Healing trauma through mindfulness and presence
Dr. Larry Ward’s reflections on Engaged Buddhism emphasize the importance of addressing personal trauma to be fully present in our efforts to help others.
He recounts how he and his partner, Peggy, sought solace at Plum Village after their home was bombed by white supremacists.
This choice highlights the need for spiritual grounding to navigate suffering without becoming entangled in it.
Ward discusses the significance of body memory, explaining how our nervous systems retain the imprints of traumatic experiences.
He underscores the necessity of mindfulness practices to care for these memories, advocating for daily rituals of walking, breathing, and appreciating life’s beauty to maintain emotional balance.
Drawing inspiration from various spiritual traditions, including the Huayan and monastic traditions, Ward emphasizes the value of a contemplative life.
This approach helps heal trauma and prevents it from affecting others.
He shares how the Five Remembrances ground him in the realities of aging, sickness, and death, encouraging a perspective that embraces impermanence and fosters equanimity.
Ward’s experiences, such as finding peace during a visit to a Japanese cemetery, illustrate moments of unconditional peace achievable through mindfulness.
He advocates for an engaged life rooted in stillness and presence, enabling one to address societal suffering without personal entanglement.
Ultimately, Ward’s teachings highlight that by coming home to ourselves and nurturing our inner peace, we can offer genuine compassion and wisdom to the world.
