along with the prayer of thank you, thank you, thank you and the ho’oponopono ancient chant, this prayer ascribed to saint francis, these intentions, are central to, are the organizing matrix of my life… on this 98th day of the 100 day countdown to the International Day of Peace on 9/21, this prayer picture needs sharing as does the theme…

every year on 21 September, the United Nations calls on all nations and people to put down their weapons and reaffirm their commitment to living in harmony with one another… this year’s theme reflects the clarity that we are not each other’s enemies, that we belong to each other and must work together as what happens in one part of the planet impacts all our relatives…

the UN chief, Antonio Guterres kicked off the 100-day countdown with the following words:

“As we strive to address the pandemic, I call on everyone to be part of a transformation for peace, by standing up against hatred & discrimination, caring for the planet, and showing global solidarity.”

to this end, i invite you to join with me in a meditation for all our relatives inspired by Sean Fargo, a former Buddhist monk…

“Today we’ll be practicing acknowledging the similarities between ourselves and others. We often focus on differences but realizing that even people who seem very different from us in fundamental ways are just like we are can become the basis of real connection. 

This can include beings we don’t know very well, beings with whom we’re in conflict, or even beings who we see as enemies. It’s possible to develop a sense of compassion and understanding by coming to feel our shared sense of experience as interbeings. This practice can help overcome that sense of difference and distrust by opening channels of compassion.

1. Let’s begin by taking a moment to invite your body to settle in a comfortable position, inviting a sense of ease and relaxation throughout the body. 

Breathing full deep breaths with a soft belly. 

Feeling grounded by feeling the weight of your body on the ground or your chair. 

And just softening around any tightness, dropping the shoulders, softening your hands, and relaxing the muscles of your face and jaw. 

And gently closing your eyes or looking downward just to limit visual distractions. 

2. Invite yourself to take a deep breath in, and a long breath out. And as you breathe out, inviting a sense of releasing any tension that you’re holding in your body. 

3. As you breathe, briefly scan through your body with your awareness, noticing any sensations or emotions, just noticing what’s predominant for you, and inviting a sense of spaciousness and acceptance for whatever you’re experiencing right now in your body or in your emotions, just acknowledging them without judging anything to be good or bad, right or wrong. 

4. Now bring someone to mind who you don’t know very well, maybe someone who seems very distant or different from you, even someone you’re in a minor conflict with. And as you bring to mind this being you may not like or know very well, just notice if you experience any shift in sensation in your body. 

Holding this being in mind as if they were right in front of you. 

5. And say to yourself, “This being has a body and a mind, just like i have.” 

“This being has feelings, emotions, and thoughts, just like i have.”

“This being has at some point in their life been sad, disappointed, angry, hurt, or confused, just like i have been.”

“This being has in their life experienced physical and emotional pain and suffering, just like i have.”  

“This being has experienced moments of peace, joy, and happiness, just like i have.”

“This being wishes to have fulfilling relationships, just like i wish.”  

“This being wishes to be healthy and loved, just like i wish.”

6. Now take a moment to sense how you’re feeling. And as you hold this being in your awareness, just notice: What do you experience? 

7. Now as you hold this being in mind, send them good wishes. May they be well, may they be happy, may they be healthy, may they live with ease. 

8. Now shifting your awareness back to your breath, breathing in, breathing out. Reconnecting with your body, feeling present, alive, connected, right here, right now.”

as we come together to meet the many challenges facing us, our voice is more important than ever… in these dynamic times of shifting consciousness, this International Day of Peace is dedicated to fostering dialogue and collecting ideas on healing our planet and ourselves… we can always dream together and spread compassion, kindness and hope in the face of the pandemics of militarism, materialism, racism, environmental disruption and health by standing together in unity for the benefit of all beginning in this moment with this breath… yes, let there be peace on earth and let it begin with me and thee…