“there may be times when we are powerless to prevent injustice, but there must never be a time when we fail to protest.” – elie wiesel
“oppression is not beyond us. yes, as elie wiesel says, there are many injustices we can never prevent. but we can always, always, always try. we can protest, use our voices, vote with our feet, allow ourselves to feel others pain instead of ignoring it, refuse to distance ourselves from the plight of the afflicted, fight the tide of indifference. ” -Kathy Escobar
A Litany For Peace
Thich Nhat Hanh
As we are together praying for Peace, let us be truly with each other.
Silence
Let us pay attention to our breathing.
Silence
Let us be relaxed in our bodies and our minds.
Silence
Let us return to ourselves and become wholly ourselves.
Silence
Let us be aware of the Source of Being common to us all and to all that is.
Silence
Evoking the presence of the Great Compassion, let us fill our hearts with our own compassion—towards ourselves and toward all living beings.
Silence
Let us pray that all living beings realize that they are all nourished from the same Source of Life.
Silence
Let us pray that we ourselves cease to be the cause of needless suffering.
Silence
Let us pray that we may live in a way which will not needlessly deprive other living beings of air, water, food, shelter, or the chance to live in health.
Silence
With reverence for Life and with awareness of the sufferings that are going on around us, let us pray for the establishment of peace in our hearts and on earth.
Beautiful words by Thich Nhat Hanh (for those who don’t pray, we can replace the word pray with hope). And the song was so nice. It was good to hear Joan Armatrading’s voice again! Let’s remember MLK’s words, also: “In the end, we will remember not the words of our enemies but the silence of our friends.” We must always protest against oppression of any kind.
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I agree, Sabishi. However we express our solidarity, it’s all good. We’re all one and when one part is hurt, the other feels it.
I saw Joan Armatrading in concert many years ago. She has a fabulous voice and I love her songs.
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Wow, very heartfelt and beautifully expressed. Thanks you so much for sharing my friend.
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Thank you! I’m glad you liked it.
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💕
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How appropriate for today, as war is committed in Europe! My eyes are fully open, but are full of tears, tears from my heart. (I stopped blogging recently but not reading as your posts are uplifting and hopeful). We all need to pray, whatever faith or culture, but we need more to take part. I’d love to stay in touch with you. Do you have my email address? 🙋♂️
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I know, Ashley. It’s so sad. You’d think from experience (Hiroshima, Nagasaki & Dresden, etc.) the human race would have learned some lessons by now. Sadly, it looks like there will always be egomaniac bullies causing strife and war.
I’m glad that you find my posts uplifting because, as I struggle with my own mental health issues, it helps me also to source and share encouraging words.
I should be able to find your contact easy enough Ashley – when someone leaves a comment on your blog, the user info becomes available. I would be happy to stay in touch! 😀
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