July 29th, 2011 — 7:01am
Many people with life dreams hope to one day see a world that is free from conflict and violence, where everyone has a chance to equally pursue their aspirations and goals. However, the current state of things in the world put this type of world peace day somewhat in question.
In particular, United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon recently said that climate change and global warming threaten to drive nations of the world even farther apart, as the situation could result in stiff competition over dwindling resources. Additionally, destruction from hurricanes, tornadoes and wildfires threatens peace by spreading security forces thin.
"Extreme weather events continue to grow more frequent and intense in rich and poor countries alike, not only devastating lives, but also infrastructure, institutions, and budgets – an unholy brew which can create dangerous security vacuums,” he said, according to the Vancouver Sun. "[Climate change] not only exacerbates threats to international peace and security; it is a threat to international peace and security."
This spring and summer brought strong reminders of the destruction that can be caused by climate-related natural disasters. In the U.S., a string of deadly tornadoes ripped through many parts of the country. In Pakistan, violent flooding caused major damage. And Somalia is currently gripped by a devastating drought that is threatening already thin food supplies.
When situations like this persist they often contribute to unrest and violence. However, author and philosopher Ilchi Lee says that this only underscores the need for nations of the world to work together to solve these issues. While the UN may not be making much progress at the moment, at least there is a body through which international representatives can air their grievances.
As part of the Earth Citizen movement, Lee says nations and cultures will have to work together. Climate change may be an important issue to start with.
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July 21st, 2011 — 6:16am
Ilchi Lee tells us that it is sometimes not enough to simply challenge our minds through educational pursuits or relax our spirits through meditation. There is an important third component to our inner selves, and that needs to be exercised as diligantly as the other two parts.
In order to establish harmony throughout our multiple parts, we must engage in physical pursuits that challenge and work out our bodies in the same way that meditation pushes us to expand our spiritual limitations. Enhancing your mind body spirit can be a rewarding process that is sure to put you on the path towards total peace and harmony.
Hiking is one of the best ways to use one's mind, body and spirit at the same time. The process of engaging in spiritual contemplation while enjoying physical activity has been termed 'moving meditation' by Ilchi Lee and is a very effective way of establishing harmony between one's mind and body. When one hikes, they are able to practice moving meditation easily, as their spirits reflect upon the beauty of nature that surrounds them and their bodies push themselves to overcome the physical challenge that such a trek requires.
A fantastic place for peace-seekers to hike and practice moving meditation is Jordan. There is a particular trail entitled Petra Through the Back Door that National Geographic lists as one of the top 10 hikes on the planet. This trek leads travelers from the Dana Reserve more than 50 miles to the city of Petra. For moderately skilled hikers, this trip can take as little as 7 days.
The travel magazine suggests that individuals who wish to establish harmony in their lives travel to Jordan for this hike between the months of October and April. During this period, the desert climate is most agreeable and the scenery is intensely beautiful.
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July 20th, 2011 — 5:19am
It is not unusual to wake up one morning and find that your mind and spirit are out of balance with your body. In the busy world that we live in, many distractions, pollutants and stressful obligations can influence the harmony of our inner selves in a negative fashion. When this happens, it may be helpful to get away from the over stimulating world and take a time-out in a secluded, peaceful place. A national park is an ideal destination for this sort of escape from the world, as they are well-preserved, always beautiful and designed to be a refuge for individuals seeking peace.
Shenandoah National Park in Virginia is a fabulous outdoor vacation destination if you are a traveler who needs to work on enhancing your mind-body-spirit connection. The park stretches over close to 200,000 acres (around 312 square miles), and includes a multitude of incredibly beautiful natural wonders. Individuals should consider embarking on a ride through the Skyline Drive as soon as they arrive at the site. The path runs for 105 miles, and while it can be traversed in a car or truck, athletic individuals may find it very enjoyable and satisfying to travel on bike.
In addition to the Skyline Drive, Shenandoah National Park includes more than 500 miles of trails perfect for hiking, walking or trekking. Deer populate this area in great numbers and individuals are almost guaranteed to spot at least one family of these majestic creatures while exploring the area. Hiking through this incredible national park is sure to bring one's mind, body and spirit into a harmonious state. After all, the combination of physical activity with meditation exercises has been lauded by Ilchi Lee as a great way to bring balance into one's life.
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July 12th, 2011 — 9:09am
Students will meet at the Darden School of Business in Charlottesville, Virgina this week and next week to attend the World Peace Game summer academy. At the academy, students will be given a country to represent and will then learn to develop strategies that both enhance their country and the concept of world peace.
The idea is to teach the students how to be leaders without promoting war and conflict. The students are a variety of ages and come from all over the world from places such as as Germany, South Korea, Norway, Saudi Arabia and the U.S. to participate in this event. Teachers will also be attending, in order to see how the game works and learn how to incorporate it into their teaching. The hope is that the lessons learned while playing the game will extend into the children's lives as it strives to teach strategy, negotiation and leveraging difference in other types of classroom scenarios.
Organizer John Hunter understands the importance of teaching children about world peace. The educator was once chosen as one of seven children to be integrated into a then all-white school in his hometown in rural Virginia.
