“People say walking on water is a miracle, but to me walking peacefully on earth is the real miracle.” – Thich Nhat Hanh

Apologies for the poor quality of this photo. I took it through my front windshield on the way to work this morning.

I was startled by the posture and gait of these two gentlemen walking slowly along side the road.

They seemed so familiar.

Before I even saw their faces, I knew they were Asian. Separate but together. Nonverbal but extending a message. Identical postures but differing thoughts. Then I realized what it was about them that stirred my memory: the scene was strikingly similar to one of my favorite photos. It’s of monks (specifically Thich Nhat Hanh) participating in a walking meditation, which is what I’m now gathering that my two neighbors were also doing.

Westerners really don’t walk like this. Look at the arms. No energy expended swinging  arms back and forth or elbows bent and clinched at a 95 degree angle. These shoulders are relaxed. Arms unmoving with hands at the sides or behind the back. You can feel the peaceful relaxation or lack of tension/anxiety.

While I maintain that walking on water is a true miracle (one of the Big Man’s best), I do agree with Thich Nhat Hanh’s assertion; I totally see the miracle in walking peacefully in our uncomfortably rushed and chaotic world.