Ask Marilyn

Answering YOUR Burning Marketing and Business Development
questions to ensure a full and thriving holistic practice.

Submit Your Question for Ask Marilyn HERE

September 21st, 2009

You might ask yourself, what could be more powerful or moving than a collection of conscious and intentional individuals gathered on the steps of the Jefferson Memorial, all with the singular purpose of meditating for world peace?

Well, I found out this morning as I attended the International Day of Peace event in Washington DC.

As I approached the steps of the Jefferson Memorial, I observed many people dressed in white and I heard the familiar music of the digeridoo. I said to myself, 'This is the place!" and I climbed to my spot halfway between sun and shade so I would be comfortable for the 30 minute meditation that would start promptly at noon.

Amidst us were runners, tourists and locals on their lunch breaks, all seeming to co-exist without conflict or concern. Then, at approximately 11:55, a lively tour group came on the scene...

At first it appeared that the tour guide was making jokes to amuse his troup such as, "If this white tent was not here, you would see the Jefferson Memorial." But it became clear, very quickly, that he was not at all in good humor. In fact, he was quite perturbed that our group was gathered here at all. He demonstrated his disdain for our event by leading his tour to the center of our meditation and giving his presentation in full voice.

I cannot speak for those around me but at first I felt an outrage and resentment that likely mirrored that of the tour guide. Just as he could not fathom this group plopping down on the steps of a public monument, I couldn't believe the audacity it took for him to be so disruptive and disrespectful.

May of us sat quietly while one meditator charged up to him and proclaimed that this was a meditation for peace and he should join us. Others clapped and shouted, "God Bless you, sir" as he was ultimately led away by officials.

What was obvious was that this could not have been staged more perfectly had we scoured all of DC for an actor who would get in character for the duration of our meditation and do everything in his power to trigger us, anger us and remind us of the precise reactions we were her to heal and alter. He shouted, he criticized, he even began blowing a whistle and every bit of it was an opportunity to heighten the impact of our collective meditation.

As we listened to and affirmed the words, we are one; that of course included our new friend. There can not be an 'us' and 'them' at the point from which peace expands. Yet as I heard members of his group echo the tour guide's complaints, I noticed my instant identification with my team (which just so happened to have meditating for peace'on its side :)

No, there could be no teams, no villians, no good guys. Those familiar concepts may camp out in our heads and our egos but in our hearts there must be only love...only peace.

I know that I was challenged, moved and inspired at this event. I want to thank Mr. Tour Guide for is role in it and I would like to acknowledge the organizers and facilitators.

Specifically,

www.CommunitiesofPeace.org

and

www.ProgressiveMeditation.org (Ron Mohl did an outstanding job leading the meditation)

For more information on the Perpetual Mediation Project, go to www .WorldPeace24365.org

Oh, and...Happy Marketing!

Best,

Marilyn

Marilyn O'Leary
The Business Healer
www.HolisticBusinessDevelopment.com

Want to join this discussion? Log In Now or Join the HPBA for FREE using the button on the left column of the HOME PAGE.

Your words are wonderful echo of a great day, Marilyn. Thank you so much for taking time and energy to both join us for the gathering on Monday and also to compile your observations to share with the planet. I felt similarly as did many of us there, and in our meetings after the event in discussing what worked and what didn't, we were unanimous in seeing the great benefit of this man. I have a feeling that Mr. Jefferson provided him for our very highest use, and indeed Providence allowed us to find an even better and more loving place in ourselves than we might have had we had simple silence in which to work.

What a gift to have open eyes and ears, to acknowledge what is going on around us and to still powerfullly choose to stand in what we know as best for us individually. Like-minded people doing this will always vibrationally align, and offer a likable and accessible message that others will want to emulate.

In appreciation for your great Spirit Marilyn, and to all who gathered Monday and will in coming days,

Namaste. Tom