Chapter IV - Lesson 3

SOCSCI 2 PEACE AND DEVELOPMENT
CHAPTER IV. PEACEFUL CONFLICT TRANSFORMATION
Lesson 3: CULTIVATING INNER PEACE

Aims and Learning Outcomes:
3.1 Discuss the importance of cultivating inner peace in the achievement of culture of peace.
3.2 Share personal insights and own experiences in relation to cultivating inner peace
Inner and Outer Transformations

Patricia Mische (2000) explains that the
transformation that we should seek should not only
be the transformation of our society, but also the
transformation of our spirit because the inner
transformation inspires the outer work. She
concludes that the “inner and outer transformations
are inseparable parts of one whole”. This Picture taken from Quietkarma.org
perspective is repeated many times over in both the secular and faith-based peace literature.
There is a growing consensus that, indeed, there is an intimate connection between our inner
state and what we do in our outer spheres. This consistency is the foundation of being a fully
integrated person.
What Inner Peace Entails
Having inner peace is characterized by self-

respect and a recognition of one’s own dignity as
a human beings. This enables a person to face
life’s challenges with an inner equilibrium,
because despite adversities s/he is convinced of
his or her intrinsic worth and purpose. Hence,
Picture taken from Iamexpat.nl s/he does not easily succumb to addictions,
psychological illnesses and other forms of inner disharmony, but rather s/he meets challenges
with a sense of hope and confidence in his/ her own capacities.
Personal peace also suggests that we respond to

negative actions directed to us in positive ways. For
example, when we forgive rather than take revenge,
and continue to do “good” to others, despite the hurts
that the others may have inflicted on us, then we can
feel a better sense of wellness. Jing Lin (2006) says that
forgiveness is a key to achieving inner peace.
Forgiveness frees our hearts and puts a stop to the
exchange of negative energies and intentions. Thich
Nhat Hanh, a Zen Buddhist master, reminds us that Picture taken from ctb.ku.edu
“obsessing about our wounds” keeps many of us from experiencing the fullness of the present
(Kessler, 2001).
Ideas of Inner Peace
Thich Nhat Hanh - holds that a key to world peace is the practice of “being peace”.
- He says that people of the modern world try to fill in

the vacuum inside all of us with overworking. However,
these do not fill in the emptiness that we feel nor give us a
sense of security and well-being.
- He further says that each one of us have both the
Picture taken from upliftconnect.com
seeds of peace and violence inside us and it is up to us which one we will
cultivate.
- He says that if we cultivate the seeds of compassion, we nourish peace within
us and around us.
- He advocates compassionate, calm and deep listening, which, he says, can
restore harmony.
- “What is most important is that we first take care of the seeds of negativity in
ourselves… If we are peaceful, if we are happy, we can blossom like a flower,
and everyone in our family, our entire society will benefit from our peace…
Being peace is the basis of doing peace, making peace” (Beller and Chase,
2008).
Dalai Lama (2001), leader of the Tibetan people, and Nobel Peace Prize Awardee in 1989
- Explains that a calm and wholesome state of mind

has beneficial effects on our health and physical well-
being. Conversely, feelings of fear and anger can be
destructive to our health.
- Learn to reduce the influence of negative emotions
so we can have a happier and more satisfying life.
- when people are caught up with the idea of
Picture taken from phayul.com
acquiring more and being rich, without making room for anything else in their
lives, it can result into losing the “dream of happiness”.
- Encourages people to be something more than their titles, incomes and
possessions.
- He asks people to recognize that it is not their social position or looks that are
important but rather what they do to promote lasting happiness in their heart
and in their society.
- Finally, he says peace is not just the absence of violence but involves
satisfaction, happiness and tranquillity; it is an expression of compassion and
caring, a life without fear.
World Religions – the essential message is that we do to others what we want them to do to us.
- A source of peaceable relationships which, in turn, brings personal peace. This

indicates to us that indeed there is a link between social and personal peace.
Similarly, as people pursue the goal of personal peace, this will contribute to
a more peaceful community.
Cultivating inner peace not only means looking inwards and definitely not in a self-
centred way. It means strengthening one’s inner resources of faith, love and hope, one’s
personal vision and capacities so that s/he can use these in building outer peace. Inner peace and
outer peace feed each other. We cannot say we have inner peace while ignoring violent realities
all around us; a violent outer sphere will certainly affect our inner state. Tis fact convinces us that
it is best to work for inner and outer peace simultaneously. As we cultivate inner peace, we also
need to nurture our aspirations and efforts to contribute to societal peace.
How to Cultivate Inner Peace
1. Focus on the Present Moment

o Take a few deep breaths with your eyes closed, focusing on the air moving
through you
o Put your hand over your heart and count each breath you take or simply listen
within
o Bring mindfulness to your movements and what is around you — feel and
watch every detail
o Designate something as an anchor to your peaceful present moments, like
the face of your watch, veins in your wrist, or anything you can focus on
quickly and easily to bring you back to a feeling of peace.
2. Create Daily Peace Practices
When you start and end your day with activities that calm and center you, the time in
between will become peaceful as well. There are unlimited ways to do this and it is important to
choose what feels right and you are willing to commit to. Here are some ideas to get you started:
- Journaling
- Write daily gratitude
- Meditation
- Prayer
- Pay attention to the beauty and magic in each day
- Looking for heart shapes around you
- Walking in nature
- Reading meaningful or uplifting material
3. Live Simply
Inner and outer clutter are distracting and complicate our lives. On some level they keep
us on edge all the time. Creating a physical environment that is peaceful and calm will
nurture the same within you. Take a careful look at your space, calendar, and the people
in your life. It may be time to let some things go.
4. Don’t Marinate in Your Upsets
o Give it a minute or two — let the feeling dissipate on its own
o Any of the tools above for returning to the present moment
o Ask yourself if being upset is serving you and if not, let it go
o Move into neutrality by observing yourself in the situation
o Imagine you are watching what is happening on a movie screen
o Bring compassion and understanding to all involved, knowing everyone is
doing the best they are capable of in that moment
Cultivating inner peace is a gift to yourself and those around you. It is from this
grounded space that you can evolve into your best self and create your best life.
And, it feels so good.
References:
Note:
This part of the module is mostly extracted from the book “Peace Education: A
Pathway to Culture of Peace - 3rd Edition (March 2019) by Loreta Navarro-Castro &
Jasmin Nario-Galace
Luke, Linda (2018, April 6). “How to Cultivate Inner Peace”.

https://medium.com/the-positopian/how-to-cultivate-inner-peace-b4e2c755c209

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SOCSCI 2 PEACE AND DEVELOPMENT

CHAPTER IV. PEACEFUL CONFLICT TRANSFORMATION

Lesson 3: CULTIVATING INNER PEACE

Inner and Outer Transformations

What Inner Peace Entails

Having inner peace is characterized by self-

Personal peace also suggests that we respond to

Ideas of Inner Peace

- He says that people of the modern world try to fill in

- Explains that a calm and wholesome state of mind

- A source of peaceable relationships which, in turn, brings personal peace. This

How to Cultivate Inner Peace

1. Focus on the Present Moment

Luke, Linda (2018, April 6). “How to Cultivate Inner Peace”.

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