For many years I’ve been travelling through Europe, visiting Sangats, festivals and retreats. I do this because something inside me is always searching for that moment when people suddenly feel united.
At every festival, at every retreat, there is always that final concert, the moment when the mantras rise, the voices blend, and the whole room feels like one being. Those moments always touch me. They remind me how deeply we long to feel connected and how healing it is when we do.
Maybe this longing is so strong in me because my own life began in separation.
My father fled the war in Vietnam. I escaped Ukraine when the war started there. So when I look at the world today, at how much suffering, fear and division there is, something hurts inside me.
I feel a deep desire to create moments when we remember our shared humanity.
And I’ve seen it so many times:
I’ve been asking myself:
How can we bring this unity to more people, without needing money, travel or big festivals?
Because festivals are beautiful, but they are expensive in time, distance and cost.
I wanted something that could enter living rooms, yoga classes, meditation circles, men’s groups, women’s groups — everywhere.
That wish became the White Light Peace Prayer Day.
