There are moments when the suffering of our world feels overwhelming. As we witness the realities of a changing climate, many of us wonder how to remain grounded enough without becoming consumed by fear, despair, or overwhelm.
I’ve been returning to the Three Tenets of the Zen Peacemakers developed and articulated by Roshi Bernie Glassman in 1994. They are: Not-Knowing, Bearing Witness, and Taking Action. https://zenpeacemakers.org/2012/07/the-1st-bethlehem-walk/
They don’t offer easy answers. Instead, they offer a way of meeting this moment with wisdom, compassion, and integrity.
Not-Knowing invites us to let go of certainty. Rather than rushing to conclusions or believing we have all the answers, we remain open and curious—to learning, to listening, and to the possibility and potential of what may emerge.
Bearing Witness calls us to stay present to both the beauty of our world and the suffering. Instead of turning away from suffering, we choose to see clearly, allowing our hearts to remain open without becoming overwhelmed. In the words of the environmental scholar Donna Haraway, we ‘stay with the trouble’. Haraway invites us to remain emotionally regulated enough to engage in localized, sustained action even in the midst of the climate crisis to embrace the reality of living and dying together on a damaged planet.
Taking Action flows naturally from this place of openness. Rather than reacting from fear, we respond with compassion. Whether through caring for our communities, protecting the Earth, or supporting one another, our actions become expressions of our values.
In uncertain times, these three practices remind us that love is more than a feeling. It is a way of meeting the world—with presence, courage, and care.
How might love invite you to meet this moment differently?
Join me for these upcoming events.
| Space is limited. |
 Portuguese Camino: Walk in Beauty PilgrimageSOLD OUT AND WAITLISTED A pilgrimage for reflection, renewal, and meaningful transformation with Valerie Brown October 10–20, 2026 | Portugal to Spain Our kindest and gentlest Camino ever combines the stunning beauty of northern Portugal and Spain with spacious time for you to reflect with a caring, supportive community on your inner capacity to lead a more authentic, meaningful, and resilient life.Let us pamper you in this exclusive, small group, amenities-packed pilgrimage where you’ll savor breathtaking natural beauty of the legendary coast of Portugal and Spain, charming, three and four-star accommodations, and regional delicious cuisine, including gourmet picnic lunches. More information: https://valeriebrown.us/events/portuguese-camino-walk-in-beauty-pilgrimage-2026/ |
 With an open heart and a peaceful mind. A retreat to renew oneself and engage socially Registration will open soon. Wednesday, October 28 – Sunday, November 1, 2026, Avalokita Meditation and Conscious Living Center, Castelli (TE), Italy This October, I invite you to join me for Open Heart, Peaceful Mind, a mindfulness retreat grounded in the Plum Village tradition of Thich Nhat Hanh. In a time that calls for deeper presence and connection, this retreat offers space to pause, reflect, and reconnect with the values that guide compassionate action. Through sitting and walking meditation, mindful eating, gentle movement, and silent reflection, we will cultivate inner balance, renew our strength, and deepen our capacity to care for ourselves and the world.Accommodation is in shared rooms, and the participation fee is €280 including room and board. The course fee is offered as a donation, with financial support available upon request. More information: https://valeriebrown.us/events/with-an-open-heart-and-a-peaceful-mind/ |
 Awakened ActionWhat Blooms in the Ashes In Person & Online November 13–15, 2026 A gathering on Socially Engaged Buddhism exploring how beauty, mercy, and kinship can emerge amid brokenness, offered at Upaya Zen Center. Rooted in contemplative practice and shared inquiry, this gathering invites participants to reflect on how we meet suffering, injustice, and uncertainty with clarity, compassion, and care, and how our individual practice is shaped and sustained in community. Learn more and register: https://valeriebrown.us/events/awakened-action-what-blooms-in-the-ashes-in-person-2026/ |
