“In its purest form, peace is inner silence filled with the
power of truth. Peace is the prominent characteristic of what we call ‘a civilized
society,’ and the character of a society can be seen through the collective consciousness
of its members.”
The challenge
to peace normally presents itself in the question, “Are human beings by
nature violent or nonviolent?” If the answer is violent, then the concept
of peace becomes nonexistent. Peace has become so illusive that people have
begun to question its existence. Peace of mind has become a popular cliché, but
what does that mean?
What Is Peace?
Peace
is energy, a qualitative energy which emanates constantly from the One
imperishable source. It is a pure force that penetrates the shell of chaos, and
by its very nature automatically puts things and people into balanced order.
The self is a reservoir of vital resources, one of which is peace. To recognize
the original quality of the human soul as peace is to stop searching outside
for peace. Through connection with the One eternal and unlimited source of
peace, our own reservoirs overflow with silent strength. In its purest form,
peace is inner silence filled with the power of truth.
Peace
consists of pure thoughts, pure feelings, and pure wishes. When the energy of
thought, word, and action is balanced, stable, and nonviolent, the individual
is at peace with the self, in relationships, and with the world. To exercise
the power of peace embraces the fundamental principle of spirituality: look
inward in order to look outward with courage, purpose, and meaning. The first
step in that process takes careful examination of one’s thoughts, feelings, and
motives. By opening the window of the inner self, individuals are able to
clarify and pinpoint attitudes and behavior patterns which are destructive,
causing chaos and peacelessness.
Peacelessness Begins
People
say in one breath that they want peace of mind, and in the next breath they say
hurtful things. Wasteful gossip spreads peacelessness, as does anger.
Peacelessness initially begins with a few angry, forceful thoughts which are
then expressed in words and in some instances escalate into uncontrolled
proportions of violence.
People
say they want peace in the world, but what kind of do they desire? People ask
for peace, but whose responsibility is that? Can anyone who remains peaceless
be an instrument for peace? Authenticity of action depends on authenticity of
person. Today, policymakers are dedicated to making, building, and keeping
peace. A tremendous amount of human resources and research is invested in
establishing world peace. Even prizes are given to people for their work toward
peace. Emphasis is placed on the value of peace precisely because of the great
peacelessness that exists and which has infiltrated our lives far deeper than
we care to admit.
In its
most common form, peacelessness can be felt as stress and pressure due to
family, work, social, and other obligations. In its more serious condition,
peacelessness is manifested in breakdowns, addictions, abuse, crime, emotional
imbalances, and psychosomatic ailments. While medical science has helped
relieve symptoms of stress, and psychology has contributed toward understanding
the psyche, there continues a genuine search for a functional and empowering spirituality
which can produce within the individual a calm and relaxed state of mind. The
inner qualities and thought power of human beings are fast being recognized as
tools to deal with the world and its growing demands. Health is being examined
from a holistic perspective, partnering both physical and spiritual energies in
the process of healing. Even when physical health is maintained, spiritual
resources are being tapped to enhance coping skills and interpersonal
relations.
Promise of Peace
The
promise of peace gives hope, but like a piece of quicksilver, it sometimes
seems slippery and evasive. We are at a crossroads of human civilization. On
one hand, things are rapidly disintegrating. That is made bitterly apparent by
wars, civil strife, riots, ethnic cleansing, and so on. However, on the other
hand, an almost invisible integration involving alternatives and possibilities
is putting the pieces together. Bringing peace back into the social, economic,
political, and other fibers of society would require looking at peace from two
levels: the external and the internal. Peace education, conflict resolution,
and all peace initiatives must take seriously the critical connection between
individual and world peace. Programs and projects must include an emphasis on
individual peace, offering proactive and practical means to peace, beginning
with the first step of knowing the inner self.
Peace
is the foundation, the major building block upon which a healthy, functional
society stands. Peace is the prominent characteristic of what we call “a
civilized society,” and the character of a society can be seen through the
collective consciousness of its members. A civilization can be heaven or hell
depending on the consciousness of its members. Consciousness creates culture
its norms, values, and systems consciousness can transform culture.
Ultimately,
when all minds are focused and stabilized on the One imperishable source of
peace and synchronized throughout the world, the reverberation of peace emitted
from the silence will echo, “WORLD PEACE IS DECLARED!”
