“Before he came to Leipzig and became Thomaskantor, he was employed at a court, at a royal court, as a musician with Prince Leopold in Köten. He then became Thomaskantor and, in our opinion, perhaps the most important Protestant church musician of all. Only he himself knows that; we cannot say, but he was a deeply religious, Lutheran Christian, and was commissioned by God to compose his church mus

A German composer, harpsichordist, organist, and violinist of the Baroque period, as well as an expert on organ-building, Johann Sebastian Bach was born in Eisenach, Germany, on March 21, 1685. Generally regarded as one of the most prolific and greatest composers of all time, he is known for the Brandenburg Concertos and the Goldberg Variations, as well as the Mass in B minor. Bach explored every major style and musical genre of his time. He also developed these styles and blended them together in new ways, combining the emotional with the intellectual. In 1700, young Bach was offered a choral scholarship to the prestigious Saint Michael’s school in Luneburg. He enrolled with his lifelong friend Georg Erdmann. During his two years at the school, Johann Sebastian Bach was exposed to the diversity of European culture. He played the school’s organ and harpsichords, and also sang in the choir. In 1707, Johann Sebastian Bach was appointed organist at the Blasius Church in Mühlhausen, Thuringia, with good remuneration and improved working conditions. Four months later, Johann Sebastian Bach married Maria Barbara Bach.During his time in Mühlhausen, he produced several church cantatas based on biblical texts. The first of Johann Sebastian Bach’s compositions to be published was Cantata No.71, “Gott ist mein Konig,” in 1708. At Mühlhausen, he encouraged music in the villages. He persuaded his employers to rebuild the organ and supervised the restoration. Johann Sebastian Bach composed most of his great organ works during the time he spent as an organist to William Ernest, the Duke of Saxe-Weimar. In 1714, he was made concertmaster and had to write a cantata every month for church services. He took part in musical activities at the Gelbes Schloss, or Yellow Castle, where Duke Ernest’s nephews were staying and taught both of them. During the years 1708 to 1714, Johann Sebastian Bach’s style underwent a profound change. He had been influenced by the new styles of the contemporary Italian opera and by Italian concerto composers such as Antonio Vivaldi.

In July 2018, His Excellency Dr. Abiy Ahmed and Eritrean President, His Excellency Isaias Afwerki, also a Shining World Leadership Award for Peace Laureate, re-established peaceful relations that ended two decades of unstable relationship between Ethiopia and Eritrea. In the following months, Ethiopia withdrew its troops from the Ethiopian-Eritrean borders and diplomatic relations were restored. Air and telecommunication services were reestablished and joint infrastructure and development projects developed. Families separated for two long decades were also joyously reunited. Dr. Abiy Ahmed believes that harmony restores faith in humanity and renews hope and confidence for the future. This historic rapprochement has certainly yielded abundant rewards. Additionally, His Excellency Dr. Abiy Ahmed and his government have contributed to other efforts for peace and reconciliation in East and Northeast Africa. In September 2018, His Excellency Dr. Abiy Ahmed, Eritrea’s President, His Excellency Isaias Afwerki, and Somalia’s President, His Excellency Mohamed Abdullahi “Farmajo,” also a Shining World Leadership Award for Peace Laureate, signed the Joint Declaration on Comprehensive Cooperation. Soon after, Ethiopian Airlines resumed flights to Somalia after a 41-year halt of air travel between the two neighboring countries. His Excellency Dr. Abiy Ahmed also played an important role in welcoming a new dawn of peace in South Sudan. In October 2018, His Excellency Salva Kiir Mayardit, South Sudan’s President, and the opposition leader, former vice president, His Excellency Dr. Riek Machar, both Shining World Leadership Award for Peace Laureates, met in the Ethiopian capital of Addis Ababa. There, they signed a final and comprehensive peace agreement that formally ended a five-year conflict. Upon hearing of this wonderful peace news, “With all best auspicious wishes in God’s Grace,” Supreme Master Ching Hai joyously presented the Shining World Leadership Award for Peace to Their Excellencies Dr. Abiy Ahmed, Salva Kiir Mayardit, and Dr. Riek Machar, “with high salute and gratitude for making peace and saving lives.”

