Posts Tagged ‘Peace’

Walking Monks with a Dog

The monk’s long walk from Texas to Washington, D.C. has been a breath of fresh air for many Americans to see, myself included. I must admit, their loyal companion dog, Aloka, captured a piece of my heart right away. The way she walks is with purpose and a prance. She reminds me of my girl, Bella, who is my own little Peace Keeper.

Peace-Dogs!

Below Image Link: https://share.google/S2mEbAMqAvlb8ycUr

Aloka is now recovering from recent surgery on her leg. A veterinarian practice in SC performed the operation as a gift. Rest is now part of her journey in the Walk for Peace.

Shows Monk with dog, Aloka.

“Now, as we walk across America on our own journey for peace, we carry Aloka’s spirit with us. His unwavering presence reminds us that loyalty, devotion, and companionship are languages every heart speaks. Like Aloka chose to follow the sacred footsteps across India, we too can choose each day to walk beside what matters most—peace, mindfulness, love, compassion, and unity.”

Source: The Ancient Sacred Buddhist Scripture Stupas (https://dhammacetiya.com/Dhammacetiya).

We are now witness to widespread fear, suffering and an ongoing division within our own country. Turning on TV to watch the news is often too disturbing for many people to endure.

“I stopped listening to the news,” is a common phrase these days.

Seeing the monks for the first time on television surely caught my attention. I’ve been stuck at home a lot. The TV has been on more than usual for me. Ignoring news is not always easy. Mostly, every channel shows shock and violence. Headlines are enough to put fear in the mind and heart.

I’m not alone in wondering when or if our country will settle down. Will we ever find common ground again? This applies not only between political parties but also at our own dinner table, so to speak. I’m grateful that my son and I are on the same side because when you’re not, the space is wide.

Walking more than 2000 miles, the monks are spreading the message of peace in America. Peace. In America.

My first instinct when I learned about the Walk for Peace was to tell someone. I called my son. He said he saw some monks on YouTube. Later, we’d talk about the walk and what we understand it to mean. We both wish we could see them in person. I have a frozen shoulder, which hurts. Otherwise, I’d surely go celebrate this historical moment with others.

As I write, the monks are in my state, North Carolina. I’m listening to a speech one of the monks gave in High Point, NC, yesterday.

“Breathe in and breathe out,” I hear him say. “One. Breathe in. Two. Breathe out,” he continues.

The monk is talking about bringing the mind to the fresh moment. Counting the breathe helps train the mind, he tells us. Creating a path (to peace) for ourselves.

“There’s a light on the left side. A light on the right side,” he says, referring to thought patterns that pull on us.

“Reach to it (the light), ” the monk continues. “Try to find joy.”

Wow! Monks talking about the mind, chasing after thoughts and living in the present moment. Airing live across national television channels in the southern United States!

Hallelujah!

I’m personally grateful to the monks for their Walk of Peace. I will never forget them or the walk. I needed to see something positive and hopeful going on in our country. The monks are sharing with us a way to peace. I walk in spirit on this great journey!

Peace be with us.

with Love and Respect,

DOGKISSES.

Bella the Peace Keeper

My sweet dog, Bella, has a splendid personality. Her nature is patient and loving. She’s generous with other dogs, allowing them a time or two of less-than-stellar behavior. I think she has higher expectations for us humans.

Fourteen pounds of love!

There’s a lot that I love about Bella. She brings me joy and laughter, comfort and love, and all the amazing wonderful feelings we dog lovers get to experience.

On a most personal level, I am moved by Bella’s way of expressing her needs. Particularly when she focuses on peace in our home and family.

Bella knows when I feel frustrated. In fact, she knows and has a strong sense for all emotions. She not only senses my emotions, but others’ as well.

My adult son and I have been coexisting for more than a year in my studio apartment. He has his own place, but has been staying with me part of the week for a nearby job. We’ve been in a limbo as a result, but are living this way by choice for now. There’s advantages to our arrangement, but a downside is the space doesn’t allow for much privacy. As a result, sometimes we get on each other’s nerves.

Bella will not stand for either of us raising our voices or an argument she deems is going too far. She barks in a loud way, looks upset, and runs to her bed. This behavior sends a message to my brain and heart. I promptly quiet my voice, as I’m most often the one who first verbalizes frustration. My son tends to hold his tongue.

I am incredibly grateful to Bella. Her ability definitely keeps peace. She loves us very much. I guess it’s simply her nature, but she’s like a child who needs her people to be okay. I get that.

Dogs are amazing companions. Every one I’ve had in my adult life has had a unique attribute that I need. Bella is sweet as strawberry pie. Still, when she needs something like a walk, she certainly knows how to ask. She knows how to ask for food. She also knows how to make sure her people are okay.

Dogs are teachers. Us humans have only to listen and learn.

Thank you for visiting my blog, DOGKISSES!

Michelle and Bella.

Christmas Wishes

May Peace be with You

Lake water and morning mist

Merry Christmas!

 

 

Peace in Nature

A poem by Wendell Berry:

The Peace Of Wild Things

When despair for the world grows in me
and I wake in the night at the least sound
in fear of what my life
and my childrens lives may be

I go and lie down where the wood drake rests
in his beauty on the water
and the great heron feed

I come into the peace of wild things
who do not tax their lives with forethought of grief
I come into the presence of still water
and I feel above me the day-blind stars
waiting with their light

for a time I rest in the grace of the world
and am free.

The music in the video is called Hawk Circle, played by George Winston.

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