Alternative summit focuses on the true value of human existence.
People will gather at Woodbine Park in Toronto's east end Sunday, June 27 for the Human Summit, a spiritual alternative during the G20 Summit in Toronto.
Courtesy/CENTRE FOR SPIRITUAL LI
Those looking for a little respite from the anticipated chaos of this weekend's G20 Summit should make their way to Woodbine Park this Sunday, June 27 for a mass-meditation session.
Called the Human Summit, the event will get underway at 10:55 a.m. with the playing of the World Drum by shamanic practitioner and teacher Jeannette McCullough. The World Drum has circled the globe many times since its October 2006 launch before the Norwegian Parliament to participate in ceremonies to draw attention to the critical situation for 'Mother Earth'.
The drumming will be followed by upbeat and positive musical performances by several Toronto performers as well as inspiriting messages from speakers.
The actual silent meditation is set for 12:30 to 1:30 p.m.
The free-of-charge event, which will also include a fundraising element called the Labyrinth Walk for Awareness, will wrap up by 2 p.m.
A vendor fair will also take place in the park from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Last fall, Little India resident Vicki Curcio-Tretiak - a student at Queen Street East's Centre for Spiritual Living - was asked to come up with an idea for a class project that would incorporate the change she wanted to see in the world.
With the support of fellow classmate Deya Gonzales-Beltran, Curcio-Tretiak dreamed up a peaceful and contemplative mass-meditation event to coincide with the Toronto G20 Summit.
Curcio-Tretiak said she looked within and came up with the concept as a way to inspire people to understand the true value of human existence. She also said the event aims to help others realize each and every human deserves to be respected and has the power to make a difference in the world.
"This is an opportunity for people who perceive they don't have a voice because they're afraid to come and join us," she said, adding the event also aims to foster a more loving concept of one's self.
"It's a chance for people to sit together, meditate and leave feeling empowered."
Rev. Barbara Schreiner-Trudel, the centre's spiritual director, immediately saw the merit in the concept and has been helping coordinate the Human Summit for several months now.
"We need to put humanity first. We would love to see world leaders making better decisions. World leaders must consider the humanity of their decisions, not just the economics but the impact on all individuals," said Schreiner-Trudel, who also lives in the area.
She added the G8/G20 summits are creating a sense of fear in people and that the Human Summit is a way to restore and create peaceful energy through meditation and calmness.
"The energy will be felt further out across the city by many people gathering to meditate," she said, noting mass-meditation can actually change the vibrations of the surrounding areas.
"It's so much more powerful to focus on what we do want, not what we don't want."
Schreiner-Trudel said this is especially relevant as the former Toronto Film Studios site at 629 Eastern Ave. is set to be used as a staging and deployment facility for Toronto police officers working to protect those attending the upcoming G20 Summit. Some speculate the local site will also be used as a detention facility for unruly protesters arrested during the international conference.
So many people have caught on to the event, said Schreiner-Trudel, that more than 200 groups from across the globe including Mexico, Spain, Denmark, Holland, South Africa, the United States, and across Canada, are now set to participate in mass-meditation events this Sunday, June 27. Visit www.humansummit.com for more information or to create a local event, volunteer, or donate to the cause.