What Does Peace Mean To You?
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What is the meaning of peace to you?
This interesting question was posed by Hubber OutsideTheLines and to me it warranted more consideration than just a quick answer would provide.
When people try to describe the meaning of peace, they usually instead say what it is not: it’s when there is no war; it’s the absence of conflict, external or internal.
Even in my dictionary half the meanings listed define peace by what it isn’t. The first choice is: “the state existing during the absence of war”, followed by: “a treaty marking the end of war.” Only by its third attempt does my dictionary manage an attempt at describing what peace actually is: “a state of harmony between people or groups.” Next it tells us that peace is: “law and order within a state”. And just in case you are puzzling over that definition, here’s the suggested usage: a breach of the peace. It seems my poor old dictionary just can’t stay away from the negative. When it describes peace on an individual level it is: “absence of mental anxiety”. To give the dictionary its due, it does then come up with: “a state of stillness, silence or serenity.” Phew, we got there in the end!
At peace, on the other hand is:
(1)in a state of harmony or friendship
(2)in a state of serenity
(3)dead
Don’t you just love it?
Actually, having said all this, describing peace by what it isn’t is a perfectly valid thing to do. We live in a world where we understand things by their opposites. Only two days ago one of my daughters hurt her knee when ice-skating, and said she now felt more appreciation for her knees in their normal state. The same daughter years ago had a sickness virus that left her so weak she couldn’t walk for days; she still sometimes talks about how thrilled she felt the first time she managed to walk across the room to pat our cat.
Another way of looking at it is this: there’s a spider’s web outside my window – I know it is a web because of the space between the lines the spider has woven. If there were no spaces it would be a grey blob. Beyond the web I can see trees, and again I know that because the space around them allows me to see branches and leaves. (A very interesting exercise I learned last year from Sedona Method instructor, David Ellzey, is to focus on the space between objects – try it and you will probably be amazed at how your perception shifts. I find looking at trees in this way extremely calming, but any object or group of objects will do.)
But why is peace so hard to define? And do we have to be dead to be at it or in it? Or maybe on a mountain-top with our legs crossed and our eyes shut? Why for that matter did I choose to represent peace by that photo above? Couldn’t it just as easily look like this:
Daily peace quota
Every day, just after 11am, my computer pings to let me know an email has arrived with a Daily Peace Quote. Today’s quote is:
In spiritual practice, your best friend will be your sense of humor. - Cheri Huber
So perhaps peace could also look like this:
According to Hale Dwoskin in The Sedona Method, peace is the emotional state in which we have most energy, and yet that energy is quiet and calm. He also says the mind is: “clear and empty, yet totally aware.”
What that means is that in a state of peace we don’t feel pulled about by memories of past hurts or by pictures of an imagined frightening future. (Yep, I’ve done it again: told you what peace is not.) In peace we are focused on the present, on what is actually here now. And contrary to what many of us believe, it’s possible to take action when we are peaceful; in fact peaceful action springs from a sense of ‘rightness’ – from a deep knowing that all is well. Again I’m going to resort to opposites to illustrate this – think of making a decision when you feel terrified that whatever you do will be wrong, and then imagine making the same decision knowing the either choice will work out just fine. In particular I think the action we take when disciplining children has very different outcomes depending on whether we are feeling peaceful or not. I remember a day years ago when my daughters had had a fight that resulted in a lot of milk flowing around our living room floor. Some days I would have felt angry because of the mess and would have demanded the culprit clean it up, almost certainly helping her to build resentment. But that day I was able to guide my distraught child to see that cleaning up the mess would actually allow her feel better than hiding in a cupboard would. Peace, therefore, is perhaps compassion in action, a sense of connection and oneness with others, with the world, and with all of life.
Here are some more words that Hale Dwoskin uses to describe peace:
Awareness, boundless, calm, centered, complete, eternal, free, fulfilled, glowing, imperturbable, light, oneness, space, still, tranquility, unlimited, whole.
Makes you feel peaceful just reading them doesn’t it?
And now excuse me while I go yell at my husband for talking loudly in the next room while I am trying to write about peace.
 | The best selling book that introduces the The Sedona Method’s path to peace Amazon Price: $5.69 List Price: $17.00 |
 | As well as being a Sedona Method instructor David Ellzey has worked as a clown in children's hospices, and his mix of compassion and humour makes this an enjoyable and illuminating read. Amazon Price: $11.95 |
More Recommended Reading: The Comments on this Hub.
