The Psychology of Peace
I think many of us constantly find ourselves in moments of fear and anxiety because of the many pressures in life. We obviously need to be constant in our ways to reap the benefits of work and wealth.
But in spite of all that material pursued of success, I think the true meaning is found when we go the distance, face our troubles and become far more enriched by the experience. It could be in wealth building, in speaking, in having a great family. Whatever the case, we ought to be at peace with ourselves and find peace in the things we do.
The gentling process requires us to constantly be aware of disturbances and control our reactions to them. Often, it is about just letting go. There have been many times where i’ve myself been a victim of anxiety, and it’s true I justify that sometimes. Sometimes there is a great reason for being anxious or fearful and angry. All you need to do is to realize that it will eventually end.
- Acknowledge your current state
- Stop - really pause everything that’s going on in your head right now
- Fill your mind with a more peaceful state by aligning your priorities
Most of the time, the reason why people feel a sense of disturbance is because they are uncertain, there are conflicting priorities in their life, or there is a sense of helplessness. While I know this blog doesn’t focus much about religion, I think everyone should have a sense of sprituality, at least where you believe there is something larger than you. It may or may not be a religion. Peace could come, for instance, from mediation, or prayer. Often, it comes from settling oneself and releasing the anxiety or fear or helplessness to that bigger presence.
Some people relate this to praying, but I do know that if you simply acknowledge it is too tough for you to handle and just trust that all this is happening for a reason, things are usually never as bad as they seem, even if you don’t have a religion.
Peace requires firmness and a foundation of self-belief, and sometimes, as I have learnt, that even walking as if you were in a peaceful state, surrounded by a peaceful environment, lends a hand in bringing sanity to our personal world.
Peace also comes from personal alignment. An all-too familiar piece of “cognitive dissonance” actually comes from inner conflicts. Recently, someone accused me of being an angry person. Boy was I mad! :D
But many of these comments could make anyone flip. I truly admire are people who have the courage to accept insult without retaliation, and find strength in their calmness and peace, because it gives me a great sense of amazement at their level of tolerance.
Perhaps that is what we all should strive for?
Tags
Deep Thought, Emotions, General, Human Tendencies
August 9th, 2006 at 10:05 pm
hi stuart,
The quiet confidence you describe in your blog post is something I am striving to achieve. I guess its the culmination of a lot of life experience, together with the virtues of patience and tolerance.
Although I say I’m striving to attain such a state but there are times, many even, when I just lose control of myself. However, I’m still committed to attaining the inner peace described above. Thanks for helping to affirm the benefits of this inner peace and for giving your personal advice.
August 24th, 2006 at 9:59 pm
Hi Stuart
Yes, I agree with what you’ve shared above. We all have fears and that results in worries, anxieties, anger, lack of self-confidence and self-worth, loss of control and so on. It all begins with one’s thoughts and how one is building on them - have you heard this: “thoughts are things, mind is the builder, the physical is the result” ? - This means our minds will build on the thoughts that we feed it with - negative fear-based thoughts create negative emotions, feelings, words, actions and behavior, and vice versa.
If one practice moment by moment awareness of one’s negative fear-based thoughts and thinking process, one has the choice to change it immediately rather than allow it to build and create our own reality. This is learning to practice personal power which means not allowing self to be a victim of any situation, people or thing. It is usually easier said than done, but the Universe is kind to bless us with repeated opportunities to train ourselves to correct and make adjustments every moment of our lives. So, if we can see and understand that every thing or every challenge in life is a Spiritual test and lesson for us to learn, develop and grow in our consciousness and minds, within ourselves, we are able to face our challenges with courage and transcend our fears. It is a great learning process throughout our entire lifetime here on earth.
When one can learn this one takes steps forward in setting self right with self. From my personal experience, this is the very first thing one needs to do - to get right with self. Otherwise, one will continue to experience conflicts with different aspects of self and one’s consciousness - thus the disharmony and turbulence within be it thoughts or emotions. When this happens, what we experience externally with others or situations around us will be a mirror of our inner self. As it is said - “as within so without, as above so below”.
About this issue of anger - a negative feeling all of us experience from time to time, some more often, some less often. Why anger? - usually it is a sign of loss of control, or some attachments to outcomes, people, places or situations - dont you think so? If we are devastatingly honest with ourselves, go within and do some self-examination and reflection, we will be able to find the cause and correct it and learn from our mistakes. Life is a moment by moment endless learning - that is why we are here on this earth, earth is like a school and we get to practice and practice till we get it right. Till we experience peace, calm, even-mindedness, joy!
Just sharing my thoughts and experiences : )
Blessings!