They say that a picture is worth 1,000 words. We wholeheartedly agree.

What is Community Cohesion – and why is it so important?

At Blue Lotus Enterprises we take the definition of Community Cohesion given in the OFSTED guidance for schools as our starting point -

‘By community cohesion, we mean working towards a society in which

• there is a common vision and sense of belonging by all communities;
• the diversity of people’s backgrounds and circumstances is appreciated and valued;
• similar life opportunities are available to all;
• Strong and positive relationships exist and continue to be developed in the workplace, in schools and in the wider community.

As most people would agree, the reality for many people in our society is far from this ideal. The MORI polling conducted for the Commission on Integration and Cohesion found many areas of concern, including that:

18% of people surveyed identified immigration/migrants as the main issue facing Britain today – with this answer overtaking crime in MORI’s regular surveys since May 2006.

The success of the BNP in the recent European Elections is further indication of the serious level of prejudice and fear of those who are 'different' which is to be found in many of our communities.

Our unique approach

There is clearly a long way to go and much to be done if we are to achieve the goal of a cohesive society. But at Blue Lotus Enterprises we recognise that such a harmonious and cohesive society is only one small part of a wider goal – that of a secure and peaceful world in which we human beings have adapted our lives and live in harmony with our environment as well as with each other. We at Blue Lotus Enterprises believe that one without the other is impossible.

Our workshops are therefore designed to empower delegates, increasing understanding and decreasing the fears and prejudices which so often underlie the tensions and mistrust making Community Cohesion so difficult to achieve. We recognise that each and every person has such fears, prejudices and insecurities and we can all re-evaluate this aspect of our lives.

The best progress comes when we work together on problems which are relevant to our own experience but which do not threaten us in a direct way. This is why we start our workshops by creating a secure and safe emotional environment and a climate of honesty and trust.

We at Blue Lotus Enterprises find it helpful to think of the world as one living organism. Each person is like a cell in the body of that organism. If one person becomes more aware, more understanding of others and more caring about the whole, more committed to working effectively for harmony in their particular field, then the entire world becomes more healthy.

This way of looking at the world is not new, but it is an effective perspective and it forms the underlying philosophy behind all our work.

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If there is to be peace in the world,
There must be peace in the nations.
If there is to be peace in the nations,
There must be peace in the cities.
If there is to be peace in the cities,
There must be peace between neighbours.
If there is to be peace between neighbours,
There must be peace in the home.
If there is to be peace in the home,
There must be peace in the heart.


Lao Tzu (570-490 B.C.)

‘Reflections on Life’

In our workshops we use selected versions of our presentation ‘Reflections on Life.’ This is a combination of images and texts which explore many of the timeless themes and great diversities which weave together to make up the rich, often glorious - but all too often painful - experience we call life.

Reflection on and engaging with these realities enables us to open up an honest dialogue in a climate of integrity, confidence and trust. We recognise that we are all different and we will have different views on life.

At Blue Lotus Enterprises we aim to offer a balanced view from the perspective of many cultures and philosophies. It is not possible to cover everything but it’s important to understand that ‘Reflections on Life’ is only a way of stimulating thought and discussion. We do not set out to promote any point of philosophy and we encourage debate. The only thing we do hope delegates will be able to agree on is that we all need to take steps to improve the harmony of our communities. It really is up to us all. We affirm that -

Difference is not something to be feared but rather something to be recognised and appreciated as fundamental to the quality and beauty of life on this planet.

Workshops

Blue Lotus Enterprises Workshops offer a unique approach to Community Cohesion – an approach which works by focussing on personal experience rather than a particular theory or intellectual debate.

Our approach recognises two enduring truths in life – diversity and change.

Our Workshops explore many of the ways in which we all differ, but especially focus on socio-economic, racial/cultural and religious diversity, recognising prejudices and misconceptions and offering factual information and activities which aid understanding.

We also recognise the many commonalities which are shared by all people everywhere.

In our workshops we explore something of the history of and reasons for the changes in our communities and, as we explore the common fears and prejudices, we look for ways of understanding, sympathising with and appreciating - rather than just tolerating - the diverse inhabitants of our world.

Practical and Effective

In our workshops many different strategies for improving Community Cohesion in our own unique setting are explored by delegates. We work in groups and develop ideas with role-play, group presentations and discussion.

We welcome and affirm the different ideas and strategies which arise from our workshops.

Our role is to facilitate a process in which delegates explore solutions to their own unique problems. Our role is not to hand out any neat or clever solutions of our own.

If cohesion were that easy it would not be such a difficult thing to achieve and we would already be living in a happy, harmonious world. There would be no need for interventions and workshops such as ours. But in fact there are few issues more urgent and difficult to achieve. We need all the different efforts and approaches to achieve success.

