Walk of Peace in Washington, D.C

Written By: Mariel Lopata

We are not a political group; We stand for peace.  

Attending the Walk for Peace in Washington, D.C., with my mom did not erase my sorrow, but it did give me perspective, purpose, and a deeper commitment to compassion. The walk was a public walk centered on peace, mindfulness, and reverence for life, guided by Buddhist monks who promote nonviolence and collective awareness.

I attended not as an expert on their teachings, but as someone emotionally overwhelmed by the injustice and heaviness of the modern world, searching for peace, connection, and purpose. 

The night before the walk, my mother and I shared a simple burger for dinner. She paused to reflect on the collaborative effort behind such an ordinary meal. “Think about how many people were involved in creating this meal,” she said, pointing out the farmers, transport workers, chefs, and the waiter who served it. 

Her observation turned a routine dinner into a reminder of how deeply interconnected everyday experiences truly are. A theme that later echoed throughout the walk. 

That same dinner, I had what started as a casual conversation with my waiter, Miguel.

I asked what his favorite music was, and he shared that he loves Puerto Rican music, saying it keeps him connected to his cultural roots. Our conversation shifted to the Super Bowl halftime show and its impact.

He also spoke about how frightening this time has been for immigrants. That conversation stayed with me because it reminded me that peace is not just a philosophical idea but something people silently long for in their everyday lives. 

At one point on the drive to D.C., I was crying in the car, overwhelmed by both the state of the world and my own internal distress. As traffic slowed, I saw what looked like a truckload of plastic waste blowing across the highway. 

The sight was so surreal that my tears were disrupted by sudden laughter. Not because it was funny, but because the moment was so absurd that if I did not laugh, I feared I would lose my mind. 

The monks later spoke about “mental garbage,” describing the buildup of anger, fear, negativity, and despair that clouds our perception of the world. Their teaching reframed my experience on the highway in a meaningful way. Just as physical garbage is scattered across the road, my thoughts had been filled with overwhelming negativity, weighing me down.  

Seeing the monks move calmly through the crowd humanized them in a powerful way. They weren't untouchable figures, but individuals who embodied the mindfulness and compassion they taught. They emphasized that their mission was humanitarian rather than political, encouraging participants not to abandon the vulnerable and to act with awareness and loving-kindness. 

The walk carried a clear, cohesive message: peace, compassion, mindfulness, and hope are not abstract ideas, but practices we can bring into everyday life. 

One of the most heartening aspects was the diversity of the crowd. People of all ages, ethnicities, and socioeconomic backgrounds are coming together in quiet reflection and shared intention. 

Even among thousands of people, I initially felt small and powerless, like one small piece of a much larger, troubled world. The atmosphere of calm and unity gradually shifted that feeling. It embodied the monks’ teaching of “harmony over winning, coexistence without fear,” showing that compassion can exist across differences.  

One teaching that stayed with me was the idea that “we find what we look for,” which encouraged me to reflect on how often I focus on negativity and injustice without allowing myself to notice moments of unity and care. Surrounded by the crowd, I realized I was not alone in my search for peace. The walk did not erase my pain, but it changed how I understood it. 

 By the end of the experience, I left physically tired but mentally more aware with a renewed sense of purpose. The Walk for Peace didn’t change the world, but it reminded me of the value of small, intentional acts of compassion.

Gestures that may seem insignificant on a global scale can have a meaningful impact on a personal level. And in a time filled with fear, division, and emotional heaviness, choosing peace and compassion is a powerful act.