Many have asked me, "What is inner peace?"
The very thought of life sometimes brings to the human mind the thought of chaos. When one does not converse from a place of the higher self, then the struggle through life becomes harder. This inner peace that most seek, most talk about seeking, is really the ability to be by yourself, within yourself, at a very special time each day. There is a place that one can find, a place that is totally yours and belong only to you. Perhaps this place is a place in the universe that you can find while you are sitting very still, becoming very aware of your breath, your life and the moment.
Inner peace cannot be obtained outside of the moment. It does not exist. It does not exist in yesterday's memory of beauty, profound happiness or tomorrow's thought of richness and wealth, or even health. Inner peace comes from simplicity, and that simplicity must dwell in the core of your being.
One can attain inner peace by taking a few seconds each day and saying, very simply, "Stop!" Stop and feel the breeze on your face. Stop and feel the warmth of the sun on your being. If one stops for a moment every day, the chaos of life will become something that can be used as fuel, and inner peace can be found. This is not just for a short while but for the rest of your life, if you begin the rest of your life in the moment of now.
Life can be very chaotic and overwhelming. How does one find peace in the midst of life's chaos? Sometimes I am hungry for chaos. Sometimes, on a spring day, I am working with the dying, it is this young child and myself all alone in the room of death. I want the chaos of her screams of joy and laughter. I want the chaos of running after her while she's playing amongst her little friends. That type of chaos is enjoyment. That type of chaos you don't miss until you don't have it anymore. To work with the dying one becomes very proficient in understanding the rules of life. To work with chaos, the only tool there is, is the appreciation of that chaos that you hate so much. Make order of your life but don't make it so orderly that you forget the beauty in chaos.
What can we do as individuals to create peace in our environment, workplace and home? What is it you want? Do you not want to run like a child even if you're in your 50s, 60s, 70s or older? Do you not want to experience life to its fullest?
Perhaps this is not a peaceful explanation, but indeed it is something we all need to want to do. We need to move our bodies in order to have peace. We need to balance our lives, looking straight into the face of chaos, and then breathing it in and sorting it all out in our deepest meditation. But do not seek peace when it is truly movement of peace that you want. If you keep your mind steady on a mantra, if you keep your mind steady on your heart and your breath all day with a great awareness of all that you do; that will absolutely bring you a certain amount of calmness to enjoy all chaos and bring an inner peace deep within your soul so you are able to radiate joy. Use the breath, be aware and repeat the words, "(Breathing in) I know I am breathing in. (Breathing out) I know I am breathing out." You will see, as you meditate and from all that you do, everyone around you will feel your oneness with the universe. And they too will become calmer. Thus you will create a peaceful environment around you and with others.
One of my students asked me, "How do shakti (spiritual energy) and peace relate?" Shakti is connected to nothing. It is individual in itself. It is permanence. It is impermanence. It is the power of the Mother and does not only ride in the Mother's soul. It is just there as the Mother breathes. It is not connected to her, nor is it connected to you. You may absorb it as one absorbs water when you place your hand in a flowing stream. It goes right into your cells and erases dryness. If you sit in the face of Shakti you will be eating Shakti, devouring your life instead of your life devouring you. Shakti will give you the energy to walk tall and strong throughout life. Shakti, if used right, will bring you the greatest amount of peace. It will bring the greatest amount of encouragement and fortitude to do what needs to be done in life.
Be aware, be in God, breathe in the Shakti and you will find peace.
Ma Jaya Sati Bhagavati is an international spiritual teacher, caregiver and founder of Kashi Ashram, an interfaith spiritual community in Sebastian, Florida. For information on darshans with Ma, intensive retreats or events at Kashi call 800-226-1008 ext. 100. (www.Kashifoundation.org)