Mindful Origami

It’s Thoughtful Thursday. A time to take a break, breathe and relax.

One way to do this is through activities that encourage mindful thoughts and behaviors. Origami is a great way to calm the mind and engage in a tranquil movement. Origami is the ancient and traditional Japanese art of paper folding popularized in the 17th century. The folding of paper into artistic designs is a form of active meditation; the concentration on the art and the letting go of bothersome thought allows for mindfulness.

Here is a design common in origami practice:

 The crane in Japanese culture is a national treasure and appears in literature, art and folk tales. It is also associated with good fortune and longevity because legend says that the crane lives up to a thousand years.

Mindfulness is a tool we can all use in every day life. Maybe this form of active meditation is the perfect mindfulness fit for you!

Good Happens.

Pay It Forward!

Yoga Thoughts

“Wandering re-establishes the original harmony which once existed between man and the universe.”

- Anatole France

We can definitely identify with this! Artwork by Gemma Correll.

Good Happens.

Peace Grl Out!

The Center for Living Peace Presents: Celebrations of Africa and A Special Announcement!

Yesterday we gave you a little teaser of Africa Week! Today we are posting the rest of the amazing classes we have for Africa week, and a SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT!

Tuesday, November 30, 2010 at 7:00pm to 10:00pm

REEL INSPIRATION FILM SERIES: INVICTUS (2009) PG-13

Image from here

Unity: Where the Impossible meets Possibility”

In keeping with the Center For Living Peace’s explorations of Africa, we examine a time in history when newly elected President Mandela initiates a movement to unite his country through the sport of rugby. This inspirational film shows how one voice with conviction and courage can change the hearts, minds and perspectives of a nation. Film discussion will include the topics of racial unity, universal themes in humanity, how the real story was translated to the screen, and of course, the usual odd and ends trivia that the Reel Inspiration class offers.

Wednesday, December 1, 2010 at 3:30pm to 5:00pm

AFRICAN MASK MAKING WITH RECYCLED MATERIALS, PRESENTED BY THE CHUCK JONES CENTER FOR CREATIVITY (ALL AGES!)

The Chuck Jones Center for Creativity presents an earth friendly arts and crafts project inspired by African masks!

Wednesday, December 1, 2010 at 6:00pm to 7:00pm

CONNECTING ACROSS DIFFERENCES

South Africans have made tremendous progress to develop understanding and cooperation across wide barriers of race and culture. Using tools of Compassionate Communication, we will work to bridge some differences that exist among different groups in Southern California. Bring your real-world situations for transformation!

Wednesday, December 1, 2010 at 7:30pm to 9:00pm

SHAMBHALA MEDITATION NIGHT, SPECIAL TOPIC: A MEDITATION ON DIFFERENCE (ALL AGES WELCOME)

The Center for Living Peace, in partnership with the Shambhala Meditation Center of Los Angeles, offers meditation instruction every week during our meditation evening. Please feel welcome to drop by for every Wednesday evening at 7:30pm, excluding public holidays.

We will sit in meditation for half an hour, which will be followed by a brief reading and then socializing for those who wish to stay.

Thursday, December 2, 2010 at 7:00pm to 8:00pm

NEW EARTH DRUMMING PRESENTS: AFRICAN DRUMMING (SPECIAL EVENT!)

This event is a great opportunity for a FUN family activity. This joyous and exciting evening will offer a rhythmic interplay between participants of all ages and levels. Drums will be provided or bring your own drum, rattle or instrument. No prior musical experience necessary! Open to all ages.

This special evening will be hosted by percussionist Alejandro Tovares. He will allow you to explore the rhythms, beats, and sounds of Western and South Africa.

We are also thrilled to announce that we are giving away eight tickets to see Charlize Theron speak about her work with the Africa Outreach Project on Saturday, December 4^th on our Facebook page! To enter, become a fan of The Center for Living Peace, and write “what living peace means to you” on our Facebook wall.  Winners will be announced on Thursday, December 2^nd!  We are SOOOOOO excited to read what LIVING PEACE means to all of our dear friends!

 

We hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving weekend!!!

Good Happens.

Peace Grl Out.

If You Build It, They Will Come…

…especially if it involves cupcakes and lemonade!  Our Grand Opening Weekend was a great success, thank you to all who came out and participated in the weekend of free events and demonstrated many ways to “live peace.”  Take a look:

Children and adults alike had the chance to work with artist Natasha Shoro at her Expressive Arts table in the Center’s world cafe area.

Families also enjoyed perusing the library in this space.

The lobby’s koi pond, made from a Burmese fire bowl, was the most popular of all the unique furnishings in the Center.

Acclaimed street muralist Melanie Stimmell worked throughout the weekend on the mural begun at our Grand Opening Party.  Melanie also led workshops in chalk art for all ages.

Melanie’s finished chalk mural will be permanently hung in the Center.

The first of all the free workshops of the weekend was led by Terry LePage of Open Door Communication.  This Nonviolent Communication class, focusing on how to communicate more effectively and compassionately with others, set the perfect tone for the weekend and beyond.

Craig Causon of The Chuck Jones Center for Creativity and Julie Hudash of Team Kids teamed up to present a service inspired story and art activity in our South Wing.  Children made masterpieces from recycled and trashed materials.

Breaking ground in the Center’s North Wing, The Ecology Center guided families and kids in creating their own terrariums.

Richard Reoch, International Human Rights Advocate and former Media Chief of Nobel Prize Winning Amnesty International, led a discussion on Making Peace Possible followed by an introduction to meditation.

Girls danced, drew, and worked with the impermanence of sand as a medium in Justine Amodeo’s class, Tapping the Body’s Wisdom.

Smiling Monkey Yoga, a children’s program designed specifically for The Center for Living Peace by Patrice Simon and Amy McConnell, made a fun debut teaching yoga and breathing techniques using play and imagination.

The Orange County Museum of Art helped visitors harness the power of the sun to create whimsical solar portraits from collected objects.

Putting our mission into action and making good happen, volunteers from Second Harvest Food Bank of Orange County and Team Kids collected over 2 barrels of donations for the hungry.

It was a wonderful weekend had by all!  Missed out?  Visit our events calendar for ongoing programs and workshops.

Good Happens.

Peace Grl Out.

Science, The Mind, and Happiness

The Mind & Life Institute is a non-profit organization that works to build a scientific understanding of how to cultivate a mind of compassion and wisdom. And we could all use a little more of that!

The following video is narrated by Richard Gere and is an introduction to the work of the Mind & Life Institute. It explores how we can create a healthy body and a happy mind through the practice of meditation and how science is now confirming the positive changes that contemplative practices can make in our lives.

You can learn more about The Mind & Life Institute here.

Wishing you all a mind filled with compassion and wisdom!

Good Happens.

Peace Grl Out.