Prem Rawat Maharaji Biography Page 22

At the United Nations Conference Center in Thailand, he said, "Peace needs to be in everyone's life. Of all the things we have tried in this world, there is one thing we have never given a chance. That one thing is peace. If we want to hope for something, maybe we could hope in our heart that peace will come in our life. The peace we are looking for is within. It is in the heart, waiting to be felt, and I can help you get in touch with it. It is not the world that needs peace; it is people. When people in the world are at peace within, the world will be at peace”.

On the United Nations International Day of Peace, September 2005, he was welcomed at Australia's Parliament House by Paul McDonald, Executive Director of the Committee for Economic Development of Australia. Introducing Prem Rawat to the audience, McDonald said “It is not possible to convey the breadth of Prem Rawat's achievements or indeed what he has to offer in the context of peace. In the troubled times in which we are living, our dream for peace seems to elude us. While we tend to first look to institutions to bring peace, Prem Rawat says we need first and foremost to look within. Peace, he says, is possible. It is within each person, waiting, wanting to be felt. His message is original and profound.””

Also in 2005, some members of Malaysia's social and ruling elite organized an event for Prem Rawat at the United Nations Association of Malaysia. Invited guests included members of the royal families of Malaysia and Cambodia, ambassadors and government officials. At this highly successful event, Prem Rawat said, "We detest war and wonder why people have to fight, why there has to be bloodshed. And we come up with incredible explanations about societies and nations, but we don't talk about the individual people. War is representative of what takes place in the vacuum of the fundamental fulfillment that each individual needs to feel. Peace is not a luxury. Peace is as important as breathing air, eating food, or having shelter, because it is the fundamental necessity of every heart on the face of this earth."

Soon after the Malaysian event, he attended another event in Thailand at the invitation of Thammasat University officials. Addressing academic, civic and government leaders, he said:

"Peace begins with you. Will governments bring peace? I don't know. Can governments bring war? Yes, Look at their track record. Can people feel peace? Yes. Again, look at their track record."

"This life is yours. It is a gift that you have been given. Understand the beauty that is dancing in front of your very eyes. You are the stage where the peace dances. This is your time. Grab the request for peace in your heart; find the contentment in your life."

"When I'm not caught up in the 'goods and bads,' but feeling an understanding of what life means - what every day means, what every hour means, what every breath means; then I can begin to savor what peace is all about."

These days he attracts diverse audiences. Some people find his message interesting and inspiring, and are content with that. Others want to discover more, and go on to learn the techniques of Knowledge.

2008 In Review

In 2008, Prem Rawat traveled a total of 90,000 nautical miles to 40 different cities in 18 countries. He visited 14 of those cities for the first time. His itinerary included a four day event in Israel. In Corleone, Sicily, he was made an honorary citizen and declared the "Maestro of Peace" by a local official after an enthusiastic reception. Derby, UK, event was broadcast live to an estimated one million viewers worldwide.

"There are people here who might have reasons
why there cannot be peace on this Earth.
I have 6.7 billion reasons why there should be peace on this Earth."