Being Peace

Below are some thoughts on peace from Pema Chödrön:

• War and peace start in the hearts of individuals.
• We seek peace and happiness by going to war.
• War begins when we harden our hearts, and we harden them easily…whenever we feel uncomfortable.
• ...a good definition of peace:  Softening what is rigid in our hearts.
• First the heart closes, then the mind becomes hardened into a view, then you can justify your hatred of another human being…
• …the degree that each of us is dedicated to wanting there to be peace in the world, then we have to take responsibility when our own hears and minds harden and close.  We  have to be brave enough to soften what is rigid, to find the soft spot and stay with it.  We have to have that kind of courage and take that kind of responsibility.  That’s true spiritual warriorship.  That’s the true practice of peace.


(From Practicing Peace in Times of War)