Finding Peace Is Subject of Talk With Daniel David
By Leslie Rott

Daniel David was the last speaker in this year’s Illumination 2005 peace lecture series. In a program at Ste. Anne’s August 21 entitled, “War and Peace: What Would Jesus Do?” Mr. David discussed with a small group how best to obtain peace.

Using an essay written by Mr. David, “Jesus, the Supreme Pacifist,” the group had a point from which to begin their discussion. The group’s deliberation did not stay on the topic of a “just war” for very long, however, as it turned more toward finding peace in one’s own life.

Discussion participant Doc Crain suggested that doing good things for others is the best way to make one feel better and that people must give up life to truly become one with God.

He suggested that material possessions are used to fill a void where God is supposed to be and that people must rid themselves of them to some degree if they are ever to reach some type of spiritual well-being.

Mr. David agreed with Mr. Crain, suggesting that a person’s relationship with God is synonymous with serving others.

According to Mr. David, many people find the concept difficult, but he said, “It’s not utopian, it’s human,” adding that “We are all part of the same creation.” He said that everyone is built with natural compassion and an innate morality.

And Mr. Crain agreed, adding that war is the opposite of what God wants people to be doing with their lives.

No definitive solution was given on how to break down stereotypes and categories, but the group pledged to make sure that the Illumination Series happens again next year, with the hope that it will attract a broader and more diverse audience.

Other speakers in the series this summer included Gehlek Rimpoche, Prasanna Vengadam, and Wissam Charafeddine, representing Buddhism, Hinduism, and Islam, respectively.

Along with being a speaker in the series, Mr. David is the organizer of the program, which he hopes to continue until peace prevails in the world. He has been a professional musician for almost 30 years and started working in bands when he was 14 years old.

He also describes himself as a political historian, a writer, and a social activist.

The Second Annual Illumination Series was sponsored by the Center for Peace and Idealism (CPI), an organization started by Mr. David, which is dedicated to world peace. Its Web site is www.peaceandidealism.org.