United Nations Days & Years Meditation Initiative
2007: International Heliophysical Year
2007 is being observed by the United Nations Office of Outer Space Affairs and Space Agencies around the world as International Heliophysical Year; by the UN's World Meteorological Organisation as International Polar Year; and by the UN Environment Programme (Convention on Migratory Species) as Year of the Dolphin.
Individuals and groups can help to make these Years much more effective through meditation and prayer. Click here for a meditation in support of the International Heliophysical Year.
Fifty Years Ago
2007 marks the 50th anniversary of the International Geophysical Year when 67,000 scientists and engineers from 64 nations engaged in an unprecedented level of co-operation in the study of the global phenomenon of the Earth and geospace. The Year marked the start of space exploration with the launch of the first Sputnik, the beginning of the United Nations involvement in the peaceful uses of outer space, and the founding of NASA.
Geophysics to Heliophysics
Geo = Earth
Helio = Sun
Heliophysical Year (which runs from 2007 - 2009) continues the tradition of international scientific collaboration begun in 1957 with Geophysical Year. But now the world is a different place and the 'geophysical' perspective has been broadened to explore the connections from the Earth to the Sun and interplanetary space. Scientists and engineers from all UN 191 members states will be involved in an extended, system-wide focus on the fundamental heliophysical processes that govern the Sun, Earth and Heliosphere.
Inner Significance
In an age of interdependence, when the Spirit of Synthesis is abroad it is surely significant that the ‘outer’ sciences will be cooperating in research into the relations between the Earth, the Sun and the Stars. Throughout the ages inner workers have reflected on these relations and the imprint they have on the psyche as well as the natural world. The by-line used on the IHY website Demonstrating the Beauty, relevance and Significance of Space and Earth Science to the World can just as easily be taken as a meditation seedthought, reflecting on the metaphysics of Space and Earth Science to gain insight into their beauty, relevance and significance to the World and Humanity.
In ancient cultures it was religion and awe that dominated the human approach to the night sky. Now, it is material science that attracts attention in our growing understanding of the relation between Earth and the stars. Yet if we consider world culture as a whole we should remind ourselves that in fields of learning, art, spirituality and philosophy the outstanding signs of deepening wisdom are to be found where scientific knowledge is informed by a profound sense of wholeness and beauty in the human – planet – universe relation. The wholeness spirit of our times is bringing about a balance between the sciences, the humanities and the arts. It is in this spirit that we might see the deeper significance of 2007 International Heliophysical Year.
Check out these resources:
