Wellness Tip for Peace: In the law of faith, love resides in our heart. It is perfected with hope so that good will be done by the soul and be healed without fear

Keep the faith, drop the fear. Easier said than done, and that's why, love needs to come in. We cannot start to have faith if we don't want to love, and we cannot continue having faith if we do not want to pursue loving. To love is not to care on who the person is, not anymore. To decide to love the person is to accept whoever he/she is, doesn't care anymore on what people say or what the society dictates. It is just love, no judgements, no demands, no expectations, no standards, no qualification, no analysis, no experimentation, nothing but just love. If a person reached this conviction, then faith has a place in the person's heart. Once loving is taking place, faith is being harness, not with any material or physical thing, but something that only the person who love has it -- and that is hope.

While loving unconditionally, hope is alive in the person's will to do good. Eventually the person who love will reach the level that his/her fear has melted and what remains are multiple lights of hope flashing and shining in the person/s faith to get what he/she wants at the soonest possible time!

Everything is possible because there is faith!

So, do you want to get what you want? Have faith. To start with, learn how to love and everything will follow naturally...

Wellness Tip for Peace: Don't stereotype them as Antagonistic, consider reasons for their negative response. Be diligent. Take time to communicate with them your pure intention. Do not expect them to conform w/u right away. Be consistent because your actions will inspire them to believe you

There are people whose DNA factor and chemical composition produces a doubtful personality. While others were raised by their family or community to be "always" analytical of other people's intention. When you encounter this kind of situation, be ready not to dwell into self-pity of seeing the whole scenario as unfavorable or calling everyone as antagonistic. It is not healthy, I know, and it takes a thick skinned to swallow all the insults of those who do not believe in you. What I intend to say is to see the whole situation as given, it is not personal, it is not because of you that they are like that, but it is who they are, before they met you. Now, we cannot change these people, but we can always change the way we look at them. If we avoid the negative thoughts and we keep our heart pure, we can still deal with them as professional human being.

How? Stop analyzing the person's behavior. Stop analyzing the person's background. Stop analyzing the kind of relationship your having with them. Treat these people as innocent humans. Stop being a judge and start being a communicator. Tell your intentions in the language that these people can understand. Educate.

Miscommunication happens when the other lost the interest to communicate the thoughts in a manner that the other person can understand. Remember, different people, different strokes. We cannot compare one from the other, or worst, we cannot compare ourselves to others, because doing so is vanity.

Communication is an art form. We craft the art in such a way that it can cater to a particular person as our audience. As an art form, communication will require skills to do so. Skills can be harnessed in time. So, don't get frustrated. If at one point, you were misunderstood, try again. If it is not yet working, try again. Until you still have the pure energy to do so, try again. Because you do not know when is the right time that these people can really understand what you "really" mean.

Do not expect because you do not control their mind. Just be fair and treat them well by not judging them.

Wellness Tip for Peace: It's natural for humans to be insecured if there is no physical contact. But beyond physical, there is spiritual communication, and we call it Prayer

There's a typical notion that relationship happen between concerned parties only. We forget that in between any relationship, there is always a third party that sees all our transactions in our relationship. Someone that we cannot see in plain sight, and He is no other than but God. If we always consider that in any words we think, thought of, say and act upon to our fellow, God is watching and hears us then we can always be mindful of everything. Actually, no one is really alone, and in any relationship, it's always a family, consisting of you, the person that you are in a relationship with and God. So, if in case there's a communication gap, God is there to bridge the gap as He listen to your unceasing prayer. Wait, trust, and pray because you will be guided how to find the way to make the relationship work. Tell your thoughts to God, say what you really mean sincerely with all honesty. Just make a dialogue. Let go of the fear as you establish the connection until you gain the confidence to trust with all your heart whatever is God's will. In the process of doing so, your worries will vanish like shadows in the coming of light and you will gain peace.

Wellness Tip: End the Suffering. Simplify to get what you need for time is running out to enjoy it!

Human needs are complex. It goes beyond the food we eat, the clothes we wear, and the roof in our head. Humans are particular with social standing. The dignity of living. The enjoyment of the sensual life. The accumulation of material gains that defines human existence. The equality of rights, the seeking of justice, the perfection of human form in speech, action, words, choices, etc. The human culture is a never ending quest for what goes beyond what the eyes can see. Thus, if we sum up everything human desires are endless. So how do we get exactly what we need at a particular time in the least possible time and as much as possible the soonest. How do we get what we need now?!

