miércoles, 30 de diciembre de 2015

Curación y esperanza en Ruanda: El país acoge el primer PEP





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Becky Resnick es una voluntaria de la Fundación Prem Rawat (TPRF) que reside en Seattle, Washington. Recientemente, ayudó en la realización del primer Programa de Educación para la Paz (PEP), en Ruanda. Esta es su historia:
Viajé como voluntaria a Ruanda por primera vez en otoño de 2014 y he vuelto en dos ocasiones más. Ruanda es un pequeño país de la zona centro oriental de África, y mundialmente conocido por el terrible genocidio de 1994, en el que murieron entre 750 000 y un millón de personas en menos de 100 días. 
20 años después, la mayor parte del país continúa sumido en la pobreza, el SIDA y la sensación de pérdida. Sin embargo, lo que me ha traído de nuevo a este lugar es que a pesar del profundo trauma todas las personas con las que he estado manifiestan un enorme deseo de esperanza y curación. Eso me ha conmovido de tal manera que es difícil expresarlo en palabras.
Rawanda PEP
Diane Mushimiyimana (izq.) y Becky Resnick
Mientras hacía los planes para mi próxima visita al país me enteré de que una ruandesa, llamada Diane Mushimiyimana, había organizado un PEP piloto a través de la ONG RICAD Rwanda, que ella misma había formado con el fin de mejorar las comunidades de la zona. Me puse muy contenta cuando un amigo nos puso en contacto y me invitó a ayudarla en la coordinación del PEP.
Diane es ruandesa de nacimiento y, como algunos de los otros miembros de la ONG RICAD, es  periodista de profesión y está relacionada con muchos reformistas y activistas. Consiguió que una escuela de secundaria del pueblo de Kigali se comprometiera a llevar a cabo el primer PEP.  Gracias a la campaña de recogida de fondos realizada vía Indiegogo, en pocas semanas conseguí cerca de 1000 dólares norteamericanos para comprar el equipo audiovisual y los materiales necesarios para ofrecer el curso multimedia a cientos de estudiantes.
Cuando aterricé en Ruanda, inmediatamente comprobé el increíble entusiasmo que mostraban hacia el PEP, tanto Diana como los demás componentes de RICAD. Uno de los organizadores había realizado un viaje de cuatro horas, por trayecto, para asistir a una de las reuniones de planificación.
La primera sesión comenzó con retraso. La escuela no tenía el adaptador que necesitábamos para el sonido, así que hubo que esperar hasta conseguir uno. Cuando probamos el reproductor de DVD, comenzó a salir humo, por lo que terminamos usando un portátil. La pantalla se veía muy tenue porque no había oscuridad suficiente y la calidad del sonido no era buena. Pero, a pesar de todos los problemas técnicos, unos 250 estudiantes de los cursos superiores llenaron la habitación, escucharon atentamente el mensaje y participaron activamente en las reflexiones posteriores. Rwanda PEP
Estaba completamente asombrada por la recepción que dieron al PEP. Después de esta primera sesión, era increíble ver como los participantes me daban las gracias, hacían preguntas y expresaban cuánto habían disfrutado. Este entusiasmo continuó durante las 10 talleres del curso realizados a lo largo de los cinco días siguientes. Lo hicimos en forma de cursillo acelerado porque los estudiantes se iban de vacaciones durante dos meses.
Periodistas de varias revistas, emisoras de radio y un canal de TV me hicieron entrevistas acerca del PEP. Así que probablemente toda la región de Kigali ha terminado sabiendo lo que es el PEP por todos estos reportajes.
El curso culminó con una celebración muy estimulante y alentadora, con la participación de todos, en la cual recibimos una inspiradora respuesta. A continuación se recogen algunas expresiones de lo que los participantes dijeron sobre el impacto del curso: Rwanda PEP
«El PEP realmente me ha ayudado a apreciar cada momento de mi vida, independientemente de las circunstancias en las que me encuentre».
«Este programa es bueno, ha sido un placer realizar este viaje a mi interior, y descubrir mi auténtico yo».
«Este programa es muy útil. Me encantaría que se pudiera ofrecer en todas las escuelas de Ruanda».
«Este programa es realmente especial. Lo he disfrutado muchísimo porque me ayuda a sentir paz en mi interior».
«Toda Ruanda y toda África necesitan esto. ¡Mi vida se ha transformado!».

