Archive for the ‘Peaceful Actions’ Category
Real Change Starts With Each of Us
Wednesday, June 3rd, 2020
“Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping. To this day, especially in times of disaster, I remember my mother’s words, and I am always comforted by realizing there are still helpers; so many caring people in this world.” Fred Rogers
At a time of upheaval and uncertainty; at a time when the world seems upside down, and those who have been oppressed for so long, I look for the helpers. I look for those being of service.
When I feel overwhelmed, my first response is to pause and to sit in stillness. I want to listen to what’s happening inside. It is only from that space and place that I can truly listen to what is happening outside. Sitting in stillness helps me have clarity about what I am feeling and what I am called to do next.
There is so much sorrow (and rage) over the death of George Floyd and the recent death of black lives. We can no longer turn our backs on those who experience inequality, injustice, and senseless violence. Real change starts with each one of us. We must be the change. We must be invested in changing ourselves and educating ourselves. We must be invested in changing leaders who have stopped listening. We must be invested in listening, leaning in, and serving.
We must look for the helpers. And we must be the helpers. We need to start opening our hearts, our minds, and ourselves. We must be of service to those who don’t have a voice. Change starts heart by heart; mind by mind.
Please be of service to those who don’t have a voice. Please be sure to vote in every election, especially local ones. Please consider looking at organizations doing some of the work in communities bringing change. Please check out Color of Change, an organization that designs powerful campaigns to end practices of injustice for black people and champion solutions to move forward.
Toning the OM is committed to advocating for change and supporting racial justice through education and service. We too grieve with all those suffering loss. We are invested in listening, learning, leaning in, and being of service.
What Kind of World Are You Creating?
Friday, March 7th, 2014
When you inhabit peace, you create more peace in the world.
When you listen to your heart, you create more quiet in the world.
When you live a joyful life, you create more joy in the world world.
When you invest in yourself, you create a trust fund in the world.
When you shine your light, you create a brighter world.
When you give love, you create a more loving world.
What kind of world are you creating?
Sitting in Stillness ─ Engaging With Peace
Wednesday, March 5th, 2014
The more I sit in meditation, the more I am reminded how much I want to stay fully engaged in my efforts to build a more just, equitable, and compassionate world while maintaining a sense of peace.
I know I’m not alone in this view. All over the world there are movements underway in an effort to address inequalities and injustices. Is it possible to be fully engaged and peaceful?
Yes, it is. And the very simple practice of sitting each day for five minutes can help us with that. We can come to a place of inner peace before engaging in a movement to address the issue that moves us into action.
I also recommend a simple practice of bringing the attention to the breath. And then gently bringing our attention back to the breath, over and over, and over again. This practice grounds us into our center ─ a place of inner peace that always resides within us.
I also came across the fourteen precepts of ‘Engaged Buddhism’ as set out by Thich Nhat Hanh – here is a simplified version, but you can read the full version here.
1. Do not be bound to any doctrine, theory, or ideology, even Buddhist ones.
2 . Do not think the knowledge you presently possess is changeless, absolute truth. Be ready to learn throughout your entire life and to observe reality in yourself and in the world at all times.
3. Do not force others to adopt your views.
4. Do not avoid suffering or close your eyes before suffering. Find ways to be with those who are suffering.
5 . Do not accumulate wealth while millions are hungry. Live simply and share time, energy, and material resources with those who are in need.
6 . Do not maintain anger or hatred. As soon as they arise, turn your attention to your breath in order to see and understand the nature of your hatred.
7. Do not lose yourself in your surroundings. Practice mindful breathing to come back to what is happening in the present moment. Be in touch with what is wondrous, refreshing, and healing both inside and around you.
8 . Do not utter words that can create discord and cause the community to break. Make every effort to reconcile and resolve all conflicts, however small.
9 . Do not say untruthful things for the sake of personal interest or to impress people. Have the courage to speak out about situations of injustice, even when doing so may threaten your own safety.
10. Do not use the Buddhist community for personal gain or profit, or transform your community into a political party.
11 . Do not live with a vocation that is harmful to humans and nature. Do not invest in companies that deprive others of their chance to live. Select a vocation that helps realize your ideal of compassion.
12 . Do not kill. Do not let others kill. Find whatever means possible to protect life and prevent war.
13 . Possess nothing that should belong to others.
14 . Do not mistreat your body. Learn to handle it with respect.
It is easy to feel overwhelmed or defeated or get caught up in the energy of anger without having any way to process it.
Return to the breath. Practice mindful breathing.
It was the only way I found to maintain a sense of grounding amidst a chaotic world. The world needs more peacefully engaged warriors of compassion.
Sit down. Sit still. Pay attention. And come back to your breath, again and again.
And as my teacher once told me, “When you don’t know what to do, have a cup of tea.”
What Does It Mean to Be Peace?
Tuesday, May 28th, 2013
How are you being peace in the world?
I recently launched a website, triZENbe (Zen Tribes). triZENbe is a global movement and community of people who want to bring (more) peace into their lives, into their homes, into their schools, into their communities, and into the World.
As I began to listen for my inner voice of peace, I became curious about when people experience peace. I had conversations with folks about what peace means to them.
What is your voice of peace? On the triZENbe website, there is a section called Zen Voices. I am looking to add ideas of what it means to be peace in the world. If you would be willing to add your voice to this page and share your thoughts about peace, please email me at maflanagan@toningtheom.com to listen for my inner voice of peace. I had conversations with folks about what peace means to them. I am curious about how and when people experience peace.
My hope is that by creating more peace within ourselves, we extend that to our “tribes” – whether our tribe is our family, friends, co-workers, community, and/or the world.
What does peace mean to you?
We are one thought away from peace. ~Mary Anne Flanagan
Jump on the Peace Train
Monday, March 18th, 2013
Where are your thoughts taking you? Is the place one of serenity, peace, joy, gratitude, compassion, and generosity? If not, is it time to change your train of thoughts?
If a thought is taking you down that never ending spiral staircase or the inner rabbit hole, take a moment to notice your breath. Tell yourself, “I am breathing in. I am breathing out.” Take a few breaths. Breathe slower breaths – intentionally breathing peace in and out.
Is it time to take the peace train?
Slow down. Listen. Change trains if need be.
Next stop – Peace.
(Photo by Mary Anne Flanagan)
2013 Is My Year of …
Wednesday, January 2nd, 2013
Daring Deeply!
My focus in 2013 will be about taking chances on outrageous (and unknown) invitations for new workshops and retreats and daring myself to put my heart-centered work out into the world in greater ways. My purpose is to dig deeper inside my heart so that I can take peaceful actions and dare greatly into vulnerability.
I intend to open to my fullest, heart-centered, creative, vulnerable beingness. I am daring deeply!
What is 2013 the year of for you?