Sharing thoughts for peace

[kiku]

I've created this topic to collect thoughts, messages, prayers etc about peace.
Anybody who would like to share something is welcome to do so.
I'll start:

In my home town there is a church.
Well, it's actually a big church. A cathedral, to be exact.
People from all over the world come to see it.
But that's not what makes it special to me.
The thing that makes this church special to me is the fact that since March 2022, every day (Monday through Friday) at noon, there is a prayer for peace.
Everybody is welcome to join and listen. The prayer is for all the people in the world who suffer from war.
I know there are many people who say that prayers, or thoughts, for peace don't have the power to change anything.
But I believe that by being a peaceful person, no matter if you pray, think, or sing for peace, you do make a difference.

Every place where people come together in harmony is a birthplace of peace.
This forum is such a place to me.
We are here because we all share something. We all come from different countries and cultures, we have different backgrounds, and different views.
Some of us are from countries that in the past were at war with each other.
But here we are, a new generation, united in a forum, sharing our thoughts and stories and experiences, our wonderful craziness with each other.
That's one way of creating peace.

Have a blessed day all.

[Sniffles]

Thank you for sharing.  It's pretty sweet of you to share this with us.

This might seem a bit different, but to me ultimate peace was as a kid falling asleep in the backseat of the car at night as it was raining and knowing your parents were in the front seats driving you home safely.  It's a trust, a bond.  This brought me peace as a kid.

[MasterXtreme]

This is a great post, Kiku.  What so many don't realize is this rather corny saying... "There is more that ties us together than what separates us."  While many will roll their eyes to that, it's actually the truth.

People have so many similar beliefs and end goals.  The main difference is how we get there.

[kiku]

Thank you two for your replies! 

Sniffles, what a beautiful example! I think a conscience of peace starts in early childhood. This is just a theory of mine, but I believe that if you never had that kind of peace as a child - that feeling of being loved and protected - the risk is much higher to turn bitter and cynical. People have a tendency to turn their deeply hidden pain into anger and hatred... So, our world needs much more love and warmth being shared by all of us.

MasterXtreme, the saying you quoted is so right! There definitely is more that ties us together than what separates us.
I think the solution is to focus on what we all have in common rather than on what separates us, and try to respect each other's differences.
Easier said than done, sure! But if we all try, we can get there eventually.

[Bloogap]

This is a really nice thread. I don't really have any productive input but a recent-ish moment of peace.

A family friend invited my family to come celebrate his birthday. It was on a yacht, it sailed away from the city to nearby islands. And we did typical party things of eating, kayaking, swimming around the yacht.

When night fell, most of us gathered to top of the yacht and lied on its roof(?). I was lying next to my older brother, and my whole family just gazed at the night sky as the ocean breeze kept us cool. It was quiet, with only passing murmurs, and my mind just kind of emptied itself. No thoughts, no work or games or responsibilities or whatever. It was just calm, and I felt I could stay there forever.

In hindsight, I feel I get this moments whenever I'm experiencing (mostly) nature, since I live in a concrete jungle. But I really enjoyed that feeling of just "existing", without the burden of deadlines or work passing in my mind. It's my own version of feeling completely at peace haha.

[kiku]

Bloogap, thank you for sharing this truly beautiful experience with us. 
You described perfectly what is the condition of peace in the first place. It reminds me of the wise words once said by Hehaka Sapa ("Black Elk"), who was a medicine man of the Oglala Lakota (Sioux). He lived from 1863 to 1950.

"The first peace, which is the most important, is that which comes within the souls of people when they realize their relationship, their oneness with the universe and all its powers, and when they realize at the center of the universe dwells the Great Spirit and that its center is really everywhere, it is within each of us.
This is the real peace, and the others are but reflections of this.
The second peace is that which is made between two individuals, and the third is that which is made between two nations.
But above all you should understand that there can never be peace between nations until there is known that true peace, which, as I have often said, is within the souls of men.”

[Spiffmin]

Peace.

I remember growing up peace was hanging out with my friends.  Usually doing not much of anything but just talking and sharing our hearts about things.  Often concerns about the future or talking about women and how to find a stable wife for the future one day.  Looking back, it was really innocent as we were sharing our true deep inner feelings.  I remember talking about this in parking lots, sitting in random places, and not causing any harm to the world.  It was really peaceful though too.  Some very close people to share everything with.  I miss those times.

Not sure this really ties in with the grand overall goal here of worldwide peace, but it brought peace to me.

Another place of peace is every time I went to church.  I remember that as a kid.  Sort of an enveloping hug of peace every time I enter through the doors with my family.

[kiku]

Spiffmin, thank you for sharing your thoughts! 

I understand very well what you mean, and I think it does tie in with the grand overall goal of worldwide peace. After all, peace has to start with us, each one of us. So whenever you do things that make you feel at peace, and especially when you get together with people with whom you share your true inner feelings, or pray together, you create a peaceful atmosphere.
Last week I attended a chanting circle. The songs and chants we did were about connecting with each other, about enjoying life, and gratitude, and also peace. One of the lyrics said something like "As we sing, seeds of peace are gently blown into the world". (I can't remember the exact lyrics, but it was a beautiful image.)

[kiku]

"If we want peace, we have to be peace.
Peace is a practice and not a hope."

by Thich Nhat Hanh (Vietnamese Buddhist monk, peace activist, and author)

[Darrin]

I think that is a great statement.  To alter it ever so slightly, I would say, "If we want peace, we need to practice peace."

[kiku]

Thank you, Darrin! 

[Rainberry]

Lot's of opportunity for peace as we enter a new year very soon with a lot of changes happening around the world.  Fingers crossed.

[kiku]

You're right, Rainberry. Fingers crossed indeed! 

[MasterXtreme]

Biblically speaking, the Bible states Christ would come as the “Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6) and until that day comes, we will never have true peace.  People are a sinful lot.  But promoting peace and goodwill towards others is important and should be practiced.  As we enter the Christmas season, I hope we all can practice kindness, generosity, and peace towards others as well as ourselves.

 

[kiku]

Thank you, MasterXtreme! We should all practice that indeed. 
And we can try to remember that Christmas is a time of forgiveness and reconciliation.