The answer is to simplify. Itemize what you need in a scale of 1-10. Prioritize accordingly on what will make you suffer less and achieve your satisfaction. Jot down your golden virtues and pick one that you will hold as your torch to pursue in getting what you need. The golden virtues are the words given to us through our prayers that guides us in dealing life's pressures everyday. Once you hold at least one golden virtue and take it as your light, you will not get frustrated in getting what you need.

So simplify. What do you need now? Scale of 1-10. Prioritize. Pray for the virtue to hold you. Pursue. Pray for Guidance all throughout.

To prioritize is kinda' complicated if the object you wnat to purse is not a thing but a fellow human. So you ask and draw the line. Lay down your questions to the person and let the person know your thoughts so the person can understand what you mean. Thus, giving him/her the justice to respond to your needs honestly. Do not assume that things are not possible. ASK. Not until there is a dialogue betwen the two of you, then you cannot conclude if what you need is achievable or not. Do not make false judgement because you never know if the person is actually the gift to make your needs possible. Sometimes, we fail to see that the person that is always in our head is actually our angel. Be brave, talk and make a dialogue. Remember even if your meeting is just short, but it already got you, then probably destiny gave you the chance to work things out again in this lifetime. Don't let this moment pass you by again. Grab it while there is time and while nature is favoring your side. Believe, sometimes the solution to our suffering is just a phone call away.

My passion to live the beauty of life goes where my heart is for "heart cannot be seperated from fire or beauty from the eternal"

I am a very passionate person. I feel the situation so close. There are no boundaries to me. Distance does not keep me from loving, neither conflict of personalities. I give in to the motion of emotion. To love is to forget to think but just to let love take its course.... freely, without reservation, without standards, without thinking what lies ahead at the end of the line.

This I've learned as I coursed through my journey of being attuned to myself and to the people I really care about. But mind you, this whole thing of loving freely is alien to me way back then. Then, when I was always angry because people doesn't put up to my standards. Then, way back, I think too much. So I forgot to love. Commitment to me then entails the same commitment to the people I hold my commitment. I stay because they stay. I love because they love. And the whole thing makes me happy? No, it didn't!

What I've learned in the course of my life journey is this. You know you really love when you don't care! Not that you don't care anymore to the people you love but you don't care anymore who they are, what they are, what they do, who are they with, what does it take, etc. I've realized that "real" love is liberating. Love is when you are free! To be free is to love! It is the freedom from the bondage of what other people think, on what others will say, on what the future holds. What matters is just the importance and significance of the feeling of loving at a certain moment and time for no one knows what will really happen next. I wish to live the beauty of life and I can only live it fully when I'm free! And I can only be free when I let myself love freely!

Sounds really ideal. And I guess, few will agree with me, especially when one tries to protect his/her status quo. Loving is risk, and risk is everything. Loving is the alternative choice to fighting. Loving instead of hating. Love instead of War. The choice is ours, but both has its effects. War is death and Love is life. If we end, we let death take its victory. If we pursue, we let life have its way...

If we love, we let go of the control and we let love take its control... until we are ready to go where nature will lead us. We feel every moment of it, near or far, wherever we are, we live, we breath, we feel, and we let our heart live freely

Peace Vigil 2012: Whatever is True and Real will be Unified

Keep the Faith, drop the fear. Seek the truth. Be yourself. Believe, peace is possible.

Searching the truth requires patience and discipline to maintain an open mind to analyze facts as they present it and/or as you discover it. Being sensitive not to give in to impulsive judgement.

People have the the habit of assessing people, situation, etc based on how they feel. The first impression to a person can be influential to one's decision and judgement to a person. This is injustice practice if we allow this kind of practice. No one knows the truth until further investigation and research. Every person should be regarded as innocent; and that goes the same with any situation. If we treat everyone innocent until proven guilty, we are practing simple justice.

To search for the truth is to know what kind of truth are we looking for. Truth can be relative, meaning it depends on the kind of truth that we are searching. There are a lot of facts leading to the truth. With all numerous fact, what is it that we really want to know, as of the moment. If we simplify what we kind of truth we want to know, we can focus our mind to solve the questions that bothers us.

