Spirit of life and love and connection, be with us now.

I have a core of sadness inside me these days — perhaps this is true for others as well. It’s personal, it’s professional, and it’s about this world on fire.

It’s about the love and peace that I long for and pray for every day, it’s about wishing for an end to conflict when no end seems in sight. And I have another part of me that is so upset, furious in fact, at the injustice, the suffering, the pain and the horrors that are being visited upon so many beings in this world.

And here we are at Patriots’ Day — a day of history, a day of remembering, a day of celebration. What does it mean to be a patriot in these times? What would it mean if we walked in peace rather than creating and celebrating war? I find my inspiration from those among us, including Follenites who are making a difference every day, and from the Buddhist monks — the ones who walked for 108 days this past winter, with their loyal dog Aloka (whose name means enlightenment), from Texas to Washington, DC, thousands of miles through all conditions, just to give the message of peace and compassion, just to help people find the peace within themselves and share it with others, to find a sense of hope. Let us be like them. Let us create sanctuary and refuge for each other, as they have done.

Source of wisdom and comfort, thank you for all the things that give us joy, that leave us with a sense of gratitude. And I share the words/blessings of the monks:

• may all beings be free from resentment and conflict
• may all beings be free from physical and mental suffering
• may all beings be free from danger
• may our bodies and minds be at peace

Amen and blessed be.

— Jane B.