La paz de nuestro mundo exige unión. Siempre que en algún lugar haya energías negativas que prevalezcan sobre las positivas, estamos en peligro. Ante la pregunta de si es posible acabar con todas las fuerzas negativas, la respuesta simplemente es: ‘¡No!’ Tanto lo positivo como lo negativo forma parte de la naturaleza humana. Sin embargo, el humano también tiene la capacidad de trabajar para reforzar lo positivo y reducir el impacto o neutralizar lo negativo. La paz absoluta es un objetivo inalcanzable en nuestro mundo. Pero debemos continuar nuestro viaje con los ojos puestos en esa dirección, de la misma manera que el viajero en el desierto no aparta su mirada de la única estrella que le guiará hacia la salvación. Incluso si no alcanzamos la paz perfecta en la Tierra, ya que la paz perfecta no pertenece a este planeta, los esfuerzos conjuntos para alcanzarla servirán para unir a individuos y naciones en lealtad y amistad, ayudando a construir una comunidad humana más amable y confiable.
He utilizado la expresión ‘más amable’ tras haberle dado muchas vueltas; yo diría que durante muchos años. De todos los regalos que la adversidad me trajo, que reconozco no han sido muchos, el más dulce y valioso para mí ha sido la lección que he aprendido sobre el valor de la amabilidad. Cada gesto amable que recibí, fuera este grande o pequeño, me convenció de que en nuestro mundo siempre habrá lugar para un poco más de amabilidad. Ser amable significa reaccionar con sensibilidad y calor humano a los anhelos y necesidades de los demás. Incluso el gesto amable más insignificante es capaz de aligerar la carga a un corazón apesadumbrado. La amabilidad tiene el poder de cambiar la vida de las personas (...)
Básicamente nuestro propósito debe ser el de crear un mundo donde no haya personas desplazadas, o sin hogar, o sin esperanza; un mundo en el que cada rincón sea un verdadero
santuario donde sus moradores tengan la libertad y los recursos para vivir en paz. Cada uno de los pensamientos, palabras y actos de signo positivo e íntegro, se suman para contribuir a crear paz. Y cada uno de nosotros tiene el poder de aportar su granito de arena. Juntemos nuestras manos para construir un mundo pacífico donde podamos dormir despreocupados y despertar felices.
-- Aung San Suu Kyi, al recibir el Premio Nobel de la Paz en 2012
SEED QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION: Can you share a personal story where your endeavor to gain peace united you with others in bonds of friendship and trust? What does being kinder mean to you? How do you sustain your journey toward absolute peace despite setbacks?
We all know that it’s good to be kind to others. Kindness is an important virtue for sustaining relationships, which helps to build a trusting and cooperative society.
We all know that it’s good to be kind to others. Kindness is an important virtue for sustaining relationships, which helps to build a trusting and cooperative society.
We could achieve peace because we are rational and moral being. We know what is right and what is wrong. Peace is the construction of unity. Raise Peace-:)
This morning, in returning home from the orthodontist with my 14 year old son, we passed a man walking his four dogs. With a HUGE smile and wave "hello", two leashes in his "waving hand", he greeted us. My son asked, "Mom, do you know that guy"?. I replied, "no, but there are some people in the world who choose to "unite it" through their word and action . . . he's one of them!" Every moment, we have a choice . . . light or darkness . . .though none of us perfect . . . kindness sweetest!
Hugging the Homeless. I was walking back to my room in Harlem from an afternoon of Free Hugs and there was a homeless woman sitting on the sidewalk. Her shopping cart filled with her possessions next to her, her shoes worn to nearly nothing. I approached her asking if she wanted a hug. She looked at me with disbelief. "You would hug me?" "If you want, yes, absolutely." She said yes. I kneeled down to hug her and she whispered to me that she had not been touched in almost 20 years. I hugged her tighter. Then I apologized, I had no money to give, as I was (and sometimes still am) a struggling Storyteller. She replied that the hug I gave was worth more than any money. Next time you see someone homeless, offer them a big of Peace for that moment, smile, and if your heart says to, offer a hug. Namaste. Kristin
Can you share a personal story where your endeavor to gain peace united you with others in bonds of friendship and trust? As a manager, when I worked on projects with end product as the goal, there was only an end product and no peace or people. When I shifted my attention from product to people, there was both peace and product. I was building not just products but a lifetime of trust and friendships.
