Let’s talk about peace

I believe it’s safe to say that we all want to live in a peaceful world, where differences are embraced, freedom is respected as everyone’s right, and we all meld our efforts towards achieving it full of regard for our earth and each other. That’s what we want.

So why is it that one of our ugliest tendencies is that most of us spend a good portion of our waking hours waging a nonstop internal mental skirmish with everyone we encounter?

Is it because we’re too busy and self-centered about our important duties? What are we overlooking?

In his teachings, The Dalai Lama tells me that being in balance with the source of creation and working to find this balance should be our priority as we attempt to bring forth and achieve world peace. And in this quote, he says internal transformation is crucial. 

“Although attempting to bring about world peace through
the internal transformation of individuals is difficult,
it is the only way.
And the way we do this is by becoming and being
the peace we want to have.” ~ H.H. The Dalai Lama

Ok, so how do we initiate the process? I, for one, think we’re closer than we think we are but still, I ponder and seek out other teachers to shed light. Like Dr. Dyer who says: 

“Peace isn’t something that we ultimately receive when
we slow down the pace of our lives. Peace is what we’re
capable of being and bringing to every encounter and
event in the waking moments of our life.” ~ Dr. Wayne W. Dyer

Interesting! Our busyness is not to blame for our imbalance: being peaceful isn’t dependent on what our surrounding looks like. In fact, it seldom has anything to do with what the people around us think, say or do, or how loud or noiselessly they say it. Instead, being peaceful is an inner attitude that we can all achieve anywhere we have learned to silence our ongoing internal dialogue.

Internal transformation and inner attitude stand out in these two teachings. And then I plucked this quote that Dr. Dyer points me to.

“Make me an instrument of thy peace.” ~ St. Francis

St. Francis wasn’t asking God to provide him with peace; he asked for guidance to be more like peace. The principle not being only about choosing tranquil thoughts but about being those tranquil thoughts.

In his book, Living an Inspired Life, Dr. Dyer makes this suggestion:

“Picture a container deep within yourself out of which all your thoughts flow. Inside this container, at its very center, image a Candle flame. You need to make a commitment that this flame in the center of the container holding all of your thoughts will never ever even flicker, although the very worst may go before you. This is your container of peace, and only peaceful thoughts can fuel the burning candle. You don’t need to change your thoughts as much as you need to learn to be an energy of peace, lighting the way and attracting serene, harmonious thoughts and beings. In this way, you will become a being of peace.

“Obviously, you take this inner receptacle with you wherever you go. When people attempt to put some kind of pressure on you, when you feel overwhelmed or when situations arise that previously incited your distress or bellicosity, you can immediately turn to your inner candle flame of peace and see how to keep your light glowing. This is being the peace that you wish for yourself; this is offering a matching vibration to your desire to be a tranquil and amicable being rather than a person suffering from the disease of trying to make life go faster. You’ve already seen the results of that folly, and you notice the symptoms of stress in virtually everyone you meet.” — Dr. Wayne W. Dyer.

Now allow me to tell you my story of why I think we are skin deep closer than we think.

Before marrying and relocating to Japan, I lived in Chicago for a couple of years. Before then, I lived in Mexico for a while, and before that, of course, in my homeland of Belize.

In Belize, time passed slowly. My peers and I devoured magazines and movies that depicted places where life seemed more baroque to spice up our days. Yep, I mean baroque: fancy, extravagant, flashy, and inflated. We pretended to be ‘them,’ those busy people we read about.

In Mexico, I learned to be busy. Catching taxis and buses and rushing from one school to another, teaching. Walking and living fast.

In Chicago, I ran almost nonstop. I worked two jobs and went to school at night. And on some weekends, the bar-hopping at happy hour was a must. I no longer had to pretend to live the flamboyant, busy life.

I lived flamboyantly. I was flamboyant.

Then I came to Japan. And I collapsed, exhausted. But my exhaustion went beyond the jet lag.

