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I believe there are certain elements that must always be present for peace to break out. Things like forgiveness, gratefulness, generosity of spirit (AKA kindness), mindfulness, and openness of heart (AKA love) are just a few. If I had to choose just one, I’d choose love. Ultimately, love is what will lead us to peace. … Read more
Gratitude & Peace Go Hand-in-Hand Gratitude is one of the surest ways to lasting peace. This is not simply a religious claim. A fairly recent interest by science is showing gratitude’s benefits in study after study. It increases psychological and physical health, increases life satisfaction, and counteracts things such as materialism, envy, narcissism, and cynicism. … Read more
The beauty of the natural world is an unadulterated gift given to all of us. It is heaven on earth. When we feel out of sorts, and our disquiet begins to gnaw away at whatever peace we have, retreating to some natural space, near water, in the mountains, in the wide-open spaces of the plains, … Read more
Worry is in my DNA. I’ve endured a life-long struggle to live in the moment and accept life as it is, as it happens. Paralyzing worry has been one of the greatest catalysts for me to pray. Worry was the reason I began praying a Novena for Peace. It all started after the terrible events … Read more
Perception Is Realtiy In a very real sense, our perception creates our reality. However, what we know and understand about ANYTHING and EVERYTHING is dwarfed by what is unknown to us. So… Despite our collective ignorance, so many of us proclaim that we know THE truth and anyone who disagrees is either deluded or ignorant. … Read more
Suffering is often a barrier to peace. Richard Rohr, a Franciscan priest, teacher, author, and founder of the Center for Action and Contemplation, teaches that if we don’t transform our suffering, we will transmit it. We can see the truth of this all around us every day. Twin Roots of Suffering: Separation & Fear What … Read more
In his book Being Peace, Zen master and Buddhist monk Thich Nhat Hahn explains the power of a smile. The act of smiling relaxes hundreds of muscles in the face and in the nervous system. “A smile makes you master of yourself,” says Hahn. Buddhist teachings acknowledge the reality of suffering in this world and … Read more
The World Mirrors Me Great spiritual teachers have used metaphors of mirrors to describe how we encounter reality. One such metaphor is that the world reflects back to us what we project out to it. If we project love, compassion, and mercy we will see love, compassion, and mercy mirrored back to us. If we … Read more
Death. Love. Peace. Today is the last day of a difficult yet graced filled year bookended on both sides by death. It is a good day to prepare again for a novena of peace. As 2018 began, my husband’s father fell ill with what seemed to be a terrible cold. By mid-January he had pneumonia … Read more
Novena for Peace Prayers & Reflection Questions The ritual for any prayer discipline can be as elaborate or as simple as is comfortable for you. Below are suggestions for the Novena for Peace. STEP 1: In preparation for your time of meditation and prayer, find a quiet place where you can sit or recline comfortably. … Read more