{"id":11349,"date":"2026-01-15T19:43:00","date_gmt":"2026-01-15T19:43:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/csl.org\/?page_id=11349"},"modified":"2026-01-15T19:43:00","modified_gmt":"2026-01-15T19:43:00","slug":"csl-smse-committee-knowing-peace-in-the-midst-of-war","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/csl.org\/csl-smse-committee-knowing-peace-in-the-midst-of-war\/","title":{"rendered":"CSL SMSE Committee – Knowing Peace in the Midst of War"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Knowing Peace in the Midst of War<\/strong><\/h2>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n\n\n
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An important message from your CSL Spiritually Motivated Social Engagement Committee<\/em><\/strong><\/div>\n
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Not only must we have complete faith in Spirit and Its ability to know and to do, but we must have complete confidence in our approach to It. We must not be lukewarm in our conviction. We must know that we know.<\/em>
\n\u2014\u00a0Ernest Holmes, \u201cThe Science of Mind,\u201d page 159<\/div>\n
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October 13, 2023\u00a0\u2014\u00a0Given the current level of escalation in Israel and Palestine<\/strong>, we bring our awareness and love to all of those touched by this crisis, to all whom suffer.<\/p>\n

The loss of life is devastating, and we decry violence in all forms. To quote the patriarchs of Jerusalem, \u201cWe unequivocally condemn any acts that target civilians, regardless of their nationality, ethnicity or faith.\u201d Further, the patriarchs said, \u201cWe implore political leaders and authorities to engage in sincere dialogue, seeking lasting solutions that promote justice, peace and reconciliation for the people of this land, who have endured the burdens of conflict for far too long.\u201d<\/p>\n

<\/a><\/a>Read the Christian leaders’ call to end violence here.<\/a>\u00a0We, too, pray for a cessation of violence and for the rights of the Israelis and the Palestinians to live free from fear, violence and war.\u00a0<\/p>\n

As we explore the power of paradox as CSL’s global theme this month, we’re aware that war and peace form the biggest paradox of all.\u00a0How do we continue to know peace in the midst of war?<\/strong>\u00a0We cannot move toward a more peaceful world until we address the underlying causes of violence, inequity, injustice, colonialism and oppression of all forms. \u00a0<\/p>\n

Our founder Ernest Holmes declared, \u201cThe promise that comes from practicing a conscious sense of union with the Divine is a deep, abiding peace even in the midst of personal or planetary challenges. We can create a spiritual chain reaction which can bring peace in the midst of chaos.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

<\/a>What We Can Do<\/strong>
\nWe can unite in focusing the energy of love to bring peace to Israel and Palestine, to Ukraine and to all areas of the planet where there is no peace through the creation of a spiritual chain reaction. Allow the energies of peace, love and harmony to rise up and become strong. Peace begins at the center of our own being, where instead of moving to fear, anger or anxiety, we focus on the greater powers of love, peace and harmony.<\/p>\n

We hold space for peace to be realized. We convene peace vigils, prayer calls and read sacred texts while also engaging in sacred activism. We band together to remind each other that there is an infinite and divine creative force of life that is wholeness and truth. We stay in constant prayer without ceasing to remember what we know, rekindle our sometimes-dwindling faith and continue to seek the light amid the dark abyss.<\/p>\n

<\/a>Join the Global CSL Community in Prayers for Peace<\/strong><\/p>\n

Peace Meditation & Prayers<\/strong><\/a>
\nJoin CSL practitioners in Geneva and CSL communities in Ukraine, Crimea at 12 p.m. (noon) U.S. Mountain Time, Monday through Friday at 12 p.m. (noon) U.S. Mountain Time. Here is the Zoom link.<\/a><\/p>\n

Heart of Peace Meditation<\/strong><\/a>
\nJoin the CSL Heart of Peace Initiative every Monday at 1 p.m. U.S. Mountain Time on CSL\u2019s Facebook page:\u00a0https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/centersforspiritualliving<\/a><\/p>\n

However, it is not enough to simply pray.\u00a0We must also act.<\/strong>\u00a0Get involved in local agencies providing relief to refugees. Donate to reputable agencies working in areas of the world where there is strife. The\u00a0GuideStar website<\/a>\u00a0provides information about how funds given to nonprofits are used:\u00a0www.GuideStar.org<\/a>.<\/p>\n

<\/a>A Prayer of Comfort<\/strong>
\nWe offer this prayer of comfort and truth as a collective show of peace and faith in the divine presence of love, right in the midst of war:<\/p>\n

There is a power for good in the Universe, and it is moving in and through me this day to bring peace, harmony and good to all. The Divine is everywhere present, especially and including in all spaces of war, conflict and violence. We bless all who are impacted by conflict of any kind. We lift up peace in the midst of war. We pray for healing and comfort where it is needed right now. In gratitude, we declare this truth collectively. And so it is.<\/em><\/p>\n

<\/a>In love and solidarity,<\/strong>
\nCSL Spiritually Motivated Social Engagement Committee<\/p>\n