I have to lead off with a big thank you to all of YOU for not only getting us started on this monumental, extraordinary, historical global walk for PEACE, but for also being with us every step of the way. Your names are to many to mention here (we would need a much larger site--smile). From shoes to RVs, places to stay, food to eat, clothes to wear and airline tickets to get from one place to another....

Imagine, we made it across six continents, seventeen countries and hundreds of communities!! We have seen the Grand Canyon at Sunrise; the Taj Mahal; the Golden Temple; we road camels across the Sahara to the Great Pyramids and the Sphinx; we have sailed along the Nile; we have journeyed to the Outback to stand in awe before Uluru; we have lost shoes to the jungles in southern Mexico; walked knee deep in monsoon waters; held our peace in the midst of the Mumbai seize; bunkered ourselves for hurricane Omar while in the Caribbean; learned what it was like to walk in high altitudes where the oxygen is so thin while in the Andes in Peru; learned to be gracious for the small things and celebrate the Divine Grace that preceded us everywhere. 

We saw many things that speak to the inate compassion of humanity; and we saw things that made us shiver at the many ways we so easily neglect those in need. We have a lot to do -- here at home and abroad.

Through it all, we have been LOVED. We have learned first hand the power of love. We have learned to step gently and laugh out loud! Now, we return home to begin again...

 

The Trail of Dreams World Peace Walkers returned to the USA on December 15^th.  We have been immersed in planning activities and community building during these final days before the Trail of Dreams World Peace Walk-A-Long begins in New York City on January 21, 2009.

The Trail of Dreams Team had the honor of accepting the URI 2008 Bowes Award in Mayapur, India. After hearing Bishop Swing tell of the Bowes family, we all felt a deepened sense of commitment to PEACE in Action through our “walk”.

Young leaders from our CC (Michael Ware, Entwha St. Prix, Starr Muranko and Rahfiya Carrion) attended and conducted a workshop for the Young Leaders Global Assembly.  Being present at this gathering was, “life changing!” according to Starr. Michael felt it, “ …provided a platform for young leaders to build relationships that will not only transcend the present, but will also provide a powerful network for peace.” To make future Global Assemblies even more powerful, Michael expressed a desire to see time built in for more sharing of each other’s “stories”.

While we were a bit overwhelmed by the shared experiences of the gathering (the people; workshops and presentations; the efficiency of the URI staff; the ceremonies; and the location), I was also moved by the number of people from Mayapur Iskon who committed themselves to serve the gathering in every way.

 

Arriving in Mumbai (in route to Mayapur) in the midst of the Mumbai attacks was a sobering experience, one that quickly grounded us in the critical nature of the purpose of the URI Global Assembly. It also emphasized the need for us to continue to explore and embrace ways of getting to PEACE. It affirmed for us that our present moment in history is giving us the opportunity to seek new ways of relating, engaging and being. Old patterned responses to conflicts (i.e., Gaza, Zimbabwe, Darfur, Afghanistan, Iraq, Congo, etc.) are no longer tolerable – on neither personal or global levels. We must now press forward to leave a legacy of “mastery” over our past discretions and build cultures of peace that honor diversity in all aspects of our collective existence -- socially, culturally, politically and especially in our expressions of religious beliefs and practices.

 

We, the Trail of Dreams World Peace Walkers, are more convinced than ever that we have an opportunity to lay the foundation for an evolved world where humanity and Mother Earth are valued above all else; where sustainability is infused with viability and life is lived fully; where we are not only concerned with economic bailouts but equally concerned with the bailout of humanity from poverty, violence and oppression; where people are valued as people and not denigrated by the isms that lead to the violence of discrimination; where we atone for the past and move forward into the future with grace and purpose. We now have the opportunity to demonstrate to future generations the wisdom of good stewardship of planetary resources by being informed, standing up and speaking out to end injustice everywhere. The URI Global Assembly provided an opportunity for all of us from around the world to stand together at a powerful moment in the history of the world and to be recharged for the work ahead.

I want to thank everyone who participated with me during the 21 day fast. I heard from many of you around the world and it really inspired me to complete the fast with ease and much contemplation. Now 39 days since I started the fast, I am inspired to make a personal commitment to continue fasting, indefinitely, to create a shift around world hunger and to end children dying from starvation at a time when we have so many resources around the world.

My goal is to end the hunger crisis by the year 2013. In order for this bold action to become a reality, it will take the global family joining with me. I am inviting everyone to fast every Wednesday, to give power to our conviction, until our goal is met. Let us, humanity, hold the collective vision to end world hunger and to hold each other AND our global leadership (political, military, corporate and religious) accountable for being PEACE in Action.

My first goal is to begin to establish a continuous stream of information regarding hunger and poverty in the USA and abroad. For this I invite you to share articles and research you come across that can add to our knowledge bank. Why? Because, “You cannot change what you do not know!”

