SUMMER 2007Blanche Biegenwald
Woodbury MM
o few realize the meaning of peace. It is not the mere absence of war; rather, it is the love and acceptance of others and self. It is both a philosophy and a way of life, for were people to accept their fellow man and to act out of such acceptance, greed, resentment, and ill-feeling would die. Peace would no longer be a mere concept, but an active force. Peace is not conceived in resentment against war and those who do battle. To express the desire for peace in a hostile fashion is to kill its very essence, for peace must be born within the souls of individuals, and can best be communicated to others through love and forbearance.
Love is the cornerstone of peace, for little can be accomplished with regard to harmonious coexistence if the basis be not in love and mutual tolerance through understanding. Peace is that condition of mind wherein all are felt to be one with the Creator, and the acceptance of others as having a common bond with self, as with the Infinite.
Man may never approach the acceptance of others in this light so long as he does not comprehend his true nature; for, as in all things, before a man is capable of relating wisely to others, he must first understand himself.
f you would foster peace, sow her seeds in the hearts of others. Teach them to meditate and to know themselves; for until they have self-knowledge, they cannot love themselves in the highest sense, and until this be accomplished, they cannot love and accept others unreservedly.
It should be a basic educational requirement the world over, that each person undergo a period of deliberate self-examination, with the goal of understanding his true nature; and with the attempt to comprehend why he feels as he does, desires as he does, and acts as he does with regard to others and self. Until his understanding be well-established in the ground of self, he is incapable of truly understanding the identities and inner functionings of others.
Peace is the acceptance within you of the oneness of all life, and life's oneness with God. To know this truth and to be other than peaceable is to live a lie. Violence and hatred serve only to create chaos in this existence. Men can be channeled into peaceful ways only by their acceptance of others as worthy beings; not as mere sources or targets of negative emotion.
eace is born in love; not in anger. He who would seek her in defiance will not see her face, for until she be sought in love she cannot manifest.
"Love your enemies" was sage advice. If you would bring peace on earth, love those in power whom men fear, that they be stimulated by the love directed upon them to become more loving toward others. Start the cycle of love in others by loving them. This can, perhaps, do more to change the world than any other effort of which you are capable. Put much energy into love, for the outpouring of this energy never depletes the source, but stimulates same in many positive ways. Love begets love, to be sure; but it also has the quality of stimulating creativity, contentedness, joy, health, understanding, selflessness, and many other virtues. Love all beings — and love yourself!
—From An Owner's Manual for the Soul
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Monday, May 21, 2007 at 11:48 PM
