Voices

I thought about this. I thought that I should pay attention to my life and try to lessen the violent things I thought or did or said in my life before I took the vow. And I definitely noticed them. I realized how it was second nature to think or say "I wanna kill that guy" or "go jump off a cliff" or even just punching someone lightly in greeting. I didn't actually want to hurt anyone. I didn't literally mean for a person to go jump off a cliff and die, but that didn't matter. (That's the problem with society. We don't expect our words to be taken literally. Most people don't, but that is taken for granted. There are more words in any language's vocabulary than most people, especially teenagers (my generation), use. So why don't we use THOSE words? We could say "I don't like her" instead of "I wanna kill her" or "I wish she would go die". Even if we said "I wish she would go away", that's still keeping away from violent speech and it's not even using fancy/big words!!)

So I thought, and I took a step back and observed my own life. It was eye-opening, but thinking about it wasn't everything I needed. I also needed to feel it. Thinking led to feeling. There were many areas of my life that got reawakened when I realized that the way of living I was slipping into wasn't to my liking. So instead of waiting a month like I was going to, I just got on...and took the damn vow! Now I'm bound and I know I'll keep to it. Why would it be so hard? If I truly am loving people, than why would I want anything harmful to happen to them? Why would I hit them, ever? Even playfully? I know that the habit of saying certain things will need to be kept in check, but really I just gotta keep remembering to live the way I feel.

This is interesting. In A Man for All Seasons Robert Bolt has Thomas More say when he is on trial "I do none harm. I speak none harm. I think none harm." I always like that. Just the other day I looked up Zoroaster and saw that something very close to this vow was a tenet of ancient Zoroastrianism. And then there is always the Sermon on the Mount where Jesus says something like Moses said Thou Shalt not kill. I'm saying don't even think about it.

It seems more difficult for me to resist judgment that to not judge.

.

Traditionally, court jesters, actors, jugglers, entertainers and the like have occupied the last rung on the ladder of life; "Everybody plays the fool, sometime. There's no exception to the rule." That's doubly true for the aforesaid demographic. Some things never change.

I never worry; why should I? It's all gonna fade.

-Abe Normal

.

GANDHI ATE MILK-DUDS.

The U.S. volunteer military is too entirely brave & courageous for me to deceive anyone that violence is not an option.

DO YOU WANT TO LIVE FOREVER? C'MON!

-Abe Normal,
Ars longa, vita brevis

my heart says the samething,speak,act,think,feel peace-love-&light. others do not always share in my thought process. literally 3days ago i was the victim of an assult, why i attract this kind of event to take place at this point in time,i am not sure.deep down inside i feel as though it was my own way of getting my attention and it worked. i have been drawn to guided meditations by deepok chopra for sometime, and today i came across this page, just when i thought i was alone in my thoughts, there is a whole universe of people on my level of thinking.universal peace,peace of mind,body,and soul; not only in foreign countries,and in our own homes, but in any place at any time.i thank you for bringing a sense of comfort in my heart and mind. i am more than happy to join the movement that will instill postive thinking into the lives and hearts of others. Namaste.2010

Namaste

I live in Tijuana Mexico, I was a complainer about the violent times we are living, then I decided to make a change in my life, I took a course on Nonviolence facilitated by Dr. Bernard Lafayette associate of the late Dr.Martin Luther King Jr. Now I am spreading the word, I know that whatever change we can make it is significant, there is work to be done and we all can do it, building our youth for the future, building the way for others, creating awareness, Thank you so much, Muchas gracias, Dr. Chopra for this vow of commitment It is a Blessing!!
Patricia Pastrana RScP

I believe life is hard enough as it is, and we should help make it less harder by learning to live in peace with others by embracing them and the differences. Hence, I TAKE THE VOW of NON-VIOLENCE in my thoughts, in my speech, and in my actions.

WOW - finally what we have all been talking about put into a formal request. I am delighted and excited to participate as the story of the 100th monkey is what is at work here. Great idea.

In peace and light,

At 11:23 p.m. on January 8, 2010 I take the vow of non violence in my thoughts, my words and my actions.

I am committed to making the world a better place. I will start with me. I am number 25460. I will make me a better me.

Thank you Deepak for this opportunity. Bless you.

