I Just Want Peace in My Life!
By Glenna Rae Dietrich
The things in life we find to be simplistic are usually the most powerful in guiding us on a path that leads to harmony and peace.
Humans have a tendency to ignore the simple and embrace the complex or complicated. Let’s face it: we love drama. We’re
addicted to it, we thrive on it; we are a population of drama queens. But when we say to one another (in that whiney little voice)
“I just want peace in my life!” are we really prepared to give up our addiction to drama to get just that? Nowhere is it ‘written in
stone’ that we are destined to have peace presiding on planet Earth…well, at least not as long as we humans reside here.
There are however, some things ‘written in stone’ that are clear, concise prescriptions for bringing peace into your life. Some call
them the Golden Rules. Actually, they exist in all practicing major religions in varying forms, and in many ancient belief systems
as well.
Christianity: Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.
Or (my slightly more sardonic version)
You are doing it to yourself: whatever it is you are doing to another.
Confucianism: Do not do to others what you would not like yourself. Then there will be no resentment against you, either in the
family or in the state.
Buddhism: Hurt not others in ways that you yourself would find hurtful.
Hinduism: This is the sum of duty; do naught unto others what you would not have them do unto you.
Islam: No one of you is a believer until he desires for his brother that which he desires for himself.
Judaism: What is hateful to you, do not do to your fellowman. This is the entire Law; all the rest is commentary.
Taoism: Regard your neighbor’s gain as your gain, and your neighbor’s loss as your own loss.
Look out from the perception of your own holiness to the holiness of others. (Course in Miracles, text)
“I am you and you are I, and wherever you are, I am there, and in all things am I sown. And from wherever you wish, you gather
me, and when you gather me, you gather yourself.” (Gospel of Eve)
These teachings, so similar and so familiar, passed to us through the great Teachers and Sages of humanity, are very simple
concepts. They are to be understood from two levels (dimensions), of our consciousness.
One level, a very practical one, is understood because of our belief in cause and effect. Treat others as you would like to be
treated, and more than likely, over the course of time, that treatment will be returned to you. We see and experience that ‘like
attracts like’, that ‘birds of a feather flock together’; in other words – we attract to ourselves the same energetic or vibration that
we emanate.
The next level to be understood is based on a belief that many Teachers and Sages are still busily attempting to teach us: “we” is
one Being.
Every person you meet is You!
If you were meeting You on the street, wouldn’t it make sense that you would be kind and compassionate to You? After all,
wouldn’t you want to be treated with kindness and compassion if it were You meeting you?
Okay, I admit it can be a little confusing at times, but the key to remember is simplicity. You go first. Be the first to show
respect. Be the first to offer a smile, to offer a kind word, to lend a hand. The law of reciprocity will take over and do the rest.
May Peace BE Your Path