A peaceful journey

All I want is peace! Have you ever said this, or perhaps someone has said it to you? There have certainly been times in my life when this has been my cry. Yet as I reflect on peace today, I wonder what I mean by a peaceful life?

​I certainly cannot imagine myself sitting cross-legged under a tree and meditating all day every day. As much as I love my quiet times, I like more action than this, as I am sure most of you do, too!

What does peace mean to you? It can mean peace and quiet just to hear myself think! Peace can mean no more arguments or disharmony in the home or workplace. Peace could mean relief from noisy neighbours. Of course, we may be yearning for peace in the world – all of us learning, finally to get on with each other. Peace has many meanings. Yet, as many of you have heard me say in the past, peace begins with us. If we want peace in the world we begin with peace in ourselves – and this can be hard, especially when we find ourselves caught up in the turmoil of human living.

Like me, you may have a busy mind that, by itself, can become agitated, focused on a problem or event, and just will not switch off (especially at night time). Sometimes anxiety about something can take over, and before I know it, my energy is lost down a rabbit hole that is not of my spiritual choosing. Either way, I am no longer experiencing peace. So, what do I do about it?

Over the years, I have learnt some techniques: using my breath to still my mind, body work to get re-centred and out of the automatic thinking mode, being in nature and practising the silence in meditation. My ongoing journey is to keep practising them, keep re-tuning to Spirit, remembering I am spiritual as well as human. Yes, there are times when peace seems beyond me and it takes a little time to move through the turmoil. Yet as soon as I remember there is a part of me not impacted by human struggle, which we call the Christ within, I can step back and tune in once more. Anything we can do to help us reconnect is vital. Do you have specific tools you use?

This is my focus right now, as we are busy preparing for our April online workshop, “The Path to Inner Peace.” We will ask these questions, share tools to help us and share meditations to encourage the stillness.
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As we move into spring, and enjoy the flowers, warmth and fresh greens of nature, let us also commit to reconnecting with the peace that is within us. You are also very welcome to join our online workshop – it is by donation so you choose the amount you wish to pay. Be part of a day that helps us be the peace we want to see in the world.