miércoles, 16 de diciembre de 2015

Time for Contentment


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Jyoti Singh is a Human Resources professional with over 15 years of experience managing a wide spectrum of HR functions, projects and programs. Currently based in Bangalore, India, she is a Peace Education Program (PEP) volunteer, facilitating and coordinating PEP activities in Southern India. She also provides support to volunteers across India to start PEP in their regions.
With a hectic schedule, workplace performance pressure, work-life balance, and new projects, who has time for anything other than taking care of life’s day to day challenges? How can one find the time for oneself? These are the common refrains of people around me in my professional and personal circles.
Bangalore is known as the Silicon Valley of India, a vibrant, multicultural city where everyone is busy. Students aspire to forge careers. Established professionals aspire to grow, achieve promotions, and strive to do more and more business. After talking to many people, I came to the conclusion that most of them spend 70% of their waking time at their jobs; 20% with friends and family, and on shopping; and 10% on the road stuck in traffic. And yet, I’ve been delighted to discover that, despite everyone’s busy life, they are finding PEP to be a worthwhile use of their time.
The innovative program is introducing Prem Rawat’s unique message of peace to students in their colleges and universities, to professionals in their workplaces, and to retired seniors in their communities. PEP class wide
PEP class
Since facilitating my first PEP workshop on July 22, 2014, I’ve helped train a strong team of 15 volunteers who support PEP in the area through various roles.
There has been no looking back as PEP continues to reach people from all walks of life. Doctors, nurses, engineers, government employees, scientists, teachers, professors, students, and other professionals are now participating in PEP. People who used to think spending even five minutes on anything other than their daily work routine was a waste of time are now attending a total of 10 hours in weekly PEP workshops, where they report they are developing an understanding of the preciousness of existence.
Jyoti Singh facilitator
Many organziations appreciate PEP and view it as a powerful program with an impactful message on participants’ lives. We are getting recurring permission to conduct PEP for new groups within these organizations. Some businesses are even providing support for us to train employees who want to facilitate PEP workshops on their own. It’s wonderful to see participants experience so much value in the program that they then want to learn how to share it with others.
Jyoti with Participants
“PEP helped me not only to look at life from an entirely different perspective, but it has made me more focused and disciplined, which helps me prioritize my tasks of the day. As a result, I find more time for myself,” said a PEP participant at Bangalore’s Central Silk Board, an agency run by the Ministry of Textiles.
An attendee at Rainbow Hospital said,“I didn’t know there was a difference between satisfaction and contentment. After going through PEP, I came to realize that the two are very different from each other. It was an eye opener.”
PEP participant comment
For me, participating in and facilitating PEP continues to have a profound and joyful effect on my life. Every PEP session is unique and full of learning. I am very grateful to be part of the PEP team. I aspire to introduce the program and Prem Rawat’s message of peace to as many people, in as many places, as possible.

