blog, with 4 of you from 4 new countries!

Let's keep spreading the peace across the planet.
Thanks for all of your support.

The Art of Manifesting

In order to manifest something, we need to be very specific with our intention of what we want to create in our lives. When we can clearly see it in our mind’s eye and be grateful for it as if it has already occurred, only then can – and will – it manifest!

By putting out our requests or prayers to the Universe/Source/Spirit/God/Goddess/Jesus/Yahweh/Buddha or who/whatever your version of the Divine is we are stating with intention, trust and belief that peace is real and attainable. That it is here within each of our hearts, even if only for a fleeting moment, and that it can be accomplished by all.

When we experience these moments of peace over and over again, it begins to forge a deeper path into our brains, hearts, spirits and collective consciousness. Like a river running over solid ground, the mud beneath will begin to give way. As these peaceful rivers continue to rush forth, something even more beautiful than the Grand Canyon will be carved within each of our souls. As any unwanted sediment and sludge is carried away, our true inner beauty will be revealed.

So rather than approaching 11:11am on the 11th (or any time of any day for that matter) with thoughts of what we DON’T want in our world (war, poverty, hunger, sadness, anger, violence, etc.) let us instead focus on what we DO want (peace, harmony, unconditional love, unity, etc.).

Let us truly come from a place of peace within our hearts and spread that love and energy to the rest of the world. Happy manifesting!

Peace Is Flowing Like A...Wave?!

“Your effort would create more of a rolling wave,” commented DJ Arth Mawr earlier today (see full comment listed under “How to Participate in CM1111” as well as for a link to their group).

As the visitor so thoughtfully suggested, “If each group could sustain the effort for at least one hour then the light would be passed gently around the world for a full 24 hours. Wonderful!”

Wonderful indeed! A great concept that I hadn’t put together yet.
Thanks for the insight.

The Space Between

It is often when we stop, when we pause, when we become still and quiet, when we take that moment between inhale and exhale that it happens. We tap into the Oneness and become one with it, with everything, with everyone.

This is where true peace resides.

I have chosen the Labyrinth at Audubon Park for the New Orleans gathering because it so profoundly holds this space of Oneness, that of compassion and unity. Thanks to a dear friend who was vital in getting this particular Labyrinth constructed, I have been using this walking meditation as a healing tool in my life for a handful of years now.

On its path one cannot get lost; one can only find his- or herself along the way. And often, very often, it is during my pause along its path to take a deep breath and reflect upon my rising thoughts, watch a bird in flight overhead or step aside to let another pass that the changes begin to occur within.


This is the main reason that I love walking the labyrinth. It doesn’t care what your spiritual or religious beliefs are, what language you speak or the color of your skin, educational level or sexual orientation. It is open, receptive, inviting, accepting and healing.

The labyrinth invites us all to walk its path because it is our individual path and however we approach it, we are never wrong. It is our personal journey and no one else’s, yet it unites us all at the very core -- human and spiritual -- as we tap into the beauty of its Oneness.



I invite you to
join me on the
11th day of
every month!

No matter where
in the world you are,
know that our paths
will cross here...
at the space between.

It's 11:11 -- Make a Wish!

Although I do not remember my age at the time or the wise soul who told me, “Look! It’s 11:11. Make a wish!” I do know that I was very young and loved the idea. Ever since then, every time I noticed that special configuration on the clocks or elsewhere, I would smile and make my wish. As I’ve progressed on this journey of life, my wishes began to extend beyond my immediate wants and gratifications of childhood. They have (mostly) matured into a more worldly, all-inclusive wish. And that, my friends, my fellow advocates for peace, is what we’re all united by today – my wish, your wish, our collective wish for world peace.

~

Earlier today, as I was working on one of my therapeutic massage clients, I had my eyes closed as I often do. As I gently pulled the energy up and out of her neck towards the occiput (which, according to some modalities, happens to be the seat of manifestation), I half-opened my eyes to check on the time. And it probably won’t surprise you to know that it was exactly 11:11am! I smiled to myself and wished for her exquisite peace and blessings for all of her wishes and dreams to come true. I also made a wish for the Fed Ex delivery I was expecting (I had some Critical Mass 11:11 bumper stickers made -- see photo below) to wait until 10 minutes after we finished our session. The fruiton of my wish happened at exactly 11:22am. I can only hope hers will be as immediate.

Thanks for Spreading the Word!

Within just 36 hours of launching this
blog, we have already expanded to 5
countries and reached our 100th visitor!

Thanks to everyone who has visited and
welcome to those who are yet to log on.

May this message of peace reach far and wide,
uniting people of all religions/belief systems
who know that collectively there can -- and
will -- be peace on this planet.

With gratitude for making this vision a reality,
dMb

Survey Says...?

We're curious about how many people are
planning to participate on 01/11/08.

Please answer the surveys located
underneath the city counter. Thanks!