If you’ve found this hub useful, then please keep reading as the comments section as I am sure you will benefit from the wonderful wisdom of others.
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Hi Happyboomernurse,
Glad you enjoyed the hub and that it gave you a smile and a chuckle. I really enjoy writing this sort of thing; I think it has a positive effect on me.
Regarding the photos - the second was not my initial choice: I tried to upload a photo of a mother (me) and baby on a beach, but the photo was on its side and no matter how often I rotated it, it went back. Something seemed to be telling me to look for something less cliched and those happy seagulls stood out. It’s worth checking out the source of the Flickr photo as the photographer has included a interesting little story about it.
And I agree with you that the Sedona Method is simple and effective.
Thanks for your comment. It’s always good to hear from you.
I too have experienced The Sedona Method. There are many methods, but effective only if they are incorporated into one's inner spirit.
Hi Joanspahr,
Thank you for your comment. I think you are right, it is possible to use the best method and get little from it if you are only doing it from your head and not your heart. The deeper you go the more you get.
Excellent hub, Melovy.
I feel, one of the reasons peace is hard to describe(as is happiness and other positive feelings) is due to the fact the answers change with the mood or emotional state we're in. Whenever we get caught up thinking that our peace is based on something outside of ourselves, we can only describe it by what it isn't. For us to truly express answers that are honest and lasting, it can only be done from being present within the state we're trying to describe.
In other words, peace can not be described, only demonstrated.
I'm going to have to ponder that one.
Thanks for writing a hub, requiring me to look at myself deeper.
I'm unfamiliar with the Sedona Method. The wisdom sounds solid. I did live in Sedona for a couple years so maybe I got lucky and inhaled some of it.
Voting up and will be following to see what other gems you choose to share.
Hi TK’s view,
Thanks very much reading and for your very useful comment.
I hadn’t actually noticed the connection between thinking peace comes from outside and only being able to describe it by what it’s not, but now that you’ve pointed it out I totally agree! All the examples from my dictionary fit with this.
I also love that you wrote: "In other words, peace can not be described, only demonstrated.”
Again, I totally agree. What you are saying is similar to the wisdom that I’ve read many times: that words can only ever point to the truth, they can never BE the truth.
Another thing Hale Dwoskin often says that I love is: Every time I open my mouth I’m lying. He regularly suggests people don’t believe a word he says, but 'take it for checking’ - test it for themselves.
The Sedona Method is very much a practical process that helps create inner peace by welcoming and releasing whatever is inside. One day soon I will write a hub about it. (It’s on my list.)
Thanks also for following me.
Hope you don't mind if I peruse a little deeper while writing my reply. Often that's how I get answers to my pondering.
". . . words can only point to the truth,they can never BE the truth."
I agree with that, yet I hear a faint snort of dismay coming from somewhere deep in the recesses of my being.
In the days of olde, a man's word was his bond. His word was simpler, but carried truth.
In looking at how both these can be correct. I see it used to be, a decree was given, then a person would do everything they could to follow through on it, for themselves.
Now, it seems, we have become embedded in the luxury of our mentality. Words come so easy, society uses them to make decrees for others, wherein, they lose value.
Can you imagine, if there was only a set number of words we could say a day, how much more we would depend on them to be expressions of our truths about our condition?
Okay, so I see words are only the vehicles of our intent, the carrier-pigeons of our soul, perhaps.
Also, they can be labeled as truth in retrospection but only when backed up by action.
Something for me to consider.
Please forgive my ramblings. I didn't mean to muddy the waters of your well-written hub.
By the way, I like the picture of the old man laughing in your hub. What he is laughing at, we don't know. Nor do we know why it is funny to him, only he does and that's why he is at peace.
He is within self.
Hi TK’s view.
Rambings are welcome. I’m a great believer in rambling when writing - at least in first drafts, which I then edit heavily. I was once told to think of them as ‘scaffolding’ - not the prettiest part of the building process, but necessary nonetheless.
And it seems that rambling in comments can bring forth the wisdom tucked inside. What you wrote is very interesting.
And poetic, I liked the image of words as carrier-pigeons of our soul. It’s also apt I think.
Regarding the old man, if you click on the source link you will see the photographer left a little information about him, it’s worth reading and was partly why I chose the photo. You’re right about him being within self. Definitely peaceful in that moment.
