Peace in the world starts with peace in individual hearts. ‘The peace of God, which passeth all understanding’ is the peace Jesus came to bring to man; it is the only sure foundation for world amity. It is found in the interiorized state of one’s God-communion in meditation. Then, like an ever full reservoir, it pours out freely to one’s family, friends, community, nation, and the world.
Paramahansa Yogananda
Three Self-Realization Fellowship nuns participated alongside other monastics and clergy from various traditions in interfaith events in Washington, D.C., on February 10. These events were part of the concluding day of the “Walk for Peace” conducted by Buddhist monks from the Hương Đạo Vipassana Bhavana Center in Fort Worth, Texas. The monks were completing their 108-day, 2,300-mile journey that began in Texas in late October, and which had drawn international attention in the news and across social media, with many sharing their appreciation for the monks’ highlighting the importance of meditation and inner peace.
Sister Brahmani, Sister Shankari, and Brahmacharini Ann, who reside in the SRF Greenfield Ashram Center in Front Royal, Virginia, were invited with other monastics to join for the final five miles of the walk, which ended at the Washington National Cathedral. The SRF nuns also attended several other events with faith leaders representing the world’s religions, including an outdoor gathering at the National Cathedral, a special ceremony inside the cathedral, and an interfaith meal at the National United Methodist Church.
The nuns’ participation continued SRF’s longstanding tradition of engaging in interfaith efforts aimed at promoting harmony among the world’s various religions and fostering peace, compassion, and unity in our world at large.
Reflecting on the experiences of the day, Sister Brahmani said: “Our guru, Paramahansa Yogananda, has stated that the feeling of peace is the first proof of the existence of God. So an interfaith walk to draw attention to this quality of peace, which anyone can cultivate within themselves, seemed like a beautiful way to help spread the message of personal responsibility for peace to a broad audience, whose thoughts and lives contribute to mass consciousness and thus affect the level of peace in the world.
“The reactions of the public to this walk for peace were deeply moving. The depth of sincerity and of gratitude, the longing for something good, the expressions of hope, and the thirst for a deeper understanding that we encountered from the public were beyond our expectations. We understand that many who witnessed this event pledged themselves to be more peaceful in their daily lives. So the ripple effect from this walk feels like a bright light gently spreading through the hearts of thousands.”
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Gratitude to our SRF nuns for their compassion and support for the walk for peace in Washington. The walk which continued in Sri Lanka inspired me to learn more of the vow to achieve the ultimate goal to build thousands of stupas in Texas, including transplantation of a branch of the original bodhi tree. So much loyalty and devotion!
“Showing you the throne of Christ in the peace of every heart.” Thank you divine sisters and brothers for showing us the way.
Om Peace Amen
God is One, many are his names. Monks and Nuns are Love in sacred motion.
Thank you Sisters!
Jai Guru.
Thank You dear sisters !! Peace and Joy be with you!
Love❤️
Always a pleasure to see our beloved nuns ‘in action’ !!!
Love you all vv much
I'm sure that the "Walk of Peace" made a positive difference and will continue to do so for generations to come. Thanks to all who contribute (past, present, and future) to World Peace, Harmony, and Brotherhood. Jai Guru Deva, Om, Shanti, Peace . . .
Great work, sisters. I hope it makes a difference.
What a wonderful healing, personal example, and affirmation of our true nature the SRF nuns have helped to bring with so many others. It brings tears of hope and healing to my eyes and my heart is deeply moved. I send my gratitude and love among so many others.
It was wonderful that our SRF Sisters participated in this movement and walk for peace ! Thank you so much ! In Peace !
Just reading this news, my heart is flooded with vibrations of peace and joy. Thank you, Sister Brahmani, Sister Shankari, and Brahmacharini Ann! May we all realize how much of a difference simple acts of unity can make in bringing about peace in our world. Jai Guru!
Such a Beautiful activity.
So beautiful and inspiring and so glad SRF nuns took part in it!
