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Finding and Living in Peace
Last night I was listening to a song by Sade called The Color of Love. It made me think about several different subjects. One was: How can we create the world we want if we are seeking power and control or fighting with others or internally with ourselves?
One truth I know is that we cannot change the world from the outside. By placing blame on others or thinking that if I just get “that thing or person” then everything will be perfect. The only way to change the world is by changing ourselves first, from the inside out. We live in a thought-tormented age, which makes this kind of change very difficult -- but not impossible.
“Those who offer instant enlightenment mislead us. After all, we have to bring the mind itself under control, and there is no more difficult task in life. We should be prepared for a lifetime of challenge. But then, we need challenges, or we stagnate. If you want to judge your progress, ask yourself these questions: Am I more loving? Is my judgment sounder? Do I have more energy? Can my mind remain calm under provocation? Am I free from the conditioning of anger, fear, and greed? Spiritual awareness reveals itself eloquently in character development and selfless action. Authentic spiritual experience changes the way you see the world and the way you live.” - Eknath Easwaran
These powerful words by Eknath bring into focus the difficulty we face in life if we wish to live in a world free from war, disease and poverty. A million-man march or a new president will not accomplish it, because it requires all of us around the world to step out of our fear, our tormented thoughts and into a place of lasting peace. I believe this is our birthright and in our reach now more than ever. When you let go of who you have become to reveal who you really are, then you will see that every one of us is a peaceful, loving being. Can you see this, even in the beggar on the street or the murderer in prison?
Ask yourself this question: Where do you find peace? I am not talking about the temporary peace you might find in the park or when you meditate. But that place where you can remain calm when you’re irritated or frustrated. That place where we are free from the conditioning of our anger, fear and greed.
When we can find this place from within ourselves and for ourselves, I believe we will find that all things and people are equal. When we reach this place then there will be no need for war, greed or fear. We will not feel threatened by someone else’s belief, or someone else’s possessions, and we will not seek to get more and more things just because we can or think we need to, to be safe.
I know that many people have understood this for a long time and many more are stepping up to do their work to help us all move forward. Maybe you are one of them? Or maybe you are feeling a desire inside that you don’t understand. Just maybe you are ready now. Wherever you are, it’s OK because:
“Everything works out in the end. If it hasn't worked out, it's not the end.” -Unknown
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