Lectures

Meaningfulworld’s Humanitarian Outreach, Conflict Transformation, Peace Building and Forgiveness www.meaningfulworld.com 201-941-2266 by Rebecca M Schaffner Press Release Have you ever been in a situation that drained you emotionally to the point that you could not see a positive ending? Have you ever experienced something that seemed too detrimental to your well being and you lost all hope? Did you ever wake up feeling stiff, helpless or sad and saw yourself even affecting your children or spouse with your emotions? If you can answer yes to any of those questions or similar questions, you would have enjoyed the Stage II training that the Association for Trauma Outreach Prevention (ATOP) of Meaningfulworld held. Stage II, entitled Conflict Transformation, took place on 21 May, 2011 from 9:30am-5:00pm in New York City. “As I inhale, I take your love into me, as I exhale, I blow my love out to you”, this is how Ms. Mucci, Vice President of ATOP of Meaningfulworld begun the morning session. Throughout her presentation, we learned that loves is a very important aspect to remember when healing from trauma. Love, because it is the greatest of all things and because it helps us to forgive our perpetrator. After Ms. Mucci’s meditation session, Mrs. Kaze held her five minute presentation as part of the requirement to graduate from the ATOP of Meaningfulworld programe. Ms. Kaze, named her presentation “lessons of compassion.” She shared with the group that while participating in ATOP of Meaningful World’s programe and as a United Nations (UN) representative, she learned a lot about empathy. She realized that by “just listening” to someone’s traumatizing story, a trained psychologist or a simple ATOP participant, will provide the most help to the affected person. This theme, is a recurring one for ATOP and one that even a lay person can use in daily life. Ms. Kaze’s presentation left everyone thinking and reminded us that sometimes, lending an ear, is all that we need to help someone. Another graduate of the programe, Mrs. Sharon Muja, also presented on what has been meaningful for her. Mrs. Muja shared her trauma of being a genocide survivor and corrupt regime conqueror in Rwanda. She fled to Uganda, and experienced more hardships there. Mrs. Muja was scared to seek refuge in the police or soldiers of her country, because even they were untrustworthy. Instead of being instruments of peace, they were fullers of corruptness. She and her parents had to flee Rwanda to escape the horrible genocide between the Hutus and Tutsis. So was Mrs. Muja not only confronted by her own trauma, but she also experienced that of her parents. Upon coming to the United States, she brought her fears with her. Her trauma affected not only the love she would eventually project to others, but also how she would “breath” in their love or trust individuals. With ATOP of Meaningfulworld’s empowerment programs, Mrs. Muja learned to forgive and most importantly to breath love in and out, despite negative experiences she endured. In ATOP of Meaningfulworld, we learn that to recover from trauma, it is important to start with healing the self and then to scale up. Some often think that by first recognizing oneself, he or she is being selfish. However, “if a car is empty of fuel and driving on fume, it will not drive well”, mentions Dr. Kalayjian. As an international psychologist or anyone involved in a helping profession, one must ensure that his or her well being is taken care of first before starting to help another person. Not only that, but to help someone to recover from trauma, realizing that the sweetest revenge is to forgive was also mentioned during the presentation on Assertiveness, Conflict Transformation, Peace Building and Forgiveness. Listening to the presentation, we learned that “war starts with me and ends within me.” The ATOP of Meaningfulworld programme participants learned how to forgive by letting go of ANGER (anger, negativity, grief, revenge) and letting go of ANTS ( automatic negative thoughts). They also learned how to best resolve conflict by following the eight steps of Webne-Behrman. At the end of the charming presentation, ATOP of Meaningfulworld was blessed with a distinguished speaker, Dr. Kazuko, of the Gaia Holistic Health Centre, who shared her experiences of her most recent outreach mission in Japan. In Japan, Mrs. Kazuko witnessed a couple who would rather die in the midst of their destructed but loved home, rather than seeking a doctor of another culture. Talking to someone about one’s feelings, in Asian culture, is seen as a weak characteristic. The collective in Asian culture is more important so that any individualistic behavior is not seen as acceptable. Mrs. Kazuko also witnessed that even children were not enthusiastic about sharing the last bowl of rice and would pass the food to the youngest. The situation in Japan, shortly after the earthquake, was devastating both physically and psychologically. For this reason, did Mrs. Kauko, a native of Japan, decide to visit and assess the situation as well as to use her new healing therapy, a handheld far-infrared instrument. This instrument can be used professionally but also at home. Mrs. Kazuko used this instrument on victims while in Japan to help them relieve their nervous system, to increase their physical and mental energy, to ease aches and stresses etc. The feedback to the therapy seemed to be positive and effective. To learn more about her idea, you may visit the gaiaholistic.com website. Upon learning about the cultural differences of Asian vs. Western culture, say that group therapy would be most effective in Asia, and after learning about the infrared therapy, Dr. Kalayjian invited the participants to lunch, not to forget, breakfast was also served. The lunch was freshly prepared by Dr Kalayjian with love, choosing all that is organic, healthy for the mind-body and eco-spirit. The participants enjoyed a variety of healthy foods such as chicken, kale, yuka, salad, hummus, tea, water with herbs etc. The food was prepared without sugar, salt,

2010 Workshop at Columbia University, NY, on “Transforming Humiliation and Violent Conflict,” will be held during December 9-10, 2010. Dr Kalayjian and Jennifer De Mucci will present on Friday afternoon at 2:30 pm – 4:30 pm Round Table 3: What Works? What Types of Social Change Efforts Show Promise in Reducing Violent Conflict and Humiliation While Upholding the Dignity of All People? Please see http://www.humiliationstudies.org/whoweare/annualmeeting16.php for the program as it evolves.