Peace on Earth: It’s an inside job
I cannot believe how quickly 2021 has blown by. We are now in the last month of the year and even December seems like it’s going to move quickly. When we look at everything that’s happened this past year it’s easy to get caught up in not feeling peaceful. This newsletter is to inspire you to make space each day for breathing and contemplation.
During this holiday season, you may hear talk about the wish for peace on earth. It is often presented as if this peace comes from something outside of ourselves. If we think of Peace as a gift someone else needs to bring it will never come. Peace needs to begin at home in our hearts. The lack of peace that we see in the world reflects the lack of peace in ourselves. When we are at peace it is reflected in the world around us. The peace within us becomes peace of us outside as well.
Typically, a lack of peace comes from feeling out of control. Often this can leave us gripping and holding on to thoughts, material things, relationships, and ideals.
Depending on our constitution a lack of peace can present itself as anxiety and worry, or possibly frustration and anger or depression and complacency. There are several simple to implement practices to help remain present and calm.
First and probably the easiest - monitor your breath regularly. How are you breathing right now? Is it quick or steady? Through your nose or mouth? Your breath should always be appropriate for your current activity. Luckily, we are not chased by bears very often, thus can learn to have an easy and steady breath through the nostrils.
Other practices to cultivate peace include daily self-care rituals called dinacharya in Ayurveda. These help to build resiliency. Practices such as a morning self-massage with warm medicated oils that calm and soothe the nervous system. There are several daily rituals that I use as both a devotional practice and also to help me navigate my life. If you would like to take a deeper dive I will be teaching my annual self-care class in January and will be partnering with my Metta family. If you would like more information or would like to register you can find the information {here}.
Mantra helps focus the mind and activate the energy channels in the body called Nadis. Eating nourishing seasonal food to feed and balance the microbiome of the gut will have a direct impact on our mood.
Lastly, a great habit to develop is to observe your thoughts. This can be done in a traditional seated meditation or by practicing mindfulness as you go about your day. Notice any self-deprecating language that you may habitually use regarding yourself or others. Perhaps make the choice to upgrade the vibration of self-talk regarding ourselves or others to positive affirmations. Speak to yourself as if you are speaking to someone you love, respect, and admire.
All of these conscious shifts can cultivate peace in our hearts. If enough of the population on the planet found the peace that is inherent in each of us, maybe then we would experience real Peace on Earth.
In the last year, I have started in my own personal practice of implementing the Metta meditation. This has helped me to grow peace in my heart and extend that blessing to others in my life. I would like to offer you a recording as a gift. You can find it {here}. I wish you all a peaceful holiday season.
From: December 2021 Newsletter