Those working at the ‘cutting edge’ of Community Cohesion - whether in schools or local authorities etc. are likely to find themselves under a lot of pressure.

Our workshops offer practical and effective support in empowering these practitioners so that they in turn can be more effective in all they endeavour.

In our workshops individuals are supported as they formulate and set out concrete strategies to take home and implement – strategies which will be effective in improving Community Cohesion in their own setting. Where appropriate these are shared as a common resource.

Our workshops and follow-up activities are effective.
They are tried, tested and inspirational.

Free Download

One of our Presentations ‘Reflections on Life’ Part 1
is available as a free download here.
This version is designed for use with delegates
aged 16 and over as it includes some sensitive images of suffering
which might be disturbing to younger viewers.
Click here

Over 40 more inspiring texts, taken from our Presentation
‘Reflections on Life’ Part 2 (Inter Faith) are available
Click here

What is ‘Reflections on Life’

‘Reflections on Life’ is a unique approach to Community Cohesion –  for an introduction to this resource and translations of non-English script which occurs on some of the slides see the appendix beneath the final picture on this page.
A list of authors of the texts used in ‘Reflections on Life’ Part 1 is also included here.

 

 

Services Offered

Our Workshops
We offer a range of presentations and workshops including:

• A one hour presentation with some opportunity for feedback, discussion and response
• A two-and-a-half (evening) workshop or INSET
• A half-day (four hour) workshop (refreshments but no meal)
• A full day workshop from 9.00 to 5.00 pm - including lunch and refreshments
• A weekend interactive Conference on Community Cohesion
• Longer term Consultation, facilitation and support in implementing Community Cohesion strategies – with discounts depending on how many days you require.

Contact us to discuss your requirements so that we can prepare a bespoke package to meet both your budget and you needs.

 

Blue Lotus Products and Publications

Prices include postage and packaging

DVD with ‘Reflections on Life’ parts 1 and 2 (Inter Faith) with music (20 minutes)	£7.00 + £1.50 pp
DVD of ‘What Amazes You Most’ text and recitation with music.(20 minutes)	£7.00 + £1.50 pp
20 World-Views – an overview of the history and geography of many of the main philosophies and religions found in today’s world – (includes Bah’ai, Rastafarian, Jain, agnostic, atheist, and humanist perspectives.)	£25.00 with right to photocopy
Religio the Bond – A workbook full of effective exercises and ideas which approach the subject of Religion in its universal implicit form, enabling all your KS3 students to engage with, understand, relate to and become enthusiastic about the subject of  Religious Education.	£25.00 with right to photocopy
Sunlight and Shadow– a spiritual approach to everyday living – (Part 1 - 50 biographical cameos including many from the RE classroom) by Durga-Mata Chaudhuri	£25.00 + £2.50pp
Blue Lotus Cards (series 1) – to play over 20 entertaining and educational games for all ages. These include primary kinaesthetic numeracy and language games, secondary philosophy / RE, thinking skills and discussion games, as well as many traditional family  favourites great with ESL, Speech Therapy etc.	One pack £ 7.99 + £1.50 pp Two packs with instructions for over 20 games £15.00 + £2.50 pp

 

Free Services

Our usual minimum charge is £250 – but in view of the importance of Community Cohesion everywhere and the need to reach as many people as possible, we sometimes  offer workshops free to charities,  religious and inter faith groups etc  - just asking for a donation and expenses.

We also offer a free hour of consultation to discuss your individual requirements in order to plan your bespoke workshops.

Contact Details

Email (click here) enquiries@community-cohesion.com
Phone – +44(0)20 8748 4821
Mobile +44(0)7855 026 241
Address 66 Nowell Road London SW13 9BS

 

Effectiveness and Quotes to share

Our focus is always on effectiveness, we are only interested in questions such as –
Does it reduce tensions and conflicts, fears and prejudices?
Does it result in increased harmony understanding and oneness?
In other words, does it work?

We are always on the lookout for quotations and texts which encourage reflection on these questions and welcome suggestions. Here are some favourites from ‘Reflections in Life.’

… all problems of existence
are essentially problems of harmony.
Sri Aurobindo

Medicine to produce health
must examine disease;
and music,
to create harmony
must investigate discord.
Plutarch

Peace cannot be kept by force. It can only be achieved by understanding.
Albert Einstein

If you want to make peace with your enemy, you have to work
with your enemy.
Then he becomes
your partner.
Nelson Mandela

You must be the change you want to see in the world.
Mahatma Gandhi

More of the texts we use for reflection and discussion, which pertain to this philosophy are given on the School Assemblies page (click here) and we will update this list regularly including your suggestions.

