Rev. Linda Nash - Peace Forum

Bob Bell introduced our Speaker this week, the Reverend Linda Nash from St. Mark's United Church in Dundas 

Linda's career has moved from being a radiation therapist to becoming a pastor. In her journey she has become increasingly concerned about nuclear war, initially through Physicians for the Prevention for Nuclear War and Project Ploughshares. She observed that many working to raise awareness and motivate governments through rallies and protests appeared to engender some aggression and hatred against their own leaders. Feeling this was wrong, Linda looked to another way, through Peace Vigils in which she has participated in recent years.  She described "Intention Experiments" in which dedicated people could focus their minds as a group and have some impact on wars underway in remote countries.

Linda asked us to think about the power of the mind - we have seen ways in which one person can influence the world for the worse; how much better if we use the power of the mind for good. Some of our members gave Linda their personal examples of using this approach. We were asked to consider how we can change our thinking, from letting our minds control us to controlling our own minds for the better. Mindfulness becomes the first step towards inner peace. And quoting Confucius, Linda asked us to consider how our  inner peace can lead to peace in the home,  peace in the Nation and peace in the World.

Some helpful approaches - simplify different aspects of our lives -  accept "what is" and move on - practice gratitude and saying thank you.

Members asked for references to two books mentioned during today - The Essential Spirituality (The seven essential practices to awaken heart and mind) by Roger Walsh and The Magic (The Secret) by Rhonda Byrne