Peace, it has often been said, is not just the absence of violence; it is a fundamental condition for human well-being. It contributes to the psychological well-being of individuals and communities, and the absence of constant fear and insecurity allows people to lead more fulfilling and happy lives.
By providing stability in society, peace also allows individuals and communities to plan for the future, invest in development, and build a sense of trust in institutions. It promotes social cohesion by reducing divisions and conflicts, encourages dialogue, cooperation, and the resolution of differences through non-violent means.
At the individual level, we all seek peace. But what is it that does not allow us to be peaceful? Is it other people? The pressures of modern life? Or is it our own desires, expectations, and fears?
People go to the mountains, forests, and faraway islands to ‘get away from it all’ and experience some peaceful moments. The break from the stress of a hectic daily routine provides some relaxation, but is there peace of mind? The silent repose that the mind yearns for eludes most people even when they are alone, or among loved ones, in the lap of nature, far from the bustle of city life.
There cannot be peace without purity, which is freedom from any quality that agitates or pulls the mind. The slightest weakness will disturb the mind. And one defect, if not addressed, leads to others. As the Bhagavad Gita tells us, “When a man thinks of objects, attachment to them arises; from attachment desire is born; from desire anger arises. From anger comes delusion; from delusion the loss of memory; from loss of memory the destruction of discrimination; from the destruction of discrimination, he perishes.”
“But the self-controlled man, moving amongst objects with the senses under restraint, and free from attraction and repulsion, attains to peace”, the Gita says.
The first step to self-control is knowing the self, the soul. The soul is the living entity, the sentient point of light, which gives life to the body. It is the soul that thinks, speaks, and acts. Peace, as well as purity, love, and happiness, are innate qualities of the soul. When the soul is free from all external influences, it is naturally peaceful. But the slightest taint of vices, such as ego, greed, anger, lust, or attachment, disturbs the peace. These vices give rise to thoughts and feelings that agitate the soul. When that happens, how can there be peace? The mind is either caught in the storm of thoughts triggered by the vices, or struggles against them as the soul tries to regain self-control. These inner convulsions and battles not only destroy our peace but also distort our perception and judgment, and drain us of energy, leaving us disoriented and weak.
To reclaim and retain its peace, the soul needs to gain power to be able to resist and overcome vices. The best source of inner power is the supreme powerhouse, the Almighty. When we connect to God, the Father, by remembering Him, His attributes, and our relationship with Him, we recognise our own true identity. The realisation dawns that as children of God, we are like Him. His power and virtues are ours to claim and use. Regularly remembering who we are, who we belong to, what our original qualities are, brings a sea change in our awareness. We gain the conviction that we have strength and goodness in abundance, not just for ourselves but also enough to share with the world. The drifting, scrounging, and complaining come to an end and we become generous servers. The neediness, fear, and doubt are gone and the soul, confident in the knowledge of who it really is, attains lasting peace, stability, and happiness.
B.K. Geeta is a Rajyoga teacher at the Brahma Kumaris headquarters in Abu Road, Rajasthan.
