Iraqi War Veteran Sergeant Paul Kendel had an uncommon approach to his relations with the local Iraqi citizens he was in charge of protecting and serving.
“Many of my fellow soldiers in Iraq often found my attitude and actions a bit inexplicable, particularly my interest in inviting myself into random Iraqi homes and asking the families to make tea and bread for me. This may sound peculiar, but I was never really scared when I was around the local people with whom we interacted on a daily basis.”
To combat the pervasive feelings of hatred and aggression by his fellow soldiers, Sgt. Kendel began reading and practicing the advice and techniques outlined in Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche’s books Turning the Mind into an Ally and Ruling Your World. Now Sgt. Kendel has written a book of his own. It is a memoir of his experiences and how he was able to apply what he had discovered through his meditation practice and study to a war zone environment. His book is entitled Walking the Tiger’s Path: A Soldier’s Spiritual Journey in Iraq. Excerpts (1, 2) from the book can be read on the Shambhala Times website.
Out of his correspondence with Margot Neuman of the Ratna Peace Initiative, Sgt. Kendel’s experience in Iraq has inspired a meditation program to be created for veterans suffering from PTSD as part of the Ratna Peace Initiative’s Veteran’s Project.