 

Appendix

What is ‘Reflections on Life’

‘Reflections on Life’ is a unique approach to Community Cohesion –

Using texts and images it explores many of the timeless themes and great diversities which weave together to make up the rich and amazing experience we call life.
‘Reflections on Life’ uses an approach which works by focussing on spiritual and emotional aspects of life – and on experience rather than intellectual debate.

The images have been chosen to include a great range of ages and races, socio-economic backgrounds, abilities, cultures and religions etc. – to affirm and embrace something of the glorious but at times painful profusion of life which we all experience here on earth.

 

The texts come from some of the great luminaries, the ‘Wise Elders’  of our Human Tribe. They are drawn from a range of peoples - historical periods, geographical places, cultures and belief-systems. A list of the authors of texts in Part 1 is given below.

The texts and images together create an atmosphere of reflection – encouraging the development of empathy and  understanding – opening up the mind to new possibilities and expanding the heart-qualities of Love, Compassion and Oneness.

The ideas which emerge from ‘Reflections on Life’ serve as an invitation to dialogue. By approaching life from our perspective viewers are invited to reply, recognising that there are elements that we agree are important and others not covered here which should not be missed out.

‘Reflections on Life’ Part 1 consists of 220 slides – some are images, others include text.  The file size is 26 MB so it will take a few minutes to download but we hope you will find it a valuable resource.
Viewing time (excluding 3 minute introduction) is 20 minutes. Use any reflective, meditative music as an accompaniment –
 a DVD with ‘Reflections on Life’ Part 1 and Part 2 (inter faith version) is available which includes a file of music designed to fit these presentations .

In Part One we have seen some of the pain as well as the beauty that life can bring. The focus is on the need for peace, justice  and environmental balance.

In Part Two we focus on questions such as – ‘How can we find peace in this fractured world?’ – and ‘Faced with all the complexities of life, what is the best way to respond?’

By making Reflections on Life available as a free download we hope that many people across the planet will share in our vision - sharing the inspiration offered by its message in ever increasing circles, circles of harmony that will spread out like ripples, expanding and expanding until they embrace each and every soul - and every corner of this amazing and beautiful planet which we all call our home.

We hope you enjoy watching ‘Reflections on Life’ and will be inspired to send us some feedback.

The ‘Wise Elders’

Authors of texts included in Reflections on Life Part 1 include –

Al Gore, Maya Angelou, Kofi Annan, Ban Ki Moon, Barack Obama, Black Elk, Sri Chinmoy, William Commanda, Dalai Lama, Albert
Einstein, Mahatma Gandhi, Mikhail Gorbachev, Daisaku Ikeda, Thomas Jefferson, Martin Luther King, Elizabeth Kolbert,
Leonardo da Vinci, Abraham Lincoln, Andrew Marlowe,
Yehudi Menuhin, Plato, Qwatsinas, Oscar Romero, Socrates,
Mother Teresa, Charles Windsor and Malcom X,

 

Translation

Some slides include non-English script which is translated here.

 

or Aum – this is often taken as the symbol of Hinduism. It is a word written in Sanskrit language – the sound is translated as OM or Aum. Hindu sages say that this is the primal vibration with which the created physical world began – and can still be heard in the silent depth of meditation as creation continues still. Aum is widely regarded as the most powerful and effective mantra (inspiring word or phrase repeated to gain inner peace) and is found in many Hindu prayers.

Shanti



Shalom



Salam

Shanti, Shalom and Salam mean peace in – ( Shanti is peace in Sanskrit – Hindu, Shalom is peace in Hebrew – Jewish, and Salam is peace in Arabic – Muslim.)



Ek Onkar

The Ek Onkar signifies the oneness of God.

This symbol is the Omkar in the Gurumukhi Script. In its graphic as well as in its concept Ek Onkar is quite similar to Aum or Omkar of Hinduism. Ek (one) can also indicate the oneness of our all-inclusive human family.



The Bismillah

The Bismillah is a phrase in Arabic found at the start of almost every sura in the Qur’an. It has often been said that it embodies the true essence of the entire Qur’an and many Muslims repeat it at the beginning of any important project.

In Islam there are many ‘Beautiful Names’ of God but because of its prominent position, the qualities of God given in the Bismillah are naturally considered particularly important.

As with most translations it is difficult to give the precise meaning of the Arabic but the common translation of the Bismillah is

‘In the name of God, the most Gracious, the most Compassionate.

The words Beneficent and Merciful are also often used.

 

Copyright

Many of the images in Reflections on Life come from our own photographs. Others have been gathered from many sources. A full list of credits is being prepared.

We hope that all whose photographs have been used will be happy and proud to be included in this free download - but should any copyright questions arise we will be happy to make any adjustments necessary.