The Principle of Peace

Fri May 5, 2006 5:28 am

Principle Twenty-one:   The Principle of Peace

We've talked about the principle that brings happiness and then another that brings joy. There is one more to complete the Trinity of fulfillment, the principle of peace.

There are two types of peace - the outward and the inner.

The outward is easy to understand. It is merely realized through a lack of disturbance. That which disturbs however can come in many forms on three levels of existence. They are the physical, the emotional and the mental.

Examples of that which disturbs are:

• Physical - A person can get stuck in traffic causing him frustration and a loss of peace. He gives and receives obscene gestures to other drivers.
• Emotional - A co-worker insults him and tells him he is a loser. Again he gets angry.
• Mental - Through miscalculation the person has a business collapse and is greatly upset.

No matter where the cause originates, whether it be the physical, emotional or mental the main disturbance always centers in the emotions.

There can be the appearance of peace when there is no peace. This can happen when the person is afraid to speak up. This can happen under a government, a business, a church, a family or any circumstance where a person of authority has punitive power.

A nation run by a tyrant is an example of a false peace. If the people speak any disturbing words they will be jailed or killed. Because of this there are few disturbing acts and the illusion of peace, but emotionally many are in turmoil.

The second peace is the inward. Those who attain this are said to have the "peace that passes all understanding."

The principle that achieves this peace is that the seeker will follow the highest he knows, but it must be what he knows, not what an outward authority tells him he knows.

An outward authority who claims his voice is as the voice of God can form a barrier to this peace and stir the pilgrim's conscience putting him in a state of perpetual disturbance so he knows no peace. To find this most great peace he must throw off the outward voices that do not harmonize with his inward voice. The inward voice is the key to peace. The point of tension is reached when the inward draws as much attention as the outer. When the inward is finally chosen consistently over the outer the peace he has always longed for will come.

When the peace comes it matters not what the outward circumstances are. Friends and neighbors can be upset and shout at him; it matters not. He can be in trying circumstances and the peace remains. His world may collapse and even his emotions may be disturbed, but the great peace remains at his spiritual center and follows him through all the trials of life even unto death and beyond.

May each of us find happiness, joy and peace and thus fulfill our destiny.

Happiness is when what you think, what you say, and what you do are in harmony. Mahatma Gandhi

Copyright © 2006 by J J Dewey, All Rights Reserved