At 11:23 p.m. on January 8, 2010 I take the vow of non violence in my thoughts, my words and my actions.

I am committed to making the world a better place. I will start with me. I am number 25460. I will make me a better me.

Thank you Deepak for this opportunity. Bless you.

For the seeker to view what World Peace looks like it must start within. One can not be peaceful at heart and seek World Peace if there is a war going on inside. HEAL that part of you which views seperateness amongst yourself and others and soon you will have World Peace.

Love is an energy; A solid. It has no real barriers. We can love all that is; Everybody and everything. Love stays and is never wasted. Hate is an emotion that doesn't store well, and is fleeting. We can choose not to hate, and to give ourselves the same compassion that we give to others, and the other way around. Instead of looking for how we are different right off, we can find something in common, and then learn from our differences. I CHOOSE TO LOVE ALL THAT IS. I take the vow of non-violence in my thoughts, my speech and my actions. Thanks to all. ~In Love and Light, Laurie Young~

Love is enhancing life wherever you find it.

Love yourself fearlessly, in a way that others may too love themselves fearlessly, in the process creating an environment in which we all may love each other & help each other in crossing the final frontier of finding/seeing all in one & one in all.

when i experience the universe manifesting myself, i experience coherence, unity, connection with the ALL. Anger becomes diluted within the larger experience of all emotion and perceptions, like an ocean wave coming into the shore losing all momentum.

As within, so without -- Inner Peace begets World Peace. I take the Vow Now! We have the power to transform the world and to heal this beautiful Earth. May God live within your heart, mind and soul! Nemaste.

Hi Doctor Deepak:
Hugs and Blessings for you and your Loved Ones!

This is THE ONENESS SONG/ I AM THE CHILD OF THE KING
November 20th 2009 while I was praying for Dr. Wayne W. Dyer
this inspired song God gived to me:

EVERYTIME THAT I READ A BOOK
EVERYTIME THAT I SING A SONG
EVERYTIME THAT I SPEAK OF YOU
I FEEL YOUR LOVE!

EVERYONE WHOM I GIVE A SMILE
EVERYONE WHOM I SHARE THIS SONG
EVERYONE WHOM STANDS AT ME
I KNOW IT'S YOU!

This Love is clear and pure as mountain waterfalls
and keeps me up and high enjoying loving You!
This Love is warm and nice as early morning sun
the light for EVERY*ONE*
no matter what they do.

Unconditional Love!
Waiting for each of us!
Eternal Arms of Love!
Caring for EveryOne!

Unconditional Love!
Providing ten thousand things!
Just open your heart to Love!
SURREND AT GOD!

YOU ARE A CHILD OF GOD!
I'M A CHILD OF THE KING!

ONENESS: CANADA, FLORIDA, NEVADA, MEXICO, COLOMBIA, ECUADOR, LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA, SOUTH AFRICA!!!! JORDYN LIVES IN SOUTH AFRICA. ALL AROUND THE WORLD.
WHAT A ONENESS EXPERIMENT! THANK GOD FOR THIS PRIVILEGE!

LOVE TO ALL ONES!
Arena Mar on Facebook
Lupita Villalvazo.

Note: This file for purpose of recording musicalization for Jordyn to sing to the world (Paul Smit *FACEBOOK* and Jordyn *his daughter 7yr.old/ SOUTH AFRICA* feel free to do all that you consider necessary for the song...I love You)
BELLOW YOU CAN SEE PAUL SMIT'S FACEBOOK CONTACT for you to enjoy looking at this ANGELICAL CREATURE: JORDYN WHO WANT TO SING THIS SONG TO THE WORLD....and you can HELP HER, OF COURSE AND I AM SURE YOU CAN :_) THANKS YOU DOCTOR DEEPAK

Bringing world peace into existence requires creating a clear detailed picture in the minds eye that points the way. I take the vow to build on that picture each and everyday. My actions will reflect that which is created in the mind. Having the picture will bring about the knowing and from knowing being will emerge. My picture is to be world peace.

Dr. Deepak Chopra,

Hello and Greetings! I attended the session conducted by you yesterday (Dec 23, 2009) at the TiE Summit 2009 in Mumbai, India and it was a very moving experience for me! I just wanted to say Thank You Very Much, Dr Deepak Chopra!!

