Walk For Peace RVA FAQ

Let there be peace on Earth, and let it begin with me… now.

You are invited to join us for a silent walk for peace along the James River — a gentle pilgrimage through nature, presence, and responsibility.

Where Are We Meeting?

We will gather Saturday, March 14, 2026 at Cold Harbor Battlefield 6616 Anderson-Wright Dr. Mechanicsville, VA) parking lot.

Tell Me About the Route

The walk begins at the Cold Harbor parking lot. We will walk the Gold trail, which goes along the outer loop of the walkway.

The trail is easy. The surface is mostly natural. There are some tree roots to watch out for. It should take 1 to 1.5 hours if walking leisurely.

Distance: approximately 3 miles, walked mindfully and leisurely.

As always, the path is consciously chosen to bring attention and healing to places with a history of suffering so that our peaceful presence may uplift the Earth, animals, and humans who live here.

What’s the Vibe?

This is a quiet walk.

Not to suppress thought — but to let the inner chatter soften.

To listen more deeply.

To tune into your breath, your body, the birds, the river, and your connection to the living world.

Before we begin, you are invited to turn off your phone — to set aside the hum of the world — and tune instead to the quieter currents within.

Let the mind settle.

Let the body lead.

Let the river, the birds, the trees, and the ground beneath your feet become your teachers.

Silence gives space for the inner voice to be heard — the one that knows how to listen, how to belong, how to remember its place in the living web.

You are welcome to wear orange, if you wish, as a gesture of solidarity with the monks walking for peace whose presence and devotion inspired this gathering.

We walk not to fix the world from a distance,
but to take responsibility for our part in it —
to carry peace in our nervous systems,
to let it move through our steps,
and to offer it back to the Earth and to one another.

Will We Have a Chance to Chat?

Yes. Those who feel called are invited to gather for a picnic — to meet fellow walkers, share reflections, or simply sit together in quiet companionship. If you’d like to linger and meet your fellow walkers, please bring something to share.

Who Can Come?

Everyone is welcome.

Well behaved children and dogs are a joy to have with us.

The trail is not suitable for those in a wheelchair or with mobility issues.

Is This Religious?

No. If you’d like to bring your spirituality or religion with you, please do. However, please do not share it with others in this space. It’s not the time or place. We’re here to cultivate peace in our own way together.

How Much Does It Cost?

There is no cost.

If you’d like to make a tax deductible donation to the Buddhist Temple that inspired this walk, you can do that here.

If you’d like to make a small donation to cover the cost of this website, stickers, pins, and on going promotion for this event, you can do that here.

Is This a Protest?

No. Please leave your signs, rage, and politics at home. This event is about cultivating inner peace. We believe that once we are peaceful inside, peace outside is the natural result.

How Can I Help?

Be peaceful. Be kind.

Walk on your own in Nature with the inner intention to be silent.

Talk to your friends and family about your desire to create peace.

Gather your friends and do your own walk for peace.

Create “walk for peace” event of your own. Nobody owns this idea. The more the merrier.

Don’t wait for an organization, church, or government to lead the way. Be the change.

If you’d like to arrange a walk and advertise it on this website, come to a walk and introduce yourself. Share your plans (when, where, etc) and I will post it. Check back here for upcoming walks.

I Can’t Make It. Will You Do It Again?

As long as people keep showing up, I’ll keep arranging this so that people can walk together. It’s more fun together, isn’t it? Just check this page for updates on upcoming walks.