I have, for the most part of the
past 7 years, been on a quiet quest in search of inner peace. I seek
information from various sources namely my therapist (I know right, everyone
is doing it!), literature, the internet and sometimes just good old common
sense and what feels right. I am also a huge fan of the Dalai Lama and find his
teachings very humbling.
On my journey I find myself paying
attention to human behaviour around me (looking, not judging) and to the
environment and how factors, that can in fact be controlled, affect people. I
have in the past found that to fill a need whereby something is lacking, it is
too easy to seek ‘entertainment’ when I should be seeking long term
‘enjoyment’. I have discovered that happiness is often mistaken for an
accumulation of moments, belongings or wealth. However I feel that happiness is
not about possession of material things or a series of moments, rather a state
of mind. If we worked towards peace of mind and less towards attaining bigger
and better possessions I feel happiness would surely follow. I can make me
happy. A flash vehicle or wide screen tv cannot.
Inner peace; it is not an urban
myth after all. And I am told only few actively set out in search of it. Why
wouldn’t we all want peace of mind? We all want and are in constant search of
happiness, so why not inner peace?
I found the following on a website
belonging to Saskia Davis. How lovely it would be to not judge others, or
ourselves. Or not waste time interpreting the actions of others. We cannot
alter the actions or words of others, so why spend time even worrying about it?
We can however control how we act in response to the actions or words of
others, that there is our own power. Sounds easy, I can assure you it isn’t. It
does however feel great when you reach a point where conflict and ego no longer
occupy headspace and less time is spent worrying about that which you cannot
change (the actions of others) and more time is spent focusing on your own
happiness and inner peace.
Symptoms of Inner Peace
A tendency to think and act
spontaneously rather than on fears based on previous experiences
An unmistakable ability to enjoy
each moment
A loss of interest in judging
other people
A loss of interest in judging self
A loss of interest in interpreting
the actions of others
A loss of interest in conflict
A loss of ability to worry
Frequent, overwhelming periods of
appreciation
Contented feelings of
connectedness with others and nature
Frequent attacks of smiling
An increasing tendency to let
things happen rather than make them happen
An increasing susceptibility to
love extended by others and the uncontrollable urge to extend it
Warning: If you have some or all
of the above symptoms, be advised that your condition of inner peace may be too
far advanced to be curable.
Source: Saskia Davis ©1984
To view the publication in its entirety please visit the website of Saskia Davis.
{Image source: Pinterest}
{Image source: Pinterest}
Wow. Just beautiful!
ReplyDeleteThis is something I want to work towards.
I really hate how judgemental the world has become.
We should all strive towards inner peace :)
Love it.
ReplyDeleteWish I could say I was 'suffering' all of those symptoms.
Striving towards, is okay too.
:-)
Me too Cherie, I was starting to hate the judgemental thoughts in my own head. It certainly feels liberating to not have them.
ReplyDelete@ Shar, I am definitely not suffering all of the symptoms though I experience almost all of them frequently. I am still working on the 'worry' one.
'Striving towards' is better than okay, it's fantastic! :)
You are so right Peggs....Inner peace is so important for happy, balanced and long life. Hard work never the less!
ReplyDelete