A Many Faceted Jewel

By: Darrin f. coe - [work]
Peace is a jewel with many facets. Many people proclaim that their actions are driven by peace. From the declaration of war to terrorism to multinational sponsored peace keeping actions. Parents claim that they spank, yell, and engage in corporal punishment to keep the peace in the family. Others claim that we need guns to insure peace in society. While others claim that the only path of peace is complete passivism. Biblically Christ declares that we are to, as best as we can, live in peace with all people. John writes in 1st John that we know God by our level of obedience and our love for all people. So what are the basics of peace? I believe that first and foremost a person needs to be at peace with themselves. We have so many personal hangups in our society and in the international collective that very few people believe in inner peace let along desire to pursue it. Inner peace comes from the assurance of ones place in the world, one's place in eternity, and one's purpose on earth. There is is distinct need to educate people around the world concerning being at peace with one's self. Sadly, there are cultures that only believe personal, inner peace can be gained through violent behavior spurred by radical belief systems. Peace is not eradication, peace is harmony and the true healer works towards the building of harmony and consensus. Those who truly desire peace know within themselves and their behavior emplifies that they are creators not destroyers. The blatant destruction of life, with purpose and motive, or the goal directed desire to cause harm and pain have no place in peaceful behavior. Another facet of peace is that of the individual. Nations, governments, principalities, and powers will not accomplish international, national, regional, or local peace only people being peaceful with other people; putting aside radicalism, hallucinations of color; and passions of ego people who are willing to, as Christ stated, "turn the other cheek and walk the extra mile" are ones who are going to bring about peace in our time and our children's time. Peaceful people working to gently change the minds and hearts of their neighbors, advisaries, relatives, friends, government officials, and anyone else that will listen are the ones that will change a world of violence to a world of peace.

So what are the components of peace?

I believe the peaceful person honors life. All life. The life of the enemy. The life of the ally. The life of the friend. The life of men, women, children, and nature about us.

I believe that the peaceful person attempts to empower the world about them through positive behavior, speech, and relationships.

I believe peace must consist of the raising up of life and the creative process.

I believe peace transcends culture and belief it is a quality intrinsic and good for it's own purpose whereas violent behavior is always goal driven and functional in motive.

Peace always begins with the micro and grows to the macro; macro peace cannot be forced.

Peace involves personal belief and behavior; personal integrity; personal economics; personal culture; and personal education. All of the above can be used violently.

Peace begins with the individual grows to the family extends to the neighborhood compounds within the city elevates to the region builds within the state and expands out to the nation then explodes to the world. Thus if you desire peace in our time begin with yourself then expand your beliefs to your family and your neighbors then let momentum take over and ride the wave.

Darrin F. Coe, MA is the founder of the Secret Society For Peace and The Freedom Pride. He can be contacted via e-mail at loki@r.... He's currently working on a way to create peace in prisons and examining inmate culture.

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