A group of Buddhist monks, as reported in The New York Times this month, walked all the way from Texas to Washington, D.C. (2,300 miles; 10 weeks) to send the message that you can find tranquility. They called their walk the "Walk for Peace," and stopped along the way to give lectures to people who had come to see them. Their goal was to provide a diversion from whatever was troubling them. As news of their walk spread, their audiences became larger, and their dog, Aloka (which means "light" in Sanskrit), became a star.
This Walk Brought Comfort to Many
Many of those who saw the monks experienced a sense of comfort and felt inspired by the monks' bravery and resilience in traveling so far through ice and snow during the South's unusually cold winter. In his periodic speeches, their leader, Bhikkhu Pannakara, spoke about how pain and setbacks were part of life but that we should not let these difficulties overwhelm us, but rather try to create peace for ourselves.
As word of this walk spread, many people searching for calm came long distances to see and hear the monks. They were very moved by the experience. They included people of many different backgrounds.
Finding Calm in a Troubled World
I was struck by how much pain many of the viewers were living with. They spoke about their distress over the troubled state of the world, both here and abroad, and about the hardship of simply trying to afford everyday life. These difficulties resulted in feelings of anxiety, anger, despair, helplessness and exhaustion.
Bhikkhu Pannakara suggests practicing mindfulness meditation to find a sense of peace and then “protecting" it. How does one protect it? I would think by continuing the practice of mindfulness meditation. Many people have found comfort and peace with this method.
Creating a New Mental Pathway
I’d like to suggest taking this a step further. You can create a new mental pathway in your mind—one that not only brings you moments of peacefulness and calm but also delivers lasting benefits. I call it an Inner Guide. Over time, it can eliminate uncomfortable emotions such as anxiety, depression, and irritation, help eradicate unwanted habits, and protect you from both internal and external dangers.
To create your own Inner Guide, use the Stress-Free Formula, at
https://www.communityforwellbeing.com/the-stress-free-formula
If you already have an Inner Guide and would like to join our online Community for Well-Being, a community dedicated to supporting individuals who are using the Inner Guide in their lives, just email me at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and I'll send you the link.