As we search the truth that we are looking for, we ask the question, What really happened that lead to this scenario, conclusion, situation, problem / solution, etc. To know what happened in plain ans simple data without reservation or emotional attachment to the facts presented. Forget the emotion and follow the reason will help you to search for the truth. Be professional in dealing with the whole searching to guard oneself not to fall into judgement based on emotion. To have the conviction that the truth can set you free. Free from malicious thoughts, free from intriguing conclusions, free from imprisonment, free from fear, free from attachments, free from guilt, free from sufferings, free from silence, free to hope, free to have faith and free to love.

Once we know what really happened and we grasp the truth in our hand, the whole situation becomes Real. We can hold it as we see it in our eyes all the facts presented, all researches made, all arein place and we now have the right to make our conclusion. The judgement that we make will then give way to our reaction, passion will then follow lead by our emotion. The motion of our heart and mind based on the truth that we hold will fuel our passion to move and take the course of action.

So to sum up, if in an organization, unity seems impossible, check on the truth of relationships in the group. Is it real? If it is, then there's no question why it is unified? If it is not, how do you think peace work should find its way?

To speak with the other's person mind is to first listen to him with an open heart. Let the other person express his thoughts in a non-threatening environment. By the time he's done, you already know how to negotiate with what he wants.

To speak with the other's person mind is to first listen to him with an open heart. Let the other person express his thoughts in a non-threatening environment. By the time he's done, you already know how to negotiate with what he wants.

n making crucial decision, accountability to God must win over emotion. For whatever we go through is a test of our vulnerability & determination to hold on to our virtue.

In making crucial decision, accountability to God must win over emotion. For whatever we go through is a test of our vulnerability & determination to hold on to our virtue.

Knowing the Art of War

What makes a General pursue war and how do they make a conviction in getting their justice through war, is a question that remains to be answered and with various opinions that goes along with it.

The series of study is meant to study the core and the root that shapes these warriors for decades and how can peace-makers and peace workers re-shape history not by guns and violence, but by tall order of faith, hope and love through change of heart.

Part 1:

What are the key points in the Art of War?

What is a Skilled General

When capable he feigns incapacity

When near he makes it appear he’s far

When far, near

His primary target is the mind of the opponent

Victorious situation is the product of his creative imagination

He cannot be manipulated

He may withdraw. But when he does, moves so swiftly that he cannot be overtaken

His retirements are designed to entice the enemy, to unbalance him, an to create a situation favorable for a decisive counter-stroke

Victory is the object of war not lengthy operations

He strikes only when the situation assumes victory

Five Fundamental Factors before engaging in war:

1. Moral Influence- causes people to be in harmony with their leaders so that they will accompany them in life and unto death

“In happiness at overcoming difficulties, people forget the danger of death”

2. Weather – the interaction of natural forces; the conduct of operation’s in accordance with the seasons

3. Terrain – distances, is the ground traversed with ease or difficulty, is it open or constricted and the chances of life and death

4. Command – Quality of a General:

Wisdom-able to recognize changing circumstances and act expediently

Sincere- his men will have no doubt of rewards and punishments

Humane- loves mankind, sympathizes with others, and appreciates their industry and toil

Courageous-gains victory by seizing opportunity w/o hesitation

Strict-his troops are disciplined because they are in awe of him and are afraid of punishment

5. Doctrine – organization, control, assignment of appropriate ranks to officers, regulation of supply routes and provision of principal items used by the army

When he concentrates, prepare against him

Where he is strong avoid him

Pretend inferiority and encourage his arrogance

Keep him under strain and wear him down

When he is united, divide him

Attack where he is unprepared

Sally out when he does not expect you

Calculate. With many calculations one can win, with few one cannot

Examine the situation and the outcome will be clearly apparent

Victory is the main object in war. If this is long delayed, weapons are blunted and morale depressed. When troops attacked cities, their strength will be exhausted a treasure spent… Neighboring rulers will take advantage of your distress to act. And even though you have wise counselors, none will be able to lay good plans for the future

War is like unto fire; those who will not put aside weapons are themselves consumed by them

The reason the troops slay the enemy is because they are enraged

They take the booty from the enemy because they desire wealth

When fighting and won, reward those who take the first.