Thanks for the conversation.
Yvonne,
As I 'shop' around for peaceful, serene hubs at bedtime, I have hit the jackpot! Oh, I don't know how I missed this one but it is a lovely essay and what I strive for every day.
I perfectly agree that I am unable to make an effective decision or do anything purposeful until I have a clarity and peacefulness of mind.
Thanks for pointing us back to the gleeful man's description. We all need to laugh at ourselves a whole lot more!
Love this and love you! Voted UP & UABI, mar.
Hi Maria,
I am so glad my hub was a peaceful bedtime hub for you. What a good idea of yours to find peaceful hubs at bedtime. I could have done with it myself last night as our house was in chaos after a bath overflowed and water came pouring through the living room ceiling!
Thank you for your lovely and loving comment. (And all the feedback.)
Oh my sweet Yvonne,
What a nightmare as this happened (right before Christmas) in our new home, first married, only it was the dining room ceiling... my thoughts and love are with you, dear friend.
Have you watched the Seinfeld episode... is it George who just repeats... 'Serenity Now!' I find myself saying that at some of life's twists and turns (preferably to myself)...LOL.
Many cyber-hugs sent to you, Maria
Thanks so much Maria. You brought me a smile.
Bizarrely we have had 4 similar floods in this house, all with different causes, but all involving that bathroom! (And not in any other home we’ve lived in.) The first time was most extensive and needed a massive repair but we were insured and I didn’t like the way the previous owners had decorated so it worked out well in the end. This time the damage isn’t too bad.
I havent’ seen that Seinfeld episode. Sounds a good idea. 'Serenity now.’ I shall remember that.
Sending hugs back to you.
Oh, do I love this one. Peace is with in us. A feeling we have/get from certain things. It makes me want to practive Yoga, and attempt to meditate. ( I say "attempt" because I've never been able to) Thank upi for writing this Yvonne, I feel peaceful just from reading it. (and me, being real neurotic, that's hard to come by) ; )
What a beautiful and thoughtful hub. For me, peace is harmony for me AND my loved ones. I have yet to explore new age thoughts and techniques, but they look quite appealing. I must look into the Sedona Method. Well done!
Thank you Jacy, and you are so right peace is within us. I am so pleased to hear that this helped you feel peaceful.
As far not begin able to meditate goes - I suggest not to worry too much about it and try David Ellzey’s exercise of looking for the space between objects, particularly trees. It’s very calming. I do very little formal meditation, though I have in the past - I find that the more I simply welcome whatever is here now, the calmer I feel. (Not always easy but the Sedona Method is a huge help, as is another process that I have half-written a hub about, but can’t seem to get finished. I will soon!
HI Tammy, and thanks for your lovely comment. I like your definition of peace. I find that the more peaceful I am the more it spreads to others and when I’m irritated that tends to spread too. It definitely starts with ourselves!
I’m glad you found this tiny taster of the Sedona Method appealing as it’s been a godsend to me and helped me cope with some challenging times. I will get round to a hub about it soon!
Delightful disection of a contentious subject. I am not yet, however, at peace. I was while napping, but, dream invaded my sanctuary and stole it from me. I gave myself to marriage thinking that the absense of loneliness would be surplanted by bliss, but, I have simply learned that wedded bliss must be different than just plain bliss. I have concluded that peace is what you get when sucessfully hiding from everything that promises to bring it. Sorry, gotta run; my wife is calling and I have to hide!
Hi arb,
You’ve got an interesting take on this subject - peace is what you get when sucessfully hiding from everything that promises to bring it - I like that! Brought me a smile. I also had a quick peek at your profile and I like your humour so will be returning for a closer look. Thanks for your comment and good wishes to you and your wife!
often things are described best by what they are not! Nice read.
Hi ShalahChayilJOY,
I am really pleased you enjoyed this. I love to write this kind of hub best of all. Thanks for your comment.
Happyboomernurse Level 8 Commenter 7 months ago
I loved this thought-provoking hub about peace and thought your personal definition was the best one: "Peace, therefore, is perhaps compassion in action, a sense of connection and oneness with others, with the world, and with all of life."
The photos were interesting choices. Sunset was the expected choice, the other two made me smile as they were surprising yet fitting.
And then there was the ending that packed a punch and made me chuckle!
Voted up across the board.
BTW: I like to use the Sedona Method of letting go. Simple but effective.