Does Peace have any practical significance?
Will it feed my family?
Today, many believe that world peace is for dreamers. Talk on peace is for them just talking in the wilderness.
People of Faith know that peace is possible. And it is possible in our life time.
One step at a time.
One conversation at a time.
One heart touching another heart.
Peace, be it internal or in the world is more than a state of inner calmness or tranquility. It is a place where freedom in all its colors soars, where our actions bring no stress,strain or fear to anyone.
Tomorrow’s peace lies in our today’s individual actions and in our ability to recognize,celebrate and embrace the diversity of all faiths and all beliefs.
A Native American Prophecy states “When the Eagle of the North gets together with the Condor of the South, it is time for all the Rainbow Tribes of the World to get together and bring Peace upon this world.”
It’s in our coming together, in our actions, thoughts and deeds, in our commitment to ourselves, our families and our communitiesand to ALL faiths, that we make a statement of peace.
And when we accept all of humanity as our class-fellows, as our equals and not as inferior or superior, then we will set in motion an unstoppable process toward peace.
Guru Nanak the founding father of Sikhism says and I quote,
“Do not divide people on the basis of their faith, caste or culture; we are all His children, hence equal. Do not consider anyone alien (or different) living anywhere on this earth. All people belong to one brotherhood. Of course, they will speak many different languages and practice many different ways to worship Him.”
Guru Nanak was a classic and ardent proponent in the celebration of Diversity. He spoke it. He preached it. He lived it and He passed it on to His Sikhs.
The Sikh faith explains that God may be compared to a gardener who takes care of all the trees, plants and flowers in his garden, irrespective of their shape, size, smell, or color. He loves them all because they together make the garden interesting and refreshing.
Our Lord wants us to live as one earth community by understanding our internal unity and respecting our outward apparent differences.
“No prophet or a community can claim a franchise on God. Anyone who loves Him and His creation can realise Him.”
Guru Nanak says:
No one is my enemy
No one is a foreigner
With all I am at peace
God within us renders us
Incapable of hate and prejudice
I believe that conflict is caused by ignorance. People inflict pain on others in the selfish pursuit of their happiness or satisfaction. Yet true happiness comes from a sense of peace and contentment, which in turn must be achieved through the cultivation love and compassion, and elimination of ignorance, selfishness, and greed.
As a practicing Sikh my faith has taught me to commit topeace. I share some commandments as my personal peace plan, a commitment to walk my talk.
- I will stay away from negative conversations and from negative people.
- I will not hold grudges.
- I will learn to forget and forgive. Nurturing ill feelings and grievances hurts me and empowers nobody.
- I will not be jealous of others. Being jealous means that I have low self-esteem and consider myself inferior to others. This leads to lack of inner peace.
- I will accept what cannot be changed. Every day we face numerous inconveniences, irritations and situations that are beyond our control. If we can change them, that’s fine, if not it’s fine too.
- I will not take everything too personally. Detachment is not indifference, lack of interest or coldness. It is the ability to think and judge impartially and logically.
- I will let bygones be gone. I will concentrate on my present moment.
Let me end by reciting a Sikh prayer for Peace
“God adjudges us according to our deeds, not the coat that we wear:
Truth is above everything, but higher still is truthful living.
Know that we attaineth God when we loveth, and only that victory endures in consequence of which no one is defeated.”