According to a recent report by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), California is currently experiencing the warmest and the third driest winter in history. Experts have predicted that climate change will cause serious impacts on humans and even threaten human existence. Therefore, it is imperative that we start to take actions to solve the problem.  Besides, food safety scandals, geopolitical conflicts, wars, and other events of negativity have resulted in chaos around the world, and crises could be triggered at any moment. At a time when it’s hard to tell true from false, right from wrong, people’s hearts are surrounded by uncertainty.

Therefore, Dr. Hong, Tao-Tze, Zhang-men-ren (leader) of Tai Ji Men, initiated the movement of “An Era of Conscience” to evoke positive energy to stabilize the world and awaken the inner calling for goodness and kindness.  Positive influences will forge connections between individuals, families, societies, and nations to encompass the planet.

Since its global launch on Feb. 16, 2014, the movement of “An Era of Conscience,” co-organized by the Federation of World Peace and Love, the Association of World Citizens, NGO in Consultative Status with ECOSOC and Associated with the UN DPI, and Tai Ji Men Qigong Academy, has received enthusiastic responses from over ten thousand people from 147 nations and 381organizations.  In California, the U.S. Congress members, California senators, mayors, and other leaders in various circles have warmly responded to the movement, too.

After the global launch, the organizers of the movement have continued to host related events.  Tai Ji Men Qigong Academy in Los Angeles held a “Symposium of Conscience” on March 29 from 10:00-11:30 A.M. in the City of Walnut, CA. Speakers of the event included Dr. Chung-Ming Liu, Dr. James Tsai, president of the Chinese American Association of Walnut, and Mr. Nelson Huang, chair and president of APAPA-SCR.

Dr. Liu, a retired professor of atmospheric sciences from National Taiwan University, is a well-known meteorologist in Taiwan, and he used to do briefing to high-ranking government officials and generals to aid them in their policy making process.  Dr. Liu talked about the impact of climate and climate change on humans.  More importantly, he shared his insight into “JW Ecotechnology Methods.” If these methods were adopted by the greater Los Angeles area, the underground water storage capacity would increase to 63 million tons, holding more water than San Gabriel Dam, which can hold 55 million tons of water.  Dr. Liu originally thought that he would take a break from atmospheric science research after he retired.  However, he has been inspired by the movement of “An Era of Conscience,” and his passion for climate research has been rekindled. He hoped to raise the public’s awareness of climate change through his sharing at the symposium.  He also hoped that all people would listen to their conscience in everything they do and cherish the environment and resources.  He shared the idea that we are all citizens of the world, and we are interdependent on one another.

Dr. James Tsai, president of the Chinese American Association of Walnut, shared the experience and reflection of his volunteer work in local communities. Dr. Tsai mentioned that from his clinical experiences as a dentist he realized that pulling decayed teeth for free for patients who had severe toothache but couldn’t afford regular dental treatments is only a short-term fix for them.  If they do not receive proper dental care afterwards, there will be more serious dental and health problems.  He realized that when community services are planned the long-term consequences and effects of the services offered should be seriously thought over.  Otherwise, short-term fixes may lead to bigger problems in the future that will require more time and money to solve. Dr. Tsai also asked the audience to think about the fact that while many corporations provide free services to local communities they are exploiting their workers and polluting the environment in foreign countries.  Are they doing a good or bad thing? Dr. Tsai was deeply touched by the movement of “An Era of Conscience” and believes that we should always do things according to our conscience, the inner sense that can tell right from wrong.

Mr. Nelson Huang, chair and president of APAPA-SCR, talked about leadership and social responsibility. Everyone is born a leader. As we get older, we shoulder more social responsibly.  We should use our leadership skills to lead others by example.  That would inspire others to act conscientiously, and the world will become a better place, said Mr. Huang, “You are the one who can make a difference!”

The event also presented global responses to the movement of “An Era of Conscience.” A group of young Tai Ji Men members electrified the audience as they danced to the upbeat and energetic song “Power of Love.” All the participants sang “An Era of Conscience” together to convey the idea that all people should protect their conscience and cooperate with others to do good deeds. A powerful performance “Celestial Horse Dance” was given at the end to wish all participants to run forward with great courage like celestial horses and all people to exercise conscience in their daily lives and spread the power of kindness.

“An Era of Conscience” would like to invite everyone to be the leader of conscience.  Everyone is encouraged to speak kind words, do good deeds, and influence those around him/her so that we will create waves upon waves of positive energy to envelope the whole earth and construct a world of love and peace. We would like to cordially invite you to share your words of conscience (100-300 words), drawing, painting, etc. on the website of the movement of “An Era of Conscience” at www.aneoc.org. or send your video or audio recording (about 30 seconds) to info.aneoc@gmail.com.  Organizations are welcome to jointly promote the movement of “An Era of Conscience.” If you have any questions about the movement, please contact Tai Ji Men Qigong Academy in Los Angeles at (909) 468-1362.

Inspired by Dr. Hong, Tao-Tze, Zhang-men-ren of Tai Ji Men, Dr. Chung-Ming Liu hopes to raise the public’s awareness of climate change through his sharing at the symposium. He hopes that all people will listen to their conscience in everything they do and cherish the environment and resources. He also wants to share the idea that we are all citizens of the world, and we are interdependent on one another.

The youth present an energetic performance "Celestial Dragon Dance" to inspire all people to exercise conscience in their respective jobs and spread positive energy.

Group picture. Dr. Chung-Ming Liu, a retired professor of atmospheric sciences (second row, second from left), Dr. James Tsai, president of the Chinese American Association of Walnut (second row, first from left), and Mr. Nelson Huang, chair and president of APAPA-SCR (second row, fourth from left).