His Excellency Dr. Abiy Ahmed Ali, a Shining World Leadership Award for Peace Laureate, is the fourth Prime Minister of Ethiopia. Through his leadership, His Excellency Dr. Abiy Ahmed has taken significant strides towards advancing peace to his fellow citizens and in the African continent. For his work to restore harmony with Eritrea, he was awarded the 2019 Nobel Peace Prize. “I believed peace between Ethiopia and Eritrea was within reach. I was convinced that the imaginary wall separating our two countries for much too long needed to be torn down. And in its place, a bridge of friendship, collaboration and goodwill has to be built to last for ages.” Dr. Abiy Ahmed Ali dedicated the award as “a prize given to Africa, given to Ethiopia, and I can imagine how the rest of Africa’s leaders will take it positively, to work on the peace-building process in our continent.” They lived by a truism called “Medemer,” a diction that resonates to the tenet, “I am my brother’s keeper. I am my sister’s keeper.” Dr. Abiy Ahmed Ali learned the horrors of conflict early on. His experiences furthered his determination to restore peace in his country and in the African continent. Through his relentless drive and determination, he came into office as Ethiopia’s prime minister in 2018. During his inaugural address, he said: “Justice should be our main principle; love and respect for all human beings ought to be our moral compass.” As a liberal politician, His Excellency Dr. Abiy Ahmed seeks to nurture a culture of political pluralism. With a vision of the Horn of Africa becoming a treasury of peace and progress, he has already implemented a number of reforms. Under Dr. Abiy Ahmed Ali’s premiership, detention centers have closed and all political prisoners and journalists have been released. There is freedom of the press. Opposition leaders are free to engage in political activity of a peaceful nature. The public can take the government to task without fear since the judiciary is governed by the rule of law. A free and fair election is scheduled for 2021.

In “Anastasia,” Vladimir Megre’s personal spiritual development unfolds throughout the pages of this compelling tale. Reading this series of books, we are inspired by the story of one ordinary man’s unravelling as he is challenged by the soul-driven radiance of Anastasia. Anastasia, who only knows truth, and who lives and breathes purity, observes a special quality within Vladimir, an otherwise conventional businessman. She arranges a three-day process in which he undergoes molecular rearrangement and experiences firsthand the underlying principles of nature. Vladimir Megre finds himself having to dispel doubt and judgement to move beyond his typically rigid and theoretical mindset. Sufficiently intrigued by Anastasia’s wisdom, lightness, and apparent contentment, he endeavors to sincerely understand what many others in this world might consider a radical departure from normality. “God is the interplanetary Mind, or intelligence. He is not to be found in a single mass. Half of Him is in the non-material realm of the Universe. This is the sum total of all energies. The other half of Him is dispersed across the Earth, in every individual, in every Man. The dark forces strive to block these particles.” “Everything – but everything – on Earth, every blade of grass, every insect, has been created for Man, and everything has its individual appointed task to perform in the service of Man. The multitude of medicinal plants are a confirmation of this. But people in your world know very little about how to benefit from the opportunities they are presented with – about how to take full advantage of them.” Anastasia’s insight into the human condition is aided, we learn, by her ability to “observe” anyone at will through the use of an inner telepathic ray, a facility she says that everyone possesses, and which she also encourages Vladimir to develop. According to Anastasia, it is very important for the person who will eat the fruits and vegetables to grow them from seedlings, taking an intimate role in the plant’s development. In this way, the plants can silently assimilate information about the person’s bodily needs and heal them accordingly.

