“We are all caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied to a single garment of destiny,” the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. once shared. “Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly. We are made to live together because of the interrelated structure of reality.”

The year was 1967, Christmas Eve to be exact. Standing before the congregation at the Ebenezer Baptist Church – he had only one thought committed to mind:

“Peace on Earth, Good Will toward Men.”

He was an advocate for social change, one which escalated the voice of one into thoughts of many. He challenged Americans to extend their ‘view’, to see beyond the confines of ‘self’.

“Our loyalties must transcend our race, our tribe, our class, and our nation;” he said, “and this means we must develop a world perspective. No individual can live alone…”

Next week begins with a celebration of his life’s journey, a day of observation marked sadly with a hint of irony. Protestors are already beginning to line the inaugural parade route, while demonstrations are planned from a focal point of fear.

As a result, battle lines are being drawn – as most find themselves in a space of taking sides. Though, what gain does partisanship further? And, what is the impact to peaceful coexistence?

At the center point of our pain, there is a ‘need’ to be heard ~ to have mutuality embrace those much deeper wounds. It is the basis of our mindfulness practice; to approach this world with a truly open heart.

We all want the same things. We want happiness, peace and acceptance. We want to love and be loved in return. Though we may share a common goal, our paths to attain are invariably different.

Not better…

Not worse…

Just, different.

“I’ve seen too much hate to want hate myself,” he said. “I still have a dream that with this faith we will be able to adjourn the councils of despair…”

As with all things, we must engage a wider-world view; looking first to heart, for that which is needed most of all:

Peace on Earth and Good Will to all men.

Only then, may we be truly free.

In peace…

Namaste ❤️