The time has come to heal. I am blessed to have the honor of taking part in potential healing for those community members affected so deeply by the killings during the Virginia Tech massacre in April of this year. And I tell you this because I need your help in this important matter.

Journey Films – the producer of the PBS special The Power of Forgiveness in which Ples Felix and I are featured – will present a program in Blacksburg, Virginia September 16, designed for the community at large. Following the 60-minute presentation, I will be there to basically answer questions and be of service in any way I can. (Note: This presentation has just completed a 33-city tour and will be broadcast on all the major PBS stations in the United States.)

My intention for this visit is to, first, assist in healing the pain. I  believe I can relate to the pain beyond what words can describe. My second intention is to relate the view that there is a chance for personal growth from this experience … not just for the victims’ families but also the world at large.

In feeling this pain from such loss, there is a cure, as is suggested by Rumi’s quote above. And I believe the cure is to understand that from such pain, beauty can manifest. The Persian mystics talked about the Phoenix rising from its ashes. The poet Kahlil Gibran wrote that while the potter wets the clay of his masterpiece with his tears, he also has to put the pottery into an 800-degree Fahrenheit oven so that the masterpiece can radiate its true beauty. Throughout life, we go through such intensity to also realize our beauty.

How can we manifest beauty from this tragic pain that we all, as a country, suffered? What Phoenix can we collectively raise in honor and memory of these beautiful and innocent souls who are no longer with us in a physical sense but will be with us spiritually on September 16? How would they like to be remembered? My spiritual teachers told me good deeds done in the name of the departed is “spiritual currency” and provides high-octane fuel for the departed soul’s journey. What good deeds can we do as a nation for these special souls – and all such souls – who sacrifice their young lives?
 
And finally, what growth is possible for those of us who have suffered the losses? The growth for me after losing my son Tariq was to dedicate the rest of my life to serving children, youth and adults and to promote forgiveness instead of revenge as a potential precursor to peace. It has made me a better person, one who is committed to bringing this message wherever I can, whenever possible. I think we all do better when we are part of something that is bigger than us individually. This event provides that opportunity.     

I ask that you:

1. Please join me during the time I speak in Virginia – Sunday, September 16, 3 p.m. EST – through prayer and the sending of healing energy to those present and to our nation as a whole.
   
2. Please e-mail me your thoughts on how this event can create “spiritual currency” for the departed souls, create meaning for the community, and inspire a commitment for all of us to create a peaceful world.

We can all heal and grow from this experience. I welcome your thoughts. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Many blessings.