I, like I am sure most of you, have been heartbroken by the events in Ukraine over these last few days. 

And I have a confession to make.

I have fallen once again into that old familiar pit.  I have been focusing my psychic energy on pity for the victims on the other side of the world and forgetting that this unimaginable moment might also have something for my tragic soul as well.

It is like the admission of the devil in that old book of wisdom called The Screwtape Letters, that his strategy is to keep peoples’ affections focused on the other side of the world so they never deal with the broken parts inside their own hearts.

So today I asked myself a simple question…  What might a Pilgrim do in this tragic moment?

Here are a few humble thoughts.  I am sure you could add to them.

WALK AND PRAY:  For those who are on speaking terms with the God of Sorrows, beg on behalf of those in profound need.  (See the historical prayer at the end of this post from the Christian tradition and a Buddhist appeal for prayer.)

WALK AND MEDITATE:  We have been conditioned to fill our lives with the banal and vapid:  entertainment, numbing, consumption and ego-stroking.  Moments like this have the chance to wake us up to what is most important.  Let your feet lead you into thoughts about:

·      What kind of person to I want to be?

·      What do I want to fill my relatively few years with?

·      How might I love those nearest to me (friends and neighbors) better?

WALK AND REFLECT:  How do I/we contribute to this global culture of hatred, division and violence through my/our antidemocratic, infotainment fueled, social media, activistic and anti-relational behaviors?

WALK DON’T DRIVE:  The power of oil as power and the increasing price at the pump brings home what has always been true: my addiction to fossil fuels is harming my body, my mind, my engagement of my neighborhood/neighbors, my meditation life, my connection to the environment and much, much more.  I am going to put a note next to my computer that simply says “Walk?” to remind me to consider walking to that next appointment or errand.

WALK AND GIVE:  In addition to direct gifts to world aid agencies, consider organizing a Trek for a Cause.  On our last podcast we talked with Jeremy Vallerand of Rescue Freedom International and he told us about ClimbForCaptives.com, which helps you set up a philanthropy adventure.  Grab some friends, go on an epic day trip and raise money together to give to refugees and relief.  You can listen to that episode here:  https://pilgrimlost.com/podcast/trekking-for-a-cause

Let us know any additional creative ideas you have.’

Almighty and merciful God,
whose Son became a refugee and had no place to call his own;
look with mercy on those who today are fleeing from danger,
homeless and hungry.
Bless those who work to bring them relief;
inspire generosity and compassion in all our hearts;
and guide the nations of the world towards that day when all will rejoice in your Kingdom of justice and of peace;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.

We pray for both Ukrainian and Russian people and for all of Europe and the world. As we open our hearts to this suffering, we must do so with great compassion and wisdom, recalling our fundamental basic goodness, interdependence and inter-connection. Each part of the world, like parts of the human body, must work in harmony in order to create a lasting peace. Wisdom tells us to set aside all thoughts of separateness, all forms of polarization and come together in love and compassion to support one another in prayer, meditation and in whatever individual or collective actions are possible, to bring an end to this conflict. I ask that you do so with hearts wide open, not turning away from this suffering.