Purpose of the First Peace Circle

In order to create the world we long for, it is imperative to find new ways - of coming together, of listening more deeply, of finding solutions and of thinking and perceiving.

All of humanity is being called to attention by our earth planet and an evolving state of consciousness that is shifting our collective awareness. It is the purpose of this Lalita First Peace Circle to assist in the evolution of human consciousness toward peace on earth.

We, each of us, have the capacity to make the state of peace a reality now. A reality that will touch every part of our world, and becomes stronger and stronger as it spreads as a culture to all lands.

To awaken this capacity, we must together explore the nature of this state we call peace. What conditions allow it to grow and thrive? What conditions cause this state to diminish and be forgotten?

Let us create the First Peace together, now.

Description

The First Peace, the peace that starts within oneself is described by Black Elk, an Oglala Sioux spiritual leader in the 18th Century, as follows:

“The First Peace, which is the most important, is that which comes within the souls of people when they realize their relationship, their oneness, with the Universe and all its powers, and when they realize that at the center of the Universe dwells Wakan Tanka, the Great Spirit, and that this center is everywhere, and it is within each of us. This is the real peace, and others are but reflections of this. 

This realization and consciousness of peace starts here, in each one of us. Like a seedling, this realization of peace and consciousness grows and influences all life around us and becomes a first movement that combines and amplifies with the first movements of other humans to become a culture in which all of humanity resides.

Joining a First Peace Circle is a way of forming part of a people’s movement wherein each member of the circle will be contributing to creating a culture of consciousness of peace in the world. There are many of these movements, and the People’s Movement of First Peace sponsored by the Ehama Instititute’s World Foundation for the Discipline of Peace is but one of them. First Peace Circles have unique elements to contribute to these movements toward making peace a reality now.

Learning journey

The journey begins with a two-day session to start, followed by eight months of discovery and practice, and a two-day session to complete. A curriculum of teachings and assignments is provided including 30-minute teaching videos for each gathering with WindEagle and RainbowHawk, the creators of the First Peace Circle Methodology.

We invite you to deepen with us through these 10 sessions, where, in addition to an introductory session and a closing one, we will work in eight directions:

• Activating the connection with all that is.
• Connecting with stillness and listening.
• Transcending automatic responses and taking charge of our life.
• Reclaiming the power of being on our true path.
• Honoring balance with self and planet.
• Opening ourselves to dream the desired reality.
• Making our impact on reality beautiful.
• Caring for and correctly directing our energy.
  
  

First Peace Circle values are important to agree upon with Circle members. People from all traditions and backgrounds are invited to join. We suggest this beginning list of values: listening in respect, honoring differences, speaking from the heart, keeping personal statements or feelings that have been spoken within the Circle and maintaining clear open communication among Circle participants. 

Methodology

We will be keeping open the spirit of ‘the first people had questions’ which will allow us to explore deeply with each other and avoid the trap of needing to have the right answer. 

“The first people had questions, and they were free;
the second people had answers and they became enslaved.”
Ancient Earth Wisdom

The first part of this wisdom “the first people had questions, and they were free” is the foundation of a way of being that engaged the mind and heart to be open and seeking rather than closed and positional. 

Unfortunately, in our human affairs, we have had many experiences with the second part of the above saying, “the second people had answers and they became enslaved” which we most often find at the heart of conflict and war. 

The invitation for First Peace Circles is to allow your questions, individually and collectively, to guide you in deep exploration and to find your own inspiration, your own beauty and your own resonance in this process. 

Each Circle will come to resonance in themselves through exploration while this ‘spirit’ of openness and inquiry allows each one the space to deepen and to open. 

The Lalita First Peace Circle will be held in English. We welcome speakers of other languages knowing that the common language of instruction and conversation will be English, with support for Spanish speakers.

Dates

The Lalita First Peace Circle will gather between April 2024 and March 2025. Group discussions, teachings and individual practice are part of each monthly meeting. These meetings coupled with monthly assignments will enable all circle members to deeply integrate the First Peace Principles and Practices into their lives. 

