Eve Ensler is a woman who has devoted her life to transforming the way that women and young girls are treated and viewed in society. She was made famous for her production of The Vagina Monologues, a ground breaking play which came as a result of Eve interviewing more than 200 women about their lives, bodies, sexual experiences and Vaginas.

In this video Eve talks about our civilisation’s current obsession with Security (and insecurity)- her wise words give you an insight to her wonderful mind, and the nobility of her mission.

Two days ago three of my friends, two men and a woman, were discussing different “games” we could share with a larger group of our friends to help alleviate fear and develop trust in our community. There were certain things we could not all agree upon – and I was perplexed as to why! I easily slip back to my childhood where I forget to notice just how different we are from each other, neither good nor bad, just different. For the past two years, I have been a part of a women’s organization – Jness - which imparts a curricula developed to help women distinguish the differences between men and women, understand the differences and embrace them. Through this education I am learning about the essence of a woman in me and the beauty of vulnerability, and the true strength we have within us.

In history women have stood together to bring about change peacefully, to stop violence through non-violence, yet here at home, we are often blind to it. Here it is a subtle violence, one we all participate in: We destroy our own essence, by trying to blend in, by judging our differences, by believing the modern day image of a woman is who we are or should be – through this we destroy the essence of both man and woman.

Women have a special capacity to lead us to a more peaceful world with compassion, affection and kindness. And there is no more important time for that than this moment.

- His Holiness the Dalai Lama

- His Holiness the Dalai Lama

Having produced two A Cappella Innovations festivals and and meeting and getting to know musicians like Denise Reis – a remarkable musician with immense talent and capacity for taking people on a joyful emotional journey – I feel as though music holds an important role in evolving humanity.

Great musicians open up their hearts and share themselves with us through their instruments. Working with Keith, who is always looking for unique individuals who have the capacity to lift all of humanity, I have been introduced to many wonderful musicians, most recently Jen Chapin. Jen’s lyrics have a depth in their meaning and she sings them with tremendous passion.

Music brings a dimension to life words cannot describe, I just know I experience more of me through it!!

Music, once admitted to the soul, becomes a sort of spirit, and never dies.

~Edward George Bulwer-Lytton

China is the largest country in East Asia and the most populous in the world, with 1.3 billion people,  it equates to approximately one fifth of the world’s population. China’s importance in the world today is reflected through its role as the world’s third largest economy and a permanent member of the UN Security Council. In addition, it is a nuclear state and has the world’s largest standing army with the second largest defense budget. It is a socialist republic ruled by the Communist Party of China under a single-party system, China is commonly thought of as one of the “super powers” of the world, and for this reason its seems, often left unchallenged.

The ideals of the Chinese communist party claim the “fundamental rights” of citizens include freedom of speech, freedom of the press, the right to a fair trial, freedom of religion, universal suffrage, and property rights. But events such The Tiananmen Square protests of 1989 which culminated in the Tiananmen Square massacre tell a very different story.

A series of demonstrations in and around Tiananmen Square, Beijing, led mainly by students and intellectuals, later joined by workers and civilians were one of the only attempts ever made by the Chinese people to exercise their “freedom of speech”. The movement lasted 7 weeks, there were estimated to be 1,000,000 people camping in Tiananmen Square (which ironically translates as Gate of Heavenly Peace) calling for political reform. As the numbers grew, so did the fear of revolution.

Late in the evening of June the 3rd 1989 the Chinese government ordered armed soldiers into the square, opening fire on the thousands of peaceful protestors and innocent civilians. Survivors have described how many people stood in the line of fire, frozen in disbelief – these people had been brought up to believe that the government “loved the people” – this violent attack was in such contrast to their beliefs that it was almost impossible to take in the reality of the situation.  The true number of casualties that night will never be known, although the massacre caused widespread outcry and revulsion. The government quickly took all possible measures to cover up the event and people were forced back into line through threats, beatings and imprisonment.

The protestors of Tiananmen Square were unsuccessful in gaining political reform but they did shed light on the true intent of a power hungry inhumane system. Twenty years on, the government still denies knowledge of the thousands killed that night and anyone who tries to mourn the deaths of the protestors or pay tribute to their noble cause, is immediately either imprisoned or put under 24 surveillance.

The tragic events of Tiananmen Square prove the Chinese government’s claim regarding their people’s “fundamental rights” was mere propaganda. The many individuals who were killed and injured are a testament to the people’s struggle to attain these rights.  Twenty years on, China is still ruled by a communist regime, the question is; what are the rights of the people? Do their “fundamental rights” exist?

When I despair, I remember that all through history the ways of truth and love have always won. There have been tyrants, and murderers, and for a time they can seem invincible, but in the end they always fall. Think of it–always.

- Mahatma Gandhi

I retired from the sport without ever achieving Olympic status; other pursuits became more important to me, however the controversy of the Beijing Olympics did bring about the question. What does it mean to allow a nation known for their disregard of human rights, a nation that believes in slave labor, in torture, and other forms of violence for their own gain to play host to such a remarkable and noble endeavor – The Olympic Games? I feel tremendous pride in the accomplishments at the Beijing Games by the many remarkable athletes, however will the atrocities of the Chinese leaders remain un-questioned masked by hosting one of humanities most remarkable displays of excellence?

