Goals and Vision

Goals:

We are endeavoring to create a worldwide network of individuals and families who choose to open up part of their homes and lives in service of others in an intention for peace, and thus designate their personal homes as Houses for Peace.

At the heart of Houses for Peace is a simple belief: that giving and receiving the gifts of hospitality, particularly in a context that focuses on peace, can be a transforming power in people’s lives and interrelationships, and that this power can expand to touch the entire world.

We think it is important to focus on peace as an intention for our lives. The desire for peace reaches throughout humanity, crossing all divides, yet is still often unfulfilled. We recognize, as wise men and women have often said, that there are many interconnected forms of peace, and that inner peace is the foundation of all forms of peace between people - at home, in communities and throughout the world. Ideally, Houses for Peace operates on all of these levels. Each House is first and foremost a space in which inner peace might be sought, fostered, or regained. At the same time it should be a practicing model of peace in the home, a center for peace in the community, and part of an expanding, worldwide network of peacemakers.

Vision:

We desire to participate in the effort for worldwide peace by fostering and creating simple structures of inner peace, companionship, dialogue, and local conflict-resolution.

Personal Peace Commitment:

It is possible to achieve Peace.

I recognize the need for Peace within and around me,

I engage myself in creating Inner and Outer Peace.

There is no Peace without Joy, so I choose to give joy and well-being.

There is no Peace without Hope, so I choose to become a source of hope.

There is no Peace without Love, so I choose to affirm love and egolessness.

There is no Peace without Security, so I offer myself as a center of security.

There is no Peace without Communion, so I choose to build senses of community.

There is no Peace without Equanimity, so I choose to share my surplus.

There is no Peace without Trust, so I choose to be a mirror of honesty.

There is no Peace without Truth, so I choose to live in clarity and light.

There is no Peace without Freedom, so I choose to welcome all differences.

There is no Peace without Strength, so I choose to be a well of faith and courage.

There is no Peace without Justice, so I choose to nourish attention and respect.

There is no Peace without Reconciliation, so I abandon myself to forgiveness.

May Peace prevail on Earth