"I couldn't have planned this" Bernie laughed.
In fact, it wasn't even his idea.
In Olympia, Washington, this hometown hero gone global had to be coaxed into his first portrayal of the Mahatma Mohandas Gandhi.
He reveals a wonderfully rich life of contemplation and courage, as he tells his story in his new book The American Gandhi My Truth Seeking With Humanity At the Crossroads.
His approachable nature left him open to Chris Dull's unusual request.
Both are members of the National Council of Fellowship of Reconciliation.
Two directors on the council were doing work relating to Gandhi's teachings.
Bernie's portrayal would be a gift to them, and consequently, the world.
His strikingly similar looks and historically accurate portrayal were warmly received.
He was encouraged and enlisted to continue, speaking for colleges, schools, Indian cultural groups, libraries, peace gatherings, and listed with Humanities Washington.
It was after Bernie accepted an invitation to do his portrayal in India that he was approvingly adorned with a new name, a sandalwood garland around his neck, and a weighty responsibility.
Now dubbed "The American Gandhi" he was told in the name of the Association of World Citizens, "it is your calling to take Gandhi to the world.
" Bernie Meyer's sense of duty began early on in his 70 years.
He achieved his boyhood call to be ordained as a Catholic priest in Cleveland, Ohio.
Bernie states in his new book that his participation in the Urban Ministry Program "provided the posture that formed my entire life from that point on.
" It was there that he learned you must go to the roots of injustices affecting people.
He has lived his life honoring that principle.
He may not be the "Mahatma" but he is truly a "Great Soul.
" In 2006 the American Gandhi led a Salt Walk in Olympia in reflection of Gandhi's Salt March in 1930 held in India.
Bernie called on "Truth Seekers" to join him.
He believes that the Truth is in all of us, and that Love is being faithful to the Truth, to all that is.
He spoke about major issues calling for modern Gandhian solutions.
The 1930 Salt March was a coordinated act of civil disobedience to repressive British law.
The result was called the first true act of "peaceful militancy", and a Round Table Conference in London took place to discuss law reform.
The talks were "inconclusive" but the achievement, historic.
The American Gandhi's 2006 Salt Walk would challenge worldwide repression on a grassroots level.
Doctor Vishwanath D.
Karad, president of the World Peace Centre in Pune, India instructs that with humanity at the crossroads the answers that will bring harmony lie in science and spirituality alone.
During the first week of August, Bernie Meyer, the American Gandhi, will be among other scholars, philosophers, scientists and Nobel Laureates speaking at a modern day Round Table Conference in Pune at the request of Dr.
Karad.
The speeches given at this prestigious event will be compiled into a publication that will be submitted to world leaders in science, spirituality and politics.
The American Gandhi will describe a "triple threat" to human existence as: global climate change, nuclear weaponry and industrial society's dependence upon the depleting resources of liquid fossil fuel and water.
He will further explain that though we must study so we can act now, "humanity can use its wisdom to apply science to overcome this.
" The insights shared in his book are a culmination of in-depth study into the roots of human violence, and over four decades of activism, making a clear case for nonviolence.
He weaves his own experiences and poetry with various scriptural text and quotes and ideas of Gandhi, Martin Luther King, Alice Walker, Arundahti Roy, and other influences.
The American Gandhi, My Truth Seeking With Humanity at the Crossroads by Bernie Meyer, is available at Amazon.
com and Barnes and Noble online.
Dedicated to All Peacemakers as Truth Seekers, the Introduction reads: For all those who intentionally dedicate their lives for justice, I present another reason for hope.
In fact, it wasn't even his idea.
In Olympia, Washington, this hometown hero gone global had to be coaxed into his first portrayal of the Mahatma Mohandas Gandhi.
He reveals a wonderfully rich life of contemplation and courage, as he tells his story in his new book The American Gandhi My Truth Seeking With Humanity At the Crossroads.
His approachable nature left him open to Chris Dull's unusual request.
Both are members of the National Council of Fellowship of Reconciliation.
Two directors on the council were doing work relating to Gandhi's teachings.
Bernie's portrayal would be a gift to them, and consequently, the world.
His strikingly similar looks and historically accurate portrayal were warmly received.
He was encouraged and enlisted to continue, speaking for colleges, schools, Indian cultural groups, libraries, peace gatherings, and listed with Humanities Washington.
It was after Bernie accepted an invitation to do his portrayal in India that he was approvingly adorned with a new name, a sandalwood garland around his neck, and a weighty responsibility.
Now dubbed "The American Gandhi" he was told in the name of the Association of World Citizens, "it is your calling to take Gandhi to the world.
" Bernie Meyer's sense of duty began early on in his 70 years.
He achieved his boyhood call to be ordained as a Catholic priest in Cleveland, Ohio.
Bernie states in his new book that his participation in the Urban Ministry Program "provided the posture that formed my entire life from that point on.
" It was there that he learned you must go to the roots of injustices affecting people.
He has lived his life honoring that principle.
He may not be the "Mahatma" but he is truly a "Great Soul.
" In 2006 the American Gandhi led a Salt Walk in Olympia in reflection of Gandhi's Salt March in 1930 held in India.
Bernie called on "Truth Seekers" to join him.
He believes that the Truth is in all of us, and that Love is being faithful to the Truth, to all that is.
He spoke about major issues calling for modern Gandhian solutions.
The 1930 Salt March was a coordinated act of civil disobedience to repressive British law.
The result was called the first true act of "peaceful militancy", and a Round Table Conference in London took place to discuss law reform.
The talks were "inconclusive" but the achievement, historic.
The American Gandhi's 2006 Salt Walk would challenge worldwide repression on a grassroots level.
Doctor Vishwanath D.
Karad, president of the World Peace Centre in Pune, India instructs that with humanity at the crossroads the answers that will bring harmony lie in science and spirituality alone.
During the first week of August, Bernie Meyer, the American Gandhi, will be among other scholars, philosophers, scientists and Nobel Laureates speaking at a modern day Round Table Conference in Pune at the request of Dr.
Karad.
The speeches given at this prestigious event will be compiled into a publication that will be submitted to world leaders in science, spirituality and politics.
The American Gandhi will describe a "triple threat" to human existence as: global climate change, nuclear weaponry and industrial society's dependence upon the depleting resources of liquid fossil fuel and water.
He will further explain that though we must study so we can act now, "humanity can use its wisdom to apply science to overcome this.
" The insights shared in his book are a culmination of in-depth study into the roots of human violence, and over four decades of activism, making a clear case for nonviolence.
He weaves his own experiences and poetry with various scriptural text and quotes and ideas of Gandhi, Martin Luther King, Alice Walker, Arundahti Roy, and other influences.
The American Gandhi, My Truth Seeking With Humanity at the Crossroads by Bernie Meyer, is available at Amazon.
com and Barnes and Noble online.
Dedicated to All Peacemakers as Truth Seekers, the Introduction reads: For all those who intentionally dedicate their lives for justice, I present another reason for hope.
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