Today, I brought ten guns, once part of my family’s life, to the Albuquerque Crime Lab for safe disposal. The officers I met were kind, respectful, and professional. I am grateful to know these weapons will never harm another being. Instead, they will be transformed, perhaps into art. They might become something entirely new and useful.
Acts of violence leave deep, lasting trauma. For those directly harmed, the pain may last a lifetime; for those who lose loved ones, the grief never fully fades. Mine has not. While most gun owners are responsible, circumstances can change in an instant. A moment of lost control, careless handling, or theft can lead to irreparable tragedy.
We need reasonable solutions to reduce violence. These include policies that protect the public and offer compassionate services for victims. We need environments of safety and love as well as education that nurtures emotional resilience. True prevention is not just about rules. It’s about fostering the ability to face strong emotions. This helps ensure individuals do not harm themselves or others.
Soto Zen offers a simple yet profound precept: “I vow not to kill.” Dōgen Zenji might suggest we go further and cherish all life.
“To study the Buddha Way is to study the self. To study the self is to forget the self. To forget the self is to be enlightened by all beings.” –Dogen
When we see ourselves reflected in all beings, the thought of harm becomes unthinkable. Our practice is to live in a way that protects life, human and non-human, through wisdom, compassion, and mindful action.
The guns are gone now. In their absence, I feel a quiet space. A space where violence does not have the last word. My hope is that we each find our own way to lay down the tools of harm and take up the tools of care, healing, and peace. Laying down guns is important to me. I have seen the devastation they can bring, not only in the moment of violence but in the long shadows that follow. I know what it is to live with that grief, and I will always make time for anyone who has experienced violence and needs a safe place to talk. My door and my heart will remain open, because healing begins when we are heard without judgment and held in compassion.
Share this:
