A Gift of Peace: How My Grandmother’s Words Helped Me Close a Chapter

Letting go & moving on.

By: Justin Williams- Owner of Taino Studios

On my grandmothers birthday today I am thinking about the lessons of strength and wisdom she taught me over the years. Her advice to "Protect your peace" has been a beacon of light, during times in my life. To celebrate her day I made the decision to release a piece of my past that no longer align, with my path. By letting it go through burning it I am embracing peace of pain. Seeking closure amidst chaos. Engaging in this gesture seems like a gift I can offer myself and a beautiful way to cherish her legacy..

As of lately, I’ve been leaning deeper into my Buddhist practice, finding clarity and acceptance in embracing my truth. As I continue this journey, I’m learning that letting go of what no longer aligns is essential to making space for growth and inner peace. Recently, Earlier today, I essentially performed a burning Bowl Ceremony—a ritual for release and renewal. I wanted to release lingering attachments and pain. Watching the smoke rise, I felt a profound sense of lightness and liberation. This practice has become a powerful reminder that shedding old layers is sometimes the most compassionate act we can do for ourselves.

Fellow members of the young mens division at my Buddist center

My Shakka Bukku & I <3

The Burning Bowl Ceremony has roots in various spiritual traditions, particularly within New Thought and Native American practices, and has been widely adopted by spiritual communities as a ritual of release and renewal. The ceremony gained prominence in the early 20th century through the Unity Church, a New Thought Christian organization, where it became a powerful symbol of letting go of past burdens and embracing new beginnings.

The ceremony’s focus on fire as a transformative element is mirrored in other cultural and spiritual traditions, where fire has long represented purification, healing, and change. Today, the Burning Bowl Ceremony is practiced by individuals and groups as a way to honor the past, let go of what no longer serves them, and set a positive intention for the future.