• First Weekend Meeting at Lalita: April 5th, 6th, and 7th, 2024. Arrival April 5th by 18:00 CET. Departure April 7th by 16:00 CET
• Three Thursday Evenings (18:00 to 20:30 CET) a month online over 8 months: May to February, with a pause in August and December 2024
• Second Weekend Meeting at Lalita: March 21st, 22nd, and 23rd, 2025. Arrival March 21st by 18:00 CET. Departure March 23rd by 16:00 CET

Location

Lalita Devi is a holistic center for retreats and personal development. It is located about 300 km from Madrid, in the Sierra de Gata of Extremadura. It is surrounded by oak, chestnut and olive trees, natural pools and rivers.

It was founded in 1997 with the aim of spreading human values and messages common to all traditions, wisdom and spiritual practices of the world.

Given its long history of offering activities and retreats that promote personal growth, the natural enclave of Lalita Devi is conducive to generating energy and bringing forth peace. 

The address is:

Finca el Linar Nº1

Acebo 10857

Cáceres Province

Spain

 Google Maps

Price

Members of a First Peace Circle receive the First Peace Handbook, First Peace Cards, access to the videos each month, along with monthly assignments for deepening and integration. 

PLEASE NOTE: Accommodation (via https://www.lalita.net/en/event/evento-modelo-copia-51/register) must be paid for at least two weeks before the start date. Last day to accept payment is March 22nd

• Course and Materials: 650 Euros + 21% VAT. (50€ will be paid as reservation deposit and then there will be 12 x 50€ monthly payments)
• One weekend accommodation and meals at Lalita: 180 Euros + 10% VAT for a single room or 150 Euros +10% VAT for a shared room (there are two weekend meetings). Payment to be made directly to La Lalita.
  

First Peace Circle Leaders

Angèle Camus 

https://www.instagram.com/angele.camus/ 

I firmly believe that each of us possesses the inherent power to shape the lives we envision, not only for ourselves but also for those around us.

My life's journey has been dedicated to various forms of art across different countries, encompassing the nurturing of children and, for the past 15 years, actively contributing to sustaining a family dream — Lalita Devi Escuela de Vida, where part of our peace circles will unfold.

Join us on this transformative voyage, where the brushstrokes of peace meet the canvas of our shared existence.

Certified First Peace Circle Leader, Ehama Institute. Discipline of Peace.

Marta Cisneros

https://www.linkedin.com/in/martacisneros/ 

I deeply belief in the potential of human beings, in the power of growth and transformation. In our capacity to access to our inner peace and our true self.

I help and support people around the world to make it possible, with almost 2,500 hours of experience as a leadership coach and group facilitator. I´m a Co-active Coach (ICF-PCC) and Leadership Expert (CTI Leadership Program. Evocative Leadership Mastery (Ehama Intitute) graduate).

As a meditation and yoga instructor since 2008, contemplative practices have been an integral part of my life, providing me with the opportunity to guide others through contemplation retreats, including those held in monasteries.

Certified First Peace Circle Leader (Ehama Institute. Discipline of Peace)

Almendra Staffa-Healey

https://www.linkedin.com/in/almendra-staffa-healey/ 

I believe in and truly love people. I believe that getting new results comes from gradually developing new perspectives, new interpretations, new ways of doing and being to achieve new ways of behaving. I believe in the loving challenge.

As a coach (ICF-ACC), experiential learning educator, intercultural trainer and Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging (DEIB) facilitator I have been working for over 25 years helping people across cultures make changes and transitions based on self-knowledge and from a place of self-esteem and confidence. 

My life has been a voyage of discovery, physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual. I have been blessed to learn and understand many paths that have led me to become a life-giving artist of consciousness. My life work is to accompany and help others achieve self-understanding and in community, achieve ultimate balance.

Certified First Peace Circle Leader (Ehama Institute. Discipline of Peace)