Today, we will be exploring the life and vision of Vladimir Megre, who won the Gusi Peace Prize in 2011 and has been listed by the Watkins “Mind Body Spirit” magazine as one of “100 Most Spiritually Influential Living People.” The Ukrainian-born Russian author and entrepreneur is known for his best-selling chronicle series entitled “The Ringing Cedars of Russia.” 02：59）Vladimir Megre presents Anastasia, a reclusive woman of the Siberian forest with timeless wisdom encompassing life, nature, and the universe. The books have inspired an ever-expanding group of adherents that explore a way of life in tune with the universal principles of balance and harmony. These readers have dedicated themselves to understanding the spiritual relationship between themselves and nature. On his next expedition up the river, he hoped more than anything to find out more about the ringing cedars phenomenon. In his now famous book “Anastasia,” Vladimir Megre describes the amazing meeting with a hermit woman who agrees to show him the prized healing cones of the ringing cedars. This is the incredible beginning of the introduction to Anastasia’s wisdom, which becomes the central thread of “The Ringing Cedars of Russia” series. The book, “Anastasia,” is not only a personal odyssey, but a manifesto in pure natural living, proposing a scenario in which humanity returns to a “Garden of Eden” state by disentangling itself from the ineffective ways of the material world. Anastasia explains that only by living in accordance with harmonious universal principles can humanity finally achieve lasting peace and prosperity. Her wisdom, through Vladimir Megre’s books, has inspired countless people to return to a self-sufficient lifestyle through small scale-farming of plant-based produce that is wholistic, healthy, and also reconnects people with nature. Anastasia has an exceptional way of life, living totally within nature, with just a few items of clothing and dwelling in harmony with all of the forest inhabitants. Lovingly, the squirrels not only provide her with a supply of cedar nuts, but also collect berries and mushrooms for her to eat. Anastasia’s state of total purity attunes her with the natural elements, enabling tremendous natural powers that leave Vladimir at times overwhelmed…

As we learned in Part 1, the Reverend Dr. Albert Schweitzer and his wife, Helene Bresslau Schweitzer, established a hospital in Lambaréné, Gabon. The region had been struck by numerous tropical maladies, and the people were living in meager conditions with insufficient healthcare. During their first nine months, the Schweitzer's treated over 2,000 patients. While traveling by boat on the Ogooué River to visit a patient, a profound phrase occurred to Dr. Albert Schweitzer: “Reverence for Life.” This became Dr. Schweitzer's “unifying term for a concept of ethics.” Dr. Albert Schweitzer became a vegetarian and refused to kill any living thing, including insects. He said: “We must fight against the spirit of unconscious cruelty with which we treat the animals. Animals suffer as much as we do. It is our duty to make the whole world recognize it. Until we extend our circle of compassion to all living things, humanity will not find peace.” After going back to Europe and staying there for several years, Dr. Albert Schweitzer returned to Lambaréné in 1924 to rebuild the hospital on a new site. Treatment was always free of charge. The entire project was financed with the money Dr. Schweitzer earned himself by regularly giving benefit concerts and lectures on culture and ethics in Europe, as well as with donations that came to him from across the world. From the early 1950s onward, Dr. Schweitzer worked tirelessly to abolish nuclear weapons, adding his voice to the likes of fellow Nobel Laureate and vegetarian, Dr. Albert Einstein. In 1952, Dr. Albert Schweizer was awarded the prestigious Nobel Peace Prize for his philosophy of “Reverence for Life.” Dr. Schweitzer used the Nobel Prize money of approximately US$33,000 to help build the much-needed leprosarium at Lambaréné for his 250 leprosy patients. The Reverend Albert Schweitzer left this world on September 4, 1965, at the age of 90. His daughter, Rhena, and his medical associates continued developing the Albert Schweitzer Hospital, modernizing the facilities with about 70 buildings, and attracting dedicated and talented medical staff from around the world.

In 1949, he was featured on the front cover of Time magazine, which dubbed him the “Greatest Man in the World.” Former prime minister of the UK, His Excellency Sir Winston Churchill called him “a genius of humanity.” In 1952, he won the Nobel Peace Prize. Indeed, the Reverend Dr. Albert Schweitzer was a brilliant polymath whose personal philosophy revolved around what he called “Reverence for Life.” A vegetarian, theologian, musician, author, missionary, and medical doctor, he dedicated his life and his remarkable abilities to serve those in need and to speak up for peace. Little Dr. Schweitzer was eager to learn more about Lord Jesus Christ and asked to read the New Testament when he was just eight years old. Having observed the struggle for existence and the abuse of helpless animals by negligent humans, he was deeply touched by the commandment: “Thou shalt not kill.” At night, he would pray: “O, heavenly Father, protect and bless all things that have breath; guard them from all evil, and let them sleep in peace.” When he was 21, Dr. Schweitzer resolved to devote his life to preaching, science, and music until the age of 30. He would take this time to accomplish what he hoped to in these fields while learning how he could be of service to others. The Reverend Dr. Albert Schweitzer began his theology and philosophy studies at the Kaiser Wilhelm University of Strasbourg in 1893. He obtained his doctorate in philosophy in 1899 at the University of Strasbourg, and received his licentiate in theology in 1900. He began his career as a preacher at St. Nicholas Church in Strasbourg, then served in several high-ranking administrative positions at the Theological College of St. Thomas. In 1906, he published a book “The Quest of the Historical Jesus,” which established him as a respected theological scholar. The later publication of “The Mysticism of Paul the Apostle” in 1931 reinforced this status and his great renown. …so let’s enjoy this precious recording of Dr. Albert Schweitzer practicing Bach at his pedal-piano in Lambaréné with his cat.

