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(DALLAS, TX -June 7), Peacemakers Incorporated, a nonpartisan, nonprofit peace organization founded here presented BePeace, a Peace Studies Workshop, at the Women’s Museum: An Institute for the Future. “Before directing the lighting in the sky, we must first harness the storms in our own hearts,” said Rita Marie Johnson quoting Costa Rican poet Roberto Brenes Mesén. Ms. Johnson is the founding director of the Rasur Foundation, started the workshop.

The Rasur Foundation’s primary project is the Academy of Peace located in Costa Rica. The mission of the academy is to ensure that the skills of “feeling peace” and “speaking peace” will be passed from generation to generation.

As Rita Marie Johnson’s presentation for the morning session of the workshop proceeded, a trilateral paradigm for peace unfolded. In a structured and elucidating format, Mrs. Johnson spoke on the techniques and tools of 1) HeartMath, 2) Non-violent Communication, and 3) the Path of BePeace. Early in the presentation, the correlation between the physiology of emotions and brain stimulation was explained. When we become stressed or angry, and some aspect of our universal needs (such as safety, love, play, sustenance, security, belonging, growth) are not being met; the amygdala, an area in the limbic system of the brain, reactively sends signals for aggressive behavior. When we experience these negative emotions, a disruption occurs in our coherence, in our vibration of peace. In such a situation what is needed is to understand the feelings underneath and refocus on feelings of appreciation and gratitude in order to re-establish coherence so our thoughts can be directed toward more positive responses.

The development of teachable peace strategies has transformed the vision of peace from abstract conception into concrete practice and “being peace.” When our heart and brain are harmonious we are more coherent, and the inner dance of creativity, wisdom and compassion can take place.

“As an educator, I found Rita Marie Johnson’s BePeace workshop to be extremely useful. Her explanation and demonstration of HeartMath made me more aware of how certain situations affect more than just my emotions”, said Aliya Ait Dra who teaches in DISD. “I especially enjoyed the break-out session when we worked together in small groups and used ‘emotion cards’ to express our feelings and reactions to individual experiences,” she added.  The rich Path of BePeace is based on Johnson’s discovery of the synergy between the social and intellectual methodologies of HeartMath and Non-violent Communication.    

The BePeace workshop uplifted Peacemakers Inc.’s own mission: To create paths of peace by example and positive action both locally and globally through encouragement, communication, education and friendship. It also supported movement forward on the organization’s Plans of Action. Plans of Action were developed during the 3rd International Women’s Peace Conference hosted by Peacemakers Incorporated in July 2007 in Dallas, Texas, which brought to the DFW area three women Nobel Peace Prize winners and 1400 delegates from 45 countries and 37 states. Plans of Action were developed in such areas as Diplomacy, Education, Environment, Law and Discrimination, Poverty and Migration. Through these plans and goals, private citizens, involved activists, professionals in many disciplines, and all concerned humanitarians now have an avenue where they can become involved.

"I  thought the workshop was wonderful, and from the first time I heard Rita Marie speak at last year's 3rd international Women's Peace Conference, I wanted to know more about her work.  I think her development of an educational system that actually teaches and promotes peacemaking skills and "being peace" on a consistent basis is invaluable.  Her work is a wonderful gift to our wider world community.  I hope to take the training in January."
-Rosann Naim Educator

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