A happy group of people participated in the silent Walk for Peace.
Photos by: Beth Glosten

On the afternoon of April 25, members and friends of Seattle Insight Meditation (SIM) walked in silence around Green Lake in Seattle, carrying signs calling for peace and support of our planet Earth.

The walk was organized by members of the SIM Climate Action Group, and was inspired by the “Walk for Peace.” This was an 108-day, 2,300-mile pilgrimage of Theravada Buddhist monks, who walked from Fort Worth, Texas, to Washington, D.C., promoting peace, compassion, mindfulness and unity.

The Seattle walk date was chosen to be close to Earth Day, the internationally recognized yearly event that promotes environmental stewardship. The spirit of the walk aligned with the mission of the Climate Action Group: To create awareness and instill hope around climate change issues, through compassionate actions to honor and protect our sacred Earth.

It was of utmost importance to the group to deliver a positive message of what we are working for. In these challenging times, it is easy to express disdain and criticism for the events happening around us.

Our goal was to communicate what we want for this Earth. To do this we carried signs saying: “We Walk in Silence for Mother Earth,” “We Walk in Silence for a Healthy Planet,” “We Walk in Silence for Peace.”

Other signs showed images of planet Earth from the moon, accompanied by one of these quotes:

“Preserve and cherish the pale blue dot, the only home we’ve ever known.” Carl Sagan

“If we surrendered to Earth’s intelligence, we could rise up rooted, like trees.”  Rainer Maria Rilke

“There are no passengers on Spaceship Earth. We are all crew.” Marshall McLuhan

“Taking care of the Earth, we take care of ourselves.” Thich Nhat Hanh

We set off in single file, walking at a deliberate pace in silence. The day could not have been a more glorious expression of the beauty of this place. Sunny and warm, the air was scented with spring flowers, and myriad people were out enjoying the day in the popular park.

Many visitors noticed our signs, and saluted our message with smiles, waves, and “Thank-yous.” Children paused while their parents explained our purpose.

At the end of the 2.9-mile loop, we joined in a circle and broke silence to share readings, including this “Invocation for a Forest Protector,” by University of British Columbia forest ecology professor and author Dr. Suzanne Simard:

As I step into the world in service of the forest, I remember why I walk this path.

The living Earth is not an object to be used, but a community of beings – trees that breathe, rivers that remember, soils that nurture, winds that carry stories.

I honor the truth that life moves through all things.

            Each root, wing, stone, and stream holds its own form of intelligence and agency.

            May I stand with courage when my voice is challenged.

            May I speak with clarity when my work is questioned.

            May I remain steady when others misunderstand the sacredness I perceive in nature.

            Let my science be precise, my words honest, and my heart remain open to wonder.

            I ask for protection of my body, mind, and purpose as I advocate for the living world.

            May the forests recognize me as an ally.

            May the rivers know I am listening.

            May the Earth feel my commitment to its flourishing.

            I walk forward as a guardian, a witness, and a humble student of the living world.

            May truth guide my work, and may the forests endure.

The event was an opportunity to pause, breathe, and allow gratitude to blossom from the beauty of nature.

Walking in silence fostered a connection with Mother Earth. We hope our messages inspire stewardship of this planet, and that they remind us of the interconnectedness of all beings.

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