Why was the theme of the 15th International Aumism Symposium chosen as:
“Together for Peace”?
Peace, of course, means an end to war, and there is no denying the role played by those who lead nations.
But what happens when, after the war, peace does nothing to change the desires for domination, discrimination, and profit at any cost, which for far too long have distorted human relations? Well, this accumulation of hatred and violence will continue to tear societies apart and spark new wars! As Voltaire said, “Humanity, for the time being, has never known peace; only interwar periods”!
For peace to finally become genuine—that is, lasting and beneficial to all—a shift in mindset is necessary, one that can uproot hatred from human thoughts and actions. One that helps resolve conflicts without entering the endless spiral of vengeance.
This is why, beyond ending wars, peace as a way of living together—or rather, of being together—must be built over the long term. We see today where the adage “He who wants peace prepares for war” leads; perhaps it is time to say: “He who wants peace prepares for peace.” ” It is this approach that we will discuss here because it concerns us all.
To the question: “Can we contribute to peace?”, the answer is yes.
Defeatism is our worst enemy. Even in extreme situations, peace remains a compass—that of love. I will cite the example of a woman who, in the face of bombings, still said: “We can always offer the light of those who work for peace in a world of violence.”
Moreover, we commonly speak of war and peace as if they were events external to ourselves. But we are all connected within the same humanity. The daily choices of every human being fuel the currents of fear, defeatism, hatred, and war in the world—or those of hope, courage, love, and peace.
Humanity can no longer bear the violence it inflicts upon itself without heeding the alarm bells.
We cannot continue down this path of self-destruction.
We must now leave behind the Age of wars, contempt, and suffering; change course; and live fully in the Age of respect and solidarity necessary for peace—known as the Golden Age, the Age of Aquarius, or the New Age. It is anticipated in all traditions—and it is desired by so many human beings in a world in need of love!
Today, we can no longer say that it is a myth or a utopia; it is an urgent necessity.
So, how can we contribute to peace ?
Without claiming to be exhaustive, this symposium explores avenues for reflection and action inspired by the Aumist Teaching. Peace must be won and cultivated. Preparing for peace means first exercising one’s freedom of choice within oneself by working to control one’s own violent reactions and by cultivating inner peace. Methods are proposed to achieve this.
The choice of mutual respect is addressed in the context of religious tolerance: it is an indispensable step toward peace.
Another important point: for peace to be sustainable, it must place human interests (rather than mere self-interest) at the center of global concerns.
To reduce the inequalities that are sources of suffering and violence within societies and between nations, the issue of economic justice is raised.
The importance of a science that makes the vital choice to protect the Earth is also addressed.
This symposium highlights the need for a change in mindset. Hence the decision to educate children in the values of peace—emphasizing that a difficult start does not condemn one to determinism.
The speakers from outside the Aumist tradition, whom we are very pleased to welcome, all have different backgrounds but share an open-mindedness… They will in turn present peace as a profoundly spiritual imperative; peace from a historical perspective, involving vigilance against war propaganda; and from a sociological perspective that fosters fruitful reflection.
Why the word “together” ?
Humanity cannot forever be reduced to its dark corners, its divisions, its violence. It needs to express its light, the best of itself. Women and men are already doing this wherever they are. But more and more of us must join the daily struggle for peace.
We no longer have time to continue arguing, excluding one another, or making each other pay for our differences in color, gender, culture, religion…
We must build the foundations of peace in unity, through a patient, steady, and mutually beneficial personal and collective transformation.
And this is possible if we first recognize what we share: the human condition from birth to death, with its excesses, its follies, its downfalls, its trials, but also its moments of realization, its hopes, its new beginnings, and its victories… Beyond the vagaries of existence, we all have the capacity to evolve toward full humanity and to help one another stay the course toward the peace we must achieve!
Let us stop focusing on the differences that turn into divisions and make us forget our shared belonging to the same humanity.
Lord Hamsah Manarah, founder of Aumism, reminds us:
“Unity is not the suppression of those who do not think as you do,
but rather the reconciliation of all those who think differently,
while uniting their efforts for a better world.”
This is why Aumism brings together men and women of good will, from diverse religious and geographical backgrounds, for whom God—beyond human projections—is the same for all and present in everyone.
To prepare for peace together, the necessary common ground is an open heart and mind.
And what is encouraging about this conference is that it brings together believers from different traditions and atheists; it is that peace unites us regardless of our convictions.
“Everyone is responsible for the future,” says the founder of Aumism,
“Let everyone make their choice:
For or against Unity! For or against hatred!
“Time is running out; we must change our mindset.”
