Peace Part 1
February 18, 2025
Peace Part 1
You are invited to join this week’s Daily Reflections on the subject of “Peace.”
Are you at peace? If you are, what makes you peaceful? If you are not, what prevents it? Peace is calmness and tranquility; it is the absence of conflict and the expression of harmony. In peacefulness, we are serene and emanate serenity.
There are different types of peace. Inner peace is the state of being in which we are calm even in turmoil. Outer peace is feeling tranquil from being in a tranquil environment. Relational peace is the absence of enmity between two parties. Nature’s peace is the calmness to be experienced when the natural world touches the peace within us. Peace with God is the harmonious union between ourselves and the Divine. Global peace is harmony between all nations and cultures.
First and foremost, peacefulness is an inner state that can arise from within. Meditation, prayer, and other spiritual practices can bring us peace. However, it can reach us from our outer conditions. For example, a serene environment can calm us and help us sustain that feeling. Sometimes, a group experience can infuse us with peace. Peace is usually attained in the absence of conflict, disruption, uncertainty, or anything that causes negative emotion or discomfort.
We can develop our inner peace through spiritual practices and applying our spiritual wisdom to everyday life. These processes help us relinquish worry and realize how negative emotions and behavior waste our energies. In inner peace, we do not stay in the cycle of negativity; instead, our energies are used to develop the soul.
Peace is a very cherished state of being. A Gallup Poll indicates a large proportion of people around the world report they feel at peace with their thoughts and feelings always or often. About 70 percent of the people in the world feel a level of inner peace regularly. Results differ according to the different countries and the instances of war, famine, and other disruptions.
Spiritual practice: If you close your eyes gently, would you feel peace and contentment? If not, do you think you could bring a state of peacefulness through a spiritual practice such as meditation or walking the labyrinth?
Self-inquiry: Why would you want inner peace?
Dear God,
I pray for peace within and without me. May my inner peace heal me and give me strength. Amen
