From Inner to Outer Peace: Self-Transformation to Societal Change by HH Amma Sri Karunamayi

FROM INNER TO OUTER PEACE:

Self-Transformation to Societal Change

by HH Amma Sri Karunamayi

We live in a troubled world where we are encountering unprecedented threats and risks from violence and extremism to the devastation of the COVID-19 pandemic to the ravages of climate change to the displacement of people. What the human soul, spirit and heart long for the most, is peace. We talk of inner and outer peace as the answer to a world in turmoil. This requires our attention and reflection.

1. OUTER PEACE

What is peace? Knowing all its dimensions allows one to be able to appreciate and then attain it. Peace is not a static concept but a permanent flow and should be reinvented in every changing context, and not confined within a rigid rational structure. Every moment holds the potential for experiencing peace.

‘Peace’ is experienced within a wide range of expressions in different cultures and languages. For instance, in Mandarin Chinese the word peace (hépíng) combines two characters: the harmonious (hé), and level or balance (píng). In Hindi and Sanskrit, the expression is Shanti (śānti), emphasizing spiritual and inner peace and harmony with nature. In Hebrew, it is translated as Shalom, and in Arabic, as Salaam.

In saying that peace is the ‘absence of war’ it limits our understanding in a ‘negative’ way. So, “positive peace”, embodies the larger issues like stable development or social justice that meet human needs.

As most of you know, there are various UN platforms that aim for peace and justice. The 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are based on ‘global justice for all’, telling us that peace is ‘everyone’s business’, requiting the participation of each one of us. The UN asks us to build capacity in people across the world by giving them the skills to empower themselves so they can have their rightful place and their share in the progress and prosperity of society. Education is a key for this, as is peace education where problems are resolved in an inclusive, dignified, tolerant, and amicable way. 2. INNER PEACE

Outer peace is a reflection of inner peace. Each individual must develop their own potential to live life with awareness, wisdom, confidence, compassion and serenity. Without inner peace an individual is unable to function in the outer world at peace. At the same time, no amount of outer peace will bring internal peace, unless the mind is transcended. Internal peace is a guide or measure for going within. The further we delve deeper within us, the greater is the potential for peace.

How to develop inner peace? Yoga, meditation, pranayama, breathing, and other practices help considerably to improve one’s overall well-being. It is well known how these create mental clarity and calmness, increased body awareness, the release of chronic stress patterns, and sharpened concentration, thus, enabling one to focus outside on the external world with maturity and wise judgement.

A yogic way of living, everyday by everyday, comprises healthy eating, regular activity and a sound metabolic system of the body, with lowered blood sugar and cholesterol, weight and insulin levels and optimal immune system. It aids in increasing flexibility, muscle strength and body tone while enhancing focus and concentration. The outcome of a yoga routine promotes the balanced development of the physical, mental, and spiritual being. A regular practice recharges the body with cosmic energy and facilitates the attainment of perfect equilibrium and harmony.

As human beings, all of us share the wish to be happy and free from suffering. Suffering comes in many forms -all of them stemming from a forgetfulness (Avidya) of who we are at the core of our being, beyond our thoughts, emotions, and external circumstances. Traditionally, the purpose of yoga is to show us the way back home to the Truth that we know deep within our hearts. It is a peace and truth that are free from attachment to outside elements and mental attraction or aversion towards them. There are many paths and practices that point the way to remembering this Universal Truth: Pratyahara (stillness and withdrawal of the senses), Dharana (concentration and listening), Dhyana (meditation), and Samadhi (realization and direct experience of consciousness as oneself). By cultivating these with a loving and playful attitude, we walk the path that is actually paved by the peace we are searching for. Control of the mind is most difficult but inner peace comes only from knowing our beliefs and the willingness to act according to them. Mental strength and inner peace go hand in hand. Mentally strong people are confident that they can handle whatever life throws their way. It does not mean that mentally strong people do not feel pain or sadness. Of course they experience all agonies on a deep level, but, they do not waste energy wishing things were different, or try to change other people. Staying focused on managing one’s own thoughts, feelings, behaviors and self-improvement are steps along the path. Try not to change others, but change oneself instead. Remember that indulgence in blaming is to be avoided, and there should be little desire to impress others. Most of all, let go of grudges and the relentless desire for material acquisitions. Concentrate on possessing a quiet sense of self-reliance.

3. LINKING INNER PEACE WITH OUTER PEACE.

We must be committed to developing some kind of dedicated mindfulness practice, a habit of time and space for ourselves so that we can bring our absolute best self to any situations that arises. We can model calm, compassion, active listening, nonviolent speech, deliberation, accurate vocabulary, and appropriate body language.

At the end of the day, “Outer Peace” is not the lack of conflict, but a way of dealing with the inevitable conflicts in life—between individuals and groups - without violence. This calls for respect and increasing equity between members of society. It’s easy to respect someone who is deeply similar to each of us yet we must learn to come to respect anyone who is different. We develop inner and outer skills as a peacebuilder enhancing ourselves as we:

· transform ourselves from intolerant, potential perpetrators of violence, even by way of one’s negative thoughts, into collaborators in liberating communication. · examine emotions consciously to better prevent unexpected aggressions from appearing, stemming from attitudes, beliefs, or even childhood trauma thereby expressing current relationships maturely. · act with the integrity in building, making, and keeping peace between colleagues and communities in one’s daily live.

Let us end with understanding that building peace is a continuous process. The UN was established in 1945 and in these past 77 years pursuing peace is a core mandate. It’s a driving force behind all actions taken across the UN system along with the private sector and NGOs. The International Day of Yoga Committee at the UN and the SMVA Trust, along with many of our other collaborators are excellent examples of groups working for outer and inner peace.

It is my profound hope and conviction that the Walk of Peace, which, may at times, be long and painful too, will inspire us, knowing that it is vital for building stable, thriving and happy societies because, according to all scriptures, bliss is the essence of human existence in harmony with nature.

Om shanti, Shanti Om

Her Holiness Amma Sri Karunamayi is revered as an embodiment of unconditional Divine Motherly

Love due to the care and compassion that she so liberally showers upon all. In 1988, she established SMVA Trust, a global non-profit affiliated with the United Nations, creating social justice initiatives to serve those in need demonstrating how the timeless wisdom of Sanathana Dharma (Vedic Culture) interweaves tradition and public service. SMVA Trust provides: free education/housing/ medical care, clean drinking water and women’s empowerment programs. Amma is also the founder and spiritual head of Manidweepa Maha Samsthanam, a serene forest ashram which includes the Sri Lalita Parameshwari Devi Tri-Shakti Peetham. The ashram regularly hosts events such as: meditation retreats, students retreats, festivals, the annual Navaratri Grand

Celebrations, Homas and Pujas.