TSF Short: A Prayer for Peace

In lieu of a TSF short today, we wish to address the pain and sorrow so many of us are feeling this week in response to the conflict and tragedies in the Middle East. It is a difficult time for many of us, it is a time when we feel overwhelmed with experiences of conflict, horror, betrayal, injustice, grief, and tragedy pull at our hearts and trigger our wounds. For me, It feels like a web of pain that begins along the border of Israel and Gaza and spreads across the world, tugging on all the hearts that are close to this space physically, religiously, and ethnically. The conflict here is deeply rooted in historical, political, and religious complexities with injustices and violence on both sides. We must understand clearly that terrorism is never justified. No innocent human deserves to experience terror or violence. It's important to remember at this time that the actions of Hamas, a terrorist group, do not represent the beliefs of all Palestinians, nor do they represent the beliefs of all Muslims. The Israeli government's perspective is that swift and decisive retaliatory action is the only way terrorists like Hamas can be defeated. The Israeli government is not all Jews, just as Hamas is not all Palestinians. We wish for a speedy end to this war and for as few civilian deaths as possible on both sides.  Today, we would like to say a prayer for peace. For ourselves, for the children of Israel, for the children of Palestine, and for the children and inner children all over this planet. Polarization is a seed that can grow into violence, and to break our ties with polarity we must build our capacity for tolerance. Participating in active compassion practices for the children of the Middle East is a way for each and everyone of us to begin to bridge the divide and work towards a more peaceful future.  Compassion for children is an excellent starting point for this journey towards unity. As your compassion for innocent children on both sides of the border grows, you can build upon your compassion for their mothers, fathers, aunts, and uncles. The suffering of children is a tragic consequence of our collective failure, and it is our responsibility as adults to work towards a more peaceful and inclusive world. As much as possible in these coming weeks, and years, please set aside your differences, your hurts, your political idealisms, and prioritize the well-being of all children as we strive for a brighter future. And now, a small prayer: Love is above me.  Love is below me.  Love is to my left.  Love is to my right.  Love is before me. Love is behind me.  Love comes to me.  Love comes from me. Love to the children of Israel. Love to the children of Palestine. Love to the children of the Earth. Love to the Universe. 

Peace is above me.  Peace is below me.  Peace is to my left.  Peace is to my right.  Peace is before me.  Peace is behind me.  Peace comes to me.  Peace comes from me.  Peace to the children of Palestine. Peace to the children of Israel. Peace to the children of the Earth. Peace to the Universe. 

Love is above me.  Love is below me.  Love is to my left.  Love is to my right.  Love is before me. Love is behind me.  Love comes to me.  Love comes from me. Love to the children of Palestine. Love to the children of Israel. Love to the children of the Earth. Love to the Universe. 

Peace is above me.  Peace is below me.  Peace is to my left.  Peace is to my right.  Peace is before me.  Peace is behind me.  Peace comes to me.  Peace comes from me.  Peace to the children of Israel. Peace to the children of Palestine. Peace to the children of the Earth. Peace to the Universe. 

Links: For those who wish to help people affected by the humanitarian crisis resulting from the October 2023 armed conflict in Israel and Gaza, you can donate to the Red Cross. Write “Middle East Humanitarian Crisis” in the memo line of a check and mail it with a completed donation form to the address on the form or to their local Red Cross chapter. Your donation will be used by the Red Cross Movement where it’s needed most to help all those in the impacted region.

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