Direct from Assisi

One of the people connected with the Walk for Peace is a professional photographer. Claudia Henzler lives in Salzburg and joined us in Assisi for the World Peace Conference that was attended by all of the walkers. Yes, even wheelchair bound Marcia who we all helped to navigate the ancient hills.

Claudia’s love of peace and compassion for humanity clearly shows in her work as she bonds with her camera to create emotive, inspirational photographs.



When she sent me this video entitled Practicing Peace, I knew I had to post it on my site for you to see the flavor of the conference for yourself. I was standing there in the crowd, seeing the proceedings as they happened. But Claudia brought me a whole other viewpoint – impelling and expressive.

I have no idea of how many thousands of people witnessed the conference that was held at two sites the same day. You’ll see in the video, the Pope sitting within St. Mary of the Angels Cathedral and in front of the little church that was rebuilt by St. Francis.

The church was literally in ruins out in a field attended only by beggars who were taking shelter from the elements. Stone by stone St. Francis rebuilt the church. Now the church has shelter from the elements by being protected by a massive cathedral.

That same afternoon, the Pope, his entourage, all the religious leaders and dignitaries traveled the few miles to St. Francis Basilica in Assisi where the conference continued outside in the courtyard. A huge screen was set up so more people could watch the proceedings.

That day and that walk lives on. There is no telling how many lives were affected by the events. Each life touched touches another life and it continues like ripples in a pond, not dwindling but getting ever larger.

I encourage you to visit Claudia’s web site www.henzlerworks.com and view her “photos with a message”. You can contact her through her site. She would love to hear your comments about her works.

Ciao~

Conclusion

Conclusion – there is none. It’s an ongoing journey, an unfolding, a process of releasing, a new awareness, an inner expansion.

I have been writing about 7 points; Surrender, Trust, Patience, Acceptance, Non-attachment, In This Moment, and Rest. What now?

There is a new inner calmness, a sense of peace that I can’t explain. It seems that a line has been crossed that I can never step back over. In no way does calm equate dull. What happens is a new sense of freedom.

I remember saying to a minister friend that I wanted to be freer to be more me. He looked at me with a horrified look on his face and uttered, “You mean you’re not now?” Well, I was me but many times I stopped myself from doing something and other times I didn’t stop myself from saying something that was sarcastic, harsh or insensitive.

Yesterday I was with a friend, saw someone we both knew and was about to make a remark. Before I could even open my mouth a thought blared in my head, loud and clear – “What if his wife was standing behind you and heard your remark?” That was the end of that thought. Gone. Poof!

Mind you, it wasn’t a so called bad remark. It just wasn’t kind. So why give life to the thought?

What would have happened if I had verbalized the thought and brought it to life? Nothing. If I felt guilt because of it the issue would have been compounded. Two wrongs never make one right. (Yes, that’s a pun.)

I’ll tell you how I handled a situation I found myself in while driving. I was in a hurry at the time and a driver cut right in front of me then slowed down. Boy, did I yell! (The windows were closed in the car so I wasn’t heard but no one could mistake the expression or the mouthing of the words.)

As soon as I heard myself and felt the heat rise I stopped in amazement to my reaction. Then I congratulated myself for a totally human reaction and dove into the experience I was having. As soon as I faced my emotions head-on they dissipated.

I fully believe that I am here on this earth, living on this planet, to have experiences. The ones we label “good” we want to have more of. The ones we label “bad” we tend to stuff down, ignore, gloss over, or repress. When we do that, stuff and repress, those feelings and emotions live forever, grow moldy and stink. Not only that, they come back to haunt us because they have not been felt.

Surrender to the feeling. Trust in the process. Have patience with yourself. Accept what you have created within yourself. Be non-attached to the story and the results. Live the moment to the fullest by staying in the present. Treat yourself well and rest. You deserve it.

I would like to add that more than half of the walkers that were with me on this amazing Assisi adventure are still in daily contact with each other. We affirm each other, support each other and have the utmost faith in each other and the process of releasing, evolving, unfolding and expanding. I am blessed by them and blessed by you who are reading this right now.

Pace (Pah’ chey)
Peace

Rest

And on the seventh day God rested. I don’t know if God really needs to rest but it’s a known fact that we do.

When we were in Gubbio I discovered that I had let myself become so fatigued that I caught what we labeled the St. Francis Release. It’s not the same as Montezuma’s Revenge which affects the lower regions. This was all in my head. I was trying to ignore the confusion and deal with the runny nose. But, finally, I came to my senses and opted out for a day.

