A good end cannot sanctify evil means; nor must we ever do evil, that good may come of it... We are too ready to retaliate, rather than forgive... And yet we could hurt no man that we believe loves us. Let us try then what love will do: for if men did once see we love them, we should soon find they would not harm us. Force may subdue, but Love gains: and he that forgives first, wins the laurel.
William Penn

Be patterns, be examples in all countries, places, islands, nations wherever you come; that your carriage and life may preach among all sorts of people, and to them; then you will come to walk cheerfully over the world, answering that of God in everyone...
George Fox

Wednesday, February 20, 2013

Walking Again

On the hectic main shopping thoroughfare of Taksim, in the center of Istanbul yesterday, five people walked slowly and quietly, practicing mindfulness.
Thomas, who is on a peace pilgrimage to Southeast Asia, led the way. Andrew, an Englishman living in Switzerland, and Phap Khi, a French Buddhist monk, have recently joined Thomas on his pilgrimage, and they followed him along with Inge and myself. The five of us snaked our way through the hasty throngs of people; past buskers, hawkers and protesters.
We finished our peace walk near Blue Mosque, and returned to the flat where Thomas has been hosted by two joyful Turkish brothers. There we enjoyed an enormous meal with the brothers and their friends.
It was there that I finally made the decision to join the peace pilgrimage with Thomas, Andrew and Phap Khi.
We'll be on our way in about an hour from  now.
Goodbye Istanbul!
Inge, see you down the road!

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