Be Still and Know by Thich Nhat Hanh

Author:Thich Nhat Hanh [Hanh, Thich Nhat]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: General, Religion, Buddhism, Christianity, Inspirational
ISBN: 9781573225625
Publisher: Penguin Group (USA), Inc.
Published: 2011-08-21T12:44:22+00:00

PEACE

Wholesome, spiritual nourishment can be found looking at the blue sky, the spring blossoms, or the eyes of a baby. We can celebrate the joys that are available in these simple pleasures.

Peace is all around us—in the world and in nature—and within us—in our bodies and our spirits. Once we learn to touch this peace, we will be healed and transformed. It is not a matter of faith; it is a matter of practice.

In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus said, “Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.” Many who work for peace are not at peace. To make peace, our hearts must be at peace with the world. Trying to overcome evil with evil is not working for peace.

We think that if the powerful countries would reduce their weapons arsenals, we could have peace. But if we look deeply into the weapons, we see our own minds—our prejudices, fears, and ignorance. Even if we transport all the bombs to the moon, the roots of war and the roots of the bombs are still here, in our bodies and minds.

Nonviolence does not mean nonaction. Nonviolence means we act with love and compassion. The moment we stop acting, we undermine the principle of nonviolence.

Even if our enemy is cruel, even if he is crushing us, sowing terror and injustice, we have to love him. This is the message of Jesus.

How can we love our enemy? The only way is to understand him, to understand how he has come to be the way he is.

In fact, to “love our enemy” is impossible, because the moment we understand him, we feel compassion toward him, and he is no longer our enemy.

People today tend to take refuge in overwork so they can avoid confronting their inner turmoil.

In each of us, there is nonviolence, and there is also violence. With mindfulness, we can begin to transform the violence, the wars in ourselves, into love, understanding, and compassion.

A.J. Muste said, “There is no way to peace. Peace is the way.” We can realize peace right in the present moment with each look, smile, word, and action. Peace is not an end. Each step we take should be peace.

If while we practice, we are not aware that the world is suffering, that children are dying of hunger, that social injustice is going on a little bit everywhere, we are not practicing mindfulness. We are just trying to escape.

Meditation is not a drug to make us oblivious to our real problems. Looking deeply at our own mind and our own life, we begin to see what to do and what not to do to bring about real peace in ourselves and in society.

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