I also deeply appreciate and support the initiative of ‘I Take The Vow’ for Peace and I have taken the vow on www.itakethevow.com As I get more familiar with this movement, I’d definitely like to volunteer and perhaps also become a Peace Ambassador.

My professional bio can be seen on http://www.linkedin.com/in/devenshah and I have recently started being active on http://www.twitter.com/devenGoa However, I’d like to share a bit more personal details about myself because the session conducted by you has had a profound impact on me and I believe that my interaction with you and members of your foundation will help me a lot as an individual and I hope to give back and contribute towards building a more peaceful and loving world.

I had learnt fairly early in my life that practicing non-violence, spreading love and being kind to everyone are the key ingredients of happiness. I consider myself very fortunate to have parents who’re staunch followers of the Jainism religion and Ahimsa (Non-Violence) is its key foundation. Since childhood I used to hear in my mother-tongue (Guajarati) "Mann, Vachan and Kaya thi Ahimsa nu palan karo..." which means "practice non-violence in your thoughts, speech and action". Even though the shlokas and mantras didn't make much sense as a small child, I am grateful to my parents for being living examples of love and kindness for me to emulate.

I have personally experienced the benefits by following the principles of non-violence, truth and kindness, almost throughout my life so far, barring a few phases of exceptions... yes, there have been moments when I was challenged and came face to face with situations that made me lose sight of these principles. And I was also very fortunate to find the right ‘teachers’ who helped me regain my balance in life. Hence I strongly believe that learning of these principles should happen as early as possible in every person's life and we should create ways to practice and reinforce the learning on a continuous basis till they become an integral part of our nature and practicing them becomes as effortless as breathing.

Later in life, as a young student and then a professional, I came into close contact with the 'outside world' even termed as 'the big bad corporate world' by many. There were a few instances where I momentarily lost my mental and emotional balance. During those phases, I was again very fortunate to get highly knowledgeable and committed teachers of spirituality at The Yoga Institute in Mumbai, India (http://www.theyogainstitute.org/) The focus there was on holistic teaching of Ashtanga Yoga and not just 'exercises and breathing techniques' that are mostly taught at many 'fad yoga centres'. My learning of Yoga started with step 1 of Yama and step 2 of Niyama and once again I got deep experiential learning about the benefits of 'Satya and Ahimsa' (in addition to other 3 principles from Yama and 5 of Niyama) and it helped me regain my balance and control. I then moved towards stage 3 and 4 of Aasana and Pranayama. Though I could not adhere to all principles and practices at all the times, over several years I did manage to practice them to some extent in my day-to-day life and benefited tremendously.

I could now take several bold and 'right' decisions in my personal and professional life. One amongst them was to leave the 'big bad corporate world' at the age of 25 in 2002 and join an organization that was tiny in terms of team size and revenues but smaller than none when it came to ethics and people-focussed practices. I worked in 2 wonderful organizations (www.InformationMatters.in and www.MoneyMentor.in) founded by a highly evolved person – Gourav Jaswal who has been a boss, a friend and has guided me as a brother. These companies were based in arguably the most beautiful state in India - Goa. I also got married to a wonderful woman of a strong character– whom I met in Goa, we bought a house there, were then blessed with a daughter in 2007. Life was filled with happiness along with occasional and understandable levels of hardships. As some months and years passed by, there were some short phases lasting a few weeks when I used to experience the feeling of ‘something is missing’.

At some point in 2009, I felt an acute sense of incompleteness in the life I was living. It left me wanted to find more meaning in what I am doing and at times even left me at a state when I was not sad but at the same time was not happy. I also felt a need to understand myself even better before I progress further in life... So call it a seven-year-itch or a genuine need to achieve further self-realization, starting January 2010, I am going on a sabbatical for a few months and find answers to questions that may lead me towards the path of self-actualization.

And as I mentioned earlier, attending your session has had a profound impact on me. After I returned home after the conference, I’ve been browsing your websites, reading articles and then wrote this note. Oh, it’s been over 4:00 am IST now and till I looked at the time I didn’t even think of sleeping. But now I am sleepy :-)

I look forward to interact with you and members of the Chopra foundation to learn, volunteer and perhaps also become a Peace Ambassador. Once again, I’d like to thank you a lot for the amazing work you are doing for helping people realise their potential, guiding them towards living a meaningful life and contributing in creating world full of love and peace.

