Facing Chaos

Being committed to peace, does not mean avoiding conflict.

Instead of steering around possibly disruptive situations, the peace practitioner simply refuses to allow the outer chaos to disrupt his/her experience of peace.

Nothing in the outer may disturb the calm peace of my soul, without some permission from me.

The Dalai Lama was once asked, “Why do you get up at 4:00 a.m. every morning and spend three hours in meditation?”

The spiritual giant replied, “Something may happen today, which will seek to disturb my inner peace. I meditate to build strength so that I may remain peaceful.” (I know I have paraphrased here!)

The point is, for the person willing to claim their right to a peaceful existence, nothing in the outer has the power to deny this peace. We decide. It is a choice. If you have ever endured a chaotic time and kept your calm throughout, you know this is the truth. If you have not, know that it is possible.

I would never advise one to seek out chaos, but when it finds you, it does give you a guick guage of how your walk along the path to peace is progressing. Applaud yourself for the progress you have made, and refrain from judging yourself for not being where you think you should be.

You are exactly where you need to be, at this moment in your life.