What does being kinder mean to you? Since the process of life is dynamic, it implies a constant awareness and effort to be kinder and gentler to your environment as a way of life. It means being open enough to include all of life as an extension of you.
How do you sustain your journey toward absolute peace despite setbacks?
‘Setbacks’ are part of evolution and creation. They are challenges to learn from. Without ‘setbacks’ life can be very dull. Setbacks can be better managed, if our focus in life is on ‘best effort’ instead ... [View Full Comment] Can you share a personal story where your endeavor to gain peace united you with others in bonds of friendship and trust? As a manager, when I worked on projects with end product as the goal, there was only an end product and no peace or people. When I shifted my attention from product to people, there was both peace and product. I was building not just products but a lifetime of trust and friendships.
What does being kinder mean to you? Since the process of life is dynamic, it implies a constant awareness and effort to be kinder and gentler to your environment as a way of life. It means being open enough to include all of life as an extension of you.
How do you sustain your journey toward absolute peace despite setbacks?
‘Setbacks’ are part of evolution and creation. They are challenges to learn from. Without ‘setbacks’ life can be very dull. Setbacks can be better managed, if our focus in life is on ‘best effort’ instead of ‘best results’. In this path of ‘best effort’, failures and setbacks become opportunities to learn from and not disappointments. Life’s journey becomes an evolution toward higher consciousness. The material success that follows selfless effort will remain forever, a tool for service.[Hide Full Comment]
Being kinder is not always with relation to strangers, more often it is with those who are nearest and often dear to us. We forget to be kind to them, we seize to forgive - and that is one act of kindness denied. To be able to bear the failings of your close ones, in the little matters of everyday living and overlook them, is kindness practiced with self.
Beautiful statement. Being kinder means everything to me. There is nothing more important than being kind. Accepting my not being kinder more frequently is being kinder to myself. Kindness is so important that I am now a bit sad when I realize I could be so much more kind than I am. Accepting some sadness is a part of being kind. Thanks so much for this great article. Warm and kind regards to everyone.
I think of Gandhi's famous statements that there is not a way to peace -- peace is the way; and nonviolence requires more courage than violence; and peace must first be found within; and that we must be the change (the peace) we wish to see. For me those are profound truths. The challenge is to live them. As they do sink into my being I do notice myself being sometimes a little more accepting, less judgmental, more compassionate, more peaceful. And in the process I am more aware of my oneness with others. For me, being kinder means growing in being compassionate and respectful toward the other, and showing it in behavior, often simple behavior such as a smile, a verbal greeting, an encouraging word, a compliment, and simply listening to the other. I sustain my journey by reminding myself of words of wisdom such as the quotes with which I began this paragraph and by practicing the behaviors mentioned. Interacting with others who are li... [View Full Comment] I think of Gandhi's famous statements that there is not a way to peace -- peace is the way; and nonviolence requires more courage than violence; and peace must first be found within; and that we must be the change (the peace) we wish to see. For me those are profound truths. The challenge is to live them. As they do sink into my being I do notice myself being sometimes a little more accepting, less judgmental, more compassionate, more peaceful. And in the process I am more aware of my oneness with others. For me, being kinder means growing in being compassionate and respectful toward the other, and showing it in behavior, often simple behavior such as a smile, a verbal greeting, an encouraging word, a compliment, and simply listening to the other. I sustain my journey by reminding myself of words of wisdom such as the quotes with which I began this paragraph and by practicing the behaviors mentioned. Interacting with others who are like minded is also valuable sustenance for me. [Hide Full Comment]
In my life experience, I have found deep peace after surrendering my fears. I remember sitting in my mother-inlaw's funeral service and feeling peace cover me like a blanket. The relief and joy that filled my soul was because I allowed myself to release her body, mind and spirit that had suffered for so long here on earth. I recognized and remembered that she was returning to her essence and that I was grateful for her presence in my life and that she was as close as the mention of her name. That soothed my egoic fear of being left behind and even though I continued to miss her, I am peaceful. I often think of this experience when tough times appear and I calm my anxiety by trusting the process of surrender.