Inner Peace

Is there a difference between inner peace and happiness?  I believe there is.  Happinss is subject to current conditions being perceived as positive, while inner peace is a deep stabalizing calm that knows whatever comes my way will eventually be for my good.

There is a perception that if our attitude is always positive and we steadfastly refuse to let negative thoughts enter our mind we can and will attract positive events and situations.  What do you think?  Is this possible?

I remember hearing a story that went something like this;  “As World War II  erupted, all  healthy young men over age eighteen were subjected to the military draft……..That was bad.   A young man on his way to sign up for military service was involved in an accident making him ineligible for military service………that was good.  His injured leg became infected and was eventually amputated……..that was bad.  While being fitted for a prosthesis he met a beautiful nurse who became his wife…….that was good.  Soon after their marriage her wealthy parents were killed in an auto accident…….That was bad.   His wife’s parents left them a sizeable inheritance that allowed them to purchase their dream home nestled on several acres in the mountains.  That was good…….A wild fire swept through and totally destroyed their home and burned all the trees and grasses on their property.  That was bad.  As they surveyed the damage, they crossed a little creek that ran through the far end of their property when they noticed a glint in the creek bed which turned out to be gold……that was good.  The story goes on and on between good and bad.

As you can see, from our vantage point it is impossible to know what events in our lives bring the greater good.  Our mind is constantly judging what ‘is’ as either good or bad.  Inner peace, however, allows us to accept what ‘is’ knowing there are deep lessons contained within every negative event that may not be readily apparent.   In Eckhart Tolle’s book, A New Earth, a story is told of a Zen Master, Hakuin, who lived in a town in Japan; ” Hakuin, the Zen Master was held in high regard and many people came to him for spiritual teaching.  Then it happened that the teenage daughter of his next-door neighbor became pregnant.  When being quesioned by her angry and scolding parents as to the identity of the father, she finally told them that he was the Zen Master.  In great anger the parents rushed over to Hakuin and told him with much shouting and acccusing that their daughter had confessed that he was the father.  All he replied was, “Is that so?”  News of the scandal spread throughout the town and beyond.  The Zen Master lost his reputation.  This did not trouble him.  Nobody came to see him anymore.  He remained unmoved.  When the child was born, the parents brought the baby to Hakuin.  ‘You are the father, so you look after him.’  The Master took loving care of the child.  A year later, the mother remorsefully confessed to her parents that the real father of the child was the young man who worked at the butcher shop.  In great distress they went to see Hakuin to apologize and ask for forgiveness.  “We are really sorry.  We have come to take the baby back.  Our daughter confessed that you are not the father.”  “Is that so?” is all he would say as he handed the baby over to them.”

When we resist what happens we are at the mercy of what happens.  When we accept what ‘is’ without labelling it good or bad we can be at peace.   Remember, we are talking about inner peace.  Circumstances may arrise which do not bring happiness.  For example, if someone you love is dying or has died or is having serious health issures, you cannot be ‘happy’ about it.  But you can be at peace.  Life when seen from a higher perspective is always good.  As we develop inner peace we learn to accept life as it ‘is’.  We do what we can do to eleviate the situation.  There may be sadness and tears but underneath the sadness is a deep serenity, a sacred presence….true inner peace.

For now, Earlynn’s just sayin’:  “When we develop inner peace we allow an intelligence much greater than the mind to be in charge.  Then what you do is in allignment with a higher consciousness.”

http://earlynnsjustsayin.org/daily-inspirational-thought-7/

If you would like to read Earlynn’s book, Transformed, just click on the ‘Earlynn’s Book’ tab above to order your copy.  Thank you.  God bless.