Cooperation with the NGO "May Peace Prevail on Earth" - Interview with Fumi Johns Stewart and Dagmar Berkenberg

[Griet Hellinckx]

 

 

 

Looking at the story and goals of 'May Peace Prevail on Earth International' it felt somehow natural to invite them into a partnership with 'ONE TREE—Planting Peace'.

Gabriele Castagnoli, one of the supporters of the ONE TREE project from the beginning, spoke to Fumi Johns Stewart and Dagmar Berkenberg.

 

 

 

 

Radiating the Essence of Love

 

About Fumi Johns Stewart

Fumi grew up in Japan with a sincere wish to bridge the two cultures of her
American and Japanese parentage and to promote peaceful coexistence between
all peoples. She introduced the 'May Peace Prevail on Earth' movement and 'The
Peace Pole Project' of Japan in the mid 1980’s to the international community.
Fumi also serves as US liaison to sister organization, the Goi Peace Foundation of
Japan and the Fuji Sanctuary, home of Byakko Shinko Kai.
www.worldpeace.org

 

 

 

 

 

 

GC
Fumi, it's wonderful, that you take some time for this interview! I wonder how
'May Peace Prevail on Earth International' came into your life.

FJS
At an early age, I wanted to become a bridge between East and West and work
for peace ever since I learned of the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.
Then when I was 21 years old I saw a bumper sticker with the words 'May Peace
Prevail on Earth' and I knew immediately that my mission was to spread this
message which is originally from Japan out to the world. It has been many
decades since that life changing day and I am still passionate about my life’s
mission to be a peacebuilder.

GC
What exactly are you doing for the organization?

FJS
Besides taking care of the administrative responsibilities of running a non-profit,
I’m so fortunate to engage in various aspects of spreading the peace message. I
enjoy collaborating with many international organizations in planning events and
programs. I especially find it meaningful to encourage people to plant Peace
Poles which carry the message 'May Peace Prevail on Earth'. I often travel around
the world to present a very special 'World Peace Flag Ceremony' where
participants are invited to send peace to every country and region of the world
surrounded by the flags of every nation.
I feel so passionate about uplifting hearts and awakening the consciousness of
people by spreading the peace message.

GC
Can you please explain more in detail about the idea of 'planting' Peace Poles
and when this all started?

FJS
The idea of planting Peace Poles started with Masahisa Goi of Japan who
authored the message and prayer 'May Peace Prevail On Earth' in 1954 as an all
embracing message transcending race, religion and cultural differences. Then in
the early 1970’s the message started to be placed on wooden posts and poles of
various sizes throughout Japan. Gradually it became the shape of a Peace Pole
we have today.
I think Peace Poles are a powerful symbol and it lives in the community long
after it has been planted to become a constant reminder of thinking, living and
acting peace in our everyday lives.

GC
What is your personal definition of peace, Fumi?

FJS
Peace is the state of non-attachment. The state of Nothingness. When you are
truly at peace the divine essence of perfection flows through you without any
interference to every cell of your body and you radiate that perfect peace to
everything and everyone around you.

GC
What do 'ONE TREE—Planting Peace' and your organization have in common in
your understanding?

FJS
Trees grow with deep roots in the soil. They can be seeded, planted, nurtured
and they grow toward the heavens. The beautiful presence of trees is
appreciated and their life force can be felt by the human heart.
Much like trees, Peace Poles are planted deep into the ground and their healing
presence touches many hearts. Peace Poles are like living trees that stand
majestic radiating the essence of love out to the world. Peace Poles are living
trees and likewise trees are a symbol of everlasting peace.

GC
Fumi, we are living in very challenging times—what gives you hope?

FJS
Where there is life, there is hope. Life energy is filled with infinite possibilities
ready to be explored and expressed out to the world. We are undoing all of the
disharmonious patterns and habits created by man over centuries. I have faith in
the divine essence of life and that everything is in a process of manifesting peace
on earth. It’s an evolutionary process and we are still young as a planet.

GC
Thank you so much Fumi, that’s really inspiring!

