Someone today said to me, “I just can’t identify with missions of peace. Peace is all zen-gardens, quiet Buddhas, haiku, and sunset. I’m more balloons, break dance, spoken word, and fireworks at dawn.”
I prefer the latter list, too– but what does either have to do with the price of tea in China?
The most vivid moments of peace I’ve experienced have involved all the things in both lists– often at the same time.
Here’s a moment of resonance between break dance and a quiet water zen garden. It’s only a juxtaposition if you’re perceiving peace through its limiting pop definition.
Instead of focusing on the dichotomy and dissonance, try to look through my eyes. See the calm, the wholeness, and joy. To me, peace is love, freedom from disturbance, and joy in our connectivity.
To me, this is peace.
Sometimes it is stillness…
and sometimes it is jolted,
rhythmic,
upside-down,
floor-shaking
movement.
Often times, it is both.
What is peace to you? Or, what words would you use to describe your moments of greatest peace? Do you identify more with “zen-gardens, quiet Buddhas, haiku, and sunset” or “balloons, break dance, spoken word, and fireworks at dawn”?
