BeginWithMe.org- A Search for Peace

The Search for Peace

BeginWithMe.org was created with the intent of promoting the beliefs that the people of the world have in common. Too much bias, prejudice, hatred and superiority have grown from recognizing our differences. We cannot rely on the governments of this world to guide us, for they only widen the gap between us and our brothers and sisters around the world.

I spent the early part of my life as a Catholic, reading about Christianity and trying to prove to people that this was the true religion. In the face of my mother dying at the age of 47 to ovarian cancer, my faith was put to the test. I came out of that experience not wanting to disprove any one religion, but only to prove that we are the cause for the sickness and violence, and also and most importantly, the healing. I have learned and experienced that God, whatever name he or she might be given, is the common thread that links all of humanity, nature and the universe, and that our struggle to justify our personal religious or political beliefs can only separate ourselves from those who do not see things our way.

Every man and woman has chosen what they happen to believe in one way or another. There is no solid evidence that holds enough water to prove any one religion to be "the true way". Man has passed down accounts of his experiences with God and religion through the years, as he saw it. Many people have been inspire by God and most know them as prophets or saints. In all these great religions, all have ties to people being inspired by God in one way or the other, and this is where the only true evidence reveals what we have in common. God has touched people so that they might go forward and promote brotherly love, understanding and tolerance. This is evident in practically all religions.

Man has warped and twisted all religions to ease his fears. Wars have been justified blindly with religion, even though it contradicts religion's most important message. Too often we sit back and go about our day, happy to enjoy the safeties that are part of our freedoms, and concerned about our own salvation. But we turn our back on the violence that governments create because we believe it is keeping us safe. When we put our safety and salvation above all others, we choose that we have more importance, and that type of illusion of peace we create for ourselves cannot last forever. If we were truly interested in our salvation then we must realize that self righteousness can only hinder the journey.

I was researching information about the war in Iraq when I accidentally came across a website showing pictures of the war-torn country. I was against the war from the start, and I had imagined the inhumanity, but I honestly had no idea what to expect. I was in shock for the rest of the day, doing everything in my power not to break down and cry. But the carnage was too horrible to forget, and I know I will never be the same. We all need to see these images to realize how horrible war is, for everyone involved. And we must do everything in our power to end violence. But fear makes us feel so powerless, and holding a picket sign sometimes only brings more hatred. What can we then do?

We must search within and find the God that is living there, and there we will find our connection with all of humanity, because that connection is the power of God. Please join me in my own personal journey for inner growth, to find the God with no religion within our brothers and sisters around the world.

Your brother in peace,

Jason Gianfriddo

		"I object to violence because when it appears to do good, the good is only temporary; the evil it does is permanent." Mohandas K. Gandhi
Our Thoughts The Search Religious Tolerance Loving-Kindness Words of Wisdom Share Your Thoughts Links Gandhi Institute Department of Peace Sharon Salzberg Insight Meditation Society Google Search Yahoo Search Support BeginWithMe.org Peace begins with you. Show the world you're trying! Add to favorites Tell a friend:	The Search for Peace BeginWithMe.org was created with the intent of promoting the beliefs that the people of the world have in common. Too much bias, prejudice, hatred and superiority have grown from recognizing our differences. We cannot rely on the governments of this world to guide us, for they only widen the gap between us and our brothers and sisters around the world. I spent the early part of my life as a Catholic, reading about Christianity and trying to prove to people that this was the true religion. In the face of my mother dying at the age of 47 to ovarian cancer, my faith was put to the test. I came out of that experience not wanting to disprove any one religion, but only to prove that we are the cause for the sickness and violence, and also and most importantly, the healing. I have learned and experienced that God, whatever name he or she might be given, is the common thread that links all of humanity, nature and the universe, and that our struggle to justify our personal religious or political beliefs can only separate ourselves from those who do not see things our way. Every man and woman has chosen what they happen to believe in one way or another. There is no solid evidence that holds enough water to prove any one religion to be "the true way". Man has passed down accounts of his experiences with God and religion through the years, as he saw it. Many people have been inspire by God and most know them as prophets or saints. In all these great religions, all have ties to people being inspired by God in one way or the other, and this is where the only true evidence reveals what we have in common. God has touched people so that they might go forward and promote brotherly love, understanding and tolerance. This is evident in practically all religions. Man has warped and twisted all religions to ease his fears. Wars have been justified blindly with religion, even though it contradicts religion's most important message. Too often we sit back and go about our day, happy to enjoy the safeties that are part of our freedoms, and concerned about our own salvation. But we turn our back on the violence that governments create because we believe it is keeping us safe. When we put our safety and salvation above all others, we choose that we have more importance, and that type of illusion of peace we create for ourselves cannot last forever. If we were truly interested in our salvation then we must realize that self righteousness can only hinder the journey. I was researching information about the war in Iraq when I accidentally came across a website showing pictures of the war-torn country. I was against the war from the start, and I had imagined the inhumanity, but I honestly had no idea what to expect. I was in shock for the rest of the day, doing everything in my power not to break down and cry. But the carnage was too horrible to forget, and I know I will never be the same. We all need to see these images to realize how horrible war is, for everyone involved. And we must do everything in our power to end violence. But fear makes us feel so powerless, and holding a picket sign sometimes only brings more hatred. What can we then do? We must search within and find the God that is living there, and there we will find our connection with all of humanity, because that connection is the power of God. Please join me in my own personal journey for inner growth, to find the God with no religion within our brothers and sisters around the world. Your brother in peace, Jason Gianfriddo	Suggested Reading Peace is the Way Deepak Chopra Peace Begins With You Katherine Scholes Children's Book The Power of Intention Dr. Wayne Dyer Guided Mindfulness Meditation John Kabat-Zinn Audio CD Lovingkindness Meditation CD by Sharon Salzberg Lovingkindness: The Revolutionary Art of Happiness by Sharon Salzberg