I have been following the Peace Walk as these people crossed through many communities and states in direct contrast to what has been coming out of that country.
It has been moving to see these men walking in all kinds of weather, peacefully, with so many people coming out the greet them in each community, small or larger, they enter. I found it hopeful in this time and space we seem to be living in.
They are led by a rescue dog, which seems to be full partner in the walk.
As I have talked with some friends over the last couple of years, who work with young people, students in universities, or just in … coffee shops in communities I happen to be visiting.
The common theme – they want peace. They want a different lifestyle, something freer, healthier, less structured, more caring and compassionate … and the list goes on.
What these monks are demonstrating is much closer to that lifestyle than what we experience in our world today.
I have also been moved by the story of Tumbler Ridge. Where a young person seemingly carrying much hurt, or something, given the police reports regarding her during the past few years, struck out, bringing devastation to families and the community.
As I write this column, one little girl, Maya, 12, fights for her life after being shot in the head and neck. Against all odds, she continues to fight for life.
I am moved by all of this to explore some of the options these monks espouse to, mindfulness, compassion, loving kindness, humbleness, gratitude and honour not in any particular order.
While they appeal to me, I have to ask myself – “how does that fit with my Irish temper?”
Where do I fit in mindfulness, which is something I have just begun to explore, partially inspired through by these Monks.
Compassion is something I remember Barbara Coloroso, a woman my friend always introduced as the “goddess of Children.” I heard her speak and interviewed her several times.
She is the author of several books and a whole lot of wisdom when it comes to the lives of children in our society.
One time her focus was on compassion and the importance of teaching children compassion.
We live on this beautiful planet together and it’s more important to be compassionate with one another than fight with each other. Compassion, as I see it, is deep caring of one another. I would stretch it on to include all the creation, air, land, animals, water and air beings, everything.
Much can be said about loving kindness. I have long wanted to write something on kindness.
When I was quite young, my mother gave me some advice. Never be afraid to take the first step; always give the benefit of the doubt, and always be kind.
Throughout my life I have found kindness as one of the trickiest. It sounds so simple, like be nice.
I have learned much about niceness. For example, the terminal niceness, where niceness is is the priority. A simple one is asking someone how they are, when you greet them.
Their response is, of course, fine.
I have found people startled, uncomfortable, upset, unappreciative, to say the least, when I’ve told the truth, which indicated I really wasn’t all that fine.
Sometimes saying no to a request is the kindest thing, when responding to someone’s request.
Often people are kind out what they see another person needing, but it’s not helpful or embarrassing to the receiver.
I could write much about the word kindness, as I could about the word help, but suffice to say, including the intended person whatever the prospective kindness, making sure it’s something that benefits them, not just makes the giver feel good, and ensuring the kindness is actually beneficial to the receiver are some good practices.
Sometimes my Irish temper could even be helpful and kind?
These are all areas that are not particularly respected these days in this one size fits all world in which we live.