 

Peace Work Inside

 

About Dagmar Berkenberg

I am a native Munich person and went to the Munich Institute for Languages and
Interpreting after high school graduation. Many years I had been working for the
National Tourism Office of Queensland, Australia. In 194 I started working for
'May Peace Prevail on Earth International', got married, became a mum and have
been with the Society ever since, enjoying it as much as in my first years as I
only meet kind-hearted people. My Hobbies are natural healing, sustainable and
nourishing food, to connect people with the same 'wavelength', skiing and
dancing.
www.worldpeace.de

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

GC
Dagmar, you are active for the European 'branch' of 'May Peace Prevail On Earth'
in the West of Munich. My thanks also go to you, for giving some insights to
everybody who is interested.

DB
You are welcome! I help organizing public Peace Pole plantings, no matter how
big or small, which means a close cooperation with townhalls, school directors,
environmental organisations or other NGOs. I say 'other' as we are registered as
NGO. Each Peace Pole order or order for Peace Signs only is handled by me. My
wonderful carpenter 'Arlecchino Wood Toys' in North Germany and my sign
printer in Southern Germany work together hand in hand. I visit schools to
introduce them to our flag mandala for peace.
Translations for Mrs Saionji or marketing for her books and peace goods are also
part of my work, just as evaluating children artwork and essays of young people,
about which I will talk later on.

GC
How did your cooperation start?

DB
I had been working for Australian tourism but did not want to travel so
extensively anylonger. At that time our Japanese Chairpersons Masami Saionji
and Hiroo Saionji had just placed an ad in our Munich newspaper that they are
looking for staff for their European Office.
In those years I did not know much about spirituality but to work for world peace
after having worked for the lovely field of tourism touched my heart very much.
Mr and Mrs Saionji always 'walked their talk' so working for them was and is a
pleasure.

GC
What does your commitment mean to you, Dagmar?

DB
Through my work I have been developing personally. In the past, peace work
meant to me only something in the exterior world. Over all those years working
for the Society I learnt that peace work is only inside you and that you have to
work on yourself for a lifetime (laughs 'unfortunately that long').
The Saionji family and my colleagues worldwide only see my best qualities. Their
unconditional trust means a lot to me. They generally see in each person only
their 'divine spark' and are convinced that we all can manage to get our divine
spark out into this world, sometimes with the help of others, sometimes just by
ourselves.

GC
Apart from Peace Poles, what other activities belong to 'May Peace Prevail On
Earth International'? Do you want to tell us about it?

DB
I personally love the 'Flag Mandala for Peace' which we organize in schools or
during conferences dealing with the subject of peace.
Everybody puts one or more of the flag cards (of the total of 196
countries/cards) to the floor in a mandala shape, wishing that particular country
peace and happiness.
At the end you see the whole world, in all its diversity and beauty in front of you.
Sending every country peace means to step out of the feeling of helplessness
which we often feel in light of the world’s situation.
Just as much I like the Essay Contest of our foundation which results each year
in 20,000 to 30,000 essays of young people for us. To read their essays, to feel
their optimism and commitment strengthens my own hope for a different world
to a great extent.

GC
What else do you experience in this kind of work with other people?

DB
I am again and again fascinated how people of all the different walks of life
resonate with the words 'May Peace Prevail on Earth'.
How they are most sincerely convinced that it is important to read these words,
spread them and speak them out. How people like the simplicity and power of
the flag mandala and how they feel, deep down inside, that there is a light in
each of us which we should radiate into the world during our life span.

GC
Where do you see the link between ONE TREE—Planting Peace and the Peace
Poles?

DB
They have in common that they both create consciousness. It is my conviction
that they perfectly harmonize with each other. Plus real trees are more than
needed to make up for all the human mistakes exploiting nature.

GC
There are approximately 200,000 Peace Poles all over the world, many in public
and prominent places. Do you think this has an effect for our planet?

DB
By all means it has an effect! A German natural health professional brilliantly
formulated many years ago 'Peace Poles are like acupuncture needles, just for
the Earth'. This is it, Peace Poles let the energies flow and start a healing
process.
At the same time, we always have to be reminded of the most important things
in life and if I read 'May Peace Prevail on Earth' passing a Peace Pole on my way
to work, I will think that it is upon me, what I send out for a more peaceful world
today. Which words do I use today, which thoughts do I think and what do I
generally do every day for a more peaceful world?

GC
Many thanks Dagmar—your answers really touched me!