As we are in the season of Lent, I contemplate on the possibility of world peace. I wonder how I would feel if this could become a reality. It didn’t take me long to realize that there are too many factors to comprehend, (including a variety of cultures, languages, religions, and economies in the world), that prevent or prohibit the possibility of world peace. Wouldn’t it be great if world peace were a possibility? We wouldn’t have to be concerned about terrorists or wars, as we do today. If world peace were a possibility, would we then have a perfect society or would we get bored with world peace? This problem is best left for the United Nations, whose purpose includes “building lasting peace in war-torn societies, conflict prevention, and laying the foundations for sustainable peace and development (United Nations Global Issues).”
We may not have the answers necessary for world peace, but we can begin by searching for inner peace; then, peace in our communities, and peace in our nation. Wikipedia defines peace as tranquility, calm, quiet, order, and freedom from fear and violence. Inner peace is defined as a state of being mentally and spiritually at peace, with enough knowledge and understanding to keep oneself strong in the face of discord or stress. Mahatma Gandhi once said “Nobody can hurt me without my permission.”
From “HuffPost Healthy Living,” (February 20, 2015), Laurie Seymour made the following suggestions for gaining inner peace: allow time for uninterrupted silence (dedicate some time with yourself each day); notice what tone you use with others when speaking; notice how your body feels in different situations throughout the day; if your day does not seem effortless, determine what was in the way; pay attention to random thoughts (Ask questions about what you notice); and finally, “Use writing as a way of dialoging with your inner self . Ask questions, write down the answers and read them aloud. Do the answers feel true? If not, begin again. Relaxation is the key.”
From the article, “Find Inner Peace in 10 Ways,” the following suggestions were made:
- Accept what is - There is only so much we can affect. Start accepting what you cannot change;
- Meditate - It can help you find peace;
- Spend time in Nature - Just enjoy the sights, the sounds and the peace;
- Learn the power of a smile - Peace finds itself more easily when you smile;
- Think outwardly - Look beyond your own problems;
- Care about others - There is peace and wisdom in thinking and caring about other people;
- Never lose hope - With hope, you always have a path towards peace;
- Embrace your beliefs - Be within your faith 100%, and peace will find its way into your heart;
- Keep learning - Accept that life is one big journey of never-ending learning, and you will find yourself closer to experiencing true peace within yourself.; and
- Live in the present moment - Stop thinking about the past and any potential future. Another way we can begin to search for inner peace is by listening to uplifting stories. These types of stories inspire positive action, and reminds us that we are not struggling alone.
Peace in our communities There are several suggestions or recommendations for generating peace in our communities. They include engaging in productive conversations with others, in order to build understanding and connections between people with diverse perspectives. I recall an article I read in which someone named Morgan stated that “Only when humans learn to live in harmony with their environment and each other that the principles of nonviolence can be activated in a very real way. In such an environment, killing becomes unthinkable,
Peace in our country From YouTube, listen to Frank Stallone’s rendition of “Peace in our Life.” It includes these words: “The strength of our nation belongs to us all.” The key factors for creating peace on the national level, as identified by Pillars of Peace (Understanding the Key Attitudes and Institutions That Underpin Peaceful Societies) are: A well functioning government, sound business environment, equitable distribution of resources, acceptance of the rights of others, good relations with neighbors, free flow of information, high levels of human capital, and low levels of corruption.
One popular biblical scripture on peace include the following: John 14:27-“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give unto you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid.” In contrast, Craig Patterson expresses his feelings about peace this way: “co-existence or no existence.” Another point of view by Maikul Aurelius is this: “People are never content with peace. They demand more and more until there is no more; then, they fight over something else.”
Chris Maser summarizes peace best for me by stating: “Peace is an inner state that can be reflected outwardly. As communities become more peaceful, cities and states become more peaceful. As cities and states become more peaceful, nations become more peaceful. It all begins with our search for inner peace, one person at a time. It is wise, therefore, to be mindful that the kind of world our children inherit will depend on the thoughts we entertain and the actions we commit, both secretly and publicly, in the process of living our everyday lives.”
