Together in Peace: An Invitation to Practise Presence as an Act of Compassionate Resistance 

Beloved Communities “resist the speed, violence, and unwholesome ways of living that are prevalent in our society.” – Thich Nhat Hanh, Teachings on Love

In these challenging times, when fear, division and conflict dominate headlines, it’s natural to wonder what kind of action can truly make a difference.

While some forms of protest draw attention through noise and disruption, Thay has reminded us again and again that another kind of action is possible—one that begins with stillness. 

To sit peacefully together is not passive. It is activism rooted in compassion and presence. The energy generated through peaceful awareness is a tangible contribution towards transformation in our world. 

The Power of Peaceful Presence

Many years ago, several thousand people sat peacefully in silence in Trafalgar Square for hours, waiting for Thay to speak, as the noise and bustle of city life swept around them.  This peaceful, serene oasis drew more and more people in to ask questions of who we were, what we were doing, and many stayed on to listen to the chanting and Thay’s talk. 

More recently, the quiet strength of a group of hundreds of people walking slowly and mindfully together in peaceful silence from Trafalgar Square to Parliament Square was powerful proof of how monastics, spiritual teachers and lay people, representing many different faiths and those of none, can join together in a shared commitment to peace-building.

Those events are reminders that to truly work towards peace in the world it is necessary to practise being peace. We cannot generate peace in the world if we do not cultivate it within ourselves, and with others. 

Choosing Our Energy

Faced with injustice, violence or fear, it can feel as though the only meaningful response is to shout, march, or disrupt—to do something to overturn the status quo, to be seen and heard. Sometimes that might indeed be necessary.

Such actions, however, can also become reactive, divisive, and cause further suffering. We can ask ourselves: ‘What kind of energy am I bringing into the world?’

To practise peace is not to turn away from suffering, but to meet it with clarity, compassion and understanding—for all people, including those we might see as perpetrators as well as those we see as victims. This is not easy work. But it is essential if we want to move beyond cycles of fear, anger and blame.

An Invitation to Practise Together

We have created two simple opportunities to come together, to generate the energy of peace, understanding and compassion: 

• fortnightly ‘Engaged Practice for Peace’ sessions
• daily ‘Together in Peace’ meditations

Led by experienced practitioners and Dharma teachers, these gatherings are open to all. By coming together in stillness, bringing our own energy of peace into the world, we nourish ourselves and each other – having a real effect on those guiding the meditation, those to whom it is offered, and the collective consciousness of all beings—now and into the future.

A Call to Practise Globally

Could we take this UK Sangha initiative to another level, inviting our global spiritual family to offer this meditation at 7pm every evening somewhere in the world? 

This is an invitation to anyone who would like to contribute a half an hour once a week to guide this meditation – wherever you might be in the world, on zoom or any other platform. The text, based on a meditation created by Sister Chan Khong and Brother Thay Phap An, is ready for you, with clear facilitation guidelines. 

Together, can we create a world-wide embrace, generating peace, love and compassion for all suffering beings everywhere?

If this is something that speaks to you, please contact together-in-peace@plumvillage.uk

co-edited by Kasia Stepien