Written by Russ and Cynthia Cashin
Have you ever seen those commercials offering you ‘Peace of Mind’ through the purchase of some product or service such as a home security system or life insurance? We have, and it amazes us that the world continues its attempts to ‘sell’ us peace, and causes us to ask ourselves the question: Can one ever acquire peace from outside of oneself? We think not. True Inner Peace, the experience of peace, always begins within.
The search for “inner peace” or “paradise”, as some have called it, has been ongoing for thousands of years. This search has led to ideas and concepts that often convey that peace is something outside of us, something we must legislate, negotiate or even wait for until some miraculous event occurs. This is not true. We each have within us the ability to experience peace right now, in this very moment.
So how does one create this experience of inner peace, and if one does find it, can peace be experienced most or even all of the time? The answer to the second question is “yes”, but let’s explore the “how” first.
Inner peace has been described as Nirvana, Paradise, Self-Love, or as we choose to describe it, the Inner Beloved. This is the nature of who we really are. It is only the stories that we human beings have been imprinted or domesticated with that prevent us from having a peaceful or loving experience of life.
From the time we enter this human experience the process of our learning, or conditioning begins. We learn from our parents, siblings, teachers, religion, community or culture, country or nation, and the world at large. These stories are given to us and we believe them because we don’t know any better.
But what are these stories about anyway? Are they really true? We would tell you that any stories that we tell ourselves that do not make us feel peaceful or does not make us feel love, are not truth. They are just perceptions of our experiences that we filter through our understanding of the world that was given to us by others.
So how do we get back to that authentic, loving, peaceful self that we really are, and stay there?
There are many methods available that are geared toward helping us to recover our natural state of peace. Meditation is a popular one, and science shows that measurable positive changes do occur in the body and brain of meditators. But not all of us will stick with a traditional meditation practice.
Another method to restore our peace is the use of mantras or affirmations to change the thinking mind and relieve us of the obsessive thought patterns that can cause us to feel anxious or fearful. This can calm the mind and body, but requires some vigilance in minding the thoughts.
In our work and our own practices, we use a very powerful core breathing technique that we teach to others that opens one up to truly experience their Inner Beloved. We combine and enhance this breath and energy work with a unique blend of teachings and practices from many traditions. We know that each individual may resonate more powerfully with some of these than others, and will be more inclined to create and continue a regular practice and experience ongoing peace, if they truly enjoy it.
And how does this all relate to World Peace?
A powerful Native American teaching speaks to this:
“The First Peace, which is the most important, is that which comes from within the souls of (wo)men when they realize their relationship, their oneness with the universe and all its powers…this is the real peace, and others are but reflections of this. The second peace is that which is made between individuals, and the third is that which is made between nations. But above all you should understand that there can never be peace between nations until there is first known that true peace which is within the souls of (wo)men.”
BLACK ELK – The Sacred Pipe
Only once we discover and experience our own Inner Peace can World Peace happen, and it begins with each of us.
Namaste!
Russ and Cynthia Cashin can be found at http://www.theartofintimacy.com. They teach Inner Beloved workshops and offer classes on Kabbalah and Modern Mysticism, Couples Work and private coaching.
This article was provided by the World Peace Gardens’ non-profit foundation which holds non-sectarian gatherings every Sunday to promote world peace and sustainable living. Gatherings are at 11:30 a.m. at Green Valley Spa, 1871 W. Canyon View Drive, St. George, Utah 84770. Admission is free. For more information log on at: www.WorldPeaceGardens.org on Facebook at: www.facebook.com/worldpeacegardens or call us at: (435) 703-0077
