Beginning Anew

The world witnessed a Forgiveness Ceremony yesterday that will continue to bring peace to the nations who have gathered in support of the Dakota Sioux and their wish to divert the oil pipeline going through sacred lands and threatening local water supply. An easement to continue construction was not granted thanks to the efforts of many thousands of people who came out to support and protest. Among those thousands were our US Veterans who vowed to provide a front line of protection in the non-violent efforts of all those protesting and making their voices heard. After celebrating the halt to construction, a ceremony was held that so beautifully represents the native path I so dearly love--a Forgiveness Ceremony allowed Veterans to heal from their wounds of war and the unskillfulness of past actions against native people. Many of us living in modern society may scratch our heads over such a ceremony. After all, the actions of the past are not our actions. However, actions of the past have created the present moment and learning how to be more skillfull in the present moment will create the actions of the future.

We can take the lessons of forgiveness into our daily lives. Forgiveness is an act of nobility (and humility) and it sets our hearts on the right path. If I, or the people who I am connected to, have hurt another it's an act of peace to go to that person and set things right and learn what I can do to be more skillful in the future. Then, there is no need to hold onto regret for I have vowed to change--this is freeing.

In the Plum Village tradition such an act is called, Beginning Anew, and it's a practice of looking deeply and honestly at ourselves, our past actions, speech and thoughts to create a fresh beginning in our relationship with ourselves and with others. Beginning Anew is practiced every two weeks in communities and families and individually as often as is helpful. In the spirit and theme of peace, Beginning Anew or practicing a forgiving spirit are helpful tools. May we be heartened today by the example of our Native elders and live with equal integrity and respect as we care for ourselves, our loved ones and our communities.