What’s out there is the same as in here

I have been thinking a lot about this quote by Wayne Dyer recently.

If you’ve got a world full of people who have inner peace,
then you have a peaceful world. 

There are many wiser and more enlightened people than me who would concur on the truth of this tenet. I ask myself then, why is the world so not-peaceful? Perhaps where you are from, the world is great, harmonious, full of love, joy and like Mr Dyer says, also full of peace. Things are not like this in my part of the world. Most places I look, peace is way down the list. In some instances not even on a list.

Why is the world in general not-peaceful? The only conclusion I can come to after much reflection and rumination is that many of us are not-peaceful on the inside. As an example, here’s a little exercise I’d like you to try.

Try this little exercise

There are two parts to it. Read it through first and then give it a go.

Part one: Connect with your feeling state right now. Be honest with yourself. How peaceful do you really feel? 

Part two: After doing part one, take a breath in and then take another few moments to reflect on what you are feeling right now. You don’t have to label it or call it anything, just feel it. And now imagine a world full of this feeling. Would you want to live in a world that was filled with this feeling?

Even if the second feeling is positive or supportive, I’m guessing that it could be more resourceful and generative, even if just a little?

The place to start is with you

If you want a more peaceful world or even a more accepting, tolerant, joyful world and there are many other qualities you can throw into the mix, the place to start is with yourself. The only place you have true power, control and agency is with yourself.

I invite and challenge you to practice being more of that which you want to see out-there in the world. Practice it with your thoughts, words and actions. Especially your actions towards those who are different, strange and who challenge you. This is the place where we need the most practice.

If you need help to practice

And if you need help with practicing, we run an online session six times a week where we get together from all over the world to practice just this and a couple of other generative things. You are welcome to join us in making the world out-there a better place.