What Is Real Peace?

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The resolution of conflict alone is not peace.

You won’t hear this other places.

 

flower photo by Gary Bandzmer

What you will hear is, “Peace is nice.

We should all find it and get on with our lives.”

But it has to be very clear what it is we are looking for,
because if somebody’s version of peace is no more sirens,
then it is a totally different thing.

 

 

So, what is real peace—peace that is common to every single human being on the face of this earth?

The generic definition of peace is the absence of war, but there is a peace that has nothing to do with arguments and nothing to do with wars.

 

 

flute white flower

There is a peace that resides in the heart of every human being on the face of this earth.

There is a peace that is not temporary, not tied to politics, not found in the formulas of what the world thinks ought to be.

 

 

It is not somebody’s vision, but resides within the individual,

whether they are rich or poor, good or bad, right or wrong—

even in their darkest hour, even when they are surrounded by an ocean of confusion and doubt.

Flower photo by Gary Bandzmer

 

 

This peace is not the absence of anything.

Real peace is the presence of something beautiful.

Both peace and the thirst for it have been in the heart of every human being in every century and every civilization.