If I were dealing with another person I would have told them to go to bed and rest. So, what was the problem with taking care of myself? Oh, there were all kinds of internal arguments going on. I’m strong. I can do whatever I set my mind to do. Everyone back home is counting on me walking 116 miles. How can I let them down?

You may have different reasons but they all boil down to the same lump of tar. Have you ever said or thought – I have to; they’re counting on me; I’m expected to; it’s expected of me; it’s the rule; I was told to; I MUST!

None of that is true. Let me repeat that. No part of that last sentence is true. I’m not telling you to slack off or ignore a commitment. What I’m saying is to be reasonable and take care of yourself. You were given a life to live and your job is to live it to the fullest according to the way you want to live your life.

I am willing to wager that you want to live your life in the best condition possible. That translates to taking care of yourself so that you can take care of someone else. If you’re run down, over worked, under stress, you are not doing the best job you can. And you’re not enjoying life to the fullest.

The morning of the seventh day of the walk I had the above chat with myself and decided to stay in the hotel all day. Of course, I first had to go with the group to visit the church dedicated to St. Francis and the wolf. If there had been any doubt in my mind about going back to the hotel or going on the walk it was instantly cleared up. My body needed help.

How do you know what you need? An ideal place to start is learning how to tune into your own body. You may think you’re hungry when you’re really thirsty and need water. Your body may require protein yet you reach for bread or a cookie. Maybe the driver in front of you isn’t an idiot, you just need more sleep.

If a valued friend of yours came to you to ask for something chances are that you would give it to them or see to it that they received their request. Do the same for yourself. You are your own best friend.

When we were walking we all walked at our own pace. We were never told how fast to walk or that we were too slow. There were times when a person simply could not go on, could not take another step.

One time one of our guides flagged down a car, spoke to the driver in Italian and secured a ride for one of the walkers to the point where the bus would meet us to take us to our accommodations for the night. We were always taken care of. ALWAYS. If you believe you will be taken care of you will be taken care of.

This pilgrimage set in stone the adage “live from your heart”. Forget the head. The head is the home of doubt, worry and fear. Besides, thinking is hazardous to your mental health. Love lives in your heart. Trust it. Love yourself truly and you will love everyone. Love everyone as is without condition and you will love yourself. We’re all in the same family!

In This Moment

Have you noticed that the theme “in this moment” seems to pop up more and more? There just might be something to it. If you’re not in THIS moment you must be in the past or the future and not the present.

Think about that for a moment – if you didn’t have to concern yourself with time. Babies are like that. When they’re tired they sleep. When they’re hungry they eat and stop eating when they’ve had enough.

I’ve had a few times in my life when there was only the present moment. This walk for peace was one of them. We let go of the day, the time, even the place. There was no concern as to which path we were on, where we were going or who we were walking next to.

We walked at our own pace which was great but the turtles and the hares quickly separated. After awhile we worked out a rhythm, a method so that we stayed closer, at least within yelling distance. We would take “catch up” breaks often and let the slower walkers go first. The fastest walkers would start last. By the time the giant steppers were in the lead it was time to take another break.

We lived each second as it flashed, stopping often for a Kodak moment. The majestic mountains we climbed (which, I swear, were pitched at 180 degrees) were adorned with living monuments of trees and scampering wild life.

Speaking of wild life, I remember passing a group of hunters starting out. Not one minute later a soft, furry bunny hopped across our path. As if on cue we all yelled, “Run rabbit run!” wildly waving our arms and stamping our feet. Hmmm. I wonder if the hunters shot anything that day.

We climbed the mountain in front of us to the next spectacular view of the neighboring peak and stood mesmerized. Some of us turned around as slow as the hands on a clock to drink in the wonder before us. I don’t know if it was the altitude or the plethora of foliage that had the air smelling so clean, so fresh, so crisp. I couldn’t breathe deep enough or often enough. I wanted to capture the smell, the taste, the newness of the air.

There has never been a time like the present in the whole history of the earth. We are evolving. The magnetic grid has shifted. Compasses point to an adjusted North. What a time to be alive! Today is the only day you have.

I thought about that when I was riding in the Red Car. (Remember the Angel in the Red Car story?) I sincerely took into account that that day could be my last one on earth. My reaction was to sit back and enjoy the ride while I listened to beautiful relaxing Italian music. If that was to be my last moment I was going to enjoy it, not spend it fretting over regrets.

