Strolling generally is a non secular follow. I’ve been privileged to take part in a number of of Thich Nhat Hanh’s “strolling meditation” occasions held at Lake Merritt Park in Oakland, California, when Jerry Brown was mayor there.
On coming back from marching with MLK, Jr. at Selma, Rabbi Heschel informed his daughter that “I felt my toes have been praying.”
A couple of weeks in the past, starting earlier than America went to conflict in opposition to Iran, with out informing the American public why or what for, 23 Buddhist monks set out from Houston, Texas, on a 2,300-mile stroll to Washington, D.C. The intention was clear: “A March for Peace.”
Their very holy motion introduced tens of hundreds of individuals of all non secular persuasions and none out within the streets to greet and thank them.
The traditional follow of pilgrimage is a form of prayer by means of strolling expertise. One is uncovered to the weather maybe for days and undergoes discomfort, but in addition exhilaration, dwelling within the outside and setting a sacred objective for oneself and rendering the method a sacred option to a sacred objective.
And simply this week, a taking place distinctive to the final 1,500 years occurred when the brand new archbishop of Canterbury and head of the Anglican communion selected to hike from London to Canterbury—a six-day, 87-mile journey—as a substitute of arriving by automotive, limousine, or carriage. The brand new archbishop of Canterbury, Sarah Elisabeth Mullally, is a lady who started her profession as a nurse, so she is aware of one thing about honoring our wholesome our bodies.
I salute her for the most important classes she extends to everybody by her pilgrimage to her anointing as head of her communion. A really creation-centered lesson certainly—”Get outside! Interact the physique. Embody associates.” All of the images of her on her journey present her smiling lots.* Why not? What an exquisite option to start a task as a non secular chief!
At this time, Saturday March 28, is being heralded as one other “No Kings Day” the place over 3000 venues across the nation will likely be internet hosting marchers marching in protest of those that have chosen to show their backs on democracy in favor of autocracy and even violence.
Rev. Paul Raushenbush, head of Interfaith Alliance, has talked up at present’s No Kings march this manner: Individuals from each religion and perception will likely be displaying up and talking out with one voice, saying: No to Kings, Sure to Democracy; No to Theocracy, Sure to Non secular Freedom; No to Christian Nationalism, Sure To Loving Our Neighbor!
It’s fairly clear what we’re marching in opposition to, the forces and ways of anti-democracy and institutional violence in any other case referred to as fascism are on show and making headlines day by day in our nation.
However what are we marching for?
We march and staff as much as put ahead our higher natures.
We march on behalf of Mom Earth, so beneficiant and so lovely and so careworn by human greed and forgetfulness in our time.
We march for the survival of the planet as we all know it.
We march for a renewed and reawakened Democracy.
We march out of gratitude,
We march in solidarity and to satisfy others who share these values.
We march in pleasure and to see the enjoyment in different’s eyes and the humor and seriousness within the indicators they create.
We march on behalf of a Beloved group searching for to be born.
We march for restoration of the American experiment and in reminiscence of our ancestors who noticed the probabilities in that imaginative and prescient and within the phrases of the statue of liberty: These craving to be free.
We march for fact.
And for justice.
And for Peace.
* Megan Specia, “After 1,400 Years, the First Feminine Archbishop of Canterbury Is Enthroned,” New York Occasions, March 25, 2026.
Banner Picture: No Kings protest, Salt Lake Metropolis. Photograph by Mike Newbry on Unsplash
Queries for Contemplation
What are you marching for this No Kings Day? What are you marching in opposition to?
Associated Readings by Matthew Fox
Creation Spirituality: Liberating Presents for the Peoples of the Earth
A Spirituality Named Compassion: Uniting Mystical Consciousness with Social Justice
Authentic Blessing: A Primer in Creation Spirituality
Sins of the Spirit, Blessing of the Flesh: Remodeling Evil in Soul & Society
Trump & the MAGA Motion as Anti-Christ
Adam Bucko and Matthew Fox, Occupy Spirituality: A Radical Imaginative and prescient For a New Era
Matthew Fox, Skylar Wilson and Jen Listug: Order of the Sacred Earth
