A Call to Unity, Understanding, and Peace in Unsettling Times
In an era marked by deep fissures and regrettably frequent turbulence, the spirit of unity, individual uniqueness and our shared spirit of humanity serve as our guiding beacon. As the world struggles to navigate its way out of the convoluted labyrinth of conflict and division, we at OneSpirit Interfaith Foundation hold our faith steadfast in the extraordinary power of unity. We resonate with the globally prevailing sentiment, one of the pressing needs for peace, harmony and understanding.
The world of today presents us with a spate of events shrouded in adversity, which could make us bow before the enormity of the challenge, stoking flames of animosity and surfacing our individual battles. Such global unrest can appear overwhelmingly potent, but we firmly believe that the collective fabric of humanity possesses the remarkable ability to weather the storm and foster a culture of universal goodwill.
As we strive to exemplify the values we hold dear, we warmly extend an invitation to each one of you for a moment of introspection. The need of the hour is for us to remember the importance of practising universal kindness and conscientious, genuine and truthful communication — an act that emancipates us.
In a world incessantly churning out news, we propose a pause; a moment to recalibrate, to replenish the lungs with a deep breath, and to find peace within ourselves. Let’s aid one another to empathise with those dealing with loss and adversity, listen to their stories with an open heart, and gain a deeper understanding of one another — these are key ingredients in the recipe for peace and reconciliation. As we protect our mental health, we shield our hearts, bearing in mind that the darkness of our paths can be lightened by kindness and compassion.
At OneSpirit Interfaith Foundation, we remain resolute in our belief that unity and understanding can triumph over discord. We cherish a vision of a tightly-knit global community wherein humanity holds love supreme. Amid the present tumult, we yearn for peace and hold faith that each individual can find harmony within them. As we steer through these unsettling times, let us not forget our collective responsibility borne out of our interconnectedness and shared humanity, towards mutual respect and peace.
In these tumultuous times, we extend our heartfelt thoughts to those affected and assure our steadfast support wherever required. We, at OneSpirit Interfaith Foundation, stand in solidarity with you, extending our love to each one of you.
To aid you through these times, we have carefully curated a list of resources for your heart and mind encompassing prayers, podcasts, YouTube videos, and valuable downloadable resources…
Prayers
Universal Prayer for Peace
Lead me from death to life,
from falsehood to truth;
lead me from despair to hope,
from fear to trust;
lead me from hate to love,
from war to peace.
Let peace fill our hearts,
our world, our universe.
Taoist Tradition, Prayer for Peace
If there is to be peace in the world, There must be peace in the nations.
If there is to be peace in the nations, There must be peace in the cities.
If there is to be peace in the cities, There must be peace between neighbours.
If there is to be peace between neighbours, There must be peace in the home.
If there is to be peace in the home, There must be peace in the heart.
~ Lao-Tse
Among others…
Podcasts
The Sleep Zone, Listen on Spotify.
Close your eyes, take a minimum of six slow deep breaths, and begin focusing on relaxing every inch of your body.- Start by focusing on your toes and wiggle and relax your toes- Relax your feet, rotate your ankles and relax your feet- Work up to your calves, Relax your muscles- Continue working your way up your body, one body part at a time. Within minutes as you work your way up to your head continue to take deep breaths. You will begin to feel relaxed as if you were floating. Your body and brain will be massaged into a deep sleep. Detach and let go. Feel at peace. Feel happy. Feel Free. Don’t forget it may be useful for your family and friends too. Detox your mind and heart of thoughts and emotions that don´t serve you anymore, but are there out of habit.
We Can Do Hard Things with Glennon & Amanda Doyle, Listen on Apple Podcasts / Spotify.
I’m Glennon Doyle, author of Untamed, the book that was released at the very start of the pandemic and became a lifeline for millions. I watched in awe from my home while this simple phrase from Untamed — WE CAN DO HARD THINGS — the mantra that saved my life twenty years ago, became a worldwide rally cry. Life is freaking hard. We are all doing hard things every day — we love and lose; we forge and end friendships; battle addiction, illness, and loneliness; care for children and parents; struggle in our jobs, our marriages, our divorces; we try to set and hold boundaries — and we fight for equality, purpose, joy, and peace right in the midst of all the hard. On We Can Do Hard Things, my wife Abby Wambach, my sister Amanda Doyle, and I do the only thing that has ever made life easier: We talk honestly about the hard. We laugh and cry and help each other carry the hard so we can all live a little bit lighter and braver, free-er, less alone.
Finding Inner Peace, Listen on Spotify.
Today, let’s take a journey together to find 4 ways to calm the mind. I’m excited to share these ancient techniques that will help you relax and experience inner peace. Get ready for an adventure. It’ll be full of joy and learning!
Unlocking Us with Brene Brown, Listen on Spotify.
I’ve spent over 20 years studying the emotions and experiences that bring meaning and purpose to our lives, and if there’s one thing I’ve learned it’s this: We are hardwired for connection, and connecting requires courage, vulnerability, and conversation. I want this to be a podcast that’s real, unpolished, honest and reflects both the magic and the messiness of what it means to be human. Episodes will include conversations with the people who are teaching me, challenging me, confusing me, or maybe even ticking me off a little. I’ll also have direct conversations with you about what I’m learning from new research, and we’ll do some episodes dedicated to answering your questions. We don’t have to do life alone. We were never meant to.