Whatever you are experiencing is a gift. If you’re laughing, LAUGH. If you’re crying, CRY. If you’re sad, be SAD. If you’re mad, be MAD. If you’re happy, be HAPPY. Fully feel whatever it is you are feeling. Don’t ignore it. Don’t stuff it down. FEEL it. Now, I’m not saying to smash something or hit some body or to commit an action that you’ll regret later. All I’m saying is to OWN it. Own the emotion. Then it’s done. You’re finished with it. It won’t stay around to haunt you because you’ve gone through it, walked past it and released it.

And now you’re in a new moment. Brand new. No leftovers. Why do you think old people seem so old? They could be living with leftovers and regrets, with an old life. Be new! Live this new moment. It’s the only one you really have. And, you have all the time there is.

Non Attachment

St. Francis is the epitome of non attachment. His father was a wealthy fabric merchant who expected Francis to continue in the elite tradition. One day Francis woke up to the fact that none of our worldly possessions really matter because its not what is on the outside but what you carry in your heart that really matters in the end.

Francis Bernardone threw away all of his tangibles, trappings and tricks and publicly denounced his inheritance. The more he gave away, the happier he was. He so impressed his friends with his freedom of spirit and his joy that they did the same and joined him eventually starting a new Order.

Non attachment is a big one that I have been working on for awhile. On the other hand, all 7 of these principles are equal in their bigness. On this Assisi Adventure I learned to let go even more.

First off, when you’re planning on taking a journey anywhere plus if there are other people involved (and it doesn’t matter if they’re family, friends you have known for eons or strangers) you have to allow room for other ways of thinking, doing and being. It’s a given.

I was prepared to be unattached to where I was walking or with whom; unattached to what I ate; where I slept; what I wore; even the weather.

One of my prized articles of clothing that accompanies me on every trip, except to Florida, is my ruana. A ruana is a wrap like a shawl or a serape that can be thrown over any amount of clothing for extra warmth, snuggled under as a blanket, bunched up as a pillow or folded up and sat on as a cushion. Mine came from Columbia, made of alpaca wool and given to me by a friend many years ago. Needless to say, I treasure my ruana.

When my friend, Marcia, fell and broke her ankle on day 3 she was right behind me on the downward side of the trail. I sat on the ground behind her and propped her against me so she had back support. It took a few minutes to discover that her leg was broken and decide how we were going to handle it. The effects of shock were an issue as well as the cold. Marcia needed a blanket, fast.

I was waiting for someone to do something and discovered that someone was me. Off came my cherished ruana to lay over my friend to keep her warm. I had accommodated people in the past and knew better than to consider any article a loan. Marcia was going to be picked up in an ambulance driven by Italian drivers and taken to an Italian hospital. I was prepared to never see my ruana again and gave it up willingly.

Another day on the walk one of the guides needed to write an important message and I gave up the small journal I was carrying in which to jot notes as memos for later blogs. A small book could easily be laid down and forgotten as we kept walking. Another moment of truth. How did I really feel about it?

Yes, I did get my ruana back and the journal. But, I took the opportunity to look inside, turn the light on and dust a few cobwebs out of the corners of my mind. We stuff our minds like we stuff our houses. Do we really need so much “stuff”?

What did I plan on getting out of this trip? An experience. That’s as far as I was willing to go. There really were no expectations other than meeting new people, seeing a beautiful country and walking and walking and walking. It was all left up to the Universe.

Sometimes we are so quick to judge by appearances that we miss out on meeting a beautiful person. The second day we were in Assisi, we were waiting for a local bus to take us to visit St. Mary of the Angels Basilica. Along troops this young man pushing a trolley with what looked like all of his worldly belongings stacked on it. He asked us for directions. Come to find out, he had been on a long standing pilgrimage for several years, walking, walking, and walking. We invited him to the concert James was to hold that night in a church. He came and brought a friend as well.

When you’re ready to consider learning the art of non attachment, take a trip, any trip, the longer and farther the better. You don’t have to go camping and sleep on rocks to appreciate your own bed and pillow. You could be in a 4 star hotel or restaurant and be uncomfortable.

When you step out of your comfort zone, ask yourself why you are distressed. You may want to start clearing your mental attic or basement of thoughts and feelings that no longer serve you. Release the trash of guilt, doubt, jealousy, envy and past hurts. They’re all rubbish and not worth being attached to.

Acceptance

Let me clarify a possible issue or train of thought right here at the beginning which is always a good place to start. Since we live in a dualistic society there is a minimum of 2 sides to every story, issue, point of reference, thought, etc. That’s a given. It all has to do with attitude and perspective i.e., the glass is half full versus the glass is half empty. There is a difference between being humble and being mush. The difference is attitude.

