Israel - August 2013

This has been one of my most outstanding and exciting journeys for peace.  James Twyman was invited to go to yet another war torn area of the world to amplify the vibration of peace.  He decided this time he would ask a small, select group of 10.  I was one of them.

We became acquainted via conference calls before we left our homes. By the time we met in Jerusalem we embraced as old friends and the bond was never broken.  We cared for each other and looked out for each other.  We lived the peace we were seeking to extend.  There can be no other way.

The mission was to go right to the borders of both Syria and Egypt, be joined by thousands of like minded souls all over the world and funnel this loving energy towards the people in pain who were fighting for their lives.  We were not favoring any side. We were not picking a “winner”. We were simply sending unconditional love to all people, focusing on Syria and Egypt.

First off, we knew the dangers we could face.  Fighting had just bro
ken out on the streets of Cairo in Egypt.  A few hundred were killed.  Many hundreds were injured and in hospitals.  Embassies closed all over the Middle East and into Africa.  In Syria bombs were going off. Electric wires were severed.

James requested a vote.  A vote was taken.  It was a unanimous YES!  We knew we were needed, could make a difference and had to answer The Call.

Jerusalem was our base camp.  Our hotel was a few blocks from the Old City which has not seemed to change in the last 2000 years.  There were open markets of fruit, vegetables, breads, clothing, scarves, house wares, just like in the time of Jesus and Herod.  We walked the same cobble stone streets. Experienced the same feelings.  Felt the same heat.

The Old City is now divided into 4 quarters: Muslim, Jewish, Christian, Armenian. Many of the stories you’ve read about in the Bible happened here in this area and close by.  We visited as many as we could.  I’ll share a few memories through out a few blogs.

Here is a quick overview of the trip:

• Garden of Gethsemane with 2000 year old living olive trees
• Mount of Olives overlooking a Jewish cemetery
• Garden Tomb where Jesus was buried
• Church of the Sepulchral where Jesus was buried (claimed by both)
• Baptism in the River Jordan
• Syrian border prayer vigil
• Church of St. Peter by the Sea of Galilee now Lake Tiberius
• Mount of Beatitudes
• Prayer ceremony at Israeli and Palestinian peace talks 
• Qumran, home of the Essenes
• Floated in the Dead Sea
• Prayer vigil on Egyptian border in Eilat by Red Sea
• Lunch at Maya’s house!
• Created Jerusalem Peace Song with Jews, Muslims and Christians
• Ate strange food and smoked a Hookah.

More stories to come…….

Assisi and the Prayer of St. Francis

What is it about a place that makes you want to wrap your arms around it, gather it up, fold it with very tight creases, pack it in your suitcase and take it with you forever? Something touches your heart, pricks a memory from another time, calls to you in some way.

You’ve had it happen to you. I know you have. It doesn’t matter where or when or even what. What was it for you? Are you standing on a rocky cliff looking over a vast ocean – lying in fine sand on a beach with the sun caressing your skin and warming your core – hiking in pure mountain air, hearing the trees whisper their song – in a crystal cave deep beneath the earth – on a quaint street in a tiny village – or someplace entirely different?

When I hear “Assisi” I feel like Pavlov’s dog. (I’m learning to control the drool.) When I see a picture of Assisi my heart opens the dam flooding my brain with loving memories and something deeper than my mind can reach, buried in the depths of my being.

It’s the embodiment of Love; its connection; its friends; its beauty, song, laughter, a freshness older than the mountains, its Oneness.

Assisi is synonymous with St. Francis. I think of one and the other pops up with it, tied together, bound forever, a blend of man and earth, earth and sky, trees and nature. And don’t forget the animals and birds. St. Francis called them our sisters and our brothers. He knew of our inner connection to All That Is.

So, when a fellow pilgrim sent me this video of the prayer of St. Francis set to music, sung with an enchanted voice against the backdrop of Assisi, I was right back there again, standing on the rooftops, walking the ancient streets, breathing the Italian air.

Once that place is touched I allow it to expand so I can travel deeper. Why did I go in the first place? Now that I’m back, what am I doing with it?

I arrived in Assisi at the end of a very long walk in all kinds of weather through the rugged mountains. We called it a Walk for Peace, to raise the consciousness. The consciousness that was raised was my own. I’m still the same person, mind you, and at the same time totally different.

I walked for peace. At first I didn’t know the peace I was walking for was for me.

Peace to me is being accepted. Therefore, I accept you as you are and I accept me just as I am. We don’t need to be fixed because we’re not broken.

Peace to me is being calm inside, letting whatever is happening to happen. Be assured that the outside of me is just as animated as it always was. The point is that there doesn’t seem to be any real reason to get upset over “stuff”. Change happens. We get upset when we try to keep life the same when life is changing.

Peace is being kind. There really is no excuse for not being kind. No one can make you mad or upset or happy or sad. If you think someone has that power over you, why are you letting them in your head? You may not choose the action but you certainly have control over your reaction to the action. If not, why not? Get a grip. Who is living your life if not you? Be kind to yourself.

Peace is freedom. Every time I decide to be peaceful I also become more free. The freer I become the more freedom I give. And you get back what you give.

St. Francis knew what he was talking about. What he wanted for himself is what he gave to others. How he wanted to be treated is how he treated others. Listen to the song again. Take from it what you can.

This video gift was given to me and now I give it to you.



Pace e Bene.

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.