World Peace & Inner Peace
Most world leaders, politicians, theologians, and thought leaders would agree that world peace is probably not attainable, but it is, nevertheless, worth striving for. Human conflict has been a constant since the beginning of recorded history. I believe we cannot find peace among people and nations until we can find peace within ourselves.
Arguably, the most quotable line left as a legacy from Jimi Hendrix is his statement, “When the power of love overcomes the love of power, the world will know peace.” Absolute power, as we’ve all been told, does indeed corrupt absolutely. Power, in and of itself, is neither good nor bad. It’s a matter of how we use it. Power in the hands of good men and women can move us toward peace, while power in the hands of evil people inevitably moves us toward disaster.
The Dalai Lama said, “World peace begins with inner peace.” Conflict can only be resolved by people who are willing to set aside their own interests for the sake of peace. This is not to say that we should strive for or accept peace at any price. If we sacrifice liberty and human dignity for short-term peace, we will inevitably create long-term conflict. Peace is not the absence of war. It is a mutually beneficial understanding among people.
Albert Einstein said, “Peace cannot be kept by force. It can only be achieved by understanding.” My late, great friend and colleague, Dr. Stephen Covey, taught us that we must seek to understand before we seek to be understood. In any conflict, we must be willing to hear the merits of the opposing arguments before we strive to build our own case.
There are things worth fighting for and even dying for. One need only look to Nazi Germany during the Second World War to realize that while a horrific price was paid to overcome evil, it was preferable to letting malignant evil continue.
We must all first seek to resolve the conflicts within our own hearts, minds, and spirits and then reach out to those around us. Peace and understanding does not require us to agree. It requires us to respect the rights of others even when we are convinced that they are wrong. Peace requires both consensus and compromise in which everyone gets something, but no one gets everything.
As you go through your day today, strive for inner peace then share it.
Today’s the day!