One minute before the prayer and meditation time began a heckler came up in the middle of the area. Here are the comments of one participant….

“I cannot speak for those around me but at first I felt an outrage and resentment that likely mirrored that of the tour guide. Just as he could not fathom this group plopping down on the steps of a public monument, I couldn't believe the audacity it took for him to be so disruptive and disrespectful.

Many of us sat quietly while one mediator charged up to him and proclaimed that this was a meditation for peace and he should join us. Others clapped and shouted, "God Bless you, sir" as he was ultimately led away by officials.

What was obvious was that this could not have been staged more perfectly had we scoured all of DC for an actor who would get in character for the duration of our meditation and do everything in his power to trigger us, anger us and remind us of the precise reactions we were here to heal and alter. He shouted, he criticized, he even began blowing a whistle and every bit of it was an opportunity to heighten the impact of our collective meditation.

As we listened to and affirmed the words, we are one; that of course included our new friend. There can not be an 'us' and 'them' at the point from which peace expands. Yet as I heard members of his group echo the tour guide's complaints, I noticed my instant identification with my team (which just so happened to have meditating for peace' on its side :)

No, there could be no teams, no villains, no good guys. Those familiar concepts may camp out in our heads and our egos but in our hearts there must be only love...only peace.”

---

Add this page to your favorite Social Bookmarking websites