#peace-seekers — Mindful Blog posts — be mindful

Sept 21st is International Peace Day. We all know our world is in need of peace.

The nonprofit Peace One Day was founded in 1999 to institutionalize an annual day of global unity and intercultural cooperation on a scale that humanity has never known. Thanks to the organization’s efforts, the United Nations unanimously adopted the first ever annual day of global ceasefire and non-violence in 2001, making September 21 International Peace Day.

Here in Truckee, I plan to attend a celebration at For Goodness Sake on Thursday, September 21. Attendees can drop in to meditate for peace for 10 minutes or stay all day. Check out the schedule here. And the Peace Celebration here in Truckee will continue this weekend at the Peace Day Celebration at the Truckee Amphitheater on September 23. There will be music, yoga, live art and more from noon to 5pm.

In Michele’s hometown of Pittsburgh, the Pittsburgh Free Thought Community is hosting “Peace Like a River, A Three Rivers Celebration of the International Day of Peace” on September 21. Learn more here.

If you are planning to go to a Peace Day event in your community, share it with us in the comments section.

Living in Northern CA for the last 20 years I have been blessed to often visit Spirit Rock Meditation Center. Spirit Rock is dedicated the practice of mindful awareness and provides silent meditation retreats, as well as classes, trainings, and Dharma study opportunities for both beginners and experienced students.

One of my favorite offerings at Spirit Rock is the Monday night Dharma Talks. I head over to Woodacre, CA at least a few times a year to listen to Jack Kornfield (and friends) give these talks. For over 30 years, a group has been gathering there and sharing the practices of awareness and compassion. It is amazing to mediate with a large group. If you are traveling to northern CA, Spirit Rock is about a half hour from San Francisco and a must-see for mindful visitors.

I have recently moved to Truckee, and it is not as easy for me to drive to Spirit Rock, but (hooray!) the Monday night Dharma Talks can now be access via the web

For a few hours you can put your life on hold and meditate via live stream

Spirit Rock is visited by an estimated 40,000 peace-seekers every year and has become one of the most influential and well-attended meditation centers in the world. The teachings of the Buddha (Dharma) and the practices of Insight Meditation (Vipassana) and loving-kindness meditation (metta) are at the heart of the programs offered at Spirit Rock

If you need an escape from everyday life where you can quiet the mind and open your heart, you can do it virtually. Check out the live webcasts, they are held every Monday night from 7:15 - 9:15pm PDT. "Spirit Rock Live: Monday Nights with Jack Kornfield and Friends." The cost of the live stream a sliding scale starting at $10. There are also many free resources on the Spirit Rock website.