Erasmus, better known as Erasmus or Erasmus of Rotterdam, is considered to be one of the greatest scholars of the northern Renaissance. A Dutch humanist and priest, Erasmus was a leading activist and thinker. Referred to as the “crowning glory of the Christian humanists,” Erasmus defined the humanist movement in Northern Europe and sought to reform the Church. He was also the first editor of the New Testament. The brilliant scholar was passionate about moral philosophy and proposed what he called the “philosophy of Christ,” an ethical commitment and way of life which he displayed throughout his work and his precious time on Earth. Erasmus was born circa 1466 in Rotterdam, the Netherlands. Erasmus, meaning “beloved,” was his christened name. Throughout his life, he would visit and live in many countries, including England, France, Germany, Italy, and Switzerland. While in England, Erasmus taught at Cambridge University and lectured in theology. Around 1500, Erasmus began writing on theological and secular topics. He would become a prominent figure in classical and patristic literature. His early literary pieces criticized the dogma, superstition, and corruption he witnessed in the Church. The writings of Erasmus not only illustrated his profound intellect and scholastic talent, but also his exceptional humanity, wit, and optimism. In his book, Erasmus encourages readers to “inject into the vitals” Christ’s teaching through the study of meditation and scriptures. He pointed out that going to war goes against Christ’s peaceful example, and spoke out against preachers who encouraged superstition amongst their followers. He said, “If the Gospel were truly preached, the Christian people would be spared many wars.” While preparing to move to the Netherlands, Erasmus became ill and passed away on July 12, 1536, in Basel, Switzerland. Until the end, Erasmus believed in his direct relationship with God, and his last words were “Lieve God” in Dutch, meaning “Dear God.” May the words of Erasmus remind each of us to turn inward through meditation in order to develop our own connection with God. May we live a life of respect, peace, and love towards all human and animal co-inhabitants on our beautiful planet. Thank you, God, for your divine grace and blessings as we continue to strive for a more harmonious world.

Florence Nightingale, affectionately called “The Lady with the Lamp,” was an exceedingly compassionate nurse who reformed healthcare. She founded a hospital and nurse training school and wrote over 200 books and articles on health-related issues. Divinely inspired and strongly motivated, Florence Nightingale would ultimately fulfill her dream to serve humanity in her best possible way. During a conflict in 1854, British troops were faced with a lack of medical supplies, overcrowded facilities, and unsanitary conditions. Tasked by the Minister Sidney Herbert, Florence Nightingale agreed to superintend a government-sponsored team of nurses to remedy the situation. She diligently worked late into the night, carrying a lamp in the evenings as she tended to patient after patient, earning her the nickname “Lady with the Lamp.” And in six months, it was reported that the mortality rate had been decreased from 40% to a modest 2%. It was a monumental achievement. Florence Nightingale became a cultural icon.

Dr. Seiei Toyama studied the desert throughout his life and mastered the technology of greening desert. Led by Dr. Toyama, volunteers from Japan, China, and all over the world worked together for more than 10 years. Finally, the 20,000-hectare Engebei area, which was once almost uninhabited, became restored to a vibrant area with 70 percent vegetation coverage. Thus, desertification has been effectively controlled. This led to the development of agriculture in the desert area and has promoted tourism here. It was selected as the National Eco-tourism Demonstration Zone in 2016. Dr. Seiei Toyama passed away on February 27, 2004, at the age of 97. Dr. Toyama often said, “Green represents life; green is the road to peace.” His deep concern and hope for the ecological beautification of nature and a peaceful human society was reflected in his life’s work. Dr. Seiei Toyama resolved to revitalize deserts in China and his native country of Japan, and in so doing, he became a here protecting the planet’s ecology and a well-deserved envoy for human peace. In 2003, he received the Ramon Magsaysay Award for Peace and International Understanding.

