By Remez Sasson
Peace comes from within. Do not seek it without.
- Buddha -
- If you have more money, would you be more peaceful?
- If you achieve your dreams, would you experience more peace?
- Do you think that you enjoy a state of inner peace, only after you are financially secure?
- Do you believe that inner peace is dependent on external circumstances?
If you believe so, think again.
Inner peace is not dependent of circumstances and external situations. Inner peace comes from within you.
Often, after achieving something, finishing something, or solving a problem, you experience a brief moment of peace, but soon forget it, embarking on the next project, goal, task or problem. This sense of inner peace is of short duration, and is unstable.
In these situations, it seems as if inner peace is dependent on the accomplishment of some task, or goal, and can exist only after you do, get or achieve this or that. This is a completely errneous assumption.
This erroneous assumption associates the state of inner peace with certain activities, or rather achieving, gaining or doing something. It seems as if external circmstances and certain actions are the cause of the sense of peace.
Yes, we do have a temporary and short interval of inner peace, after an accomplishment, gain, or relief from a problem. I have written about this in other articles. In these situations, the worry and fear level decline, and the mind, for a short while stops its constant chatter. This cause the peace withing to be experienced. There is also happiness, which wells from within. At that very moment the mind is relieved, though temporarily, from the compulsion of constant thinking, from planning, worrying or striving and we experience peace and happiness.
When the mind stops its restless thinking, the peace and happiness that are always within are released, but since the mind is not trained to stay in this state, thoughts, desires and worries soon cover our consciousness, and we are out of this delghtful state.
However, since inner peace is the result of a calm mind, if we train our mind to be calm, we would experience inner peace and happiness always, irrespective of external conditins. This peace will come from within, exactly as Buddha said, “Peace comes from within. Do not seek it without.”
How can we make this happen?
- Keep looking within and examining yourself in the various situations of life. Look within to see what happens when you are happy, and what makes you happy.
- Learn to improve your concentration. This will lead to a better control of your mind.
- Learn to practice meditation.
- Read books about the state of inner peace and practice what they teach.
- Learn from people who attained inner peace.
This will eventually will prove to you that peace comes from within.
Remez Sasson is an author and blogger. He is the founder of SuccessConsciousness.com, a website and blog about self improvement and spiritual growth.
Remez Sasson is the author of several life transforming books, containing a wealth of information, advice and guidance.
I meditate a lot and often get frustrated when I feel like I’m not getting the results I want, but the next time I feel that way, I am going to remember that quote: “Peace comes from within; do not seek it without.” Thank you.
Never get frustrated, even if you feel you are not getting results. Actually, you are getting results, even though you may not be aware of this. Every time you meditate, you are training your mind, getting more experience, and learning to overcome inner, subconscious resistance.
This is like bodybuilding. It might seem frustrating that you are not able to lift heavy weights, but any weight you lift, make your muscles stronger.
Meditation is a journey. Enjoy the journey, without thinking too much of the destination.
I hadn’t associated that feeling after accomplishment with inner peace although, when I stop to think about how most people view their lives, I can understand how there could be the misconception. I associate that feeling after accomplishment with the term natural high. The heart is pumping and the adrenalin is flowing. I associate the feeling of inner peace with calmness, serenity, as awareness of myself.
I completely agree with the effect of keeping the mind calm and stable. Also, concentration and meditation have to play a major role in stability of our mind. They are the reflection of our mind.
Thanks.
Thank you Glynis for your comment.
You are right in associating the feeling after accomplishment with the term natural high. If you examine your mind at this point, you will discover that either your mind is free from thoughts, or fixed on the feelings of happiness. There is a feeling of joy and of freedom, as if some weight was lifted from your back, and you feel light. This is one form of inner peace.
The body might be active, and as you say, the heart is pumping and the adrenalin is flowing, however, at the same time the mind is happy, satisfied, and feeling high. This is a state of inner peace.
You are also right in associating inner peace with calmness and serenity. However, when one attains a state of inner peace, one could be active, in movement, doing things, working, studying or eating, but at the same time the mind is calm and serene, with a deep awareness and consciousness.
I agree with you Gary. Concentration and meditation have to play a major role in stability of our mind. This why I have written many articles on the subject.
No matter how often I bring to mind that my inner state is not dependent on my external affairs, particularly financial, I still get into a panic about money. Absolute fear takes over eg loss of job, loss of home etc.
It is therefore very good to be reminded that I have not failed. I can get back up an try again through awareness, concentration and meditation. Thanks for that.