By Dot Maver,
We live in the midst of shifting times and the world is beginning to organize in a new way. World Unity Week was a demonstration of this in 2020 as networks and groups from around the world came together in the spirit of cooperation, unity and peace. That stream then merged with the 100 day countdown to the International Day of Peace, September 21st: Shaping Peace Together. Hiroshima- Nagasaki 75 was a powerful global observance, and on August 9th BlackSonDay was hosted by the UnGun Institute. One Planet Peace Forum will feature peacebuilders from around the world September 25 – 27, 2020. Together we are realizing the Culture of Peace as we build a world that works for everyone.
In the midst of it all, Global Silent Minute is often called to observe a sacred minute of silence dedicated to global cooperation, peace and freedom, with an intentional focus according to the event. We began on December Solstice 2019 at 9 pm GMT, continue a daily rhythm, and are building momentum to December Solstice 2020.
The Global Silent Minute was inspired by the original Big Ben Silent Minute. In 1917 Wellesley Tudor Pole was with a fellow British officer on a battlefield just outside Jerusalem. The officer shared with Tudor Pole that he had a vision in which he knew he would not survive the war but Tudor Pole would and, indeed, live to see “a greater…conflict…fought out in every continent and ocean and in the air.”
He urged Tudor Pole to provide an opportunity for him, and millions like him, to assist from the “other side.” He said, “Lend us a moment… [each day] and through your Silence give us an opportunity. The power of Silence is greater than you know.” He died on the battlefield the next day.
Twenty-three years later in 1940 Wellesley Tudor Pole realized how to meet his colleague’s request. London was being bombed and he initiated the Big Ben Silent Minute. Each night at 9 pm Big Ben would sound the bells and the BBC radio would go silent for one minute. The British Commonwealth of Nations participated everywhere.
After the war ended, a high-ranking German Officer acknowledged that they had no defense against the Allies’ “secret weapon”—the Silent Minute—preceded by the striking of Big Ben at nine each evening.
Tudor Pole later asked: “How long will it take for our Leaders to realize that the full use of spiritualweapons is essential if we are to survive, and that material weapons alone will bring either disaster orstalemate?”
Let us continue to use Silence as Action in sacred unity with one another and with those on the other side of the veil as we hold the intention of healing and peace; as we intentionally support policies and regulations that reflect our essential divinity; as we walk together the Path of Beauty.
May we know in our hearts that human security is not based on war and fighting. Human Security is based on peace, living in right relationship with self, others, and all life, a spirit of cooperation, loving understanding, and sharing. Only as our attitudes shift to realize true human security will we find the social and political will to free the world of nuclear weapons and come together to address climate change through the lens of solutions. May we have the courage, daring and wisdom to walk this path together, uniting our hearts across distance with shared intention. May the Spirit of Peace be spread abroad, in our hearts, through our groups, and throughout the world. May Peace Prevail on Earth. Amen.
globalsilentminute.org
Dot Maver is an educator and peacebuilder whose keynote is “Inspiring cooperation on behalf of the common good.” Dot is a co-founder of the Global Silent Minute, the National Peace Academy USA, River Phoenix Center for Peacebuilding, and Global Alliance for Ministries and Infrastructures of Peace. She co-facilitates monthly webinars focusing on the UN Sustainable Development Goals with 2025 Initiative. Dot is co-author of the book Conscious Education: The Bridge to Freedom; is a Fellow with the World Business Academy; a board member with Lifebridge Foundation and Garden of Light; and serves on the International Cities of Peace Advisory Council, the Inamori International Center for Ethics and Excellence Advisory Board, the Shift Network Summer of Peace Wisdom Council; and is an advisor for Compassion Games. From 2005–2007 Dot served as Executive Director of The Peace Alliance and Campaign for a US Department of Peace.
Dot is a featured speaker this year at One Planet Peace Forum. This year’s OPPF event will take place on Zoom from 3-5 pm on September 25, 26, and 27. oneplanetpeaceforum.org
Peace graphic by Wendy Thompson, Sydney Australia.
