Inner peace

Inner peace (or peace of mind) refers to a state of being mentally and spiritually at peace, with enough knowledge and understanding to keep oneself strong in the face of discord or stress. Being "at peace" is considered by many to be healthy (homeostasis) and the opposite of being stressed or anxious. Peace of mind is generally associated with bliss, happiness and contentment.

Peace of mind, serenity, and calmness are descriptions of a disposition free from the effects of stress. In some cultures, inner peace is considered a state of consciousness or enlightenment that may be cultivated by various forms of training, such as prayer, meditation, tai chi or yoga, for example. Many spiritual practices refer to this peace as an experience of knowing oneself. Finding inner peace is often associated with traditions such as Hinduism and Buddhism.

People have difficulties embracing their inner spirituality because the everyday stressors get the best of them and finding peace and happiness in the little joys of life can seem like a lot of work, and results don’t seem all that gratifying. Achieving spirituality is a step-by-step process; there are ways through which you can get more spiritual every day.

Tenzin Gyatso, the 14th Dalai Lama, emphasizes the importance of inner peace in the world:

The question of real, lasting world peace concerns human beings, so basic human feelings are also at its roots. Through inner peace, genuine world peace can be achieved. In this the importance of individual responsibility is quite clear; an atmosphere of peace must first be created within ourselves, then gradually expanded to include our families, our communities, and ultimately the whole planet.

See also

• Ataraxia
• Equanimity
• Enlightenment
• Inner light
• Meaning of life
• Nirvana
• Gelassenheit
• Salaam
• Self-actualization
• Self-ownership
• Self-realization
• Shalom