Peace of mind is both difficult and easy depending on your motivations and perspectives.
Now as for lack of peace of mind and dissatisfaction, they come about from having an extreme self-centered motivation. An individual has the right to overcome suffering and to achieve happiness. But if we think of only ourselves, the mind becomes very negative. Then a small problem appears huge and we become unbalanced. When we think of others as being as dear as ourselves, the mind is open and wider. Then, as a result, even a serious problem appears not so significant. So, there’s a big difference in emotion depending on the scope of how we look at things: from our own perspective or from the perspective of everyone.
Therefore, there are two elements that are important for peace of mind. The first is awareness of reality. If we approach things realistically, there will be no unexpected consequences. The second is compassion, which opens our so-called “inner door.” Fear and suspicion cuts us off from others.
Now, do we develop inner peace through prayer? Through physical training? Just through gaining knowledge? Through deadening our feelings? The short answer is no because these are singular aspects of a bigger picture. We can peace of mind when facing any difficult situation, if, on the basis of full awareness of the benefits and harms of any possible action and its consequences, we face that situation, then our mind is engaged and not disrupted. It has focus and clarity of mission and that’s real inner peace.
Compassion and having a realistic approach, then, are extremely important. Peace of mind comes from a proper approach, a questioning mind and bigger picture mentality. There’s always a gap between reality and concept, when we bridge the two with understanding and insight we find the peace.
Peace and Love, Jim