Inner Peace with Dr. Reese, Listen on Spotify.
A podcast that can help you become liberated in the modern world featuring such guests as Rupert Spira, Don Miguel Ruiz Jr, Rabbi Manis Friedman, Gangaji, Dr. Bernie Siegel, Mabel Katz & more! Even though Dr. Reese has guided & inspired thousands to reclaim their health, it’s his own spiritual journey, including a chance meeting with a mystic in 2012, that has inspired these recordings. With a calming style of speaking, Dr Reese’s intention is to bring the listener to a state of relaxation while exploring such topics as self-realization, near-death experiences, mindfulness & GOD.
Meditation Mountain, Guided Meditations, Listen on Spotify.
This meditation for inner peace is a 15-minute guided session here to help you reduce stress, relieve anxiety and bring a moment of calm into your life. Mindfulness and self-awareness are the keys to stress reduction which we can achieve through short guided meditations. Inner peace is a term that scares a lot of meditation beginners. It sounds like such a monumental task that only the most advanced monk-like meditation experts could ever dream of achieving. But don’t let that put you off. Inner peace has no requirements, it means different things to different people and in this 15-minute guided meditation on inner peace we will go through some simple techniques and exercises to help us make our way to somewhere more peaceful.
YouTube Videos
10-minute Pranayama to Calm Your Mind, watch here.
Chandra Bhedana Pranayama, also known as the Moon Piercing Breath, is a powerful yet simple practice that harnesses the energy of the lunar (cooling) side of your breath. By focusing on inhaling & exhaling through the left nostril, we create a cooling effect within the body and activate the calming qualities of the parasympathetic nervous system. This 10-minute practice offers a host of benefits that can enhance your overall well-being. When practised regularly, Chandra Bhedana Pranayama can help you: cool down and balance your body, calm and relax the mind, improve focus and mental clarity, and harmonize energy flow.
Relaxing Water Background, watch here.
Enjoy this relaxing water background video with no sound! Use it for a TV Background or just relaxing. Ideal for studying, relaxing, meditating, yoga, falling asleep…
Relax & Breathe: Do Nothing for 10 Minutes, watch here.
Designed to calm down anxiety with a simple breathing exercise. Just focus on you, your breath, and nothing else.
Humpback Whale songs of the ocean, watch here.
Listen every night to: Humpback Whale songs of the ocean: whale sounds for relaxing sound machine music with sleep hypnosis. I’m a certified hypnotherapist and past life regressionist trained by Dolores Cannon using the QHHT method (Quantum Healing Hypnosis Technique).
Relaxing Music for Meditation/Kaleidoscope, watch here.
Relaxing Music for Meditation, Concentration, Calming, Studying, Healing and Stress relief, inspired by The Silmarillion and made with beautiful Kaleidoscope pictures.
5 Exercises To Heal Your Mind | Yoga For Mind Control, watch here.
You’ll be surprised to know that breathing exercises can heal your mind. You can try out these exercises by Mansi Gulati to control your mind.
Downloadable Resources
Mental Health Foundation, Services/Organizations that offer help and support.
Since 1949, the Mental Health Foundation has been the UK’s leading charity for everyone’s mental health. Our vision is for a world with good mental health for all. With prevention at the heart of what we do, we aim to find and address the sources of mental health problems so that people and communities can thrive. We will drive change towards a mentally healthy society for all, and support communities, families and individuals to live mentally healthier lives, with a particular focus on those at greatest risk.
If you are concerned that you are developing a mental health problem you should seek the advice and support of your GP as a matter of priority. If you are thinking about ending your life, please call 999 (UK) or go to A&E and ask for the contact of the nearest crisis resolution team. These are teams of mental health care professionals who work with people in severe distress.
Mental Health First Aid, helplines, websites, resources.
If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health or substance use problem, there are several resources available to find out more information or get connected with help. If you or someone you know is in crisis, contact the Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1–800–273-TALK (8255), or dial 911 in case of an emergency.
Mental Health UK, conversation guides, wellbeing plans, etc.
In a rapidly changing world, Mental Health UK brings together the heritage and experience of four charities from across the country who’ve been supporting people with their mental health for over 50 years. Working UK-wide, we deliver both national and local services that enable and empower people to understand and manage their mental health in a person-centred and empathetic way. With our local service delivery and national expertise in supporting people whose lives are affected by mental health problems, we have been able to mark a significant footprint in the areas that deeply challenge our mental health and stability. We provide support and services for some of the biggest societal challenges that pose a threat to people’s mental health, including money problems, navigating through the system to get the right support, understanding mental health, loneliness and isolation, and resilience in young people. We challenge the causes of poor mental health and provide people with the tools they need to live their best possible life at home, school and work.
YoungMinds, resources and advice for different areas.
We’re the UK’s leading charity fighting for children and young people’s mental health. We want to see a world where no young person feels alone with their mental health, and all young people get the mental health support they need, when they need it, no matter what.
These resources are designed to help navigate these challenging times with balance, clarity, and a calm mind. Remember, we’re all in this together, and each step we take towards unity and understanding brings us closer to peace — not just within ourselves, but within the world.
Read more on our website: https://www.interfaithfoundation.org/
