Lighting a way
It struck me, reading Steve Day’s article calling for a national peace march (‘Rallying call’, 9 January), that he hit right to the heart of George Fox and Margaret Fell’s tenets, which are central to a Quaker way of life.
Steve’s words have lighted a way of being in this current world of conflict.
The Quaker way grew from the idea that there is an alternative way of living life: living simply, and inclusively, seeing every human being as equal, with an inalienable right to live life in dignity and in safety.
We are called to honour the true essence of humanity and Divinity in each and every person. We are all the one race, the human race, none superior to another race. I agree: this would be ‘Collective Love in action’; ‘doing this because we care’. Acting as sentinels, guarding our precious Earth from the destruction of war and care for all of life.
What a Light has been offered to Quakers everywhere.
Miriam Ryan
Peace not protest
I’ve been following the ‘Walk for Peace’ in the USA, where a group of nineteen Buddhist monks and a dog are walking from Texas to Washington DC to promote peace.
The 2,300-mile journey, which began in October 2025, is expected to take about 120 days in total.
The walk is intended to raise awareness for peace and compassion, not as a protest.
It’s the attitude to protest that really appeals to me. I’ve done a fair bit of protesting in my life and it has its place, but it divides and it creates a duality, a them and us. The idea of a peace walk that unites, however, is a real positive.
I don’t call myself a Buddhist but I have learned a lot from Buddhist and nondualist teachings. I believe they have a lot to offer, and are perfectly in line with the Quaker way. I would definitely be up for a Quaker walk for peace.
Kev Ceney