martes, 15 de diciembre de 2015

Tiempo para la felicidad





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Jyoti Singh presta sus servicios como profesional de recursos humanos y cuenta con más de 15 años de experiencia en una variedad de funciones dentro del área de proyectos y programas. Reside en la actualidad en Bangalore, India, donde es voluntaria del Programa de Educación para la Paz (PEP), coordinando las actividades en el sur de ese país. Así mismo, ofrece apoyo a los voluntarios de la India para iniciar el PEP.
Con una apretada agenda, la presión laboral, equilibrar la vida familiar y los nuevos proyectos, ¿quién tiene tiempo para el resto de las cosas?, ¿cómo encuentras tiempo para ti mismo? Estas son las típicas preguntas que formula la gente a mi alrededor en el círculo profesional y personal que me muevo.
La ciudad de Bangalore es conocida como el Silicon Valley de la India, una ciudad vibrante y multicultural donde todo el mundo está ocupado. Los estudiantes se esfuerzan en sus carreras. Los profesionales consolidados aspiran a promocionarse más y luchar por iniciar nuevos negocios. Después de hablar con mucha gente, llegué a la conclusión de que la mayoría de ellos pasa el 70 % del tiempo en sus trabajos, un 20 % con los amigos, la familia o comprando y el 10 % atascados en el tráfico. Y sin embargo, me siento deleitada al ver que, a pesar de sus ocupadas vidas, encuentran en el PEP una buena inversión de su tiempo.
El innovador programa presenta el singular mensaje de paz de Prem Rawat a los estudiantes en institutos e universidades, a los profesionales en sus puestos de trabajo y a los jubilados. PEP class widePEP classCuando impartí mi primer taller del PEP el 22 de julio de 2014, entrené a un sólido grupo de 15 voluntarios que apoyaban el PEP en la zona en distintas funciones.
No ha habido vuelta atrás desde que el PEP llegó a diferentes ámbitos: médicos, enfermeras, ingenieros, funcionarios, científicos, maestros, profesores, estudiantes y otros profesiones participan ahora en el PEP. La gente que pensaba que dedicar su tiempo a algo que no fuera su rutina laboral era una pérdida de tiempo asiste ahora a talleres semanales de 10 horas de duración, en los que informan que están desarrollando y comprendiendo el valor de la existencia. Jyoti Singh facilitator
Muchas organizaciones valoran el PEP y comprueban que se trata de un programa que está cambiando la vida de los participantes. Estamos consiguiendo autorización para impartir el curso a nuevos grupos de forma continuada. Algunas empresas están incluso apoyándonos a preparar a sus empleados que quieren facilitar los talleres del PEP por ellos mismos. Es maravilloso comprobar cómo los participantes valoran tanto el programa, que quieren aprender a compartirlo con los demás.
Jyoti with Participants«El PEP me ha ayudado a ver la vida desde un punto de vista completamente distinto y, además, estoy más centrado y disciplinado, lo que me permite priorizar el día a día. Como consecuencia, dedico más tiempo a mí mismo», comentó uno de los participantes de la junta de Central de la Seda de Bangalore, una agencia administrada por el Ministerio de Industria de Textiles.
Uno de los asistentes del Hospital Rainbow comentó: «Desconocía que hubiera una diferencia entre la satisfacción y la plenitud. Después de asistir al curso, me di cuenta de que son diferentes. Fue como abrir los ojos». PEP participant comment
Para mí, participar en el PEP continúa teniendo un efecto gratificante en mi vida. Cada taller del PEP es único y es una fuente de aprendizaje. Me siento agradecida de pertenecer al equipo del PEP. Espero presentar el programa y el mensaje de Prem Rawat de paz a tantas personas y sitios como sean posibles.
PEP group jpg

