“Rome is a beautiful city”.
I remember how, with those words, peace activist, poet and scholar Thich Nhat Hanh, brought a smile to so many faces at a public gathering in the eternal city. There he was, reminding us how fortunate we were to live in such a special place.
How is it possible to suffer, when one lives in a city as beautiful as Rome? posed the little man with a big presence and huge heart.
Even in difficulty, we can always find happiness he encouraged.
He spoke of the art of mindful living, reminding us that peace is to be found in the present, not in the past or in the future.
He suggested that the city leaders create a gathering, to sit together and look deeply within themselves, in order to access compassion, joy and freedom.
At that point, the audience could not help but let out a cynical giggle: the thought “pigs might fly” or rather its Italian equivalent, “gli asino volano” (where it’s donkeys that may do the flying) comes to mind.
Why is it that we find such a proposition unlikely? Why can’t we imagine our leaders, whether in our cities or in our organisations, creating space for such inquiry to happen? Such an opportunity can help right decisions and actions to emerge.
As he reminded us, world peace starts with peace within ourselves.
We must start by doing our own internal discovery, wherever we live.
Photo by Christopher Czermak on Unsplash
Foggy politics..but ..blue skies?! Eternally optimist in the eternal city (for now). Perhaps when I become to understand it, I will leave too 😉 Grazie per gli auguri Guido
As an emigrant I tend to forget Italy's problems, perhaps because I gave up my will to fight against that great fog [ http://quintessenza-consulting.blogspot.co.uk/2011/11/alloranow-what-bella-italia.html ] many years ago, however I'm always happy to know there are people willing to improve the current situation and drawing inspiration from the eternal city!
Btw: congratulation for your 3 years anniversary!