PMC History

ABOUT PMC

THE PENTAGON MEDITATION CLUB

Edward Winchester - PMC President, founded the The Pentagon Meditation Club in 1976. 

Pentagon Meditation Room  - Former Secretary of Defense Melvin Laird established the meditation room at the Pentagon on December 15, 1970.  He said,

“Until now this building lacked a place where man's inner spirit could find expression.  In this building . . . can be found a wide range of goods and services of a material nature, as well as places for work and duty.  Today we are dedicating a room in the Pentagon as a place where the needs of the spirit – the needs of the inner man – can find satisfaction.  It is a place where men and women can reflect and pray, and find guidance, as well inspiration.  This room offers a setting in which we can pray as we like.  Its existence is recognition of our dependence on God if we are to progress toward the peace, which we seek for ourselves, and for all mankind.  Peace is the business of this building – this small room is an affirmation of that . . . Though we cling to the principle that church and state should be separate, we do not propose to separate man from God.  For without Him, Who is the Source of our being, the Source of our wisdom, and the Source of our Strength, we can do nothing.” 

          The Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense (Welfare and Recreation) officially chartered a Pentagon Meditation Club in April 1976. The organization continued to function for at least twenty years as a non-denominational private association of Department of Defense employees and military personnel.

          The group grew gradually until the number of meditators grew to over one percent of the entire Pentagon population of 17,000 employees.  They came individually for private meditations, whether for relaxation, de-stressing, or to pray for situations in the world whenever their work schedules permitted. However, a core group of about a dozen individuals gathered together faithfully on Fridays using the centering prayer/meditation format of the Peace Shield Meditation in the Pentagon Mediation Room.  Meditation classes, lectures, and private instructions were available for all Pentagon employees and advertised widely throughout the Pentagon building.  The Club networked with peace organizations, churches, and groups around the world that were concerned with the prospects for peace more broadly and for the welfare of humanity.

          Over a period of twenty years the PMC sponsored a monthly distinguished speakers program.  The Club hosted a steady stream of visitors, and organized seminars for Army, Navy, and Air Force and the Defense Intelligence Agency.  Ed Winchester (see bio) founder and president of the PMC was a frequent guest speaker at government agencies, church groups, and various community events, and helped establish meditation clubs for other government departments such as The Department of Education, the Environmental Protection Agency, the American Red Cross, and the General Services Administration.  The PMC conducted a number of demonstration projects, SDI Spiritual Defense Initiatives, aimed at bringing spiritual renewal at the Pentagon and helping to reduce stress for employees and the military who work there. 

See also: TIME - LINE of PMC History and Dates  See also: PMC TIMELINE

Need for Discernment "Discernment is a gift of deep intuition and insight.  Discerning people can separate truth from fiction and know at a visceral level when people are being honest and that truth is being communicated.  Deeply sensitive and “tuned in,” those with the gift of discernment are open to feelings, new ideas, and intuition as valid and credible information.  Discernment is not irrational, but supra-rational, trans-rational – beyond empirical – knowledge". The United Methodist Church   http://www.umc.org/ ___________________________   It is through listening to our inner most thoughts (inner voice), that deepest silent part of ourselves, trusting what comes, that we develop discernment and intuition.   When Developed, Is A Blessing and Gift From God     Meditation and silence is presented here for your consideration, and as a tool for transformation, raising consciousness, research and educational purposes, and not as a religious belief per se (The Pentagon Meditation Club respects the various religious traditions but does not represent and/or advocate any particular religion or religious practices such as ceremonies, initiations, occult and/or rituals etc).   The various views and opinions of authors expressed on the PMC do not necessarily reflect those of Ed Winchester and/or The Pentagon Meditation Club (and/or Peace Makers Institute™).  Opinions and/or articles from individuals and/or authors are those solely of the individuals making the representations.   Any healthcare recommendations concerning the use of meditation are made only as general health care and are not meant to be specific to any individual or medical advice.     It is each person's responsibility to use discernment when exploring these ideas for further studies.  May the path you choose to follow be non-judgmental of the paths chosen by all others.

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