This journey provided lots of opportunities to have a change in attitude and to accept with gratitude. To accept with gratitude is a very valuable key. And let me tell you, a long hike in the woods, all day, all uphill, will build tons of gratitude.

When we would arrive at the next convent, or hostel, or small hotel, we were all very grateful. Sure we were tired and hungry (and twice wet from rain). We had been on top of the mountain and we felt on top of the world.

There was no choice of food selection, other than for those with special diets of vegetarian or gluten free foods. We ate what we were given and we were free to ask for more (until the item ran out). It was always fresh and made with care although sometimes not a personal preference.

If we were one of the stragglers and arrived late we shared a room with whom ever we were assigned. Sometimes we had the upper bunk, or we rolled into the middle of the mattress when we lay down. But we all had beds with clean sheets. The bathroom may have been in the hall but it was indoor plumbing.

Please accept this next story in the spirit with which it occurred. It may read like a small miracle which to me it was. But then, my life is filled with miracles. The fact that I even went to Italy was a miracle.

This story is about “The Angel in the Red Car” and it happened on the seventh day of the walk.

By day #7 I was exhausted and not feeling well at all. There was some kind of congestion going on and my nose was running like the leaky faucet in the hall. The walk this particular day would be the longest and the hardest. There were still 3 more days of walking plus our triumphant march into Assisi which I was not about to miss for any reason. If Marcia could make it in her wheel chair, well then, I could make it too.

At the time we were in Gubbio scheduled to stay at the same hotel for another night. It would be easy to remain in my room for the day. No packing or moving required.

James Twyman wanted us to visit one special church before the walk. The church honored the story of St. Francis and the wolf. We were never pressured to do anything we didn’t want to do. There was an inner compulsion on my part to join with my friends at the church, see them off and return to bed. So I did.

The church was small and charming in its antiquity. Well worth the effort. By the time the visit was over I had no idea which way was up. The brain was already back in bed and had ceased to function; eyes were glazed over.

Fortunately, 3 other women weren’t going to walk either and offered to take me with them. They planned on visiting one more church before returning to the hotel. Piece of cake. I certainly could hold up for a little visit to another church. Besides, there was no way this fuzzy brain could navigate the road home. Someone had given me a map but we were now off the end of the map.

We started walking and soon discovered we had no idea of which way to go. There were no visible street sign, none that we could see. We hadn’t a clue.

Finally, we came across a small store that sold cell phones. In we trouped to ask directions. One handsome gentleman customer was patiently waiting for the only clerk who was on the computer. They didn’t speak English. We didn’t speak Italian.

Laying out the little map on the desk, I pointed to the bottom of the map where I thought the hotel was. (Actually, I repeatedly jabbed my finger at the map as I was clicking my heels together.)

The clerk pointed down the street, turned his hand to the right, gestured some more and aimed to the right again. We took it to mean, “go this way, turn, walk on, turn again and you’re there.

We thanked him profusely with many “gracies” and a few “pregos” thrown in for good measure, went outside and conferred. Were we walking for 2 minutes or 2 miles? Where are we turning (twice)? No clue.

As we stood there commiserating on what to do, the handsome Italian gentleman sauntered out with his car keys in his hand, heading straight for his car which we happened to be standing next to. Without a word, he opened the back door of his red car and gestured to get in. So I did. By myself. The 3 women wanted to visit a church, not go directly back.

The car door was closed and off we went in the opposite direction! The driver turned on the radio to beautiful Italian music and sped away. Sinking back into the seat the thought that rolled through my head was, “This could be my last day on earth. It’s a nice day.” I was gazing out the window admiring the view and the blue sky.

Mind you, I had no ID on me, not even my name. No phone numbers and no phone. I didn’t even know the name of the hotel. One of my friends had said it had “Umbria” in the name but that was also the name of the district.

Neither I nor my friends knew the driver’s name, make of the car or it’s license plate number. Nothing. And off he drove and drove. For how long, I have no idea.

When the Red Car stopped, we were right in front of the main door to my hotel! I was safely home. The fine Italian gentleman got out of his car, opened my door and held out his hand which I gratefully accepted. We hugged. Off he drove as I shuffled into the sanctuary of my room.

Was I crazy? Was it a miracle?

I trusted my intuition and accepted what was offered. I had asked for help and help was given. Everything in my life is for my benefit. In other words, if I so choose I can benefit from anything that appears in my life, even a runny nose.

Accept what is offered with an attitude of gratitude and count your blessings. You have way more than you will ever realize. You are blessed more than you will ever know.