Warm Regards,
Deven Shah
devenGoa@yahoo.com

Dr. Deepak Chopra,

Hello and Greetings! I attended the session conducted by you yesterday (Dec 23, 2009) at the TiE Summit 2009 in Mumbai, India and it was a very moving experience for me! I just wanted to say Thank You Very Much, Dr Deepak Chopra!!

I also deeply appreciate and support the initiative of ‘I Take The Vow’ for Peace and I have taken the vow on www.itakethevow.com As I get more familiar with this movement, I’d definitely like to volunteer and perhaps also become a Peace Ambassador.

My professional bio can be seen on http://www.linkedin.com/in/devenshah and I have recently started being active on http://www.twitter.com/devenGoa However, I’d like to share a bit more personal details about myself because the session conducted by you has had a profound impact on me and I believe that my interaction with you and members of your foundation will help me a lot as an individual and I hope to give back and contribute towards building a more peaceful and loving world.

I had learnt fairly early in my life that practicing non-violence, spreading love and being kind to everyone are the key ingredients of happiness. I consider myself very fortunate to have parents who’re staunch followers of the Jainism religion and Ahimsa (Non-Violence) is its key foundation. Since childhood I used to hear in my mother-tongue (Guajarati) "Mann, Vachan and Kaya thi Ahimsa nu palan karo..." which means "practice non-violence in your thoughts, speech and action". Even though the shlokas and mantras didn't make much sense as a small child, I am grateful to my parents for being living examples of love and kindness for me to emulate.

I have personally experienced the benefits by following the principles of non-violence, truth and kindness, almost throughout my life so far, barring a few phases of exceptions... yes, there have been moments when I was challenged and came face to face with situations that made me lose sight of these principles. And I was also very fortunate to find the right ‘teachers’ who helped me regain my balance in life. Hence I strongly believe that learning of these principles should happen as early as possible in every person's life and we should create ways to practice and reinforce the learning on a continuous basis till they become an integral part of our nature and practicing them becomes as effortless as breathing.

Later in life, as a young student and then a professional, I came into close contact with the 'outside world' even termed as 'the big bad corporate world' by many. There were a few instances where I momentarily lost my mental and emotional balance. During those phases, I was again very fortunate to get highly knowledgeable and committed teachers of spirituality at The Yoga Institute in Mumbai, India (http://www.theyogainstitute.org/) The focus there was on holistic teaching of Ashtanga Yoga and not just 'exercises and breathing techniques' that are mostly taught at many 'fad yoga centres'. My learning of Yoga started with step 1 of Yama and step 2 of Niyama and once again I got deep experiential learning about the benefits of 'Satya and Ahimsa' (in addition to other 3 principles from Yama and 5 of Niyama) and it helped me regain my balance and control. I then moved towards stage 3 and 4 of Aasana and Pranayama. Though I could not adhere to all principles and practices at all the times, over several years I did manage to practice them to some extent in my day-to-day life and benefited tremendously.

I could now take several bold and 'right' decisions in my personal and professional life. One amongst them was to leave the 'big bad corporate world' at the age of 25 in 2002 and join an organization that was tiny in terms of team size and revenues but smaller than none when it came to ethics and people-focussed practices. I worked in 2 wonderful organizations (www.InformationMatters.in and www.MoneyMentor.in) founded by a highly evolved person – Gourav Jaswal who has been a boss, a friend and has guided me as a brother. These companies were based in arguably the most beautiful state in India - Goa. I also got married to a wonderful woman of a strong character– whom I met in Goa, we bought a house there, were then blessed with a daughter in 2007. Life was filled with happiness along with occasional and understandable levels of hardships. As some months and years passed by, there were some short phases lasting a few weeks when I used to experience the feeling of ‘something is missing’.

At some point in 2009, I felt an acute sense of incompleteness in the life I was living. It left me wanted to find more meaning in what I am doing and at times even left me at a state when I was not sad but at the same time was not happy. I also felt a need to understand myself even better before I progress further in life... So call it a seven-year-itch or a genuine need to achieve further self-realization, starting January 2010, I am going on a sabbatical for a few months and find answers to questions that may lead me towards the path of self-actualization.

