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Thursday, May 15, 2008
Today
Thinking about our vigil in preparation for today's radio interview, it's nice to look at the changes that have taken place within me over the past three years.
I USED to stand with somewhat of an attitude of rightness - "I stand for peace and if you oppose me, you are wrong". I felt kind of special. And if a passer-by would throw up their middle finger or yell something not-so-nice, I'd feel assaulted. How dare they?
I USED to meditate or repeat prayers throughout the hour. If I got distracted, I came right back to them. I made the vigil an hour of work for myself.
I USED to have an attachment to results from our standing.
NOW I really don't feel anything one way or another when someone throws out an opposing view. I admit that I feel a little heartened when people send messages of support - not happy that people agree with me, but encouraged that so many people care about living in a peaceful world. Mostly, it's fun to see people connecting, whether they agree with us or not. If they disagree, at least they're stating their opinion.
NOW I just stand and remain present. I don't think there is anything wrong with spending the time meditating or counting cars or sending peace to lands at war. But by standing and "just being" in the moment right there, I have come to realize that the peace that I am standing for is already right there. Where we stand, actually where I type this - right here - is peace. And how can I ever think I'll make peace happen somewhere else if I don't realize and be the peace that is within me and without? If I'm at war with war, I am only creating more war. If I take insults personally and with a need to defend, I am at war. And we don't need any more of that.
And NOW, I don't stand with any need for anything different to happen. I can't control the world and I don't know the bigger picture of it all. Still, something does happen while we're out there. Our Women in Black vigil has become a way of life for me. It's community with the women that stand and with the people in all the metal on wheels that pass. We are a conversation piece, especially since we stand in an area where it's an anomaly to see people on the street. We remind shoppers on the way to the mall (and we're also reminders to ourselves) that there are people suffering through acts of war and violence at that very moment.
(In case you read this before 3:00 p.m. Mountain Time today, I just found out how you can listen to us via your computer. Click here for the link. But please don't tell me if you're going to listen. I'm going to need to pretend that no one is out there so I don't freak!)
I USED to stand with somewhat of an attitude of rightness - "I stand for peace and if you oppose me, you are wrong". I felt kind of special. And if a passer-by would throw up their middle finger or yell something not-so-nice, I'd feel assaulted. How dare they?
I USED to meditate or repeat prayers throughout the hour. If I got distracted, I came right back to them. I made the vigil an hour of work for myself.
I USED to have an attachment to results from our standing.
NOW I really don't feel anything one way or another when someone throws out an opposing view. I admit that I feel a little heartened when people send messages of support - not happy that people agree with me, but encouraged that so many people care about living in a peaceful world. Mostly, it's fun to see people connecting, whether they agree with us or not. If they disagree, at least they're stating their opinion.
NOW I just stand and remain present. I don't think there is anything wrong with spending the time meditating or counting cars or sending peace to lands at war. But by standing and "just being" in the moment right there, I have come to realize that the peace that I am standing for is already right there. Where we stand, actually where I type this - right here - is peace. And how can I ever think I'll make peace happen somewhere else if I don't realize and be the peace that is within me and without? If I'm at war with war, I am only creating more war. If I take insults personally and with a need to defend, I am at war. And we don't need any more of that.
And NOW, I don't stand with any need for anything different to happen. I can't control the world and I don't know the bigger picture of it all. Still, something does happen while we're out there. Our Women in Black vigil has become a way of life for me. It's community with the women that stand and with the people in all the metal on wheels that pass. We are a conversation piece, especially since we stand in an area where it's an anomaly to see people on the street. We remind shoppers on the way to the mall (and we're also reminders to ourselves) that there are people suffering through acts of war and violence at that very moment.
Peace is every step.
- Thich Nhat Hahn
- Thich Nhat Hahn
(In case you read this before 3:00 p.m. Mountain Time today, I just found out how you can listen to us via your computer. Click here for the link. But please don't tell me if you're going to listen. I'm going to need to pretend that no one is out there so I don't freak!)
Labels: KGNU, Women in Black
posted by Carol at 9:04 AM
6 Comments:
Coincidentally, I've just started reading Thich Nhat Hahn's book Peace is every step. This is from the introduction, and it sort of ties in with your post today:
"Although attempting to bring about world peace through the internal transformation of the individuals is difficult, it the only way. Wherever I go, I express this, and I am encouraged that people from many different walks of life receive it well. Peace must first be developed within an individual. And I believe that love, compassion, and altruism are the fundamental basis for peace. Once these qualities are developed within an individual, he or she is able to create an atmosphere of peace and harmony. This atmosphere can be expanded and extended from individual to family, from the family to the community and eventually the whole world." ~H.H. The Dalai Lama
I listened to the whole program. You and Betty Lynn did an fabulous job. (It sounded as if you never stopped breathing!)
The photos posted on the KGNU website were enlightening.
Your story of the beginnings of Women in Black was informative. I hadn’t realized that you’d participated Camp Casey, the vigil at Bush’s ranch. If you have blogged about your experiences, perhaps you can post a link (since I’ve not read it); if you haven’t blogged about it, please do.
Thank you, my friend!
Did my last comment make it to the blog? It hasn't shown up!
Thomas,
Thanks for sharing that quote. We are so lucky to have Thich Nhat Hanh and the Dalai Lama around in our lifetimes (not that there haven't been great examples before).
"Peace must first be developed within an individual." Yes!
Nick,
You are so sweet to listen to our interview. Thank you!
This blog began because of my trip to Camp Casey in August of 2005. You can read about my experience in the August, 2005 archives of my blog (You can also read about my second trip in the April, 2006 archives.) I'll do a post on it sometime soon.
You'll be happy to know that in the studio, right in front of me, there was a sign that said, "Breathe - but not into the microphone". I liked that a lot!
Someone very intelligent put up that “breathe” sign!
About 30 or so years ago, the first time I was interviewed for a radio program, the interviewer asked me a question and then literally pushed the microphone in front of my face. I gaped at the mic, stopped breathing completely, and forgot how to speak, much less what to say. Thankfully the program was being taped, so after I returned to the moment, we did it again. One doesn’t have that opportunity on live programs.
What is it about microphones that they're able to take our breath away?
Glad you made it through that one, Nick!
(Next time, I think I'll ask to do a taped program.)
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