Practicing Peace
by Mama Donna Henes, Urban Shaman • Brooklyn, NY

We have been inundated lately from all fronts — economic, political, environmental, astrological, spiritual — with predictions and threats of terror and trauma. These are indeed scary times. What is at stake is our safety, our peace of mind, our centered inner selves, our very lives and the lives of all the species who share our lovely planet home. Indeed, Mother Earth, Herself, is very vulnerable right now.

What to do?

We can shrink in fear and wallow in our worries — just close down. OR we can use this time to work toward the expansion, openness, and love that we all know in our heart of hearts is possible. We know that worrying is like praying for what we do not want. So, instead, let us put our intentions, attention and energy toward what we do want.

We can actively resist the urge to freeze. We can breathe deeply to fill ourselves with the air of the ages, the oxygen that can calm us. And as we exhale, we can sing, chant, talk, shout out our love of life and our sacred prayers for peace.

One by one and all together we must learn and practice the ways of peace, cooperation, compassion, forgiveness, and understanding. We must put our spirit into action and, be the change we seek — in our hearts, in our homes, in our relationships, and in our communities. Surely, this is the humble but firm foundation of Peace on Earth. We are the world, after all.

The way I see it, we are at a crossroads in our evolution. Either we will figure out how we can all live together on one planet without violence, or we won’t. We are modern dinosaurs and it is up to us whether this meteor storm that swirls around us creating devastation in its path will drive us to extinction.

The times could not be more crucial. We must make ourselves accountable. We need to walk our talk wherever we go, whatever we do, remembering always, that by doing so we do make a difference. Let us each be a sun, sending our caring energy out into the world, shedding light wherever we go. You never know whom you might touch with the radiance of your warmth.

Donna Henes is an internationally renowned urban shaman, ritual expert, award-winning author, popular speaker and workshop leader whose joyful celebrations of celestial events have introduced ancient traditional rituals and contemporary ceremonies to millions of people in more than 100 cities since 1972. She has published four books, a CD, an acclaimed Ezine and writes for The Huffington Post, Beliefnet and UPI Religion and Spirituality Forum, and serves as a spiritual/ritual consultant for the film industry. Mama Donna, as she is affectionately called, maintains a ceremonial center, spirit shop, ritual practice and consultancy in Exotic Brooklyn, NY, where she works with individuals, groups, institutions, municipalities and corporations to create meaningful ceremonies for every imaginable occasion. www.DonnaHenes.net.