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Written by friend of LCR, Sharon Boyles

I don’t know about you, but I’ve been following the Buddhist monks’ Walk for Peace pretty closely.

For those of you who don’t know what I’m talking about, the Walk for Peace involves 19 U.S. Buddhist monks who are walking (yes, walking!) from Fort Worth, Texas, to Washington D.C.

The walk began in October 2025, and is expected to end this month. They are specifically walking through cities and towns marked by recent unrest, guided by an escort car, campervans, and their Peace Dog, Aloka, who recently had to take a break for medical reasons.  

These monks, these beautiful spirits, are doing exactly what the title of their project says. They are walking for peace. They are not walking for acclaim. They are not walking for money. They are not walking for status, fame, or to promote an agenda. They don’t want anything, actually, except to show you that peace and loving-kindness are alive and well. And if you are following their story, you see that.

What touches me deeply about their Walk is the complete serenity on the monks’ faces as they navigate challenges, weather, the strain of walking miles and miles on a daily basis, and constant uncertainty.

What touches me deeply about their Walk is the people lining the streets along their route, offering flowers, hugs, tears, laughter, prayers, love, and support.

What touches me deeply is how the monk who lost his leg in an accident along the route stayed strong, compassionate, peaceful, and forgiving in the midst of crisis.

What touches me deeply is how these monks live from a place of peace that exists in their hearts and isn’t dependent on whether or not things go well. They are showing the nation (and probably the world) what peace really looks like. It shows up in their faces, their actions, their hearts. 

They are demonstrating that real peace starts from within. It doesn’t start when you are warm and fuzzy and safe and comfortable. It doesn’t start when life is perfect. It doesn’t start when you have everything you could ever want. It starts where you are, the minute you decide to cultivate the Spirit in your heart, take it seriously, and then share it with the world. 

Real peace begins when you decide to stop controlling, hiding, and holding on. It begins when you accept and love yourself for the unique Being that you are and let yourself off the hook. It begins when you recognize and prioritize the dignity and power of your own spirit. We are in trying times, my friends. What better time than now to begin a practice of cultivating peace? 

What steadies your spirit? What gives you hope? What makes you feel soothing green inside, instead of angry red? Is it prayer, meditation, walking in the woods, eating chocolate, hugging your kid, writing, singing, making art, rearranging your living room, or playing with your dog?

Whatever it is, do more of it. 

This world is never going to cultivate peace for you. This world is actively trying to destroy your peace. Step out of the stream for a while. Turn off the news. Turn off your phone. Get quiet. Listen. Listen some more. Let go. Let go some more. Connect and keep connecting with your spirit and the Spirit within. You know the way. Cultivate the peace within and see how it moves and shapes your life and the lives of those around you in astonishing ways. 

You may not ever walk 2,300 miles, but you can make a mighty difference right where you are.

Is it time to begin your walk for peace?

[Photo credit: Walk for Peace - Official Community]