Meditation is the primary form of service for those following a spiritual path. It is a means of cooperation and alignment with hierarchical intent. The new moon period follows upon the cycle of out-breathing in the rhythmic cycles of the breath; it is a time of pause wherein together we can establish a soul-mind-brain alignment. During this period we work in thought to concretize the ideas and impressions received at the time of the full moon period and undertake the sometimes difficult process of translating them into practical plans that can be of service in the world. The effect of this meditative effort is to enhance the many ways in which the “power of the one Life” and the “love of the one soul” are working out through all true servers everywhere. The meeting will be held in the library of our offices at 866 United Nations Plaza, Suite 482 on the fourth floor and will include an exploration on the theme Meeting the Need of the World’s Most Precious Resource—Its Children followed by group discussion and meditation. Please call or email us if you will be attending, or contribute your thoughts prior to the meeting we will share them with the group when possible.
Meeting the Need of The World’s Most Precious Resource—Its Children The growing gap between rich and poor is highlighted in Oxfam’s 2020 Time to Care report. The report states that getting the richest one percent to pay just 0.5 percent extra in tax over the next 10 years, would equal the investment needed to create 117 million jobs in sectors such as elderly and childcare, education and health. Such redistribution is needed particularly to address the needs of the many children who are disadvantaged and displaced. The UN’s Sustainable Development Goals have taken a major step in highlighting, for the first time in the history of development strategies, the importance of providing funding to develop early childhood educational services for all the world’s children. Goal 4 sets to ensure lifelong learning – Early stimulation increases duration of schooling, school performance, and adult income. By making this goal a priority and allocating the needed resources to realize it, we are acting pragmatically to stave off endemic problems that stem from early childhood neglect and abuse by providing the needed nurturing, care, protection and education that should be the birthright of every child.
Studies have demonstrated repeatedly the critical nature of the first three years (as well as the prenatal period) in laying the foundation for all future development--physical, emotional, mental and spiritual. As a group we will work together to build a thoughtform of solution as to how we can as a global society best address this pressing need.
Questions for Reflection and Discussion:
- How can we as a global society move quickly to implement this 4th sustainable development goal? What practical steps can we take?
- How can we aid parents, many of whom are struggling on many levels, to better meet the daily needs of their children
- How can technology be used creatively to address educational needs?
- What values and practices should be implemented in early childhood to lay the foundation for future spiritual development?”
Readings & Viewing:
- Why Preschool in Sweden Rocks and what we Can Learn from them: No Time for Flashcards”. https://www.notimeforflashcards.com/2018/02/preschool-in-sweden.html Essentials of Waldorf Early Childhood Education, Susan Howard. http://www.waldorfearlychildhood.org/uploads/Howard%20Article.pdf
- Education in the New Age, Alice A. Bailey.
- Time to Care, Oxfam January 2020 report: https://www.oxfam.org/en/research/time-care