Walking can be a spiritual practice. I have been privileged to participate in several of Thich Nhat Hanh’s “walking meditation” events held at Lake Merritt Park in Oakland, California, when Jerry Brown was mayor there.
On returning from marching with MLK, Jr. at Selma, Rabbi Heschel told his daughter that “I felt my feet were praying.”
A few weeks ago, beginning before America went to war against Iran, without informing the American public why or what for, 23 Buddhist monks set out from Houston, Texas, on a 2,300-mile walk to Washington, D.C. The intention was clear: “A March for Peace.”
Their very holy action brought tens of thousands of people of all religious persuasions and none out in the streets to greet and thank them.
The ancient practice of pilgrimage is a kind of prayer through walking experience. One is exposed to the elements perhaps for days and undergoes discomfort, but also exhilaration, living in the outdoors and setting a sacred goal for oneself and rendering the way a sacred way to a sacred goal.
And just this week, a happening unique to the last 1,500 years occurred when the new archbishop of Canterbury and head of the Anglican communion chose to hike from London to Canterbury—a six-day, 87-mile journey—instead of arriving by car, limousine, or carriage. The new archbishop of Canterbury, Sarah Elisabeth Mullally, is a woman who began her career as a nurse, so she knows something about honoring our healthy bodies.
I salute her for the major lessons she extends to everyone by her pilgrimage to her anointing as head of her communion. A very creation-centered lesson indeed—”Get outdoors! Engage the body. Include friends.” All the photos of her on her journey show her smiling a lot.* Why not? What a wonderful way to begin a role as a spiritual leader!
Today, Saturday March 28, is being heralded as another “No Kings Day” where over 3000 venues around the country will be hosting marchers marching in protest of those who have chosen to turn their backs on democracy in favor of autocracy and even violence.
Rev. Paul Raushenbush, head of Interfaith Alliance, has talked up today’s No Kings march this way: People from every faith and belief will be showing up and speaking out with one voice, saying: No to Kings, Yes to Democracy; No to Theocracy, Yes to Religious Freedom; No to Christian Nationalism, Yes To Loving Our Neighbor!
It is pretty clear what we are marching against, the forces and tactics of anti-democracy and institutional violence otherwise known as fascism are on display and making headlines daily in our country.
But what are we marching for?
We march and team up to put forward our better natures.
We march on behalf of Mother Earth, so generous and so beautiful and so stressed by human greed and forgetfulness in our time.
We march for the survival of the planet as we know it.
We march for a renewed and reawakened Democracy.
We march out of gratitude,
We march in solidarity and to meet others who share these values.
We march in joy and to see the joy in other’s eyes and the humor and seriousness in the signs they create.
We march on behalf of a Beloved community seeking to be born.
We march for restoration of the American experiment and in memory of our ancestors who saw the possibilities in that vision and in the words of the statue of liberty: Those yearning to be free.
We march for truth.
And for justice.
And for Peace.
* Megan Specia, “After 1,400 Years, the First Female Archbishop of Canterbury Is Enthroned,” New York Times, March 25, 2026.
Banner Image: No Kings protest, Salt Lake City. Photo by Mike Newbry on Unsplash
Queries for Contemplation
What are you marching for this No Kings Day? What are you marching against?
Related Readings by Matthew Fox
Creation Spirituality: Liberating Gifts for the Peoples of the Earth
A Spirituality Named Compassion: Uniting Mystical Awareness with Social Justice
Original Blessing: A Primer in Creation Spirituality
Sins of the Spirit, Blessing of the Flesh: Transforming Evil in Soul & Society
Trump & the MAGA Movement as Anti-Christ
Adam Bucko and Matthew Fox, Occupy Spirituality: A Radical Vision For a New Generation
Matthew Fox, Skylar Wilson and Jen Listug: Order of the Sacred Earth
3 thoughts on “Marching on No Kings Day: What’s It All About?”
The beloved community has members who previously had not loved one another. But Jesus says God loves us even so, pardons our ignorant hostility, and rejoices as the grains grow riper for harvest all together. Maturity of soul can develop in a country free from fear of the other.
Love Wisdom Peace & Justice around the world! 🔥🌎💜🙏
Instead of marching in a few hours, my partner and I (along with a couple dozen others) are serving as peacekeepers, roving each within our designated section of the crowd along AZ Highway 69 to be sure that all protesters stay peaceful, and if something unlike peace begins, to help de-escalate it. We have done this for 10 years now. We are there to stand up for democracy, the rule of law, the separation of powers, freedom of the press, freedom of religion–all things our founders set forth in the Constitution. You might say we are there in solidarity with the monks who recently crossed the country. My partner, a Buddhist, also says he is there to help people not further injure their karma through bad actions. I have been saying for years that what our movement needs is young people, clergy, and music; and I am happy to say that we are finally seeing that. More youth are joining our Indivisible actions, more clergy are joining us, and songs of protest are being written and sung. Our demonstration will have a choir. Please pray that all demonstrators and all counter-protesters will remain safe.