Friday: creating for peace

Zoe at Square Rock. It is so quiet out in the bush in the winter!

Last day of the week and we're meant to be creative! What was Deepak thinking?! Luckily it is not too onerous.

Here is today's task for peace:

"Today, come up with at least one creative idea to resolve a conflict, either in your personal life or your family circle or among friends. If you can, try and create an idea that applies to your community, the nation, or the whole world. You may change an old habit that isn't working, look at someone a new way, offer words you never offered before, or think of an activity that brings people together in good feeling and laughter."

Hey! Make sure you have a good weekend.

Thursday: Acting for peace

Nothing like nature's grand canvas to bring on that sense of 'aaaaahhhh'

A short one for today from Mr Chopra:

"Today is the day to help someone in need: a child, a sick person, an older or frail person. Help takes many forms.

Tell yourself,

Today I will bring a smile to a stranger's face. If someone acts in a hurtful way to me or someone else, I will respond with a gesture of loving kindness. I will send an anonymous gift to someone, however small. I will offer help without asking for gratitude of recognition."

Feels good to peaceful.

Wednesday: Speaking for peace

How is your week of peace going? The sun came out for me today and right now I have the luscious smell of jonquils filling my office...lovely!


Here is Deepak's wisdom for Wednesday:

"Today the purpose of speaking is to create happiness in the listener. [Zoe's note: how cool is that thought?!] Have this intention: Today every word I utter will be chosen consciously. I will refrain from complaints, condemnation, and criticism.

Your practice is to do at least one of the following:

• Tell someone how much you appreciate them.
• Express genuine gratitude to those who have helped you and love you.
• Offer healing or nurturing words to someone who needs them.
• Show respect to someone whose respect you value.

If you find that you are reacting negatively to anyone, in a way that isn't peaceful, refrain from speaking and keep silent. Wait to speak until you feel centered and calm, and then speak with respect."

Life is grand, isn't it?

Tuesday: feeling for peace

More from Deepak, coolest dude ever. From the book, Peace is the Way.

"This is the day to experience the emotions of peace. The emotions of peace are compassion, understanding, and love.

Compassion is the feeling of shared suffering. When you feel someone else's suffering, there is birth of understanding.

Understanding is the knowledge that suffering is shared by everyone. When you understand that you aren't alone in your suffering, there is the birth of love.

When there is love there is opportunity for peace.

As your practice, observe a stranger some time during your day. Silently say to yourself, This person is just like me. Like me, this person has experienced joy and sorrow, despair and hope, fear and love. Like me, this person has people in his or her life who deeply care about him or her. Like me, this person's life is impermanent and will one day end. This person's peace is as important as my peace. I want peace, harmony, laughter, and love in his or her life and the life of all beings."

Yeah. Dig it.

Monday: Thinking for peace

I dig Deepak Chopra.

If you've ever listened to any of his tapes, you'll know what I mean: intelligent, insightful, complex, playful. This guy has a deep and powerful knowledge of the world. I mean of the way things are. He practices ayurvedic medicine and has long espoused the deep connection between mind and body. Healing is a holistic experience.

Deepak also has a lot to say about humanity. I've just read Deepak Chopra's Peace is the Way: Bringing war and violence to an end. This book struck a deep and resonant chord with me. In it he outlines the philosophical and scientific rationale behind the possibility of creating world peace. It is not a pipe dream. It is a possibility. It can be a reality.

How then can we do this? it all begins with the individual. If enough individuals live, breathe, and meditate for peace, there will be a critical mass where more people are for peace than there are those who are for war and conflict. Cool, huh?!

Deepak offers a daily practice that you can adopt immediately to live in peace.

Here is Monday's peace job, quoted directly from the book:

"Thinking has power when it is backed by intention. Today, introduce the intention of peace in your thoughts. Take a few moments of silence, then repeat this prayer:

Let me be loved, let me be happy, let me be peaceful.
Let my friends be happy, loved, and peaceful.
Let my perceived enemies be happy, loved, and peaceful.
Let all things be happy, loved, and peaceful.
Let the whole world experience these things.

If any time during the day you are overshadowed by fear or anger, repeat these intentions. Use this prayer to get back on center."

It feels good, doesn't it? No better reason than that to simply have a go.

Happy peace making!