World of Philosophy

Author(s): Christopher Key Chapple, Intaj Malek, Dilip Charan, Sunanda Shastri, Prashant Dave
Publisher: Shanti Prakashan

Page 958

tions of killing translate into more and more deaths as the weapons of killings become more and more sophisticated. When people of one nation invade and kill or subjugate the people of another country or nation, sooner or later, the opportunity will present itself for the people of the conquered nation to wreak their revenge upon the conquerors. History tells us that never been a war that has in the long run really solved any problem in a positive manner. War never helps to establish peace. War can not solve problems. In modern times the so-called 'war to end all wars' has only led to progressively larger and more destructive ways.
If we think of causes of conflicts, violence and wars, we find that the reasons lie in the frailty of human mind and the darker side of the human character, which includes ego, greed, lust, hatred, jealousy, and anger, absence of any feeling or emotions and disregard for the human and other beings.
Many a times, rulers of the nations and the persons who matter in the shaping the destiny of the nations are afflicted by the vices mentioned above. Really they are supposed to be above all these vices. The ego, greed and lust for power make them overambitious and as a result they succumb to various pressures and they push the nation and society towards the brink of war. Peace is not merely absence of war and hatred, but also the presence of co-operation, compassion and world wide justice.
Peace of mind or inner peace is a state of consciousness or enlightenment that may be cultivated by various ways of training such as prayer, meditation and yogic practices. Peace of mind refers to a state of being mentally and spiritually at peace, with enough knowledge and understanding to keep oneself strong in the face of discord or stress. Being at peace is considered by many to be healthy and opposite of being stressed or anxious.
Many big nations think that destroying or subduing enemy nations will bring peace. Many a times, heads of the states think that punishing the peace-breakers will bring peace. The oppressed think that eliminating the oppressors will ensure peace. They all are wrong. In reality, ever enduring peace can never be obtained through external means. It can be obtained within. One who has found inner peace has indeed found peace that abides for ever. Through spiritual disciplines alone this inner peace can be acquired. One who has found inner peace within transmits peace to others by one's own life example, though one may not be aware of it. We have to remember that the only person that can make you peaceful or happy is yourself, others can help but like many solutions in life, the answer must come from within. Therefore the message of Yoga is that let all try to create peace within, before trying to create any temporary or superficial peace in the world through external means.
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