when you are drawn by Grace into your Self, the heart of Life, deeper than the personality to the well-spring of insight and compassion
you cannot not see the suffering of all beings and naturally, in this spontaneous compassion, you will desire to be a healing balm
not as someone better than others but as someone who knows suffering, too so, can be-with others in their suffering
and, thereby, be peace and bring peace and quiet within
* * *
That evening, Jesus' disciples went down to the shore to wait for him. But as darkness came and Jesus still had not returned, they got into the boat and headed on the lake toward Capernaum. Soon a gale swept down upon them, and the lake became turbulent. They had rowed three or four miles when, suddenly, they saw Jesus walking on the waters to the boat. They were terrified. And he called to them, "Don't be afraid! I am!" Then they were eager to let him into the boat. Afterward, they immediately arrived at their destination.
*Gospel of John 6.16-21
* * *
The above story, undoubtedly meant to be more than a historical account, certainly not merely a Christian or church story, speaks of peace. Jesus can be seen here as a means of calm amid tumult and turbulence, for he is a being of peace. His life is one of peaceful being. We see this same in images of the Buddha.
Awakened beings are for peace, for they are peace. They invite us to the same being and sharing of peace through scriptures, stories, traditions, and rituals. These beings are not at war with or against others, for violence cannot transform violence, and being against cannot be the root that becomes the fruit of kindly sharing.
Any one of us, at any moment, can be a Jesus, be a Buddha. Possibly, to do this will take courage. Kindness and compassion toward all beings are not always the priority of those we live among. Yet, we do not have to shout peace from the housetops. We do not have to intend to call attention to ourselves and our wish for peace. Unless guided to do otherwise, we can live quietly, embodying the tranquility we have been graced to choose.
Jesus replies, "I am!," not, "I am this" or "I am that." We can speak "I am!" for we know we are, like Jesus. "I am" eternally moves from our innermost being, and to it are added "this" and "that," but all else is hung on "I am" like so many, varied, and oft-conflicting embellishments. We know we embody peace when living in the truth "I am!" And, since that is the essence of who we are together, for there is only one I am, serene being is the natural way to live and for us to share with others, human and otherwise.
* * *
we need, as fellow human beings, to create places of Grace not necessarily Grace in a religious sense Grace in a natural sense, a human way of living-together peacefully
such places are places of Peaceful Being with leaders who are Beings of Peace leaders who share leadership ~ leadership-with ~ only humble beings are fit for leadership and humble beings embody and inspire peacefulness in and among those around them
these places are places marked by kindness not characterized by posturings of superiority arising from a collective agreement of "right" and "wrong"
these places will be ~ are ~ healing places for the many wounded by
not-fitting-in not-measuring-up choosing expression of their giftedness gladly choosing courage so as not simply to conform choosing nobility not to support the ignoble deciding to stand with those judged "weak" by the "strong" being talked-down-to being kicked around being ignored being gotten rid of
many among us have been deeply wounded our sense of safety in this world lost by what we can call wounding places these can include
family, workplace, church, school, ... ~ any place can be, or become, a wounding place due to the presence of wounding persons
through technology online can be such a place as persons hurl insults at persons they have never met only seen as a face on a screen spread worldwide malicious rumors
succinctly, healing places are environments of Love where persons feel safe to be, to speak free of being wounded by artless discrimination and overt cruelty
we can use the word "atmosphere" for this ~ who wants polluted air to breathe? yet, some places, some groups, are poisonous polluted and polluting others they come into contact with
in healing places persons are seen of equal worth the same dignity regardless of past choices
Love thrives in the present, this moment and this present is always the moment we can live together, gently, kindly
persons choosing to be a safe space for others they form together safe, nonjudgmental places for we create what we are
one person ~ you ~ can be a safe place, a healing space a welcome refuge where others can relax, be, grow, heal, learn to love and be loved again
yes, possibly the greatest gift you can give to others, to this whole world is peaceful being
so, how? when? this peaceful being ~ simply, naturally, spontaneously, love-filled ... this step, each step one step at a time
* * *
That is the reality of one step. To live your life freely, in peace and harmony, all you have to do is wholeheartedly take care of one step in every moment. In that moment you reach the other shore, because one step is not separate from life, it is the full aliveness of life, interconnected with grass, water, your feelings, your body, and many things. In one step there is a peaceful life. This shore, the other shore, and many beings exist, and all are absorbed into that one step. At that time one step becomes just peaceful life.
*Use of photography is allowed accompanied by credit given to Brian K. Wilcox and title and place of photographs.
*Brian's book, An Ache for Union: Poems on Oneness with God through Love, can be ordered through major online booksellers or the publisher AuthorHouse.
