Staying Engaged at Any Age

Thich Nhat Hanh coined the phrase engaged Buddhism – emphasizing a commitment to compassion and social justice. Jesus, whom Nhat Hanh deeply reverenced as a bodhisattva (an enlightened being who helps others) gave us the Sermon on the Mount and so much else that speaks of love, compassion, and justice, especially for the vulnerable.

Photo of Jeus is a scientific rendered projection of what what he could have looked like.

There are many intersecting parallels in the life and teachings of Jesus and Thich Nhat Hanh. Some examples.

Ø  Personal Transformation as a pathway to social change

o   In both, inner transformation leads to outward action

Ø  Nonviolence & Compassion

o   Both traditions teach that true spirituality always includes compassion for others, especially the outsider, even enemies

Ø  Moral Action & Justice

o   Both traditions say that transforming society will ultimately change through moral action and spiritual practice

§  Engaged Buddhism underscores bringing mindfulness into issues like war, poverty, human rights and the protection of the earth

§  Christianity (particularly Catholicism) in its social doctrines and movements like Liberation Theology strongly urges care for the poor, resistance to injustice and living a life of service and love.

Engaged Disciples… Although maybe not recalling how it happened, a good many of us, have glided (or stumbled) into our twilight years.  At some moment in time, just about all reading this, were inspired by the Maryknoll charism. A part of the Affiliate Vision reads:

Maryknoll Affiliates challenge one another to witness to mission as a way of life by going beyond borders, locally and globally, walking with the poor and excluded, and striving for peace and justice for all of God's creation.

Being engaged at 60, 70 or 80 plus will look (and feel) different than in our early years. Still, perhaps more than any time in our lives, the world needs the engagement of transformed people who see the world with enlightened eyes – compassionate, just, moral, global, and nonviolent – and with the wisdom of many years. Inner transformation leads to genuine social action. Thich Nhat Hanh lived to be 95 and remained engaged until his severe stroke at 88 at the Plum Village Monastery in France. We each have our gifts. How will we engage in these times? How will the Affiliate Movement remain vital and engaged?