What would have been the effects on the world if all of the athletes had boycotted the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games in the name of upholding what is right for humanity?

If, in the next moment, your behavior would affect all of humanity forever more,
how would you behave?

Every moment is just such a moment.
- Keith Raniere

The Summer Olympics 2008 played host to an amazing display of human excellence – a new 100 metre world record. Usain Bolt’s seemingly effortless performance was like poetry in motion, giving us a glimpse of what the human body can achieve.

Never Under-estimate the power of dreams and the influence of the human spirit. We are all the same in this notion: The potential for greatness lives within each of us.”

- Wilma Rudolph

As I walked into the arena with 50,000 pairs of eyes watching me I felt a sense of awe. For years I had trained, failed and succeeded and every moment had prepared me for this one. As I looked around the course I turned my focus to my horse and the course lying before me. I was competing at the most renowned competition in the field of Show Jumping: The Grand Prix of Aachen, in Germany.

Athletes often speak of “the zone” – a state of pure focus; optimal for peak performance. On the day of competition you have done all the preparation – the training is behind you – now it is up to you to rise to the occasion and enjoy the fruits of your labor.

Over the past year I have had the privilege of working with a group of women, who have been training consistently towards their running goals. Their improvement, through utilizing Keith Raniere’s patent pending technology R-Tech, has been remarkable.
Tomorrow will be a benchmark for them as they race a 5km! It is a stop along the way – in their journeys towards their own “four minute mile”. Tomorrow the crowds will turn their eyes towards them and cheer them on – and I feel as though a part of me will be running with them.

“You can only protect your liberties in this world by protecting the other man’s freedom. You can only be free if I am free.”

- Clarence Darrow

In 1493 Christopher Columbus returned to Spain with tales of a discovery of the “New World”. This “New World” was the discovery of what is now known as America, a land that had been long inhabited by a civilization of self sufficient and spiritually evolved human beings. This discovery marked the inception of a new era for this civilization – the need to fight for their heritage and right to live freely in a country that was their home.

The catastrophic clash between the “Native American’s” and European American societies maybe one of the most well hidden, under publicised atrocities of the world today.

When the colonies revolted against the United Kingdom and established the United States of America – the idea of “Manifest Destiny” became an integral part of the American nationalist movement. Manifest Destiny (1845) was a term coined to explain/justify the American expansion and invasion into Native American territory. The American government took it upon themselves to capture the children of the natives and sent them to boarding schools where they were forbidden to speak their native language, denied the right to practise their religions and forced to abandon their Native American Identities. This process was deemed “naturalisation” and mandatory for Native Americans to become citizens of the “New” America – a country they had inhabited for centuries.

The Native American people of today’s world are still struggling to keep their traditions alive. Over time their land has continued to be captured and their way of life controlled and suppressed by the American Government.

We had the privilege of meeting and learning from Russell and Pearl Means and Phyllis Young during our inaugural WEFC event. They shared a unique perspective on life and a culture so few of us have ever heard of. The Native American way of life promotes compassion and respect for all life. They believe in a Matriarch system – a system provides for a strong, compassionate, peaceful and harmonious foundation. It is a tremendous tragedy we have oppressed a civilization we could learn and benefit greatly from. How different could our world be if we were able to let go of our fears and live peacefully amongst one another recognising our differences are blessings as each individual, race, culture, religion and country brings something unique, and potentially beneficial to all of humanity.

“Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better”.

- Albert Einstein

As summer is here I am once again reminded of the incredible cyclical process of death and re-birth. I am constantly amazed and in wonder of this amazing place we are privileged to inhabit.
The majority of my childhood, I was either playing with horses, out in the fields or exploring in the woods. I grew up on a farm outside a little village called Hartest in the lush English countryside. This is where my curiousity and love of nature began. Over the years I have always turned to nature to find a sense of peace within my self – whether it is hiking in the Himalayas, sitting on a fallen tree in a forest in Australia, galloping through the fields on a horse or lying on my hammock in my current suburban neighborhood staring up at the trees. There is perfection to nature I have not yet found in humans (or perhaps myself) – where I find myself in awe. Have you ever looked at a flower and been amazed by the symmetry, by the intimate and delicate design of every petal? When I was about nine years old I remember spending what seemed like several hours watching an army of ants cross a dirt track somewhere in Kenya. They all seemed to know exactly where they were going, and I perceived they knew why! I found it fascinating.
Because of my deep sense of love for nature, I focused my philanthropic tendencies towards trying to save forests and animals. One day a good friend of mine asked me what the world would be like if humans never interfered with nature – my face lit up, and with a huge smile I described lush forests, with flowers and animals thriving! She then asked me what the problem was; nature or the treatment of nature by humans?

Treat the earth well.
It was not given to you by your parents,
It was loaned to you by your children.
We do not inherit the Earth from our Ancestors,
We borrow it from our children.

- Ancient Indian Proverb

I sincerely hope we can evolve our way of thinking and transform to be a more mindful, ecological race living in harmony with ourselves, each other and with nature, I would love to return this earth to our children, and inspire them to seek awe and beauty through it.