Peace within

It is so easy to look around and see conflict, and to wish that the world was more peaceful.

But there are at least three things going on simultaneously:

First: what looks like conflict or chaos may be just an illusion, or at minimum, it is not the whole story., and

Second: Conflict or chaos may be a necessary step before a breakthrough or sustainable peace can be achieved., and

Third: True peace is not something that is based upon external events, whether those events are perceived as good or bad. True peace is an inner journey that is, on a certain level, immune to the volatility and fluidity of external life.

As human beings reaching for happiness and predictability, events “in the world” can seem jarring and all-important. But it is critical to see the notion of peace in a multi-dimensional way, and to soldier on to create and maintain individual peace no matter what the external world throws our way.