Can We Have Peace?

We have to drop out of the war. The battle between “good” and “evil” within us and within the world is causing so much pain everywhere. Of course, good and evil are both sides of the same coin. They are a perplexing phenomenon. But the battle has been waging for millennia and is not yet won. All you have to do is turn on the news once. When will we learn the futility? Reactionism on a global scale is to blame. The problem is that all sides need to recede at the same time and at the same rate to have peace. The only way to do that is to wake up one individual at a time until there is no violence left. This is what the Buddha taught with the middle way. It is the way out of the war. it is the way of peace. I can’t stress this enough. For some reason, we all think we’re good, and that our enemies are evil. How special are we that we’re always right? It’s absurd when you say it out loud.

Sure, we know some things are wrong instinctually, but in all those gray areas we have to let life happen. Trying to force our will on the world hasn’t done much good when it comes to violent crimes. These things are ever-present in the war, so why do we persist? It’s asinine. Of course it’s complicated, and multifaceted, and just the way the world is. All sides need to stop demanding domination, and recede. How else can it be done? Waging war for peace? I think not. This is why we take up a meditation practice. When we meditate, we learn to let go of our impulsive reactions. If we don’t learn to let go of our egoic defensiveness, which needs so much maintenance, we’re gonna be stuck in the same patterns and the same unhealthy relationships forever. Or, at least till we destroy ourselves.

Meditation does not need a formal practice, however it is helpful to balance your Zen moments with a traditional philosophy toward meditation. Sometimes we are on the go and need a quick centering moment, though. Take a few breaths, center yourself, breathe again. Go on with your day,,, In your formal practice, make sure to sit comfortably. Adopt a position of stillness that you can maintain for the duration of your meditation. Keep your eyes where they are comfortable. There is no need to look up, no need to look down, just what your body wants to do. Rest your hands in your lap or on your knees, just remember to be still. Turn off all distracting noises and put your phone away. Encounter yourself. Encounter your fears, your anger, your sorrows as they arise, sit with them all. Search your motivations, your biases, your notions about the Divine Order. Breathe. Breathe again. There’s no need to force anything here. You’re just sitting and breathing. If peace comes to sit with you, let it. Enjoy peace while it’s here. There’s no need to strive. There’s no need to fight. Just be in this space with silence and stillness. It’s okay to be you in this space.

Christianity teaches that the unknowable God relates to mankind with the Providence of Jesus and the love and peace of the Holy Spirit. Zen seems to teach the Providence of Karma, the teachings of the Buddha (primarily), and the peace and loving kindness of what’s called Maitrī, which is akin to a great spirit. I believe that these two similar but distinct philosophies are, essentially, looking at the same truth from different angles. Like a multifaceted gemstone, the light strikes differently from different angles. Whatever path you choose, whether it be God, Karma or loving kindness, do it with the best of intentions and practice it daily. We can’t keep the war going anymore, especially between religions. Society won’t stand for it much longer anyway.

Comment, if you wish,

Peace to you and yours.