Love the pictures! It warmed my heart.
I too followed the walk of peace on tv.
Thank you for sharing these pictures. It fills my heart with expanding peace, joy and love. The determined happy faces. This is the hope of the world.
How wonderful to see the nuns from Greenfield walking to honor the 120 day, 2300 miles journey the Monks. I walked that day with a group in silence here in Anchorage, AK. It was so peaceful even though in the midst of city activity. Thank you for sharing your experience and photos. Jai Guru
Thank You!
Thank you so much for sharing this inspiring story. The photos brought tears to my eyes. Our beautiful Monastics do so much good in this world!
I have a relative who has been following this walk and has been very inspired by it and I just sent them a link to this article. I also followed this walk and I’m so grateful for the joy and inspiration it brought me.
What a gift to know that SRF supported and participated as well! The Nuns are indeed walking in the footsteps of Master! Jai Guru! Jai Ma!
Well said! I like how Sister Brahmani was there, she gave a great Youtube talk on the importance of being Loyal. What a powerful message she has delivered. Jai Guru!
Thank you dear monks and nuns for this Walk of Peace that resonates everywhere... Peace within us and all around us... Peace unto all peoples, all living things... Peace unto all nations, Peace unto all governments... Peace throughout this entire planet, Peace throughout this entire solar system, Peace throughout this entire galaxy, Peace throughout all "star systems, stellar systems, solar systems", Peace throughout this entire Universe... Peace within us and all around us... om shanti, shanti, shantihi... Jai Guru
I have fully absorbed and accepted the teaching that world peace starts in my own heart and in forgiving myself and others. As more of us practice love, forgiveness and gratitude, it will eventually become the new collective global consciousness. I love you SRF. Thank you for the ever new bliss and thank you teacher for helping me realize I am not far away or separated from God.
It is true that if we want to see peace among nations and peoples of this earth, we must cultivate peace within ourselves and share it with others around us. Peace!
I too have followed the Walk for Peace from the start. It is very uplifting to see our SRF Nuns and all the Clergy from all faiths, and the Monks to be so dedicated to Peace and Compassion! Peace to all Nations! Jai Guru!
Thanks for this article, thanks to the sisters and the monks.
Blessings all Let there be peace on earth
John
It brings tears to my eyes and peace in my heart to see the power of unity from this walk for peace. May all of us unite in peace and one brotherhood.
What a good initiative, it inspires me
Che gioia vedervi partecipare a walk for peace
Grazie
Jai Guru
Thank you to the SRF nuns for participating in this remarkable event. Om shanti! Jai Guru!
Interfaith peace walk in every country of the world….JAI SRF. OM SHANTI AMEN.
How beautiful, what a powerful message of comfort and love. Peace and healing to our world I pray
I was not aware that our nuns were walking in DC that day as I watched it live. They truly added to the powerful feeling of peace and hope we observers felt.
As I followed The Walk for Peace, it was joyful following the increasing participation with each passing day. I too was not aware that our SRF nuns had participated in D.C. I’d LOVE to hear more about the SRF Nun’s experience. Peace to ALL! Jai Guru!
It was so heartwarming to see the sisters participating in the Walk for Peace. We followed the monks progress through heat, sleet and illness. We watched the world come together in support, making each day thereafter our “peaceful day.” Jai blessed Gurudev, Jai Divine Mother.
♥
Gracias Hermanitas!!!
POR LA PAZ Y ARMONIA EN EL MUNDO ENTERO.
POR EL BIENESTAR DE TODA LA HUMANIDAD.
It's truely inspiring and moving to see the sisters representing SRF in this important and most needed movement to and through the world, specially in this period of so many conflicts. All great saints of all religions as Jesus, Krishna, Buda, Yogananda and SRF Masters leaved messages of love, peace and compassion. Thank you sisters!
Thank you dear Sister Brahmani , Sister Shankari, and Brahmacharini Ann for your service to mankind, participation in this Walk for Peace, and this loving, heartwarming message of your reflections/ understanding of this event.
