October 24, 2025

People in the modern age need to protect ourselves from digital overload. We need to find our space that is peaceful like the blue sky with wispy white clouds. Peaceful like the ripples on a pond or the lapping waves of the ocean on the beach.  Peaceful like the wind rustling through the trees or making riverlike patterns in the tall grasses. Peaceful like the sunlight dappling across a living room floor. Peaceful like a long, warm soak in the tub. Peaceful like a noncompetitive, mindful yoga class.

Peaceful like our mindfulness of breath – but not to be more productive, not to be a better gear in a capitalist economy, not to climb the corporate ladder, not to be more hip than the next person, but just to be, to be ourselves, a human being, a child of God.  It is enough to just be. As we can just BE, we can be present for God who is Being.

There will always be conflicts among people, and now these conflicts rage in the digital space, affecting our minds, inducing our stress, upping our anxieties. It is not good for our minds, our hearts, or our health. The digital world may play on our empathy, but does not necessarily help us take compassionate action for those right before us. It is as if everyone is shouting to get our attention, so we are not fully present to anyone.  And we ourselves are shouting too so we are not drowned out.

The antidote is in nature, in simple mindful tasks like doing the dishes or taking cans of food to the food bank. Traditionally Zen masters speak of mindfulness in ordinary tasks like hoeing the garden and carrying water. The Christian tradition too encourages care for the poor, sick, and vulnerable in very ordinary, simple works of mercy. The seven physical works of mercy are providing food, drink, and clothing, sheltering the homeless, visiting the sick and the imprisoned, and burying the dead. We are called to this. These ordinary works bring joy to giver and receiver, and they bring peace.

Some may find peace too in religious observances. The celestial space is peaceful indeed, known as “the peace of God.” There is much more to write about the peace of God, but that is all for today. Amen.