My second goal is to give voice to the voiceless by speaking out, creating forums for discussion that will lead to PEACE in Action, and to engage our global family to be creative problem solvers, to think outside the box and create the solutions that will put an end to poverty and starvation by 2013.

From the Trail of Dreams Walk-A-Long Vision: Following in the path of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and others, if I may be so bold, I am in agreement with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. when he said, "Civilization and violence are antithetical concepts." I also agree that nonviolence creates, "a powerful moral force which makes for social transformation." And that, "Sooner or later, all the peoples of the world will have to discover a way to live together in peace."

I am also aware that we cannot change the things of which we are not aware. And, that so many people in our communities are unaware of the vast number of atrocities born of human rights and ecological violations affecting our human family. If we are to create a "powerful moral force which makes for social transformation," then we must bring the injustices affecting our human family to the masses. We must have the courage to lift the scab and allow the wounds to be witnessed in a loving and compassionate space where we ALL are represented and walk together to fashion an evolved humanity.

Let us not only talk the talk, let us boldly walk the talk!! Ordinary people showing up to be a demonstration of a deep human commitment to peace, justice, equality through compassionate co-sharing of human rights and responsibilities. We are our sisters and brothers keepers, and with every thought, every dream and every action (even the most minute) each of us affects the lives of people and Mother Earth everywhere. We must lift the scab that hides the condition of many of the world's communities ripped apart by violence and oppression, including those here at home, and bare the human condition to the world.

Poverty is one of the worse forms of violence in a world full or resources !

Let US be the CHANGE!

*I have received many beautiful letters regarding this posting that I have decided to publish them please click this link to read the letters and to be informed about poverty, world hunger and related issues: http://audriscottwilliams.com/id4.html

 

From May 31^st to June 20^th , I have been called to go on a juice and water fast in preparation for all that is ahead for the Trail of Dreams World Peace Walk. We have a lot of ground to cover between now and April 2009. I, therefore, seek to prepare myself to be in a position to affect the greatest possible outcome for the walk and for humanity.

Never on the planet are the elemental forces better aligned to assist in manifesting on every level than during the time of the Summer Solstice, the day the fast ends. The Sun during this time exerts its maximum power upon our part of the Earth (Northern Hemisphere) as its rays strike us head-on. This is a time when the energies of "doing" are called forward. Therefore what better way to be clear than to participate in a fast with the intention to aligning (mind, body and spirit) ourselves so that we can “do” with clarity and complete alignment to affect a powerful outcome in our lives and all of humanity.

Therefore, I invite you, our global family, to participate with me during the last seven days of the fast (June 14^th  through the 20^th). For those of you who are interested in doing the juice and water fast, please make sure you have an understanding of fasting: how to enter a fast; how to come off a fast; what to juice and what not to juice; how much water to drink and what signs to look out for as your body begins to detox from previous unhealthy eating practices. If this is your first time fasting, team up with someone who has been fasting before; check with your local health food store they generally have experts who can advise you or check with your medical practitioner. It is important to note that a juice fast is not about going to the corner shop and buying a bottle of juice. It is consuming fresh juice that either you or a juice bar juices fresh on the spot.

You may also participate by choosing to eat only fruit and salads and drink water during this time. You may also choose rather than a food fast to give up something else in your life that you value for the seven days.

If you choose to participate, then on the evening of the 13^th of June, prior to going to bed, repeat the following mantra three times: Divine Love flows through me, healing all humanity. Thank you for the power of your love. This is the mantra we will use throughout the fast and that was given to us by Karen Watson, Trail member.

State out loud or in your journal what your intention is for the fast. Be clear.

As you begin the fast know that there is one other thing I am inviting you to do: Avoid all negative actions, words and even thoughts! Whenever you find yourself thinking, speaking or doing anything negative, take a deep breath, state the mantra three times, and start again. During the fast make notes of what you are observing about yourself through this process. This is a great fast to do with a buddy or with a group and create the opportunity for each person to share their experiences during the fast. Remember you will be fasting with people from all over the world! 

Everyday state your intention, refine it, if necessary. Begin and end each day with our mantra: Divine Love flows through me healing all humanity. Thank you for the power of your love.

If you choose to share your experiences, do not hesitate to email me at audri@audriscottwillams.com

 

For the last several days I have walked around feeling as though I am just above the ground, no rush, no thoughts, no anxiety, not even over whelming joy. Just filled with PEACE and gratitude ...just because...

I know that the world is changing for the better! I know that we each make a difference. I know that no matter what may appear to be staring back at us, that our life matters and the Universe is aligned to provide us visions of our greatest potential. I know that sometimes we will take bold steps toward that vision, sometimes tiny baby steps and sometime we are just going to sit down on the side of the road , drink some water and watch the sunset.

So breath in deeply. Exhale slowly. Laugh out loud. And when someone asks you, "Why are you laughing? Say, "Just because...