I became undone only to find a wellspring of new energy that slowly seeped into me.

Slowly, I started to deflate.
I heard birds chirping,
cicadas singing their joyful songs,
people conversing and laughing softly,
and life for me turned into a slow waltz.

It is true what they say about peace; peace is something that you become.

Peace radiated from the people’s slow nods and respectful bows. Being in the peaceful presence of people here, it was impossible to be stressed out.

These people were peace, and I felt their energy. I saw them being peaceful in their attitude.

Movies portray these people differently, but as an insider, now I want to tell you what I feel about my people and the peace they radiate.

Peace doesn’t mean sedated, phlegmatic, or weak.

On the contrary, peace is higher and faster energy that washes over your being so that when you’re in the presence
of people
being peace,
you
too
become peace.

Peace expunges uneasiness and tension, and stress.

“Peace causes pheromones of measurable energy to emanate from you. They affect others who become more peaceful without even being aware of the transformation taking place. The secret of this principle for restoring balance to your life is: be the peace and harmony you desire. You cannot get it from anything or anyone else.” ~ Dr. W.W. Dyer

I’m totally aware that everyone cannot come to Japan to experience what I talk about here. And why would anyone need to when diversity is what we need. Please look at Dr. Dyer’s quote about inner attitude: we can all achieve it anywhere. 

Love and a lot of luck brought me across the ocean but what made it work for me is that I was ready to welcome the attitude. I know this now.

I do not have all the answers; therefore, I lean on others’ teachings to help me navigate through this balancing act. I’m grateful for the availability of good literature paramount in my ongoing journey.

And because I’m where I am today, I’d like to list a few pointers I think can work in whatever setting you find yourself.

-Slow down.

Slow way down, conscientiously. And in your slow-down time, consciously invite the divine into your moment.

-Relax.

Bring yourself to a point where you become serene. Pay attention to your breathing to get you there.

Relax your mind from anxiety and actively seek out your surroundings with your senses. Make it your purpose. Feel the breeze, listen to the rustling of the leaves, think about the big ripe moon up in the sky the other night. Stay relaxed and contemplative. Notice the stars, observe the clouds and the rainstorms and nature, become a people watcher and an animal admirer. Feel the energy radiating from these.

–But do not stop there. Recycle the energy by extending it to people around you.

Share your observations with your family; involve them. Please make time to interact with your children at home, listen to their ideas, and read them a story. Take a walk with your most cherished loved ones and remind yourself how much you treasure them in your life. Tell them so. Hear yourself speaking your truth.

-Extend this slowed-down, relaxed perspective outward at work, in your community, and even to strangers. You’ll need to decide how, but you might start by noticing and acknowledging people and perhaps, making a deliberate effort to give someone your place in line.

-Become conscious of your efforts to become the peace you desire. Do it anywhere.

While driving, slow your thoughts down and decide to bring your car to a stop at the yellow caution light. Decide that. And when you start again, consciously drive at a relaxed pace rather than in a frenzy.

-Later, after you find yourself in a good place, and you find that you are becoming and being peaceful, practice giving peace away.

-Become more conscious of your thoughts. Restore a sense of balance between your desire for tranquility and your willingness to meet the requirements of your life; practice becoming and being the vibration that you desire.

Remember, your Internal Peace Is Important.

And why? Because like H.H. The Dalai Lama said, it’s the only way to world peace.

Photo: Image by Andi Graf from Pixabay

THANKS FOR READING.
I Wish You Miracles.

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Selma Martin

I’m a simple woman who dares to see the beauty in ordinary. I’d love to connect with you and like pen pals, I want something beautiful to blossom between us. Will you join me? Selma is my middle name. Its meaning—peaceful, complete, are euphoric affirmations I like to think of myself as having. They compliment the joy I feel when I write. I sincerely hope you decide to join me on my writing journey. I Wish You Miracles.

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