Intentions speak of our values and where we wish to put our energy and efforts. A Buddhist teaching about namasté is that we recognize the worthiness in others, very much in alignment with our UU principles, such as when we say we respect the inherent worth and dignity of every person. That is sometimes a challenge — not every person we come in contact with always shows us their good and humane self, and we have to remind ourselves that there is still some inherent worth within. Which brings me back to intention: my intention — my best effort and desire — is to approach each person in my life and in the wider world with an open heart and open mind. I don’t have to agree with them (including some of the uber-conservative folks I have come across), but I still honor their worthiness as a human being who deserves to be in the world. My hope and wish is that they see the same in me, in you, in us all.

Rev. Michael Walker moved to the Olympic Peninsula in July 2023 for family reasons, although he has lived in the PNW before. He was introduced to UUism in the mid-90s, and is also involved in Pagan/Earth-Centered Spirituality, with inspirations and practices from Zen Buddhism. Mike attended seminary at Pacific School of Religion and was ordained as a UU minister in 2010, and has served as an Interim Minister at churches all over the country. He went on hiatus from parish ministry in order to complete a PhD in Clinical Psychology, and he is currently engaged in dissertation research about religious trauma, while also working as a psychotherapist in Port Angeles. Mike is a member of the Quimper UU Fellowship.

Topics: Inherent Worth and Dignity