If there is to be Peace in the world, there must be Peace in the nations.
If there is to be Peace in the nations, there must be Peace in the cities.
If there is to be Peace in the cities, there must be Peace between neighbors.
If there is to be Peace between neighbors, there must be Peace in the home.
If there is to be Peace in the home, there must be Peace in the Heart.
—Lao Tzu
Perhaps the great Zen master was on to something there…
I see the Peace referred to above as an action. That is, as something we DO from an inner point of BEING tranquil and peaceful (full of peace). Peace, in my way of thinking, feeling, and believing, is only in its manifestation – what we DO about it. Peace as a concept is just a thoughtform – basically fluff – (“the absence of war or hostilities” – what is that?) – of virtually no significance until acted upon. Only ACTIVE peace matters. Some will manifest peace as did Master Tzu or Gandhi. Others like Jesus or the Buddha. Still others like the Prophet Muhammad. It doesn’t really matter, I suppose – so long as the peace in the heart makes itself known in action - in DOing.
BE > DO > HAVE (the “have” part is feedback as to how you are DOing and BEing). Look around at what you do and have and you will have a valid reflection of who you believe you ARE. If you want a real awakening to how out of peace you really are – and have an effective tool at hand to make a change – take the RET circle walk – and get deeply honest with yourself and your perceptual world. You may be surprised at how out of peace you ARE – based on your ENVIRONMENT, BEHAVIOR, and PAYOFFS, etc. Don’t let it distract you in discouragement – let it be a call to ACTION. Maybe really connect this time with your spiritual self (however you conceptualize that) – then ACT from that point of peace.
“Be the change you wish to see in the world.” (Gandhi)
I say, “And then Do it!” By doing you manifest what is in your heart. Many stop at the BEing and don’t get around to the DOing part. It seems to me that Being without Doing is pretty useless altogether… RET puts being at peace into action. I like that.
What do you think? Should I get the towel out and dry myself after being all wet, or am I on to something…?
(My thanks to Rapid Eye Technician, Shakti Devi for sharing the Lao Tzu quote.)