This will be my peaceful day. Venerable Bhikkhu Pannakara
I wake this morning with the horrors of this past week heavy in my heart and present to angst that seems to want to settle in and gnaw on me all day. Perhaps beyond. Then I remember the wise invitation of Venerable Bhikkhu Pannakara in a talk a few days back: Each morning on waking take a breath and give yourself an assignment – ‘This will be my peaceful day’.
My heart lightens as I breathe those words and their gentle yet potent possibility in with a prayer that peacefulness becomes the reality for all. For Life. Peace within begets peace without. Moment to moment breathe that in and out for the moment, this one, is all there is. The next breath is for that moment.
This will be my peaceful day.
The words wrestle with my observations of world events, with my concern for friends and family in neighborhoods where the horrors are present. For all who may be in harm’s way where vigilance and care are required. How might I behold both Peace and the actions of those not at peace in a caring way? Ignorance is not bliss, rather it is choosing blindness to that which we’d prefer not to see.
Inner battles, traumas, conflicts cannot be fought in the streets or on battlefields nor settled in the halls of governments and the courts. The grappling these require is an inside job. Me to me. You to you. Each individual heart to that heart. That is the peace that will pass understanding. That is true peace that will last. Heaven on Earth.
It’s that seemingly impossible possibility that has inspired me each day this week to both attend to my inner work and to follow the venerable monks on their Walk for Peace as they make their way to Washington, D.C.
I’m in awe of their commitment – walking miles and miles each day whatever the weather. Most days they people along the way to visit during their lunch and evening rest stops and offer a talk to share their perspective, their wisdom. Not as attempts to convert or convince. Simply demonstrating mindfulness and peace. Step by step. Breath by breath. Day by day across 2300 miles.
But what calls forth my tears as I watch isn’t listening to the wise words of Venerable Bhikkhu Pannakara, the monk leading the walk, but the outpouring of support in communities along the way. Tears well up as I read the post of state senator in Georgia who, after witnessing the monks being confronted by a man with differing beliefs, said that she was forever changed. Watching hundreds, perhaps thousands, walk with them across a bridge in Columbia, South Carolina. Observing the reverence of people lining their route and the protection being proudly provided by law enforcement in each community. Bearing witness to the monks’ compassion shown for many individually and all collectively. Their frequent expressions of gratitude. And yes, their care for Aloka, the Peace Dog walking with them each day until sidelined by an injury requiring surgery generously provided by a veterinary clinic along the way.
Out of care and respect I share only what is posted on the official Walk for Peace social media pages. Here’s a beautiful song inspired by the walk that they shared yesterday.
As a post I saw earlier this morning asked, “If they can walk 2300 miles for peace, can’t we walk away from anger and hate?” Yes we can! Will we?
