You Are a Force for Peace
Christine
Easwaran
Dear Friends,
You Are a Force for Peace
I feel compelled to speak from the depths
of my heart to everyone who feels a sense of helplessness in the face of
the tragic events of September 11 –events that have touched all our
lives.
We need to act. It is urgent and essential
that we do whatever we can to put out the fires of violence. The cycle of
revenge is a destructive force that can consume generations. As the Buddha
said, “Hatred can never put an end to hatred.”
In words that belong to the whole world,
St. Francis tells how each of us can be a force for peace:
Lord, make me an instrument of thy peace.
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
Where there is injury, pardon;
Where there is doubt, faith,
Where there is despair, hope;
Where there is darkness, light;
Where there is sadness, joy.
You Are a Force for Peace
The first step is to bring calm to your own mind so you don't add fuel to
the flames of hatred.
Keep this prayer in front of you. Put it on
your desk. Don't let it become stale. Write it out. Memorize it. Repeat it
to yourself whenever you feel overwhelmed. Give it to your friends. Keep
it in your wallet. Teach it to your children. Recite it out loud. Put it
on your refrigerator door.
You Are a Force for Peace
Don't get caught in angry, frightened talk. Don't be a helpless victim of
endless replays of the tragedy on TV. Don't let hostility and resentment
take over your life. Step away from the whirlpool of negativity that
swirls around us.
You Are a Force for Peace
Do something positive – every day. Take control of your life. Get
together with your family and friends. Read the scriptures and elevating
spiritual literature. Read them with your children.
You Are a Force for Peace
Slow down. Stay focused. Pay attention to the needs of the people around
you.
Be kind and considerate. At home and at work, help create an atmosphere of
trust and openness. Reach out to those you feel have offended you.
You Are a Force for Peace
Choose a short prayer word from your own religious tradition – the name
of Jesus, Hail Mary, the name of Allah, Baruch attah Adonai. Repeat it to
yourself whenever you can – while washing the dishes, waiting in line.
Repeat it whenever you start to get angry, upset, or afraid. Combine it
often with a good, fast walk. Fall asleep repeating it so it stays with
you throughout the night. Write it out by hand – fill a page or two with
it every day. Write it for the whole world. Keep a little book for that
purpose and carry it with you everywhere.
You Are a Force for Peace
Teach your prayer word to your children. Get them to repeat it whenever
they can. Tell them it chases fears away. Show them how powerful it is by
using it with them to keep calm. Tell them the prayer word protects them.
Tell them they too are a force for peace.
Keep reminding your children – remind
yourself – that goodness is the strongest force in the world.
Source: forwarded e-mail
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