Celebrating the International Day of Peace

Location : University of Bohol, Tagbilaran (city), Bohol (province), Philippines

Community Gathering
My Vipassana and Theosophical Society friend, Ludwig, invited me to celebrate the International Day of Peace at the University of Bohol with various community and international organizations who will be sharing talks on what they do to foster peace and harmony.

In attendance were people representing the Golden Link College, Bohol Preschool Campus teachers, AVP (Alternatives to Violence Project - Philippines), Theosophical Society Philippines, SIFCare (Science of Identity Foundation Community Assistance for Responsible Existence) and a few unaffiliated individuals (like me). Surprisingly, I have already met most of them!

Golden Link College and Bohol Preschool Campus teachers
Golden Link College is an education system in which individuals can discover the core values of their lives for themselves, free from fear, coercion and prejudice. The faculty made their presentation about their methodology being the non-competitive nature and consensus-building cooperation they instill on their students. The students are trained to do their best and become the best version of what they can be - regardless of who's ahead of the game. It's not a first-to-the-podium-finish where the goal is simply winning over everyone else.

I believe this method instills a paradigm of connectedness instead of separation. Students grow up seeing themselves as an integral part of a bigger whole...part of the nation-building process, part of an organization working towards a common goal, etc. In my pedestrian outlook, they will not counterflow traffic thinking they are special - they will respect the line knowing fully well counterflowing will only ensnarl traffic further. IMHO.

Theosophical Society (TS)
Theosophical Society is a refuge for seekers who pursue higher evolution through the study of comparative religion, philosophy, and science without regard to race, creed, sex, caste, or colour. It's a healthy exchange of ideas and insight by participants who attend its weekly meetings. Although not a member, I often attend the meetings whenever it's held in any destination I'm in.

The talk was done by Cora, whom I've met last time I attended a Theosophical Society meeting in Bohol. She elucidated the tenets of the society which were already familiar to most of the attendees as they were likewise members.

Science of Identity Foundation Community Assistance for Responsible Existence (SIFCare)
I am confused because they are also known as International Society for Krishna Consciousness. I don't know where the difference lie, but to cut the long names short, they are more popularly known as Hare Krishna - I don't know why they have refrained from using that name.

I already met the representing couple, Rad and Rjhun, at the recent coastal cleanup in Bilaong Beach, Panglao. Rad talked about peace, harmony and spirituality which is common to all the orgs in attendance. I was hoping to learn what unique offering they have to make people follow their persuasion. Rad also touched off on yoga and collectively, we sang a meditative chant.

Alternatives to Violence Project (AVP)
AVP is essentially a conflict resolution movement with its genesis dating back to the Vietnam war. Attendees participate in a multi-day workshop where they resolve conflicts without resorting to manipulation, coercion, or violence. Now, AVP is an international organization with its annual gathering slated in Nepal this November.

Ludwig and Sharol(?) made the presentation. AVP is not a lecture format but a participatory workshop. Ludwig took us to play constructive games to show first hand how AVP works. As Kins (AVP and Vipassana member) said to me, "it's Vipassana in action".

Vipassana
I wasn't representing any organization but I was asked to talk about Vipassana Meditation. Gladly, I did. Vipassana is very powerful and has been transformational in my journey. I briefly talked about what it's not (it's not a religion, it's not worshipping a deity, there's no guru, no rites or rituals) and talked about what it is - no more than a meditation technique...that's all. I touched off on the empowerment and independence it gave me, being able to clear the cobwebs of reality that often cloud our judgement.

Ending Thoughts
There is no one absolute path to peace and spirituality. This gathering underscored that. Some pursue the goal along the lines of conflict resolution, some through a more inclusive format of education, some through spirituality. I walk my path by being a renunciate, a nomad and letting the wind take me where it takes me - Vipassana is one of many 'holds' I anchor myself to.

Much like rivers, creeks and streams are different, but all leading towards the sea, we are all unique and follow the path that resonates to our uniqueness. Collectively, we give peace a chance.

--- Gigit (TheLoneRider)
YOGA by Gigit | Learn English | Travel like a Nomad | Donation Bank

Bohol Google Map

Bohol, Philippines

tourist attractions

• Danao Adventure Park - zip lining, cable car ride, caving, river rides/trekking, off-road buggy ride, root climbing, rappelling and ultra-glide rides
• Alona Beach - hub for tourists with hotels, resorts, restos, bars and dive shops
• Chocolate Hills - hills side-by-side shaped like giant Kisses chocolate
• Tarsier - pocket-sized marsupia looking like a monkey
• Balicasag Island - one of the best dive spots in the Philippines
• Loboc River - river cruise on a boat
• Anda Beach - fine white sand beach with resorts, restos and cottages, 3 hours by bus from Tagbilaran
• Cabagnow Cave Pool - brackish water pool about 5ft deep inside a limestone opening on the ground, 8 feet deep, P50
• Lamanok Island - walk on a 100m bamboo bridge on stilts to a resto area to take a boat tour to caves and nearly attractions, P300
• Combento Cave Pool - cave pool with underwater cave system, P20
• Can-umantad Falls - long narrow drop until it hits a bulbous mound spreading it into a a curtain-like water canopy and down into a splash pool
• Canawa Cold Spring - deep refreshing cold spring with developed pool area
• Firefly Tour - evening boat ride into the river to watch fireflies

hotel

• Fox & The Firefly Cottages - SUP paddle boarding, luxury riverside native cottages, mountain bike tours, SUP yoga
  Baranggay Valladolid, Loboc, Bohol
• Bohol Tropics Resort - seafront location, manicured surroundings, swimming pool, resto/bar
  0133 Graham Avenue, Brgy. Cogon, Tagbilaran, Bohol 6300
• Oasis Resort - Alona Beach location, dive center, resto / bar
  Alona Beach, Panglao, Bohol

yoga

• Jing Yoga - health & well being through yoga
  The Courtyard - Airport Road fronting the church
  Bohol Meditation and Yoga Center - 2nd Floor Lim Magtajas Bldg. CPG Avenue

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