And as I mentioned earlier, attending your session has had a profound impact on me. After I returned home after the conference, I’ve been browsing your websites, reading articles and then wrote this note. Oh, it’s been over 4:00 am IST now and till I looked at the time I didn’t even think of sleeping. But now I am sleepy :-)

I look forward to interact with you and members of the Chopra foundation to learn, volunteer and perhaps also become a Peace Ambassador. Once again, I’d like to thank you a lot for the amazing work you are doing for helping people realise their potential, guiding them towards living a meaningful life and contributing in creating world full of love and peace.

Warm Regards,
Deven Shah
devenGoa@yahoo.com

I would like to introduce to you a new inspirational and spiritual book titled "You Gotta Dance". and our new website at http.yougottadancect.com. You can view all of our upcoming events, awards and television and radio show interviews.

BOOK SYNOPSIS

In 1987, Michael Daluz, a black U.S. Army veteran and college student with a 3.6 GPA, is nearly beaten to death by a mob of white men as he and his friends leave a local off-campus bar. His act of self-defense, and the arrest and imprisonment that follow, will change his life forever. Harboring a hate, Daluz enters prison in 1988. During his incarceration, he witnesses a miracle and experiences an inner transformation. But his misfortunes are not behind him, and his faith in God prepares him for life-altering battles. A near-fatal, work-related accident leaves him severely injured. Daluz challenges his employer in a civil lawsuit while he fights for custody of his young daughter, Bella, and he doggedly pursues his doctorial education. During a time in his life, Daluz had done it all. He lived the champagne-popping lifestyle, visited fancy night clubs, owned a nice house, and drove expensive cars. But during his twenty-year journey, he realizes what is important. Based on true events, You Gotta Dance is one man’s story of spiritual awakening in the face of crushing hardship.

Since my incarceration, I have acquired my Associates, Bachelors, and Masters Degrees and I will complete my PHD in September 2010. I am also a single father raising my 7 year old daughter, I am a U.S. Army Veteran and I have been working in the substance abuse and mental health profession for the past 15 years. I am currently the Program Director of New Connections in New Haven Connecticut.

The book has been featured on the Better Connecticut TV Show (CBS Television Show), Urban Voices (93.7 CBS National Syndicated Radio Show), The Nancy Barrow Show (Hot 93.7 Radio), WDJZ Gospel Radio show, the Julwell Kennedy International Radio Program, the Harlem Book Fair, The African American Women’s Expo, WDJZ Gospel Youth Radio on 10-27-09, Conversation Live Radio on 10-27-09, Good Morning CT (WTNH TV-Channel 8) on 11-1-09, CT Black Expo in New Haven (www.ctblackexpo.net) on 11-7-09, The Men’s II Boys Symposium on 11-7-09 in New Jersey, and WTST Radio (University of Tennessee) on 11-13-09, the Sistahs Book Club author signing event on 11-21-09 in New Haven , CT , and the Bridgeport NAACP Youth Banquet in Bridgeport , CT on 12-11-09. The book has been featured in the Hartford Advocate, New Haven Advocate, the Fairfield Weekly, the Grand News and the New Haven Register news papers.

The book is being sold at Barnes and Noble, Amazon.com, Iuniverse.com, Barnes and Noble.com and A Walk In Truth/Black Print book store in New Haven, CT. I have attached two newspaper articles. I encourage you to look into this wonderful experience of how God changed my life. The book can also be found on www.facebook.com/yougottadance09 and myspace/yougottadance09.

Contact me at (203) 887-4016 or daluzmichael@yahoo.com

I always come back to the same center when I become overwhelmed by the loudness of non-peace and non-compassion...

Ghandi is my teacher... "Be the change you wish to see in the world" and the ultimate truth = "PEACE begins with(in) me." Outer chaos propels me inward to the core of peace that begins with(in) me. Leading not w/ voice, but by example. I am thankful for my teachers, who most often lead, not with voice, but with their actions. Living out their truth in the truest way, for them... inspires me to do the same... Live out my truth, in the truest way for me. Compassionate Heart & Namaste

I take the vow for my children and soul. To teach them that with light and love, abundance is everywhere.

Toobee AirForce Mission has been to fly around the world to enforce world peace by bringing people together.

