“We are all just walking each other home.”
The title quote is attributed to Ram Dass but spiritual leaders have always said something similar. Many have written about what this says about the purpose of their journey
Perhaps it is providential that Ram Dass would die just prior to the date that Christians celebrate the birth of Jesus. I am writing on Christmas Eve day when those children lucky enough to live in a safe home are excitedly looking forward to Christmas morning. Many exhausted parents are also excited about experiencing the expression of their children or other loved ones as they open that special gift which says my life is better because you are you.
There are also many parents, many of whom I personally know, who will be grieving the death of their children from diseases such as addiction. Others are parents of children who remain in the grip of addiction and other mental illness. Some of those young men and women, such as the young man in Wheeling, WV stopped yesterday for a defective break light fled and who was later charged with possession with intent to deliver, driving revoked for DUI and fleeing, are today sitting in jail instead of mental health facilities. Yet everyone knows the primary diagnosis is addiction.
I also read of the ongoing stories of the late Bishop of Wheeling-Charleston who himself suffered from multiple addictions. There is an abundance of blame for his behavior directed at him and at those who either did not report his behavior or whose reports were ignored. There are many realities depending on who one talks to.
There are also good news stories; stories of those giving of time and energy to those who are struggling; stories of those who speak out in favor of a more equal sharing of the resources; those who believe that we can have a more respectful relationship with mother nature and still find ways of taking care of each other.
When Ram Dass, the Dali Lama, Jesus and Mother Theresa used the word “all” they meant all. They meant all those sitting in jail; all those about to do what they need to do to satisfy their addictive illness; the Bishops who struggled with addictions; the CEO who gets rich on the backs of the many others; the politician who is more focused on keeping his or her job than in doing what their heart tells them is the next right thing; the one whose brain is wired to inappropriately crave sex with children or to have power over children.
When Ram Dass following the example of other spiritual teachers and suggested that “We are all walking each other home.” he was following the example that the example of the young man who was once the baby Christians welcome tonight.
If indeed we are going to welcome this baby Jesus and the young man he is to become; if indeed we are going to say that Mother Theresa is a saint; if indeed we are going to take the Dali Lama seriously we best we careful what we wish for tonight as we lay our heads on our pillow with thoughts of the miracle of Christmas. When Jesus talks about “all”; when Pema Chodron talks about dropping the dualities; we are challenged to walk each other home with joy and delight.
On this Christmas eve may we extend a hand and may we accept the hand that is offered. There is no them; no titles separating us; no separate path. There is just the opportunity to walk each other home.
Written December 24, 2019
Jimmy F Pickett
coachpickett.org
The title quote is attributed to Ram Dass but spiritual leaders have always said something similar. Many have written about what this says about the purpose of their journey
Perhaps it is providential that Ram Dass would die just prior to the date that Christians celebrate the birth of Jesus. I am writing on Christmas Eve day when those children lucky enough to live in a safe home are excitedly looking forward to Christmas morning. Many exhausted parents are also excited about experiencing the expression of their children or other loved ones as they open that special gift which says my life is better because you are you.
There are also many parents, many of whom I personally know, who will be grieving the death of their children from diseases such as addiction. Others are parents of children who remain in the grip of addiction and other mental illness. Some of those young men and women, such as the young man in Wheeling, WV stopped yesterday for a defective break light fled and who was later charged with possession with intent to deliver, driving revoked for DUI and fleeing, are today sitting in jail instead of mental health facilities. Yet everyone knows the primary diagnosis is addiction.
I also read of the ongoing stories of the late Bishop of Wheeling-Charleston who himself suffered from multiple addictions. There is an abundance of blame for his behavior directed at him and at those who either did not report his behavior or whose reports were ignored. There are many realities depending on who one talks to.
There are also good news stories; stories of those giving of time and energy to those who are struggling; stories of those who speak out in favor of a more equal sharing of the resources; those who believe that we can have a more respectful relationship with mother nature and still find ways of taking care of each other.
When Ram Dass, the Dali Lama, Jesus and Mother Theresa used the word “all” they meant all. They meant all those sitting in jail; all those about to do what they need to do to satisfy their addictive illness; the Bishops who struggled with addictions; the CEO who gets rich on the backs of the many others; the politician who is more focused on keeping his or her job than in doing what their heart tells them is the next right thing; the one whose brain is wired to inappropriately crave sex with children or to have power over children.
When Ram Dass following the example of other spiritual teachers and suggested that “We are all walking each other home.” he was following the example that the example of the young man who was once the baby Christians welcome tonight.
If indeed we are going to welcome this baby Jesus and the young man he is to become; if indeed we are going to say that Mother Theresa is a saint; if indeed we are going to take the Dali Lama seriously we best we careful what we wish for tonight as we lay our heads on our pillow with thoughts of the miracle of Christmas. When Jesus talks about “all”; when Pema Chodron talks about dropping the dualities; we are challenged to walk each other home with joy and delight.
On this Christmas eve may we extend a hand and may we accept the hand that is offered. There is no them; no titles separating us; no separate path. There is just the opportunity to walk each other home.
Written December 24, 2019
Jimmy F Pickett
coachpickett.org
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