What a great initiative by SRF Nuns.It is inspiring
to all peace loving people across world.Our Param Guru Sri Sri Sri Mahavthar Babaji is keen for peace to prevail .I devotee of YSS of India delighted on seeing Our SRF Nuns joining peace initiative.
Bellissimo Jai Guru !!!
How lovely to see this! The whole walk was inspiring, and what a beautiful end to the walk!
Jai Guru
I have been following Sri Yogadananda teachings and read his book Autobiography of a yogi very well insisted the values of life.
I have been following the Buddhist monks marching for piece. I had no idea GuruDev's Nuns too were participating parts of the march. This just brings so much joy and love. Immense amount of Gratitude.
Jai Guru Dev
Jai Sri Daya Mataji
Jai Guru
Thank you sisters we want peace throughout the world. Jai Ma
So happy to see Self-Realization Fellowship participating in this beautiful, important and so desperately needed example of how much good we can do together and how much power we have!
I, and many of my friends were hoping that the Nuns from Greenfield Ashram would be able to participate! This is quite thrilling news!! Thank you dear Nuns of Gruruji!
I hope and pray that this walk can be synchranised throughout the world .Showing all leaders in every nation the desire for all people to live together on this beautiful planet in unity and harmony . It wou;d be the only walk I would instantly apply to join
Thank You Sisters
Guruji will be so pleased
Jai Guru
Thank you so much sisters!
Jai Guru
Hai Guru
So proud of the monastics who participated in these events. May the little ripple of peace they created grow into a tidal wave.
Thank you, Sisters, it makes my heart sing to know you participated in the Walk for Peace… you represented all our hearts, of Master’s devotees, uniting us in peace. Jai Guru!
In following the Walk for Peace you could feel the spiritual momentum growing with literally each physical step taken. Such joy felt and in seeing the SRF nuns partake in it.
God bless this "movement" throughout the world in our daily lives within us towards others. Jai Guru.
Thank YouTube Sisters. Jai Gurudeva!
Imagine if a walk was held routinely…World wide. The participants and crowd would increase and peace would prevail.
How wonderful to see Greenfield nuns representing SRF on the walk!
I think it is wonderful that the SRF nuns participated in the walk! Beautiful!
How simple. A "walk for peace" and yet how profound. A positive impact was made not only on the participants, but on every on-looker who was affected by this movement world-wide, helping us all strive to create and live in a peaceful world.
Jai Guru!
Aum Peace Aum
I love that SRF was a part of this. I was following the Buddhist monks along their trail online.
So wonderful. I love Sister Brahmani and Ann! They are so special. I can’t wait to see them at retreat in greenfield on May 8th. Jai Guru Jai!! Tomorrow our Princeton Group chartered a bus to Carnegie Hall. We are so lucky! ☮️
I followed the Walk for Peace closely and was hoping SRF was somehow going to be able to take part in the interfaith ceremonies. I should never have doubted that Master would take care of everything. The unprecedented response to the Walk for Peace echoes everything Master said about Mankind's innate thirst for God, who is Peace. I'm sure Master was walking right beside our beloved Sisters that day and smiling!
What a beauty. And how timely! There has also just been a little six weeks tour of 5 buddhist monks throughout Germany making mandalas on the theme of compassion in different places which met many open hearts graving for more harmony and unity in their lives and in the world at large and for a message of hope and peace. Thanks and blessings to all Gods children and divine instruments who contribute in that way.
This is a momentous example of when we come together we can make a difference in the world. Well done beautiful ladies! Thank you! With you in spirit
Truly a wonderful initiative! Thank you for sharing these peace-permeated photos. Jai Guru!
Thank you Sisters. Thank you so much!
I've been following the Walk for Peace from the start. It's exciting to see the SRF nuns participating in this stage.
Thank You.
Peace unto all Nations throughout the World.
Jai Guru