The following is an excerpt (1) from an article by Mariann Schnall about the Peace Summit that took place in Newark, NJ, on May 13-15. The Summit, hosted by Newark Mayor Cory Booker, and co-convened by Tibet House and The Drew A. Katz Foundation, highlighted peacemaking as a way for individuals, families, communities and nations to resolve conflicts and problems. Nobel Peace Laureates, His Holiness the Dalai Lama, and leading peace activists participated. Schnall asked the conference speakers to talk about “making peace” into today’s world. Following are responses by Deepak Chopra, M. D. and Newark Mayor Cory Booker.
Envisioning a More Peaceful World: Leading Thinkers Speak Out on Peace and an Upcoming Summit
by Mariann Schnall, 5/11/11, The Huffington Post
Since there are so many diverse and interesting perspectives being represented at the summit, I thought that a interesting way to highlight the event, and it’s extremely valuable themes, would be to do a “round up” — posing the same three questions about the conference and the notion of peace to a cross-section of the distinguished activists and thinkers who are participating. . . . May we hold in our hearts the vision of a more peaceful world in which we understand our interdependence as well as the interconnection of the many issues we face. As the Dalai Lama said, “Peace can only last where human rights are respected, where people are fed, and where individuals and nations are free.”
Deepak Chopra, M.D., author and Founder of the Chopra Center for Wellbeing
What changes do you think humanity needs to make to achieve lasting peace in the world?
DC: The only way lasting peace that can occur is when we become the change we want to see in the world. Peace can only be created by those who are peaceful. Love can only be shown by people who love. No social transformation can occur in the absence of personal transformation. We have enough angry peace activists and don’t need more. Moral outrage adds violence even if it is for a good reason; it is rage. Even when the outrage is for the right reasons; it is still rage and perpetuates violence in the world.
What exactly will you be doing at the conference? What theme or message are you representing?
DC: I am presenting a seminar on the neuroscience of enlightenment and the biological correlates of spirituality.
What do you hope people come away with from the summit?
DC: I hope people realize that they hold immense power in their own beings to create a peaceful, just, sustainable and healthy world.
* * * * * * *
The Hon. Cory A. Booker, Mayor of Newark, NJ
What changes do you think humanity needs to make to achieve lasting peace in the world?
CB: Those people who seek peace must realize that this is not a passive thing — it necessitates action. As Martin Luther King said, “Man’s inhumanity to man is not only perpetrated by the vitriolic actions of those who are bad. It is also perpetrated by the vitiating inaction of those who are good.” We need a far more proactive agenda for people. It is not a matter of can we; it’s a matter of do we have the collective will.
What exactly will you be doing at the conference? What theme or message are you representing?
CB: The conference will be a gathering of local and global peace leaders who are engaged in efforts to create peace within our global community from many different approaches. From peace within one mind and spirit, to how we relate to each other, person-to-person, country-to-country, and religion-to-religion — there is not one major theme we hope to convey. Our goal is to elevate the dialogue, to learn form one another and realize how we can be better servants to humanity’s highest calling.
What do you hope people come away with from the summit?
CB: Most importantly, I hope that people gain practical and substantive means by which to better engage their immediate lives and communities as agents of peace. In the end, if we want the world to change, we have to be better activists for peace ourselves. I hope that we will become better leaders for a more peaceful society, and ur work can provide light, hope and inspiration for others.
* * * * * * *
(1) To read the full, unabridged article byMarianne Schnall, go to https://www.huffingtonpost.com/marianne-schnall/leaders-on-peace_b_860377.html