Peace Pilgrim
The Peace Pilgrim is a timeless example of how we can live our beliefs and change the world.
In the late 1940’s early ‘50’s a woman began a journey of simplicity. What she did however was not so simple nor was it easy. As part of her transformation, she let go of all of her possessions, her name, her former life and all of what was then expected of a middle-class woman in order to become the Peace Pilgrim.
Over the next thirty years she walked thousands of miles, slept in whatever shelter was offered, ate whatever was provided and talked to whoever asked about peace, life guided by purpose, and offered this simple advice:
“This is the way of peace: Overcome evil with good, falsehood with truth, and hatred with love.”
– the Peace Pilgrim
Please take some time to watch the interview with the Peace Pilgrim that is included below, a story that is a wonderful example of Loving Kindness in Action.
About the Peace Pilgrim
From 1953 until 1981, a silver haired woman calling herself only ‘Peace Pilgrim’ walked more than 25,000 miles on a personal pilgrimage for peace. Wearing a blue tunic and carrying just a few worldly possessions in her pockets, she shared her simple but profound message in thousands of communities throughout the U.S.: “when enough of us find inner peace, our institutions will become peaceful and there will be no more occasion for war.” Today, her words – captured in books, videos and other media – continue to inspire people around the world.
Learn more about the Peace Pilgrim’s and her teachings by visiting PeacePilgrim.org.
Peace Pilgrim’s Prayer
A canon made out of a favorite prayer of the American “saint,” known as Peace Pilgrim. Each phrase shortens by a word, bringing one to stillness. The canon can be sung in as few as two, and as many as twelve parts. With a simple, repeating piano accompaniment (optional).
Peace, be still, and know that I am God
Peace, be still, and know that I am
Peace, be still, and know
Peace, be still,
Peace, be
Peace, peace, peace
(from Psalm 46:10)
Interview with the Peace Pilgrim
Recommended Reading
Peace Pilgrim: Her Life and Work in Her Own Words
The silver-haired woman walked away from her name and vowed to remain a wanderer until mankind has learned the way of peace’. On New Year’s Day, 1953, she walked ahead of the Tournament of Roses parade handing out peace messages. It was the beginning of a pilgrimage that would last eighteen years. Traveling on foot without money or possessions, with only the food and shelter offered by well-wishers, she carried her simple yet compelling message throughout the United States and Canada. After the first 25,000 miles she stopped counting. Peace Pilgrim’s account of her journeys across America and her spiritual discoveries along the way continues to inspire growing numbers of readers worldwide.
Be sure to visit our Peace Offerings page for more inspiration for cultivating peace.
The Dalai Lama is a tremendous inspiration for upliftment during troubling times, periods of distress and uncertainty. We offer here a short compilation of quotes on Peace from HH Dalai Lama. Please enjoy!