A week ago, on the evening of December 13 I lived a wonderful experience. It was the night of Saint Lucia and the tradition of the Nordic countries links the name of this holy ceremonies related to the light, in a less bright days of the year. I still remember the sayings that I learned when I was a child: "Saint Lucia the shortest day that there is" or "Saint Lucia, the longest night that there is" even if in fact the calendar has not yet come to the solstice winter.
The friends of the "A Time for Peace" have started with small steps in a silent march for peace on the streets of Florence, the series of conferences on spirituality, meditation and interfaith prayer "Together for Peace". We found ourselves in Piazza Santa Croce beaten by a cold wind, that did not deter any of us, to light the candles, which fortunately had the paper cup, otherwise it was just impossible to keep lit, then a little procession of a hundred people, in silence, he started with flickering candles, following the flag of peace.
We walked alone, in small steps, as suggested by the walking meditation of Monaco Vietnamese Buddhist Thich Nhat Hanh, I try to practice even when I go to the hermitage of Vincigliata through the forest, because it gives me a great harmony. Thich Nhat Hanh writes: "Walking meditation means practicing meditation while walking, is a practice that gives joy and peace and rediscover the pleasure of walking. I make short steps, slowly, in total relaxation, with an open heart to the experience of peace. The goal is to walk every step and in a way that leaves footprints on the land of peace and freedom. To walk so I have to learn to let go, to lay down their worries, concerns. Just a little 'awareness and the sincere intention of being at peace. If you can take a step in complete peace, you know it two, you can make a hundred, a thousand steps in perfect peace. And the world will have peace. "
were walking together, one small step for peace, Catholics and Muslims, Buddhists, Jews and other members of ... various religious groups, all together for peace and was touching, passing several have joined us. We arrived at the Palazzo Vecchio, Piazza della Signoria, the seat of the municipality that hosted us in the Meeting Room which has proved small for the one hundred and fifty or more persons who participated in the interfaith meditation. Few have found a place to sit on chairs, the more you are sitting on the ground, the red and white cloth, studded with yellow cushions, with friends of the Center for Tibetan Buddhism and Zen Center Ewam Florence Shin-nyo-ji. At the center of a vase full of flowers .... Then the music called for silence, followed by playing a song or a nice song from each religious group, I really loved the voice of Baha'i Center of a woman who sang an ancient Persian song. Then again so quiet and silence I felt the great energy that hovered in the room.
I could almost hear the softly beating heart of all people of different religions bound in brotherhood by being together for peace and peace reigned absolute ... When was the moment of the dialogue I shared with everyone what I tried: "In silence our breaths were like waves of the sea, there is not one alike, but together they form the ocean, an ocean of peace. "
My heart loves the silence, and I'm bringing back the memories, I always keep a small desk note that we have won in the end, it says:
"... We invite you to stay in the company of this silence in the heart ..."
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