Hunter believes this truly teaches children of all ages valuable life skills and helps them build the confidence to achieve their life dreams.
"When the older and younger students play together, my experience has been that the older kids actually display a greater depth of compassion and help the younger students," said Hunter. "The younger students, in the company of their seniors, seem to 'step up' to challenges and show greater confidence. It's beautiful to watch happen, this interaction."
Author, philosopher, and trailblazer Ilchi Lee understands the importance of educating children. He believes world peace is attainable, and in the power of human beings to carry out their life dreams.
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June 22nd, 2011 — 8:10am
Ilchi Lee reminds us that reconnecting with the earth will bring us hope. As part of his Earth Citizen Movement, Ilchi Lee asks us to be citizen and steward of this planet and take care of it and its inhabitants. One may find that traveling to the Great Lakes in the Midwestern U.S. helps allow them to get in touch with the earth and connect with our beautiful planet.
The Great Lakes are an incredible feat of nature. From the shores of Lake Michigan, one is awed by the shear size of the body of water, which actually looks more like an ocean than anything else. Individuals may enjoy meditating on the shores of the lake, as it is very peaceful there.
Ilchi Lee believes that each of us has a personal responsibility to take care of the planet. At Lake Michigan, one could provide assistance to the earth by picking up any trash that they see on the beach. This may fill visitors with a feeling of importance and connection.
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June 17th, 2011 — 1:28am
Ilchi Lee reminds us that it is important to take good care of both our minds and bodies. One's health may be his most important possession, and regular exercise is something that helps keep an individual healthy. Hiking is an activity that may help one find peace and balance in addition to having positive physical effects.
According to The Spectrum, a Utah-based news source, Jenny's Canyon in the state's Snow Canyon State Park is a beautiful and relaxing hike. The trail is relatively flat, though it does include a short vertical climb, and should be suitable for most reasonably athletic individuals. The scenic views provided by the hike are sure to encourage serene feelings due to their incredible beauty.
One may find that engaging in meditation along the gorgeous red rock and pink sand trails in Snow Canyon State Park increases the feelings of well-being that one will achieve through their hike. Practicing moving meditation while visiting the area may be beneficial as well, as it combines physical motion with mental energy. This may help one establish mind-body-spirit harmony.
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May 16th, 2011 — 9:50am
Staying in shape while traveling can be a taxing endeavor. Ilchi Lee teaches that though maintaining one's health may be a challenge, physical wellbeing is an important step in discovering one's inner self. As such, there are a number of ways that travelers can maintain a reasonable health regimen while they travel, yet the key to this process is to keep it simple.
First, travelers should set honest goals when it comes to these mid-journey exercises. Odds are good that you will not be able to complete your regular workout program during your travels, so establishing the most important exercises or perhaps focusing on a particular muscle group can help with planning your trip.
While some hotels will have gyms for their guests, travelers may want to pack a resistance band during their travels. These small, lightweight items allow for a full upper and lower body workout routine without taking up much space in your luggage.
Be sure to make the exercise fun by trying something new. If you are staying near a park, try a run in this new environment, or do some laps in the hotel pool for a nice change of pace.
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May 16th, 2011 — 9:48am
Exercise is one of the best paths to personal development, yet many of us may throw our normal routines aside when traveling. Ilchi Lee teaches that health is best maintained on a daily basis, and booking an active vacation can make this process much simpler. For those adventurers who enjoy cycling to stay in shape, a trip to one of USA Today's top biking destinations can be a dream come true.
One of the top routes in the country can be found in Katy Trail State Park in Missouri. The nation's longest rail-trail, the route leads bikers on a 225-mile ride through Missouri's wine country, allowing cyclists to celebrate a hard day's ride with a glass of locally-produced wine.
Further north, the George S. Mickelson Trail in South Dakota offers cyclists the chance to traverse the legendary Black Hills on a 110-mile trail through country roads and beautiful wooded glens. The route features a number of different natural environments, an added benefit to this healthy vacation.
Bikers looking for lighter fare may want to explore the Island line in Vermont, a 12.5-mile trail that involves a ferry trip and one of the most unforgettable sunsets you will ever see.
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April 29th, 2011 — 8:20am
The island of Dominica is a wonderful place to enjoy pristine nature and find a strong connection between the mind, body and spirit.
Listed as one of the 10 most "stunning ecotourism destinations" by Sherman's Travel, Dominica is located in the eastern Caribbean between Martinique and Guadeloupe.
According to the travel experts, the island was named the "Whale-Watching Capital of the Caribbean" because of the behemoths who often come to its waters to mate and frolic. In fact, it's become so popular that travelers have a 90 percent chance of seeing the majestic creatures.
"Major draws such as this, combined with some of the Caribbean's best diving, and most pristine rain forests – where superb hiking trails lead to an eerie boiling lake, gorgeous waterfalls, and more – are what make the island such an ecotourist haven," states Sherman's.
Frommer's travel guides also believe this island is a great place to feel connected with the earth. Since it is sparsely populated, there is plenty of room for travelers to explore independently and enjoy quiet solitude.
The island is a natural World Heritage Site, as designated by UNESCO.
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