Like me, you may have watched in horror a recent video of a 50 year old man ranting racist abuse at a 13 year old girl on a bus. I felt compassion for them both. How devastating for the child; what a tragedy that an “adult” could be in such a state of mind to do such a thing.
So much conflict in the world... do we just become resigned, or is there really something we can do to contribute to a world at peace?
Despite the challenges, I remain optimistic, and so in this post share how we can build peace in 3 innovative ways that just might make some difference - and recognises the United Nation's Day of Peace on 21st September, but first
Thought for the day
The most precious thing
We can give to each other
Is our presence,
Which contributes to the collective energy
Of mindfulness and peace.
We can sit for those who cannot sit,
Walk for those who cannot walk,
And create stillness and peace within us
For people who have no stillness or peace.
Thich Nhat Hahn
Three ways to generate peace – outer, inner and secret
1. Outer peace – the externals
Down through the ages there has been this recurring fantasy that peace could be imposed on others. With a strong enough army, with enough resolve, with the right program we can make people peaceful. Well that did not seem to work...
Do not be downhearted. As individuals, we can make a contribution. In your local community, just think – what can I do to help others feel safer, to feel recognised, appreciated; seen for their own worth? More at peace.
Simplest thing is to make eye contact and smile.
Totally cost free, risk free, and reliably effective.
Second thing is to open a conversation.
It sounds so obvious, but in my experience “how is your day going” almost always leads to a conversation.
I was on a tram recently and sat opposite an elderly Asian man.
Following the question and brief answers, he asked me what happened?
An unusual question – few adults ask about my amputation.
Before long he was sharing how his wife had died from cancer 15 years earlier, how he missed her all the time and found it difficult to look after himself in his older age. All this amidst a crowded tram. Much better than scrolling through TicTok, and we both departed knowing we had connected in a meaningful way – and with a good feeling in our hearts.
Maybe there are other ways you connect with the individuals or groups within your community. The adage “Think globally, act locally” really does apply here...
2. Inner Peace – our psychology in 2 parts – emotional and mental
a) Emotional Peace
The antithesis of inner peace: the destructive emotions, particularly guilt, blame and shame. All built on fear, all aimed at displacing feeling the emotions ourselves and projecting them externally onto others and internally onto ourself.
Much can be said of all this, however, there is a simple antidote that replaces fear with love, inner conflict with peace; and that is forgiveness.
As the great American psychiatrist and founder of Attitudinal Healing, Gerry Jampolsky said “Love is Letting go of Fear” (classic book he wrote of that title).
So the need is to forgive self and others.
To come to peace with and accept the past, reconcile where possible, seek justice if necessary, but ultimately, for our own good, let go of the hurt, the sad story, forgive and be at peace.
b) Mental peace
Our Active Mind with its thoughts and emotions is highly goal orientated.
The mind functions by making choices, then doing all it can to full-fill, to accomplish those choices.
If we have a goal and feel we are moving confidently towards its realisation, we feel at peace. When we accomplish a goal we feel at peace.
When there is a significant gap between what we are aiming for and what we are experiencing, we experience deep unease; no inner peace.
So the secret to a peaceful mind is to clarify our goals, work within our limits, extend ourselves where possible, enjoy the process of pursuing goals and learn the art of combining this with being in the moment.
3. Secret Peace
“The peace that passes all understanding”.
All the great traditions know of this.
It is their major promise.
Move beyond the activity of thoughts and emotions and enter the peace and calm of deep, natural peace.
This is our default.
Our natural state.
Deep, natural peace.
Once we experience this we know there is a part of us that is beyond all conflict. Beyond all hurt and pain. Sure we can be hurt physically. We can be hurt emotionally and mentally. Yet deep within, there is this part of us that is beyond all that.
And to access this profound inner peace is the path of meditation. This is indeed, the promise of meditation. The direct experience of a peace that is beyond words, beyond expression, yet it can be alluded to in words and more importantly, experienced directly through our own inner exploration via meditation.
So we can contribute to world peace.
We can make a real difference to our communities, to our inner and secret world, and surely, we will only ever have a world at peace when we have a world filled with individuals at peace – first with themselves and then with those around them. A strong choice...
RESOURCES
Calm in the City - peace video with Ian
As part of the recent 100 days of peace initiative, leading up to the United Nation's Day of Peace on 21st September, I recorded a video on inner peace which is now uploaded in my new YouTube channel CLICK HERE
Next Workshops - where peace is a theme
Deepening Your Meditation – the Direct Approach: Thursday 1st October 7.30 – 9.00pm
In this online workshop, we will be exploring the Direct Approach in meditation that leads to this secret peace of which we have been talking
Register through Eventbrite CLICK HERE
Three pathways to Peace – Outer, Inner and Secret: Thursday 26th November 7.30 – 9.00pm
This workshop will elaborate upon what has been presented in this blog and I will be guiding techniques that actually contribute to the different levels of peace of which we have been speaking.
Details to be announced soon.
Meditation Retreat with Ian and Ruth Gawler
Again, this retreat will focus on the direct experience – the secret peace :)
DEEP NATURAL PEACE
NOVEMBER 2026 – Friday 6th to Sunday the 8th - Yarra Junction
These days, many people have had some introduction to meditation and the power of the mind. Soon comes the realisation of the extraordinary depth and breadth of it all. And often we get a sense there is more to it ….. More to experience ..…
So while this retreat will include ample instruction, the focus will be upon direct experience; finding and immersing ourselves in the deep inner peace, the regenerative power and the clarity of our own stillness. And the balance between doing and being...
This process will be enhanced by being in the wonderful, peaceful and majestic forests of the Upper Yarra Valley, by being supported by the staff and amenities of the Yarra Valley Living Centre, and guided by Ian and Ruth Gawler.
For details and to register CLICK HERE
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