It seems the healing a broken world desperately needs today is painfully overwhelming. And trying to find "big" solutions appears far away and not in our grasp. In truth, the healing necessary is right in front of us and really person to person.
Every day in ordinary moments making someone feel cared for, that they matter, and that they belong is the most powerful way to heal. A pebble in a pond makes ripples across the water, and small gentle acts every day profoundly provides sustenance to a community of people who live in a poverty of the spirit. That’s a power we all have in us to exercise whenever we want.
Saravasti, India - 5pm
Just arrived here which is a place buddha is said to have performed many miracles. Sorry for delay in this post but technology hasn't been that available. Just spent last few days in nepal visiting lumbini which as birthplace of buddha. Beautiful spot with gardens all around and area is surrounded by temples erected by numerous foreign countries. Outside of temple numerous people are selling trinkets as is the case at every spot. But one table that struck me was a man was selling buddhist things as well as crucifixes. Its a telling sign of the universality of certain truths. I went to lumbini after traveling many small towns in india including bodhgaya which was the place of buddha's enlightenment. Fantastic temple. Got there at night as crescent moon rose over temple on breezy night. You could here sound of monks chanting in the temple. Beautiful. One thing I was unprepared for on this trip was the humanity one sees along the way. People just trying to live each day and feed their families and live right. People don't have days off in rural india. They work sunrise to sunset and barely make it through the day. But they are very happy with the limited things they have. On this spiritual pilgramage I have come to learn that one can't touch God unless one touches and is touched by human beings. That is the only way faith gets inside of us and in our hearts.
Varanasi, India - 6 AM
Sitting on ganges river as sun rises from the east. Watching people wash their clothes on rocks as boats go out ferrying people on these holy waters. A breeze blows softly as if to say things will be all right if we trust our hearts. The connectedness of the world is such a profound thing. Leaving varanasi today to travel by car to where buddha got enlightenment. Hope your moments today have beauty in them. Matthew
Delhi, India - Wednesday Morning
Namaste. Sitting on balcony. Sipping tea. And doing my ritual morning readings. Listening to a city wake up for the day. Quick beep of traffic noise. Chirping of birds. The sweep of brooms on sidewalk. The distant chants of a people in prayer. Life and God are good. Matthew
Heading On Pilgrimage
I am off to India, Nepal, Turkey, Israel and Italy for a three week pilgrimage to walk in the paths of the major spiritual movements (Buddhism, Hinduism, Judaism, Islam, and Christianity). Wish me well and hope to talk to you along the way.
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