A leading expert in desert control, Dr. Seiei Toyama was respectfully known as “Father of the Desert” in Japan, and also held an honorary citizenship for Inner Mongolia. Dr. Seiei Toyama was born in Yamanashi Prefecture, Japan, in 1906. As a student, young Dr. Seiei Toyama expressed interest in desert management. He enrolled in Kyoto University, where he went on to earn his doctorate degree in agronomy in 1962. Dr. Seiei Toyama sought global cooperation in desertification control. He said: “Solving environmental problems requires the world’s all-round coordination; greening China’s desert is also helping ourselves.” The year 1989 was an important turning point for Dr. Toyama’s endeavors in China. He was invited to Inner Mongolia for an inspection, and went to Engebei. It is said that Engebei used to be a natural carpet covered with lush green grass. Unfortunately, human activities such as animal livestock-raising as well as ensuing climate change gradually turned the 200,000 square meters of land into yellow sand and barren earth.

Michelangelo started gaining fame after creating the “Pietà,” a beloved sculpture of the Blessed Virgin Mary cradling the body of Lord Jesus Christ. Following his impressive achievements, Michelangelo became one of the most famous and sought-after artists in Europe. Michelangelo’s interest in the after-life influenced the content of his second painting for the Sistine Chapel. The finished mural, “The Last Judgement,” took him seven years to complete. The fresco depicts the Second Coming of Lord Jesus Christ and His judgement of the souls. Pope Paul III was so overwhelmed by the painting that he fell to his knees in awe and begged God for lenience on his own judgement day. Michelangelo passed away on February 18, 1564, at the age of 88, leaving a remarkable legacy of extraordinary creations that continue to inspire generation after generation. He was the first Western artist to have biographies published during his lifetime. Michelangelo once said, “Death and love are the two wings that bear the good man to Heaven.”

A leading light of the Italian Renaissance, Michelangelo was known as "II Divino" meaning "the divine one," and is considered one of the greatest artists of all time. A poet, sculptor, and architect, his creations include internationally renowned masterpieces like the famous marble sculpture of King David of Israel and the magnificent biblical painting on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel. Michelangelo was also a principal architect involved in constructing one of the Vatican's holiest buildings, St. Peter's Basilica. Michelangelo was first and foremost a sculptor, displaying his talents from a young age. He could see a connection between the human form and the soul, bringing his sculptors to life in a novel way for his time. His use of light and shadow gives his sculptures a truly authentic presence. “I saw the angel in the marble and carved until I set him free.” - Michelangelo Buonarroti

“Nothing will benefit human health and increase chances for survival of life on Earth as much as the evolution to a vegetarian diet.” - Dr. Albert Einstein. In respecting the sanctity of all lives, throughout his existence, Dr. Albert Einstein believed in the ideals of vegetarianism. He wrote in a letter to Germany Vegetarian Watch-Tower on December 27, 1930: "…I have long been an adherent to the cause in principle. Besides agreeing with the aims of vegetarianism for aesthetic and moral reasons, it is my view that a vegetarian manner of living by its purely physical effect on the human temperament would most beneficially influence the lot of mankind." Dr. Einstein's respect for life naturally led him to be a humanitarian and advocate for social justice, freedom, and peace. With the onset of the atomic era, Dr. Einstein realized that nuclear weapons were a profound risk to humanity and could bring an end to civilization. During the last decade of his life, he was tireless in his efforts to create effective international cooperation to disarm nuclear weapons and to prevent wars.

