We started our day at MERU, the international headquarters of the Transcendental Meditation movement, located near the town of Vlodrop in the south of The Netherlands. MERU's mission is also a world of peace, which they strive for through their many meditation programs that are renowned all over the world. It's a beautiful thing that so many people still wholeheartedly believe in world-peace!
We are posing in front of the impressive mansion where Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, the founder of the movement and creator of the Transcendental Meditation method, lived the last 18 years of his life.
Three of their pandits blessed our Peace Torch with ancient Vedic chants. It was a moving and beautiful ceremony.
Baris Turkkan from MERU accompanied us for a short run through the beautiful forests surrounding their headquarters. It was so nice to reconnect with their organisation, after our first run with them two years ago. Baris was very kind and supportive and we hope to run with him in the future as well.
Running through the forest from Holland into Germany.
There was a light drizzle, but it couldn't dampen our spirits.
In the German town of Geilenkirchen a choir of children was awaiting us. They sang several beautiful songs about peace. We were also received by the mayor, Mr. Leon. Many thanks also to the press secretary Mr. Bienwald for his enthusiasm in coordinating the meeting.
Peace Runners enjoying being sung to.
We took the children through a little exercise of feeling peace in the heart.
The children made wishes for peace and put them on this bulletin board.
Running through the beautiful German countryside towards Herzogenrath.
In Herzogenrath the mayor Mr. Fleckenstein generously received the Peace Torch and spoke encouraging words about peace and friendship.
Running from Herzogenrath to the south in the direction of the Vaalserberg, Holland's highest 'mountain' (although 'hill' would be a more accurate description).
The drizzle continued, as did our smiles!
Standing at 322 meters height it was still a bit of a climb! Here we just reached the top.
The Vaalserberg is also a three-border point, joining the countries of The Netherlands, Belgium and Germany.
The Vaalserberg is dedicated to peace as part of the Sri Chinmoy Peace-Blossom family, joining hundreds of landmarks around the world. Geert Driessen, caretaker of the three-border point and owner of the local restaurant De Grenssteen, received the Peace Torch on behalf of the peace-mountain. He was also present in 1995 when the Vaalserberg was first inaugurated as a Peace-Blossom.
The plaque dedicating the Vaalserberg to peace.
Balancing right on the border of three different countries! Can you see the metal lines on the ground? They are actual borders!
Geert Driessen is also the creator of the amazing labyrinth at the Vaalserberg, that tells the forgotten story of Amikejo or 'neutral Moresnet', a 4th country that existed between 1816 and 1920 at this very location. So for 104 years the Vaalserberg used to be the only 4-border point in the entire world!
Geert has created and installed a wonderful animation telling the story of Amikejo, a country that embraced Esperanto as its spoken language. Esperanto (literally 'hope') was created with the aim to make it a world language that everybody could speak, long before English took over that role. Amikejo means 'friendship' in Esperanto and the country served as a model for a world united in peace and friendship.
Inside the labyrinth Geert has installed several games to play that teach you more about the story of Amikejo.
A final picture at the Peace-Blossom plaque. Many thanks to Geert Driessen, who gave us a wonderful tour through the labyrinth and cooked us delicious food from his restaurant!
