Photos : Mr Gurdev Singh Deogon

The Third Spirit of Humanity Forum was held in Reykjavik/Iceland, from April 26-29.  180 participants hailed from all parts of the world to attend this Forum on “Caring for a World in Transition: “Building Foundation for a Loving and Peaceful World.”  The conference was co-organized by such organizations as the UK based Guerrand Hermes Peace Foundation, the India based Brahma Kumaris, and the US based Fetzer Institute, among others.

The Founder of Museum of World Religions, Chan Master Hsin-tao has worked with all of these organizations in the past, but he was conducting the Great Compassion Retreat for Earth-blessing in Ling Jiou Mountain Monastery, so he delegated Dr. Maria Reis Habito as his representative to the forum. Maria meet many old as well as new friends and shared with them the message about the planned University of Life and Peace, and the initiatives in a global movement to save the Earth.

Why was the conference held in Iceland? Iceland has not had armed conflict since the 14^th century, and Reykjavik hopes to become the city of World Peace.  The beautiful city with its crystal pure air, next to the ocean with the view of snow-covered mountains, is a most suitable location for this ongoing spiritual Forum that was started here in 2012.  Iceland is also the greatest green energy producer per capita and thus a leader in the global movement toward sustainability.

The conference included the following elements: prayer and meditation to start the day, a morning plenary panel of specialists on the topics who shared their reflections as well as their work and their life experiences, workshops on different themes in the afternoon, and reflection groups in the evening.  The themes discussed included the following:

 1) Bringing Communities together in peace (from fear and separation towards love and wholeness).

 2) Communities as caretakers for our common home.

 3) A New Way of Being for Collective Transformation. 

The central question underlying all these topics was “How do we ensure that our actions are empowered by our inner vision and a clear purpose?” 

The President of Iceland, He Gudni Th. Johannesson, emphasized the importance of cooperation and patience, since change does not happen overnight. In looking at the world's problems, we have to realize that we are also at fault.  We need to start with transforming ourselves, in awakening to the spiritual dimension of life. This important message surfaced in all of the other presentations – we need to be the change that we want to see in the world. Therefore, workshops not only offered perspectives on ideas for social change towards ecological transformation, but also methods of contemplation, self-compassion, forgiveness, and inner renewal. 

 The foreign minister of Iceland, Gudlangur Por Pordason stressed the fact that sustainable development can only be built on gender equality and the freedom of each person to develop their full potential.  And the Minister of Health, Ottan Proppe emphasized the importance of democratic culture-building, and warned of the danger of following the wrong leaders in the search for simple answers.

Eminent speakers of the 3 different panels shared their personal life-experiences and wisdom to address the questions mentioned above.

In order to create peace between communities, we need to acknowledge past wounds of history in order to facilitate reconciliation.

In order to strengthen communities, we need to empower and educate girls as well as boys.

In order to save the earth, we need to transform the prevailing worldview of domination, separation, and conflict, into the indigenous worldview of complementarity between opposites, and harmony.

In order to be a leader, we need to listen to the inner voice, have a clear vision and purpose, a sense of urgency, integrate our inner search for truth with actions based on truth, care for the poorest among us, adopt a simple and sustainable lifestyle, build foundations for long-term transformation, embody non-violence, and serve spirit over matter.

The conference was also attended by a youth delegation, many of whom interned with the NGO Education for Peace, actively participated in presentations. They drew all the participants into their circle of music and joy.  A special highlight of the conference was the public showing of the film “A Search for Meaning,” created by two young French filmmakers who were present during the entire conference. The Forum was opened and closed with very moving choral and dance performances of Iceland dance and youth choirs, which moved all to smiles and tears of gratefulness.

Dr. Maria Reis Habito spoke to as many delegates as possible during the conference to share Chan Master Hsin Tao’s vision for the University of Lisfe and Peace, and won many new friends who pledged support for the Global Movement of Saving the Earth.  The organizers of the Forum expressed their hope that participants will become active in their respective parts of the world to host small meetings and forums, until the next meeting in two years in Reykjavik. This will ensure the continued growth of this spiritual movement of bringing the spirit back into all areas of life, so that we may together create a world based on love, truth, joy and peace.