sábado, 5 de diciembre de 2015

Students Embrace Peace Education in South Africa

Prem Rawat recently spoke to students enrolled in the Peace Education Program (PEP) at TSiBA, an acclaimed nonprofit business school in Capetown, South Africa that specializes in giving disadvantaged youth opportunities to become entrepreneurial leaders.
Prem Rawat at TSiBA
Prem Rawat met with PEP participants at TSiBA.
Hundreds of students at the tertiary school have participated in PEP, an innovative multimedia course that’s based on Prem’s international talks about topics such as peace, hope, and appreciation. On Nov. 27 they had the opportunity to discuss what they were learning with him, ask him questions, and hear him speak at the school as part of its Annual Social Change Lectureseries. Many students reported that PEP was having a profound impact on their lives.
“The program, more than anything, has brought me self-awareness and the knowledge that peace comes from within—not outside,” said Mthetho Koyana. “I think I am now more peaceful-minded than before and can enter into a conflict situation and be able to calm the situation down. I can help bring about change and be the bigger man and fight for peace. Each and every one of us is the same regardless of backgrounds.”
Amid a global discourse often dominated by discussions of violence and politics, another student found Prem’s message of personal peace empowering. “One of the most important things I learned is that although everyone is always talking about world peace and war and what that means, Prem Rawat has made me think about my own personal involvement. As he says, ‘peace starts with you,’” explained Monwabisi Mtshamba. “We, as individuals, have a part to play, and what is inside us manifests on the outside too. The tools I have learned in PEP have helped me be more content and appreciate other people.”
Prem Rawat at TSiBADesignated by numerous leading international organizations as an “Ambassador of Peace,” Prem Rawat has dedicated his life for the last five decades to addressing humanity’s essential need for peace. During the apartheid era, he was blacklisted by the South African government for refusing to abide by rules that banned him from speaking to mixed-race audiences. In more recent years, he has regularly visited the country to speak to diverse groups, from troubled youth and prisoners to government leaders.
At TSiBA Prem encouraged students to listen to their own hearts and chart their own course in life rather than be unduly influenced by social and political pressures. “Some people think peace is, ‘don’t be angry — just do exactly what I tell you to do and we’ll be in peace.’ That’s not peace. Peace is inside of you. Nurture it,” he said. “In your life, don’t go into the razzmatazz of thinking about what is fulfilling. Understand that fulfillment has to be felt. When you feel it and it is the real fulfillment, you will know. Do you enjoy being alive? Because if you don’t enjoy being alive, something is wrong.”
It was a message that resonated with Ndonwabile Ndengezi, a student who is preparing to graduate from TSiBA. “We grow up thinking that peace is something that exists somewhere in the world outside, which we need to find, but what we really need to achieve is internal peace. It’s within all of us, which allows us to deal with any situation in a proper and humane way.”
Prem Rawat’s visit to South Africa also included meetings with renowned social rights activist Desmond Tutu and other leaders, PEP students, and prison officials who facilitate the PEP program for inmates.
Renowned social activist Desmond Tutu (left) and Prem Rawat recently met in South Africa.
Renowned social activist Desmond Tutu (left) and Prem Rawat recently met in South Africa.
Stay tuned to tprf.org for more updates from South Africa.

martes, 1 de diciembre de 2015

Empowering People

A handcrafted, leather-backed limited edition SIGNED BY THE AUTHOR will be sent as a complimentary gift on orders of 60 copies or more (ONLY 100 LEATHER-BACKED SIGNED COPIES TO BE MADE)

prem rawat

Splitting the Arrow Understanding the business of Life by Prem Rawat

A handcrafted, leather-backed limited edition SIGNED BY THE AUTHOR
will be sent as a complimentary gift on orders of 60 copies or more
(ONLY 100 LEATHER-BACKED SIGNED COPIES TO BE MADE)

Splitting the Arrow Understanding the business of Life
‘Kifubon Project’
This project allows you to purchase your chosen number of copies, which we will then distribute to schools, hospitals, libraries, prisons and orphanages throughout Japan. We are in the process of expanding this project to reach people all over the world. More details below.
Price : 1500 Yen (approx 12 USD) plus shipping
Format : A5 (short) hard back, 144 pages

viernes, 27 de noviembre de 2015

PREM RAWAT in BARCELONA






PREM RAWAT - BARCELONA, SPAIN 2015 
Saturday 12 December from 17:00 
The Forum (CCIB), Barcelona, Spain 


Prem Rawat will be speaking at The Forum (CCIB) in Barcelona, Spain on Saturday the 12th of December, at 17:00 (5.00 p.m.) CET.
All are welcome to attend the event.
TICKETS
Tickets can be purchased for 15 Euros each. They will be available from the venue’s online ticket agent Ticketmaster (Spain).
Please PRINT your ticket clearly and bring it with you on the day of the event.
Each person will be able to purchase two seats. However, please only purchase seats you know will be used. If your plans change and you have spare tickets, please immediately inform asientos.devueltos@gmail.com. Tickets will be re-allocated to other people who want to attend this event.
Ticket sales will start on Monday the 30th of November at 10:00 (10.00 a.m.) CET.


