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A 2006 Heroes In The Struggle

If it is as Emerson stated that every institution is but the lengthened shadow of one person, then the Agape International Spiritual Center, the Association for Global New Thought, and the Season for Nonviolence are indeed extensions of Dr. Michael Beckwith and his vision of one human family united on a foundation of peace based on the spiritual origin of every man, woman and child.

Beckwith’s life is a living testament to building community. In the 1970’s, he began a journey that to this day embraces the major religions, philosophies and cultures of East and West.

Beckwith will be honored Thursday, Nov. 16 at 6 p.m. at the Directors Guild of America as one of Black AIDS Institute's Heroes In The Struggle. To purchase tickets online, click here.

“I greatly admire what you are doing to bring about the Beloved Community,” wrote Coretta Scott King, “which is certainly what my dear husband worked for and ultimately gave his life.”

In l986, Beckwith founded a transdenominational community, which today counts a membership of 9,000 devoted to the study and practice of the New Thought-Ancient Wisdom tradition of spirituality. Agape’s outreach ministries feed the homeless, serve individuals who are imprisoned and their families, partner with community service organizations active in children’s schools, camps and shelters, and develops programs that advocate the preservation of the planet’s environmental resources.

"With so much to be done to serve our brothers, sisters and children who suffer from HIV/AIDS, it touches me deeply to see how so many communities, organizations and individuals are reaching out," Beckwith said. "How can we do less when we know the statistics involving women, men and children, when we know that entire continents are affected? We must continue to have compassion, to offer our hearts, hands and resources until our work is done."

Beckwith’s inner vision reveals a world joined together by humankind’s highest development spiritually, philosophically, educationally, scientifically, governmentally and socially. His renown as a harbinger of the world’s quest for peace has drawn into his visionary orbit those whose names are synonymous with this goal.

Arun Gandhi, grandson of Mohandas K. Gandhi, shares with Beckwith the national co-directorship of A Season for Nonviolence. SNV promotes and teaches the principles of nonviolence embodied by Mahatma Gandhi and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and is endorsed by UNESCO on behalf of its Culture of Peace and Nonviolence Appeal by Nobel Peace Laureates.

Other notable supporters include Dr. C.T. Vivian, Dr. A.T. Ariyaratne of Sri Lanka, His Holiness the Dalai Lama of Tibet, Coretta Scott King and Dr. Robert Muller.

Convened by the Association of Global New Thought, A Season for Nonviolence is a grassroots campaign whose participants are spiritually motivated social activists in more than 100 U.S. cities in 40 states and in 10 countries. Its inauguration in l998 at the United Nations marked its first of what is now five years of commemorating the 50th and 30th memorial anniversaries of M.K. Gandhi and Martin Luther King, respectively.

Throughout its 64-day campaign across the nation, over 300 events and programs are facilitated, including inter-racial healing, Days of Dialogue, memorial marches and more.

Each year SNV presents the Gandhi-King Season for Nonviolence Award to an individual whose life and mission embody the Kingian and Gandhian principles of nonviolence, compassion and peace. This award was first presented to Secretary-General Kofi Annan in 1998 at the U.N., Nelson Mandela in l999 at Cape Town, South Africa during the Parliament of the World’s Religions Conference, and Global Kids in 2000.