Finding peace

Most of us seek peace, often without success, as we think peace is a sort of transcendental event available to only a select few praying in temples and monasteries, or do deep self reflection and meditation.  Peace isn’t something you ultimately receive when you slow down the pace of your life. Peace is what you are capable of being and bringing to every encounter and event in the waking moments of your life-meaning you have to live it every moment of your life.

 Being peaceful is an inner attitude that you can enjoy when you have learned to silence your incessant inner dialogue, that chatter that continually is going on in your head. Being peaceful is not dependent on what your surroundings look like, but how you relate to your surrounding. It seldom has anything to do with what the people around you think, say, or do. A noiseless environment is not a requirement-each one of us has to find that balance space within , like the eye of the hurricane-where there is total silence, peace and serenity.

St. Francis’s famous prayer states it better than I can: “Make me an instrument of Thy peace.” In other words, St. Francis was not asking God to provide him with peace. He was asking for guidance to be more like the peace he trusted was his Source-the Holy Spirit in a way. Being peace is different from looking for peace.

This principle is not about merely choosing tranquil thoughts when you are feeling frayed and anxious-that is not peace. Someone wiser that I said this :” I suggest picturing a container deep within yourself out of which all your thoughts flow. Inside of this container, at its very center, imagine a candle flame. You need to make a commitment that this flame in the center of the container holding all 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 do not 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 actions. In this way, you will become a being of peace-you become an actual instrument of peace.

As a being of peace, you make a huge impact on those around you-even being aware of it, as you radiate peace. It’s almost impossible to be totally stressed out in the presence of someone who has opted to be peace. Peace is a higher vibrational energy  —when you are being peace, just your presence alone will often nullify the uneasiness and tension in those around you. The secret of this principle is: Be the peace and harmony you desire, wish and hope to be. Accept it from within yourself-for it is your inner core. You cannot get it from anything or anyone else. Be the peace and be the light and  the be love-all which are the very characteristics of  God.