Published: December 28, 2006 05:03 pm
by Hannah Buchanan- Jacksonville daily progress.
One man is reaching the world one person at a time and he began his quest right
here in Jacksonville.
Master M.J. Hughes started the National Meditation Center for World Peace, a
501c3 organization, which specializes in humanitarian training, in 1987 with a
lot of patience and hard work. He's using the center to devote his time to reach
people of all ages, from Jacksonville and East Texas to the rest of the world.
I was diagnosed with epilepsy, and I was put on disability. I couldn't work. I
didn't just want to sit around I'm not that type of man. I knew the kids here
didn't have much.
With is own time, money and effort he created the center from the ground up.
This lot was under water, I practically filled it with dirt, Hughes said. Then
it was nothing but a dirt lot. I literally funded this by myself.
Growing up, Hughes became interested in Asian culture, including meditation and
marital arts. He used training from his mentor Master J. Kim and focused first
on using the center to reach troubled youth in Jacksonville and the surrounding
areas with his expertise as a master instructor in Jujitsu.
I've been in martial arts for 30 something years. Ive been teaching it for more
than 20 years, Hughes said. I've been studying the Asian arts all my life.
As proof of his love of the culture and ways, a picture at the center shows a
younger Hughes sitting on a bed of nails, while other pictures show some of the
thousands of martial art students who have been through his training and
teaching.
They go, Who are you talking about? Something like this is in Jacksonville?
Hughes said with a laugh.
For 20 years, we specialized in working with troubled youth and law enforcement.
This last year we've made a shift to more agency training. We've found its more
cost effective. Its a way to reach more people. We've had people from all over
come here. The difference between the center and most agencies is the highly
technical expertise.
In addition to the martial arts training, the center also provides personal
safety and self-defense training for women, anti-violence programs and other
humanitarian programs, including bio-terrorism preparedness, emergency training;
and community health safety and security.
Other pictures along the walls of the National Meditation Center are proof of
his goodwill work. Hughes has received various awards and honors, and he has
been recognized around the world. From proclamations by local State
Representative Chuck Hopson to a personalized note by Terri Irwin, wife of the
late Crocodile Hunter, Hughes is proud of the effects and the fruits of his
labor by the center.
He even used his skills and expertise in intuitive development, meditation in
crisis counseling, to offer help to the youth in New York after the Sept. 11,
2001 terrorist attacks.
Being semi-retired now doesn't slow Hughes down. He continues to work with
various groups, offer community and agency programs and travel, as well.
I traveled to the Philippines and witnessed the slave trade. Im presently
involved in creating an awareness of child slavery. I have a standing offer to
go to China as a technical expert, Hughes added.
Hughes said the center is offering a introductory to traumatic stress course
next month.
Any interested agencies or individuals who would like to participate in the free
course, receive more information, or make donations to the National Meditation
Center, may contact Hughes or program director Jon Hanson at 903-589-5706 or
visit the Web site at www.nationalmeditation.org.
Photos
National Meditation Center director Master M.J. Hughes, along with his son Dano
and program director Jon Hanson pose for a picture at the National Meditation
Center for World Peace. The center is offering an introductory traumatic stress
course next month. For more information on the course or center, call Hughes or
Hanson at 903-5897706 or visit the Web site at www.nationalmeditation.org
Progress photo by Hannah Buchanan None/ (Click for larger image)