Toobee gives all its money to www.cannedwater4kids.org works hard to help all children in the world to get access to clean drinking water.

one commandment i leave with you; that ye love one another. straight to the point and the bottom line.

We are all transforming into brilliant beings of LIGHT & LOVE.... PEACE will heal the world and restore LIFE to our AMAZING BLUE PLANET. In gratitude... MK :-)

I am a being of Light. I am love & peace; I am a healer; I am a co-Creator; I am a god, as you are too, as are we all. We are all aspects of the One, molecules of the Universe - omnipotent, eternal, inherent unto ourselves, and Divine!

Thank you for this opportunity to express our love, our amity and unlimited capability as a species. Never forget: you were born free - freedom is your right and your natural state! And your Will will keep you free... With love, Harry, in Melbourne AU

Deepak, If everyone had your loving perspective on life and eternal being we would not have to take the vow. It would be a given. Thank you for your love and wisdom. May it be with you for all eternity.
Dan K. BC Canada.

I take the vow for the voice inside of me....'imagine all the people'

I believe I am a part of every thing and every one, as is every one and every thing a part of me. When I practice thinking of this every day, hour, minute, second, moment; it will be so embedded in my thinking, that I will be encountering myself every time I communicate with someone or talk about someone or think about someone.

I Am That I Am, I Am As You, YouWeOne. I Love You.

I salute the light within your eyes where the whole universe dwells. For when you are at that center within you and I am at that place within me, we shall be one.

If I see God in each and every being, there's no room for violence. Therefore, I take the vow. And I'm committed to spread around the word. Thank you for this great opportunity to express my love and commitment for the Earth and my Lord.

When the power of love overcomes the love of power,
The world will know PEACE!!

What a beautiful concept to mobilize the good in us and have it dominate in our thoughts, speech, actions and, eventually manifest it in our personality and outlook.

Deepak Chopra and the other founders are the true healers and heroes of this world. I commend you for seeding this transformation in what appears to be the "kalyuga".

Thank you.

Rahul Misra
rahulmisra2000@hotmail.com

my vow

simply be, observe as such

When you can see Buddha in every person you meet, you are about to become a Buddha yourself.
When you stop judging yourself and others, you are about to be free.
Namaste.

Just like the cells create a body - all our souls create GOD

Mind & Matter Met when I took the Vow-Satish Chandra

for all the children and their children's children... may the love that prevails in my heart be shared and felt by everyone around me.

I have also created a website. Please feel free to check it out.

My only other notable project is this song I wrote, sung, edited, and made a movie for in 8 hours. :)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cU8IEsKZmBY

Sorry for the volume

Peace and love to all my brothers and sisters.

Namaste

When one takes a vow of nonviolence it is not only for "the world" but also for the individual. With this vow one must also commit to removing those negative and "violent" thoughts about oneself. When we can be more compassionate with ourselves it affects everything and everyone around us. I take the vow. Diana
www.dianaguest.com

All I can is WOW!!! Talk about God working through people, to bring light back to this world. In the great lyrics by one of GODS GREATEST creations, Michael Jackson, he song something so pro-found " You and I must make a pact we must bring salvation back, were there is LOVE I'll be there"

That is so true: Love is all there is that is the connection our lord and savior. I am so excited, God brought someone along my path today, and she told me about this exciting thing that Deepak is doing, and I am in awe! I am on such a divine journey, just completed my Book Loves Destination Into Christianity and the vocal point of this book is love!! this is what we need to heal this world. Their are powers in numbers, and if we unite we can change this world!

In the great quote Man in the mirror " if you want to make this world a better place, take a look at yourself and make the change"

I love what he is doing here, it makes my soul smile, especially when God placed on my spirit to start a ministry!!

God is sooooooooooooooo Good

God Bless ( Divine One) April

i am not really a violent person, but i wish i reamin the same for the whole of my life. Through my personal experience i know that life always gives us a chance either to love or hate n i tell u, love is the easiest option. no matter whi we are what we do, eternal happiness lies in loving n giving.
jus try it n feel the diffrence.

I have taken the vow because I wish to live in a world where HATE, SADNESS and VIOLENCE is replaced with LOVE, HAPPINESS and PEACE.

Love and Peace to All.

Pat