Walking Circles for Peace
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by Carl Smith
Carl, a graduate of Shalem's 1988 Spiritual Guidance Program, recently wrote us about his practice of walking circles of peace. These circle walks started for Carl when he learned he had leukemia and began walking at the hospital. They also grew out of his struggle with how to constructively relate to the "seemingly overwhelming realities over which I have so little grasp and seemingly no control." We have excerpted some of his words below in the hope, with Carl, that his walks might inspire others to join him. You can reach him at quarksjig@att.net or 505-984-5040.
For me, walking circle on circle on circle is a metaphor, a spiritual practice, a transmission of affirmative energy into the universe. It also generates healing, compassion and sustainability for humans, other living beings and the planet.
In a hospital stay I started walking these circles. Now I walk morning and evening—slow walks for peace. Wherever I am, I will continue these walks.
Walking these circles is a "we" thing. We know we are not alone. Step by step, the sense of being accompanied by a great, powerful host has grown. Now we know that we are a very potent force for peace, compassion, healing, sustainability. We are: people around the globe who sit and walk in meditation; angels and archangels; light workers and energy workers; birthright energies (love, compassion, healing, etc.); "saints" and mentors; the millions of cells in my body working with the cells of chemotherapy; the web of prayer and support that has made itself known to us; Jesus, Mary, Buddha, Spirit....
Do not underestimate the power of these circular walks for peace. As Rumi reminds us, we keep walking (imaging, affirming), but we cannot grasp how it will come about or what it will look like.
It is easy for us to get fixated on and carried away by the quandaries we face in our social/economic/ environmental/political systems. Some say our situation is like cancer—too many unhealthy, immature cells have taken over so the systems cannot sustain themselves. And it may seem useful to recognize that these "unhealthy, immature cells" are living systems. Just like us, they no doubt "think" they are doing the right thing. They too are full of denial and resistance to shifting.
Yet the critical point is that we do compassionate healing in ourselves and in the planet by way of walking the reality we wish to live out. Preoccupation with "the problems" drains energy and perpetuates "the problems." You and I walk (project, image, affirm) a different reality—that of peace, partnership, compassion, healing, economic and social justice, equal distribution of resources, etc. It is important that we realize this. With our walking we sow and water seeds of healing, compassion and sustainability. And we do this (in the words of cross-cultural anthropologist, Angeles Arrien) by "showing up, paying attention, telling the truth without blame or judgment, and letting go of the outcome."
Walks for peace, of course, are only one way to respond. There are countless ways that people contribute. Gandhi said, in effect, it may not seem that you are doing very much, but it is very important that you do it. That is all we need to realize to walk the circles with a profound sense of purpose. Join us!
SUGGESTIONS FOR A SLOW WALK FOR PEACE:
Set out a path or "round" that forms a circle. If long enough, divide the path into two to four sections. Begin your slow walk with a time of stillness and a blessing prayer. At the beginning of each section, dedicate that section to a person, group or situation. As you walk, image (with feeling, emotion, compassion) that person, group or situation being in the best sustainable, healthy space they can be. See/feel the light flowing between the two of you. At the end of each section, stop and say a blessing for that person, group, situation. Continue with as many sections and rounds as you desire, sowing seeds of peace, sustainability and compassion. Remember—We never walk alone. We are surrounded by a vast host of support and spiritual beings.