Karen’s Thoughts on True Inner Peace

 Karen’s Thoughts on True Inner Peace

NOTE - I am NOT an expert!!  I am NOT ever sure I’m much beyond the first step.  So, read at your own risk <grin>.

You are what you think.  <period>

If you let your mind dwell on conflict, on fears, on negativity - I think (I believe) that you will have conflict, you will have fear, you will have negativity.

Okay - done, settled!!!

*****

Nope - while I am suggesting that inner peace is totally dependent on your attitude, your thoughts, your values - it still isn’t easy!!!

Let’s try a scenario.  You say “I am stressed out, I don’t have inner peace.  Therefore (according to Karen), I just need to change my thoughts and what I think!  

You find your favorite chair and eliminate the distractions.  “Gee Honey, I’m going to find my inner peace this afternoon - so, could you leave me alone for four hours?”  (Spouse says “okay”).

And, you sit there and start repeating mentally (not necessarily out loud).  “I am at peace, I am at peace, I am at peace.”

Now, if you can get five minutes you are doing great!!  But, in my five minutes of eyes closed, saying “I am at peace, I am at peace”, my brain starts with reminders.  “Remember tomorrow, you have to pay the electric bill.”; “Oh it is the start of October, I need to get some Halloween candy”;” So, how are we going to do Halloween this year with the pandemic?”; “Will we have any Trick or Treaters”?  “I wonder what <your kids, grandkids, neighbors, friends> will dress up as this year?”.  Then your brain says “Oops - sorry”.  “I am at peace, I am at peace, I am at peace.

“Do we have enough coffee for the week?”; “Do we need cereal?”; “Do we have bread?”; “Should I make some bread?”; “Do you remember the soup and bread lunches we had at DSU to raise money for scholarships?”; “I am at peace”; “I am at peace”; “I think I need to put gas in the car.  It was almost on empty when I last drove it”; “I am at peace”; “I thought (the car) sounded funny the other day?  Do I need new tires?”; “I am at peace”.  “I bet I got to five minutes of finding peace” - and you opened your eyes and you made 37 seconds!!!”

It takes time as work to get to five minutes of peace, then ten minutes.  And, of course, by the time you get to fifteen minutes of peace, you are napping!!!  The quiet put you to sleep!!!

 

I just tried this.  Of course, what I just wrote was in my mind.  I thought of supper - what was I going to make (baked potatoes in the microwave), I thought of my tuba case - I need a new washer and nut to hold my handle on; I had other thoughts - and did get relaxed (and then I opened my eyes - four minutes done).  Yes, getting deep inside myself is tough.

Yes, the messages of the three previous days are still true.  I need to get the stress out of my life and mind.  Yes, I need to declutter my life.  

*****

So, can I really get that deep inside myself to find inner peace? 

Yes - I can.

Some philosophies suggest getting to deep inner peace more than Judeo-Christianity.  In particular, Buddhism teaches more inner peace.  But, true inner-peace can be reached by all people.

Yes, there have been a few times when I’ve gotten deeper in the “Spirit” - and into Inner Peace.  I have had a few visions.  [Aside - that tells me I am still young.  Joel 2:28 says, “"And afterward, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions.] 

It isn’t an everyday experience for me, although it might be for others.  I think it might be easier for cloistered nuns who can spend most of their days with God.  I remember a friend at a retreat event that was getting very deep into her inner self.  (She glowed!!!)  

Elijah, Old Testament Prophet had this experience:

“And behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind tore into the mountains and broke the rocks in pieces before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind; and after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake, and after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire and after the fire a still small voice.” 

Can we find that “still small voice” in our lives?  Do we want to?  Maybe we are happy where we are at - and don’t really want to go exploring our minds for that true ‘inner peace”.

Philippians 4:7 says “ and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus”.  A peace which is SO DEEP we can’t really understand it.  

I’m going to be working towards that goal of inner peace more and more.  I am going to anticipate more visions, dreams, and direction as I grow older.  I have a mission - to promote LOVE WINS!!!

And, LOVE does win!!

Hugs!!

Karen