1.  What Is Inner Peace?

Inner peace (or peace of mind) refers to a state of being mentally or 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 (homeostasis) and the opposite of being stressed or anxious. Peace of mind is generally associated with bliss and happiness.

Peace of mind, serenity and calmness are descriptions of a disposition free from the effects of stress.

  • As a Man Thinketh (by James Allen)

 As a Man Thinketh is a classic self-help book, written by James Allen (1864-1912), a British philosophical writer. In the last chapter of the book, James Allen expounded senerity, calmness of mind.

A man in calmness of mind ceases to fuss, fume, worry, and grieve. He remains poised, steadfast, and serene.

A calm man has a tranquil heart, a sweet-tempered, balanced life. It does not matter whether it rains or shines, or what changes come to him, for he is always serene and calm. He makes the winds and the storms of the soul obey him.

2. Who Can Attain Inner Peace?

Any person can attain inner peace as long as he is earnest to attain it and willing to devote the necessary time and energy.

Inner peace is not the privilege of special people. It is not reserved only to yogis, hermits or monks, sitting alone in a far off place, praying or meditating all day long. It can also be attained by people living an ordinary life, who have a job, married and with children.

3. How to Attain Inner Peace?

Inner peace is independent of external conditions and circumstances. It comes from within.

James Allen, in As a Man Thinketh, believed that calmness of mind is the result of long and patient effort in self-control. Its presence is an indication of ripened experience, and of a more than ordinary knowledge of the laws and operations of thought.

Inner peace begins with transformation of our mind. When things go wrong in our life and we encounter difficult situations, we tend to regard the situation itself as the problem, but in reality whatever problems we experience come from the mind. If we were to respond to difficulties with a positive or peaceful mind, they would not be problems for us; indeed we may even come to regard them as challenges or opportunities for growth and development. Problems arise only if we respond to situations with a negative state of mind. Therefore, if we want to transform our life and be free from problems, we must learn to transform our mind. Sufferings, problems, worries, unhappiness, and pain all exist within our mind; they are all unpleasant feelings, which are part of the mind. Through controlling and purifying our mind we can stop them once and for all.

References

1. 20 Reasons Why You Need Inner Peace and Tranquility, Remez Sasson

2. Inner Peace

3. As a Man Thinketh, James Allen

Picture by oberazzi (Tim O’Brien)