By Henrylito D. Tacio
Once, there was a king who promised a reward to the artist who could create the finest depiction of peace. Numerous artists attempted this challenge. The king reviewed all the artworks, but he found only two that truly captivated him, and he had to make a choice between them.
One of the paintings depicted a serene lake, which served as a flawless mirror reflecting the peacefully towering mountains surrounding it. Above, a clear blue sky was adorned with fluffy white clouds. Everyone who viewed this artwork believed it represented the epitome of peace.
The other painting also featured mountains, but these were rugged and barren. An angry sky loomed above, pouring rain and flashing with lightning. A foaming waterfall cascaded down the mountainside. This scene appeared anything but peaceful. However, upon closer inspection, the king noticed a small bush growing in a crevice of the rock behind the waterfall. In that bush, a mother bird had constructed her nest. There, amidst the tumult of the rushing water, the mother bird sat on her nest – embodying perfect peace.
Which of the two paintings do you think was awarded the prize? The king selected the second painting. Do you understand why?
The king explained, “Because peace does not signify being in a place devoid of noise, trouble, or hard work. True peace is the ability to remain calm in your heart despite the presence of such challenges. That is the true essence of peace.”
When Jesus Christ was set to leave His disciples, He told them: “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid” (John 14:27).
The Greek term for “peace” encompasses a variety of interpretations, including its use as a customary greeting and farewell. It signifies not only the cessation of war and strife but also represents inner serenity and composure.
However, Jesus introduced a distinct form of peace to the world. At the time of His birth, the angels proclaimed, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests” (Luke 2:14).
Until now, peace has been elusive as ever. That was what the late John Lennon, one of the Beatles, also dreamed of. In one of his famous songs, he wrote: “Imagine all the people living life in peace. You may say I’m a dreamer, but I’m not the only one. I hope someday you’ll join us, and the world will live as one.”
Even Martin Luther King, Jr. himself longed for peace. “One day we must come to see that peace is not merely a distant goal we seek, but that it is a means by which we arrive at that goal,” he said. “We must pursue peaceful ends through peaceful means.”
“Better than a thousand hollow words is one word that brings peace,” Gautama Buddha pointed out.
But what is peace? “Peace is more precious than a piece of land,” said Egypt’s Anwar Sadat. An anonymous author puts it this way: “Peace is the marriage of the people and the planet, with all attendant vows.”
If you have seen the Hollywood movie, Miss Congeniality (starring Sanda Bullock), there was a particular scene where beauty contestants were asked to state their thoughts on anything. At the end of each answer, they all had one appeal: “World peace.”
But despite all the recent initiatives, peace is elusive as ever. “Do you know what astonished me most in the world?” asked French emperor Napoleon Bonaparte. “(It’s) the inability of force to create anything. In the long run, the sword is always beaten by the spirit. Soldiers usually win battles and generals get the credit for them. You must not fight too often with one enemy, or you will teach him all your art of war. If they want peace, nations should avoid the pin-pricks that precede cannon shots.”
How can peace be attained? “If you want to make peace, you don’t talk to your friends. You talk to your enemies,” Moshe Dayan advised. “Peace cannot be achieved through violence, it can only be attained through understanding,” Ralph Waldo Emerson said.
War is not the solution to the problem, although war is going on in other parts of the world to attain peace. But peace can also be achieved if they lay down their arms. The Bible foresees: “They shall beat their swords into ploughshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more” (Isaiah 2:4).
Hafast Abiola shares this idea: “Peace comes from being able to contribute the best that we have, and all that we are, toward creating a world that supports everyone. But it is also securing the space for others to contribute the best that they have and all that they are.”
American President John F. Kennedy reiterated, “But peace does not rest in the charters and covenants alone. It lies in the hearts and minds of all people. So let us not rest all our hopes on parchment and on paper, let us strive to build peace, a desire for peace, a willingness to work for peace in the hearts and minds of all of our people. I believe that we can. I believe the problems of human destiny are not beyond the reach of human beings.”
“Peace, in the sense of the absence of war, is of little value to someone who is dying of hunger or cold,” the Dalai Lama claims. “It will not remove the pain of torture inflicted on a prisoner of conscience. It does not comfort those who have lost their loved ones in floods caused by senseless deforestation in a neighboring country. Peace can only last where human rights are respected, where people are fed, and where individuals and nations are free.”
Achieving global peace may not be feasible within our lifetime; however, we can strive for personal tranquility. Many assert that attaining peace involves altering our internal reactions to life’s events instead of waiting for external conditions to be ideal.
Concentrate on accepting what lies beyond your control, grounding yourself in the present, engaging in mindful breathing, and releasing critical thoughts. Below are practical steps to start fostering peace of mind immediately:
Embrace acceptance: Recognize the unpredictability of the world. Rather than resisting reality or worrying about the past and future, immerse yourself in the present moment.
Practice mindfulness: Dedicate yourself to completing one task at a time (mono-tasking) and immerse yourself fully in that endeavor. For a more profound experience, spend 5 to 10 minutes concentrating solely on your breath or the physical sensations within your body.
Manage your inputs and triggers: Reduce your exposure to negativity, harmful news cycles, or social media platforms that heighten your stress and anxiety levels.
Prioritize self-care: Care for your mind and body by spending time outdoors, journaling, or engaging in stretching exercises.
Is peace a wishful thinking? Well, Mahatma Gandhi declared, “It is possible to live in peace.” And Walt Whitman, in his Leaves of Grass, wrote: “Peace is always beautiful.”
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