Peace is the way (Deepak Chopra)

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Peace is the way (Deepak Chopra)

 

Don't lose yourself in conflict, obsessiveness, anxiety over the

future, and feelings of guilt and inadequacy, says Deepak Chopra.

 

Want to get to peace consciousness. Here are 10 steps for you.

 

1. Change doesn't start on the surface. It is generated from

consciousness. This has been true throughout history. If both

Buddhism and Christianity could begin with one person, let us not

think in terms of numbers and odds. It may sound grandiose to compare

ourselves to great spiritual guides, but we act collectively, as an

alliance. Our strength comes from critical mass.

 

2. We aren't here to make the world evolve. We are here to evolve as

individuals and then to spread that influence. In the wisdom

tradition of Vedanta, the stream of evolution is known in Sanskrit as

Dharma, from a root verb that means `to uphold.' This gives us a clue

how to live: the easiest way for us to grow is to align ourselves

with Dharma. We don't have to struggle to grow - that would be

unproductive, in fact. The Dharma has always favoured non-violence.

If we can bring ourselves to a state of non-violence, and connect

with others who are doing the same thing, we have done a huge thing

to reinforce Dharma.

 

3. Societies get into the grip of their own self-created story. It is

helpful to realise that we can choose not to participate in that

story. Realise that national and tribal stories are limited, self-

serving, based on the past, reinforced by orthodoxy, and therefore

opposed to real change. Stories are incredibly persuasive. Wars are

fueled by victimisation that runs deep, for example. So let us not

try to change anyone's story. Let us only notice and observe

ourselves when we buy into it and then let us back away from

participating in it.

 

4. Let us not demand of ourselves that we alone must be the agent of

change. In a fire brigade everyone passes along a bucket, but only

the last person puts out the fire. None of us know where we stand in

line. We may be here simply to pass a bucket; we may be called on to

play a major role. In either case, all we can do is think, act, and

say. Let us direct our thoughts, words, and actions to peace. That is

all we can do. Let the results be what they will be.

 

5. Let us realise that engagement and detachment aren't opposite -

the more engaged we become, the more detached we will have to be.

Otherwise, we will lose ourselves in conflict, obsessiveness, anxiety

over the future, and feelings of guilt and inadequacy. Keep in mind

that we are pioneers into the unknown, and uncertainty is our ally.

When our minds want closure, certainty, and finality, let us remind

ourselves that these are fictions. Our joyous moments will come from

riding the wave, not asking to get off at the next station.

 

6. Since most misery is born of failed expectations let us learn to

minimise expectations so that we will feel far less guilt and

disappointment.

 

7. We aren't here to be good or perfect. We are here as the antennas

for signals from the future. We are here to be midwives to something

that wants to be born. Good people have preceded us. They solved some

problems and created others. As one wise teacher said, " You aren't

here to be as good as possible. You are here to be as real as

possible. "

 

8. I know this sounds difficult, but let us try to be tolerant of

intolerance. This is a hard one at times, but if you try the

opposite - showing a hard heart against those with hard hearts of

their own - all we have done is expand the problem. It is helpful

(but often difficult) to remember that everyone is doing the best

they can to form their own level of consciousness. Trying to talk a

terrorist out of his beliefs is like trying to persuade a lion to be

a vegetarian. All we can realistically do is seek openings for higher

awareness.

 

9. Let us resist the lure of dualities. These include us versus them,

civilised versus barbarians, good versus evil. The good, civilised

people of Europe managed to kill millions of themselves, along with

millions of " them " . In reality we are all in the same boat of human

conflict and confusion. Sometimes it helps to admit that the doctor

is not far from being a patient.

 

10. Let's create an atmosphere of peace around ourselves. Imagine

that we are like a mother whose children come home crying about

fights at school. Would it be her job to soothe their wounds or to

arm them for fighting back tomorrow? Simplistic as it may sound, the

male principle of aggression can only be healed by the feminine

principle of nurturing and love.

 

Peace is the way (Deepak Chopra)