Replace the enemy’s flag and banners with your own

Mix the captured chariots with your own

Treat the captives well and take care of them

Winning the battle and becoming stronger

A general who understands war is the Minister of the people’s fate and arbiter of the nation’s destiny

Offensive Strategy

To capture the enemy’s army is better than to destroy it; to take intact a battalion, a company or a five man squad is better than to destroy them

To subdue the enemy without fighting is the acme of skill

Thus, the supreme importance in war is to attack the enemy’s strategy

He who excels in resolving difficulties does so before they arise. He who excels in conquering his enemies before triumphs before threats materialize

Next, disrupt his alliances

Then attack his army

The worst policy is to attack cities the center , the principal

Subdue the enemy’s army without battle

Capture his cities without assaulting them

Overthrow his state without protracted operations

The aim is to take All-under-Heaven intact. Thus troops are not worn out and gains will be complete. This is the art of offensive strategy

The art of using troops:

When 10 is to 1 = surround him

When 25 is to 1 = attack him

When 100 is to 50 = divide him

When 1 is to 1 = engage him

If weaker numerically, be capable of withdrawing

A sovereign who obtains the right person, prospers

3 ways for a ruler to bring misfortune to his army

1. When the army cannot advance

2. when ignorant of military affairs

3. when ignorant of command problems

5 circumstances in which victory may predicted:

He who knows when he can fight and when he cannot;

He who knows how to use small and large forces;

He whose ranks are united in purpose;

He who is prudent and lies in wait for an enemy who is not

He whose generals are able and not interfered with by the soverign will be victorious

Know the enemy and know thyself; in hundred battles you will never peril

Supreme Requirements of Generalship:

1. Clear perception
2. Harmony of host
3. Profound Strategy coupled with far-reaching plans
4. Understanding of the seasons;
5. Ability to examine the human factors.

Elements of War:

1. Measurement of space

-derived from the ground

2. Estimation of Quantities

-derived from measurement

3. Calculations of Figures

-derived from quantities

4. Comparisons

-derived from figures

5. Chances of Victory

-derived from comparisons

Energy

To manage a host, one first assign responsibilities to the generals and their assistants, and establish the strengths of ranks and files.

One man is single (1)

Two a pair (2)

Three a trio (3)

Pair + Trio = Five or Squad (5)

Two Squads = Section (10)

Five Sections = Platoon (50)

Two Platoons = Company (100)

Two Companies = Battalion (200)

Two Battalion = Regiment (400)

Two Regiments = Group (800)

Two Groups = Brigade (1,600)

Two Brigades = Army (3,200)

In battle, use the normal force to engage, use the extraordinary to win

Musical notes are only five but their melodies are numerous that one cannot hear them all;

Primary colors are only five but their combinations are so infinite that one cannot visualize them all;

Flavors are only five but their blends are so various that one cannot taste them all

Order and Disorder depends on Organization

Courage or Cowardice on Circumstances (Situation)

Strength or Weakness on Disposition (Attitude)

3 kinds of Situation:

1. In Respect to Morale: -When his officers loves to fight and their ambitions soaring high and their spirits fierce
2. In Respect to Terrain- When the enemy will have a hard time reaching you
3. In Respect to Enemy – When taking advantage of enemy’s laxity, weariness, hunger or thirst

An army may be likened to water, for just as flowing water avoids the heights and hastens to the lowlands, so an army avoids strength and strikes weakness

Five (5) Qualities which are Dangerous in the Character of a General

1. If reckless, he can be killed;
2. If coward, he can be captured’
3. If quick-tempered, you can make a fool of him;
4. If he has too delicate a sense of honor, you can calumniate him
5. If he so compassionate, you can harass him

When an enemy speaks in humble terms, but he continues his preparation, he is advancing

When the envoy speaks in apologetic terms, he wishes a respite (break)

When at night, the enemy’s camp is clamorous (noisy), he is fearful

When his troops are disorderly, the general has no prestige

If the officers are short-tempered, they are exhausted

When the troops continually gather together, the general has lost confidence of the army

Too frequent rewards indicate that the general is at the end of his resources

Too frequent punishments of the general indicate that he is in acute distress

If the officers at first treat the men violently and later are fearful of them, the limit of indiscipline has been reached

If troops are loyal but punishment are not enforced, you cannot employ them

When orders are consistently trustworthy and observed, the relationship of a commander with his troops are satisfactory

A GENERAL WHO IS ADVANCING DOES NOT SEEK PERSONAL FAME, AND IN WITHDRAWING IS NOT CONCERNED WITH AVOIDING PUNISHMENT, BUT WHOSE ONLY PURPOSE IS TO PROTECT THE PEOPLE AND PROMOTE THE BEST INTERESTS OF HIS SOVEREIGN, IS THE PRECIOUS JEWEL OF THE STATE.

Military Code: The General must be the first in the toils and fatigues of the army