You can also buy your tickets from the Ticketmaster telephone line in Spain (in English or Spanish), by calling +34 902 15 00 25 / option 2, between 8:00 (8.00 a.m.) and 24:00 (12.00 p.m.) CET, Monday to Sunday.
TIME AND LOCATION
The event will be held at The Forum (CCIB), Plaza Leonardo da Vinci s/n, 08019 Barcelona, and will start at 17:00 (5.00 p.m.) CET. Lobby doors will open at 15:30 (3.30 p.m.) CET.
Datos de mapas ©2015 Google, Inst. Geogr. Nacional, Institut Cartografic de Catalunya
Mapa
Satélite
TRANSLATION
The event will be in English. Translation will be provided in Spanish, French, Italian, Portuguese, and German. Headsets will be available in the lobby for 10 Euros.
SPECIAL NEEDS
Special Needs support will be provided for people using wheelchairs. Please speak to Ticketmaster about your requirements, by calling +34 902 888 303 / option 1, between 8:00 (8.00 a.m.) and 24:00 (12.00 p.m.) CET, Monday to Sunday.
CHILDREN
If you wish to bring children over 10 years of age, they are welcome if they have a genuine interest and can sit quietly for about an hour. Children under this age will not be admitted.
HELP
Need assistance? Call Ticketmaster +34 902 15 00 25 / option 3, between 9:00 (9.00 a.m.) and 22:00 (10.00 p.m.) CET, Monday to Sunday.

domingo, 22 de noviembre de 2015

PREM RAWAT in Johannesburg






PREM RAWAT - JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA 2015 
Thursday 3 December from 19:00 
The Theatre on the Track, Johannesburg, South Africa 

NOTE: THIS EVENT IS NOW SOLD OUT.
EVENT DETAILS
Prem Rawat will be speaking at The Theatre on the Track on Thursday, the 3rd of December at 19:00 (7.00 p.m.) local time.
All are welcome to attend the event.
TICKETS ONLINE
Tickets can be purchased for 150 ZAR each from www.quicket.co.zaTicket sales will open on Thursday the 12th of November at 12:00 noon (South African time).
Please PRINT your ticket before arriving on the day of the event. Tickets will be scanned to gain admission.
Each person will be able to purchase two seats. However, please only purchase seats you know will be used.
If your plans change and you have spare ticket(s), please immediately inform ticketreturn2015@gmail.com. Tickets will be re-allocated to other people who want to attend this event.
Please note: it is recommended that you do not make travel arrangements until you have successfully purchased your ticket(s).

TIME AND LOCATION
The event will be held at The Theatre on the Track, 4A Kyalami Boulevard, Kyalami Park, Midrand, 1684, Johannesburg.
The event will start at 19:00 (7.00 p.m.). Lobby doors will open at 17:30 (5.30 p.m.).
We advise everyone to be in their seats by 18:40 (6.40 p.m.) after which time empty seats may be re-allocated.
Datos de mapas ©2015 AfriGIS (Pty) Ltd, Google
Mapa
Satélite
LANGUAGE
The event will be in English.
SPECIAL NEEDS
Wheelchair seating allocation will be overseen by the ticket agency. Please indicate your needs by telephone after purchasing a seat.
All attendees who require mobility assistance at the event, please meet in the lobby.
CHILDREN
If you wish to bring children over 10 years of age, they are welcome if they have a genuine interest and can sit quietly for about an hour. Children under this age will not be admitted.
HELP
Need assistance? Call +27 21 424 9308 on weekdays, between 9:00 (9.00 a.m.) and 17:00 (5.00 p.m.) local time.