World Peace and Inner Peace

For thousands of years, people have sought ways to end warfare and bloodshed. But for at least as long, humanity has found reasons to go to war.

A lasting peace between nations and peoples cannot occur until humanity is at peace within. If we, the citizens of the world, can easily become agitated, or fearful, or enraged over real or perceived threats, then there will continue to be wars between nations, just as there will continue to be unhappiness and suffering within us. That is why the path to peace must start with the individual, with you and me. The more that we can find that source of Divine peace within ourselves, the more we will inspire others to find that inner peace within themselves. Gradually and very naturally, as more and more people choose to nourish their relationship to the Source of all being, humanity will become less likely to resort to war.

"Gradually and very naturally, as more and more people choose to nourish their relationship to the Source of all being, humanity will become less likely to resort to war."

We all seek inner peace and harmony, though not all of us may think of it that way. People who abuse drugs or alcohol are often trying to escape from their inner agitation and anxiety. We also may be trying to escape from an inner uneasiness if we throw ourselves into romantic relationships, or our work, or political causes, or perhaps books or television or the Internet. Of course, these pursuits can be perfectly fine, but they can often be used, at least to some extent, to escape from nagging edginess, disquiet, or anxiety.

A helpful guidepost to inner peace has been provided by the theologian Reinhold Niebuhr, who wrote a prayer around the 1930s that has since come to be known as the "Serenity Prayer". People have modified it in various ways over the years, but Neibuhr's original version is worth remembering: "God, give us grace to accept with serenity the things that cannot be changed, courage to change the things that should be changed, and the wisdom to distinguish the one from the other." These are profound words, and they do point the way to serenity. I doubt, however, that you would find true serenity if you would take these words simplistically, to mean that you should simply divide your world into two columns -- those things that you cannot change on the one hand, and those things that you can and should change on the other. What does it mean if we feel that we should become healthier, or develop more rewarding friendships, or lose weight, or stop being so short-tempered, or acquire a more rewarding career? We might feel that one or more goals like these are worthwhile to pursue. But how much can we really change in any given moment? Very little, actually. We can set an intention, and take steps, but meaningful change usually takes time.

True serenity, true inner peace means accepting that often we can only change a very small bit in any given moment. It means accepting who we are, just as we are, with all of our imperfections. It even means accepting our discomfort, our uncomfortable feelings, because such feelings are certainly often part of our reality as well.

An acceptance of who we are and how little we can change in any given moment does not, however, mean that we should accept resignation or apathy. We are most dynamic and alive when we strive for something greater, something that gives our life meaning. That is what Niebuhr was referring to in his prayer when he asked God for "courage to change the things that should be changed." But we are most in harmony with our highest Self when we are able to balance a dedication to meaningful goals with a compassion for who we are in every moment, with all of our shortcomings -- " to accept with serenity the things that cannot be changed" within each moment.

"If we find it difficult to love someone -- if their personality bothers us -- we are actually presented with a valuable opportunity for spiritual growth."

True inner peace also means loving others just as they are. We are each a reflection of each other. We can each identify with the sufferings and the joys of others. We don't even have to know someone's language to know if they are in distress, or angry, or in love. The lives of others often impact us. If we witness someone experience a profound embarrassment, or a tragedy, or wonderful news, we feel that. If we were to be truly accepting of our own shortcomings, but not those of others, that hypocrisy would gnaw away at the very core of our being, and we would not be able to fully experience peace. Inner peace requires that we accept ourselves just as we are, and that we accept others just as they are.

If we find it difficult to love someone -- if their personality bothers us -- we are actually presented with a valuable opportunity for spiritual growth. It's easy to love someone whom we like, because no particular change is required of us. It's far harder to love someone whose habits or attitudes irritate us, but those are the very people who give us the opportunity to expand our heart and to find a deeper connection to the Divine. We are each a soul-jewel of many facets, with some facets far more polished than others. We tend to overemphasize the importance of some facets more than others, but when we learn to appreciate the Divine light that shines from within each facet of every soul's jewel, no matter how unpolished some of those facets may be, we become more attuned to the Divine, and thereby experience a deeper peace within. We can hold the hope that those who irritate us may grow toward Wholeness, but it is even more meaningful for us to hold the hope for oursleves that we may learn to appreciate ever more deeply the precious and amazing jewels in the rough that we all are, each illumined from within by the light of the Divine. In nurturing this appreciation, we naturally foster the growth of both our own inner peace and of world peace.