Dear Friends,
In a world marked by fear and tension, where the shadows of sadness seem to cast a pervasive gloom, there exists an opportunity for profound transformation. Amidst the epidemic of unease, it’s crucial to recognize that peace, true and enduring, is not an external commodity waiting to be bestowed upon us. Instead, it resides within the depths of our being.
The reflections of worry and the absence of inner light are symptoms of a collective struggle. Violence and anger, whether manifested through apparent weapons or the insidious weapons of words and limiting belief systems, infiltrate our very core. Blaming others for our discontent, we seek external solutions to internal dilemmas, perpetuating a cycle of dissatisfaction.
Yet, amidst this chaos, there is a profound truth echoed by mystics, philosophers, and spiritual guides throughout time: the key to peace lies within ourselves, within our living souls. The pursuit of external validations and distractions, be it in work, projects, or the allure of the digital world, proves futile. These are mere band-aids over wounds that demand deeper healing.
In the tapestry of humanity, diverse multitudes harbor contrasting hopes and fears for the future. Whether yearning for promises of a better life or grappling with the prospect of challenging times, we are all interconnected. Our shared existence, woven into the soil of the Earth and beyond, emphasizes our Oneness.
To pray for peace in the world necessitates finding peace within ourselves first. Activism for positive change can only stem from a foundation of inner contentment. The destructive forces we unleash upon the Earth reflect our own inner turmoil. To truly love life is to heal our own souls, fostering a love that extends to the Earth and all its inhabitants.
John Philip Newell’s Prayer of Blessing (page 52) from his book Praying With The Earth resonates with the essence of this journey:
May the love of life
fill our hearts.
May the love of earth
bring joy to heaven.
May the love of self deepen our souls.
May the love of neighbour heal our world.
As nations, as peoples, as families this day,
may the love of life heal our world.
The Gallery
In the midst of a seemingly bleak world, there are moments of beauty and serenity. At the top of the page, an otherworldly scene reflects the spectrum of colors from the sun’s rising following winter’s first snowstorm. Another winter’s sunrise paints the sky with hues only nature’s masterstroke can achieve. In a quaint yarn and tea shop, antique-like roses bask in soft light, evoking a timeless elegance. Even a gloomy scene captured through a diner window holds a certain poignant charm. One of the last, an ordinary red poinsettia petal, causes an intake of breath at its perfection of color.
Life is an ongoing journey, a struggle against the currents of negativity. The commitment to finding peace within ourselves, even in the face of external uncertainties, is a testament to our resilience. The light and hope we seek are not elusive; they reside within us, waiting to be embraced. As we navigate the complexities of life, may the love within our hearts be a healing force, extending its reach to every corner of our world. Peace, inner and outer, is within our reach. Always.
With affection,
Notes
Permissions granted for use of John Philip Newell’s Prayer of Blessing (page 52) by William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, Grand Rapids, Michigan/Cambridge, U.K.
Celebrating Celtic Spirituality, see John Philip Newell’s Sacred Earth, Sacred Soul.
This is an excellent piece and should receive wide distribution.
“As within, so without, as above, so below, as the universe, so the soul.”