Our Plum Village Sangha Brothers Need Our Help
Do you remember the story of the Peace General, Christian Wolo Bethelson?
Once a rebel commander during Liberia’s civil war, Christian laid down his weapons and devoted himself to peace. He was first taught meditation by Cynthia Jurs, and later met Zen master Thich Nhat Hanh. In 2017 received the 14 Mindfulness Trainings from Sister Chan Khong, who gave him the Dharma name "True Opening of the Field".
After attempts on their lives, Christian and fellow peace worker Harper Karmon were forced to flee Liberia. They are now safe with their families - ten children in all - in another African country where they hope to build a "Happy Farm" ... a regenerative, mindful community that will provide food security, healing, and livelihood for their families, while sharing the practice of mindfulness with ex-combatants and others recovering from war and displacement.
Christian’s story shows that transformation is possible - from war and trauma to true peace and healing. Together, he and Harper once built peace huts in Liberia. Now they need our help to seed this new chapter and bring their vision of the Happy Farm to life.
With your support Christian and Harper can create a place of peace, regeneration and renewal - feeding their families, and nourishing many more through the practice of mindfulness.
Watch clips from Wouter Verhoeven's film project Peace in Oneself, Peace in the world - a powerful film in production that takes a deep look at violence through the eyes of Christian, Harper and the extraordinary late Annie Nushan ... and how they learn to cultivate peace in their minds and bodies through the practice of mindfulness.
Let's join to support Christian and Harper. Our Brothers have urgent need for funding support , so please give what you can - however small - and please share with your networks and show how peace and healing is possible after the horrors of war.
For those of you in London, we will also be doing a live fundraising event with Buddhist teacher, peace activist and author, Cynthia Jurs, as she shares the extraordinary story behind her new book - Summoned by the Earth.
Thirty-five years ago, in a Himalayan cave, Cynthia received a rare practice from a 100 year old lama: to bury Earth Treasure Vases - small clay vessels filled with prayers and intentions for peace and healing - in places of need around the world. Since then, she has travelled from the Amazon to the Arctic, and across the world, creating what she calls a “living mandala across the Earth.” And it was in Liberia that Cynthia met Christian and Harper, and their journey with mindfulness began - bringing nourishment and healing them and their community peace work.
So join us for an evening of story, conversation and inspiration - exploring how one woman’s spiritual odyssey has sparked ripples of healing across the world.
Tickets here - 3 October 22, October Gallery London @ 7 - 9.45
Christian receiving the 14 Mindfulness Trainings of the Order of Interbeing
Christian and Harper in Plum Village, France - giving an inspiring talk about non-violence and peace to a group of teens
Organizer
Brigid Bowen
Organizer
Wales