I chose today’s quote because I want to tell you about the Walk for Peace if you don’t already know about it. A group of Buddhist monks set out from the Huong Dao Vipassana Bhavana Center in Fort Worth, Texas in October to walk 2,300 miles to Washington, DC, along with their dog, Aloka The Peace Dog. They are not walking to reach a destination, but to heal the world.
At a time when it feels like our country is overflowing with hate, cruelty, division and fear, these gentle monks provide a way to exhale and pause. Along their journey, as the monks are being greeted by people alongside their route or at their lunch and evening stops, you’ll see heart touching moments of connection.
For me, following their walk via their daily updates on the Walk for Peace Facebook page and Aloka The Peace Dog’s Facebook page has been a source of immense joy and a balm for my soul. I find myself moved to tears when I watch their videos and read their updates. I didn’t realize how much I needed proof that kindness and compassion still exist. Each time I watch one of their videos, it feels like my nervous system resets.
I started to change how I go about my daily routine of checking the news once a day. Before I brace myself for what inevitably will make me sad, angry or anxious, I visit the monks’ and Aloka’s Facebook page. It doesn’t change the fact that once I go to my trusted news sites, the news is still awful, but somehow, it shifts how I process everything.
The Venerable Bhikkhu Paññākāra, who is the head monk along this walk, shares a daily motto in his talks: “Today is going to be my peaceful day.” The monks remind us that kindness still exists, that gentleness matters, and that peace can be achieved one step at a time.
The monks crossed into Virginia on Thursday, and will eventually come through my area. I’m hoping that I will get a chance to see them.
Will you make today your peaceful day?
Image by Jiri Plistil from Pixabay
Thank you SO much for the post, I had no idea, and am grateful to be able to follow their journey.
I wonder how they are coping in this weather ?
They’ve walked through all of it, including the awful snow/ice storm last weekend. These monks are on a completely different level of consciousness from the rest of us, that’s for sure.
What a beautiful video. Just goes to show that what type of environment you live in is the one you live.
Thank you for sharing the Monk’s and Aloka’s Peace Walk. I look forward to following their remaining journey.
Love it.
Peace ️
I’m glad you love it, Sue, and I hope it brings you the same sense of peace it is bringing me.
We definitely need more peace. I hope you’ll get to see the monks when they come through your area.