Dr. Albert Einstein was an internationally acclaimed physicist and Nobel Laureate. His scientific theories on relativity and his work on space-time helped charter the course of modern physics. In 1999, Time Magazine named him “The Person of the Century.” Albert Einstein was born to middle-class Jewish parents in 1879, in Ulm, Germany. 1905 became his Annus mirabilis, or “miracle year,” when Dr. Einstein published four papers in the Annalen der physik scientific journal. Those four history-making papers - detailing the theory of photoelectric effect, the Brownian motion, the theory on special relativity, and the mass-energy equivalence - revolutionized the field of modern physics forever. Dr. Albert Einstein’s 1905 photoelectric effect paper, which would later earn him the Nobel Prize in Physics, was indeed revolutionary. It is Einstein’s “Quantum Theory of Light” that founded modern-day quantum physics. This sealed Albert Einstein’s fame internationally as a leading physicist. Dr. Albert Einstein emphasized not only scientific and technological development, but also the importance of higher morality.

The Marvel characters that he helped formulate live in the real world. They come with imperfections and a human touch. Ultimately, the Marvel superheroes exemplify the best qualities within each and every one of us. Moreover, his noble ideals always shone through his creations. The one constant outcome in his stories was that “good would triumph over evil and love conquers all.” In 1972, Stan Lee became Marvel’s editorial director and publisher. Later, in 1980, he moved to Los Angeles to promote Marvel’s film ventures. He revolutionized the entire industry and catapulted Marvel into being the world’s top publisher of comic books. Stan Lee won numerous accolades during his prolific career. In 2008, he received the prestigious National Medal of Arts. In 2010, he founded The Stan Lee Foundation to provide literary resources, arts programs, and education to people of all ages, while promoting diversity, literacy, culture, and the arts. He had lived a brilliant, meaningful 95 years. “That person who helps others simply because it should or must be done, and because it is the right thing to do, is indeed without a doubt a real superhero.” - Stan Lee

Stan Lee, a legend in the comic book industry, played a major role in creating hundreds of beloved Marvel Comics characters, from Spider-Man to the Fantastic Four, the Hulk to Thor and the X-Men. Stan Lee humanized heroes who continue to influence pop culture and inspire young and old to always follow the path of light. Growing up, Stan Lee had different interests than his schoolmates. Stan Lee believed that somewhere within him lay the “Great American Novel” waiting to be written. Stan Lee’s career made big bounds in 1941. He wanted to be a trendsetter, not a copycat of sorts. In a last bid to continue in the field of comic books, Stan Lee awakened his creative genius and began writing what he wanted. Just like that Stan Lee helped revived the comic industry, resurrecting Marvel Comics and setting it apart from its competition. Stan Lee become the face of Marvel and gained himself a legion of fans.

Abu al-‘Ala’ al-Ma‘arri, a man of keen intellect and deep thought, is respected as one of the greatest Arab classical poets. When he was four years old, al- Ma‘arri was afflicted with small pox. The illness ultimately resulted in the loss of his vision. His unconventional wisdom and philosophy and his profound reasoning had led to a sudden surge in his reputation. He rapidly became a highly sought after poet and scholar. Al-Ma‘arri was also an example of compassion to all beings. He spoke out against the killing of animals and also the use of animal skins for clothing and other fashion accessories. Nearly a thousand years after his time on Earth, the spiritual verse from the sage-like poet and philosopher Al-Ma‘arri remains as relevant as the day it was written: “What shall it profit you, the vast amount of gold and grain you gather from the land, if you have laid no dominating hand on virtues that will balance your account!” Al-Ma‘arri is respected for his bold ideas, his independent spirit, and his unrelenting drive to uphold truth and justice for all beings.

Rudolf Joseph Lorenz Steiner was born in 1861 at Kraljevec, present-day Croatia. Dr. Rudolf Steiner was a great polymath, a philosopher and scientist. An eloquent public speaker and gifted writer, he gave over 6,000 lectures in his lifetime, and he published more than 25 books. He developed and taught a path of research called anthroposophy, based on “the science of the spirit.” Rudolf Steiner was also a vegetarian. He placed great emphasis on the benefits of meditation. In 1913, Rudolf Steiner designed and built the Goetheanum, a “school of spiritual science,” in Dornach, Switzerland. This has become the world center for the anthroposophical movement. He believed that education should focus on the physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of each student. In 1919, the first free Waldorf School was founded in Stuttgart, Germany, based on Dr. Steiner’s philosophy. Now, a century later, there are more than 1,000 of these Waldorf and Steiner Schools in 64 countries.