World Spirit Youth Council 2006 Conference Response and New Projects

Collaboration in Consciousness

“My Experience”

by Neeti Aryal Khanal, Nepal

“In One Word”

what delegates felt as the conference ended

DOWNLOAD “Ready” (876kb MSWord Doc)

by Jacqueline Furtado

in one word

what delegates felt

as the conference ended

FULFILLED

“I will remember all the inspirational people, young and old. I will also never forget the awesome sledding hills. . . . The experience just helped me to fuurther my spiritual growth. I realize that there is no ending to growth. . . . It is important for me to be involved so I can be a bridge for other indigenous youth to have their voice be heard.”

Graci Horne

INSPIRED

. . . . “The experience has given me an insight to life that I wouldn't have received if I hadn't met such a unique and dedicated group with so many great personalities. I am truly inspired by each and everyone of the team, just knowing that somewhere in some part of the earth, there is and always will be a group of inspired youths and adults taking the many torches and lighting the lives of the many in their own circles. . . . I have definitely come to a higher consciousness of the world around me and have a deeper understanding of how another culture, especially the people of native origin celebrate their spirituality. . . . The WSYC . . . is a platform for myself and my friends to come together to share a common VISION. I feel that the WSYC is more than what I expected it to be when I first applied for it, I have come to the realisation that the WSYC is a great place to share my own spirituality and to also really engage in other ways of celebrating spirituality. I find the WSYC will now play a very important role in being a voice for the youth in matters concerning the future of the world.”

Colin Lee

MEDITATIVE

. . . . “the first 4 days with the WYSC and holders” were most memorable “+ meeting Jane Goodall. . . . I am one step more conscious than before + I am one step more confident of the importance of our work, as individuals and collectively. . . . through WSYC I can inspire others and get inspired by others + help children and young people believe and act in creating a better world for all living creatures.”

Joaquin Leguia

READY

I will remember “the people – so inspiring and so gentle! But a close second is sledding down the mountain after the gala dinner – I spent more time going down without the sled than on it!. . . I could not meet the people I did and not change! I feel that little bit closer to knowing who I am because of the friendship offered to me by the group. . . . The potential (and probability) of the WSYC to change the world is enormous and I want to be a part of it. The WSYC brings together like-minded young people and creates a safe and secure environment that allows for personal development as much as outer action – to take this to young people all over the world is going to be such an exciting journey!!”

Jacqueline Furtado

DOWNLOAD Jacquie’s Article

(876kb MSWord Doc)

MY EXPERIENCES IN SWITZERLAND

by Neeti Aryal Khanal, Youth Society for Peace, Nepal

I had always dreamed to touch a snow. It was a symbol of purity and truth for me. Despite being born in a country with the highest peak in the world, it was amazing that I had never touched snow till I went to Switzerland: the land of snow, the land of chocolates, the land of cheese: all things sweet, pure and creamy. Now, another symbol has been added to it, yes, a land of spirituality. As it was in Switzerland I got this wonderful opportunity to participate in World Spirit Youth Council from January 19th-27th 2006 in Arosa. It was a programme where 25 youths from all over the world with a vision of peaceful world in future, everyone with a hope and dream to transform the world into better place had gathered to learn, listen and share their experiences. I participated in this conference which was altogether different from orthodox conference as a representative from Nepal from our organization Youth Society for Peace. We youths got a wonderful opportunity to work with the affluent members of World Spirit Forum and World Wisdom Council whose members are the affluent philosophers, activists and leaders who had done something positive to bring a change in the world. It was as if there was no age bar between us youths and the elders. We meditated, prayed, sang, danced and eliminated all barriers of age, religion, class, caste, race and nation and joined our hands together with the bond of humanity to strengthen our spirituality and with a hope to bring peace in the world.

This is the age of terrorism, violence, bloodshed and anarchy everywhere. The whole human race is facing utter despair. At this point, a small flicker of light is slowly growing stronger. Yes, it is a light of spirituality, a light of love and peace. If this is the age of violence, it is also the age of new knowledge for the humankind. It is a hope, a dream. Spirituality is a concept which however defined still remains undefined. it’s so huge in meaning, so transforming in itself that it is better to leave it unexplained and try to practice according to whatever meaning we have been able to interpret. It is more trying to BE and trying to DO than trying to define and rationalizing. It is letting go!!!!! It is opening up!!! It is seeing beyond horizon. And it is overwhelming to know that there are so many people in this world who believe in this wonderful belief that all living beings in the planet are equal and that we can achieve a harmony with each other. It was this programme of World Spirit Forum and World Spirit Youth Council that strengthened my belief that good things are still happening in the world. It was amazing to meet so many people who are doing something positive and creative. It was like a miracle that all over the world, people are trying to do something on their own to bring about a positive change in the world. It has revitalized me and also has strengthened and motivated to carry on the work of Youth Society for Peace with added vigor and enthusiasm. I also got wonderful opportunity to get to know so many people and organizations that it has opened new vistas for our organization to carry on our movement more on an international footing with a message of “act locally and think globally.“

And the added bonus of this programme is that with the encouragement of Dr. Nina Meyerhof, President of Children of the Earth, the next programme of World Spirit Youth Council is going to be held in Nepal in August 2006. Dr. Nina a visionary thinker that the spiritual education can bring a positive change in the world is the driving force behind the forming of World Spirit Youth Council. She is a motivator, guide and truly our mother. And the upcoming programme in Nepal would never have been envisioned if not for our Guru Dr. Chinta Mani Yogi, the patron of our organization. With his guidance and blessings in our heart, we are very much confident that the programme in Nepal would be very successful. Listening to the expectations of Dr. Nina, Dr. Harriet and the youth participants, I was so encouraged and motivated. They want the programme to be more spiritual, more informal, more reflective, more simple and down to earth. And dear friends, it is just the kind of thing we Nepalese have got to offer. So, it’s time for us the members of Youth Society for Peace to get busy in planning for the programme. And we are very much looking forward to kind cooperation from all Nepali social workers and youths to join in hand with us and help us in our mission.