Anam Nostos House Blog

What Can a Monk Teach Us by Taking a Walk?

The last few months a beautiful act of peace unfolded on the most unexpected roadways across our country during a time when we have been experiencing everything but peace.
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One monk had a dream over three years ago, which he held close to his heart until the day he knew it was time to reveal his desires to his master teacher and subsequently to the world. His goal was not to become a hero. His mission was not to convert others to his way of life. He had no intention of creating a monetary motion. He was not walking in political action. He simply wanted to bring awareness to the simplest yet complex of ideas that has been the furthest away from the majority of the world's mind and actions for far too long. Peace. It was simply a walk, a peace walk.

For those not aware, the monks left their temple at the end of October with a mission to quietly walk from Texas to Washington D.C. I started watching their journey from the beginning and as it grew, it became something indescribable in emotions and meaning that the monks themselves are still struggling to put into words as it unfolded.

Stories. I’ve shared it before and I share it often, but we are all made of stories that we hold within close and dear. I am grateful for my own personal connection which I’m keeping close to my heart and have not shared. I did not take pictures. It was something I needed to embrace for me alone on the journey and simply wanted to pray with them in harmony with the message that they had shared.

The most soul touching part of this journey is seeing the different reactions from people who showed up on the side of the road with their own reasoning, their own personal story to see these humble monks. Their mere presence and symbol of peace was undeniable and often indescribable as it touched each person. From the bigger cities to isolated back roads; from mild weather as they began to bitter snow and ice storms. One humble step at a time, often barefoot as a symbol.

You had those who simply wanted to take pictures and post on social media, then you would have those who came with true respect wanting to receive the presence of their message. They often knelt or bowed quietly as they passed, offering flowers in peace. As time progressed, the offerings became more with food, hand warmers and beautiful artwork mirroring their message. By the end of the journey, they had found the need for more volunteers to collect the many offerings, protect them along the way, and help guide them through the challenging obstacles. Their vows are clear when it comes to hold no possessions, eat simply one meal a day before noon and not be the focal point. It was becoming difficult as each day passed, as they allowed for the gifts bestowed upon them. Their message held strong, their humility greater.

Personally, I was so moved by an understanding of the monastic experience, and for them to step outside of those walls and do what they’ve done through thousands and thousands of people is no easy feat. My heart worried, prayed and stressed with and for them as they encountered countless people, wondering if they were finding their moments of solitude in peace and in their monastic tradition.

What I saw to be profound, is that the monks knew who to stop and pause for special prayer as they offered a traditional chant and blessing bracelets on the side of the road. Individuals silently bowing with flowing tears, caregivers bringing their loved one’s in wheelchairs and the countless children who stood in awe not quite sure what they were witnessing, yet bringing a light the monks needed to receive on the more challenging weather days and days when the flu nearly took out their leader and proceeded to work its way through the following monks….though they did not stop, they did not pause. There was even a moment in the beginning days where there follow camper was hit by another car rushing into the monks with one losing a leg and a lay person injured. Heartbreaking as it is, it was undeniably beautiful as this young monk found forgiveness almost immediately joining the final days from a wheelchair in DC with nothing but smiles.

They held a powerful calm, an honorable respect and they knew those who came with the deepest pain, beautiful warmth and stories that needed to receive their peace; young and old they touched upon every person they could amid their steps. As the months went by the crowds grew, their message spread and to their own surprise people embraced each step and each other.

Though the irony was not lost as their following on social media reaches nearly 3 million watching from our phones or computer screens; I have heard folks share how tears fell endlessly daily. I, along with countless, woke up every morning eagerly to pray with them as they started their journey. They stood humbly chanting the traditional morning prayers, then began to walk each day's journey. You didn’t know these people in the beginning, but by their final destination we had an indescribable bond. An understanding of the connection's meaning will unfold for time to come. You could understand each story to a degree, and you wanted nothing more than for them to feel the peace of the monks who walked each and every step through heat through cold through pain through suffering through illness. They walked 2300 miles just over 3 months for their message and somehow it eases your pain. Wherever you were it brought peace to your story wherever you sat it is as if you were sitting side-by-side.

Why? Our world is hurting. It is undeniable. I personally feel helpless at the pain most days. These monks brought light. At each stop, we would hear a talk, the message always the same and clear, ‘Today is going to be my peaceful day.’ It was a reminder to put down our phones, turn off our technology and be present, embracing pause and allowing silence. It seemed nearly impossible, but by the end in DC at the large gatherings we would see thousands in front of the Washington National Cathedral and Monuments in meditative silence. A message embraced. For those who may have come because of the attention it gathered; I have no doubt the deeper meaning will unfold in days to come.

In their simple, beautiful, humble minimalistic prayer they remind us of presence they remind us of meditation. They remind us of slowing down. They remind us of the journey that we forget every day and every moment when we are so distracted by the world’s noises around us. They remind us of peace.

I have always believed there to be so much power in presence, in prayer, in meditation and mindfulness… There’s so much power in remembering that it’s not just about us in the world. 

I encourage you to find their social media pages to watch the reels that are being made…. Their words are of wisdom and need to be heard and shared.

This journey doesn’t end here, and I believe it will continue for a long time. We must not walk away from what we saw in these beautiful human beings. It is just the beginning of peace that we are all searching for today.
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May today be your peaceful day.