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10/11/05 10:19:41 pm
"A Smile is the most basic kind of peace work." - Thich Nhat Hanh
While the Peacewalk on October 8, 2005 has come and gone, the energy and intention of that beautiful experience still resonates in the center of my being.
Imagine what it is like when hundreds, even thousands of people gather in one place, especially in a downtown area of a major metropolitan center, such as Los Angeles. One might envision a lot of talking, cell-phones, busy-ness, playing, and so on...
On October 8th, thousands of people converged on MacArthur Park in downtown Los Angeles, aligned with a specific intent, that of being peace. And so this is how it went: The audience of hundreds listened intently as we were guided through a meditation to generate peacefulness and mindfulness. The venerable buddhist monk and peacemaker, Thich Nhat Hahn, gave a brief discourse and instructed the assembly on how to do the walking meditation.
The walk began in absolute silence from the group. Sounds of the city, from the sirens of emergency vehicles, to cars driving by, and the light stirrings of respectful onlookers were not even disturbances. The consciousness of peacefulness was so focused and so powerful, that it was like walking through a dream, and consciousness was born in every step, and in every breath.
Only once during my hour-and-a-half walk did I hear a cell phone ring. Only once did I hear an infant child's brief cry.
"Peace is Every Step is a peace project, sanctioned by Thich Nhat Hanh, and developed and supported by the Sangha (community). Its purpose is to bring many peace organizations together to form one voice for peace in the world from a non-violent, non-angry heart. We are not trying to make peace, but be peace. There is no way to peace, peace is the way."
See you at SpiritRave! Bright Blessings!
Joseph Calani
here is a link to the LA Times Article:
Protesters Press Quietly for an End to War
Activist Cindy Sheehan joins peace advocate Thich Nhat Hanh as thousands
march at L.A.'s MacArthur Park.
By Steven Barrie-Anthony
Times Staff Writer
www.peaceiseverystep.net/la_article.htm
"A Smile is the most basic kind of peace work." - Thich Nhat Hanh
While the Peacewalk on October 8, 2005 has come and gone, the energy and intention of that beautiful experience still resonates in the center of my being.
Imagine what it is like when hundreds, even thousands of people gather in one place, especially in a downtown area of a major metropolitan center, such as Los Angeles. One might envision a lot of talking, cell-phones, busy-ness, playing, and so on...
On October 8th, thousands of people converged on MacArthur Park in downtown Los Angeles, aligned with a specific intent, that of being peace. And so this is how it went: The audience of hundreds listened intently as we were guided through a meditation to generate peacefulness and mindfulness. The venerable buddhist monk and peacemaker, Thich Nhat Hahn, gave a brief discourse and instructed the assembly on how to do the walking meditation.
The walk began in absolute silence from the group. Sounds of the city, from the sirens of emergency vehicles, to cars driving by, and the light stirrings of respectful onlookers were not even disturbances. The consciousness of peacefulness was so focused and so powerful, that it was like walking through a dream, and consciousness was born in every step, and in every breath.
Only once during my hour-and-a-half walk did I hear a cell phone ring. Only once did I hear an infant child's brief cry.
"Peace is Every Step is a peace project, sanctioned by Thich Nhat Hanh, and developed and supported by the Sangha (community). Its purpose is to bring many peace organizations together to form one voice for peace in the world from a non-violent, non-angry heart. We are not trying to make peace, but be peace. There is no way to peace, peace is the way."
See you at SpiritRave! Bright Blessings!
Joseph Calani
here is a link to the LA Times Article:
Protesters Press Quietly for an End to War
Activist Cindy Sheehan joins peace advocate Thich Nhat Hanh as thousands
march at L.A.'s MacArthur Park.
By Steven Barrie-Anthony
Times Staff Writer
www.peaceiseverystep.net/la_article.htm
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Re: Peacewalk with Thich Nhat Hanh in L.A. October 08, 2005
Tue, October 18, 2005 - 8:35 PMComment from: Bill Robertson [Visitor]
I really enjoyed your description of the Peace Walk at MacArthur Park a few weeks back. That is exactly how I felt. When thousands of people stepped out onto Alvarado, and all of the local shop owners turned off their day-time traffic music, and simply stepped onto the sidewalk to be one with the consciousness of peace a warm feeling love just washed over me. We were all of one like mind. The people on the sidewalk weren't 100% sure of what this was all about, but you could tell they knew it was something that they had to surrender to at that given moment. It was very powerful. I will never forget that day, as it proved that peace is the only way.
And I wish that the LA Times had seen it for what it really was. It wasn't a demonstration against the war, but more of a walk for peace across the planet. We're not against something, it's more about what we're for. Once again, just a wonderful experience, on a beautiful day in LA.
10/18/05 @ 10:08
