Becoming an Instrument of Peace
We often talk about the wisdom of “accepting what is,” being mindful that “accepting” does not require liking, approving, nor capitulating. Rather, it entails acknowledging the reality of what is, and working with it from there, rather than putting my energy into arguing against its existence. But I’ll admit that sometimes “What Is” just seems too much, whether it’s on a global scale, a tiny personal scale, or anything in between.
Recently I came upon a note I’d posted after what seemed to me to be a very bleak day in our world. I offer it to you for those times when “what is” may feel like too much for you too.
“I woke slowly this morning, hoping I was rousing from a bad dream. But as I started moving into the day and into acceptance that What Is, is, I have found that these words keep coming to mind over and over. I take them as a directive to me from the highest sources within me. I'm going to do my best with them. Anything else feels awful.”
The words are of course taken from a prayer of St. Francis of Assisi - quite a radical in his time.
Three things occurred to me as I reread this:
There are a lot more versions of “nonpeace” and “peace” than jusst those listed. I’ll address that in a bit.
I can’t sow peace unless I have peace inside me. Preaching peace and being peace are not the same thing.
If I’m reacting unpeacefully to the nonpeace that’s outside of me, that reaction inside me is where my work begins. So I must start with with sowing peace inside myself first - and that means first accepting my nonpeace.
And that leads me to this from Eckhart Tolle, which I’ve shared with you elsewhere:
The moment you completely accept your non-peace, your non-peace is transmuted into peace. Anything you accept fully will get you there, will take you into peace.
Perhaps that’s how we become instruments of peace: we start by accepting that sometimes we are also instruments of non-peace, both inner and outer. We can acknowledge that simply by carrying nonpeace (in whatever form) inside us, we are sowing nonpeace - because like attracts like, nonpeace begets nonpeace, But if through acceptance we can indeed transmute our own nonpeace into peace, then it becomes peace that we sow instead … and peace begets peace.
But how do we get to that place of accepting our own nonpeace, let alone that of others? The ego, using the mind and emotions, isn’t going to like that prospect one bit; so instead we can go to the Heart: that’s my generic name for that deeper level of consciousness where acceptance is the natural state, where wisdom, courage, and love prevail regardless of outer circumstances. You may experience that as spirit/soul/God/higher self/true self/source/being, or just goodness. However you know it, by whatever name, the Heart is the place of peace where loving and acceptance are its very nature.
We go the the Heart by turning our intention and our attention there, by opening to it. Along with St. Francis, we can pray (“pray” simply means “to ask of”) to that source of peace inside us, that we may be instruments of peace, that we may sow peace, in any & all of its various forms.
It may be that you, like me, have heard and read those words of St. Francis many times before and thought how nice and aspirational there are. But I can tell you that it’s quite a different thing for me when I immerse myself in them experientially: when I ask my heart to lovingly show me my nonpeace, and then show me how specifically to sow peace instead.
We did just that in a recent and very uplifting Moment of Connection. If you like, you can take the next few minutes to do it too. You might want to put on some soft music, maybe light a candle, and settle in for some sweet one-to-one time with your Heart. As you read each of St. Francis’s notations of nonpeace, you can invite your heart to show you how that resides/operates inside you; and simply, forgivingly, allow yourself to acknowledge it as it unfolds. Then ask your Heart how specifically you might sow peace instead. There may be deeper levels than your first answer, so you might want to invite that within yourself as well. I added some (of many) additional forms of nonpeace to St. Francis’s list; and at the end, you’ll find blanks to add your own.
You could start now with just opening up to guidance of your Heart, and asking it to “Make me an instrument of your peace.” And here we go….
Where there is hatred, let me sow ________(example: love)__________ . .
Where there is injury, let me sow ________(example: pardon)________ .
Where there is doubt, let me sow ________(example: faith)__________ .
Where there is despair, let me sow ________(example: hope)________ .
Where there is darkness, let me sow ________(example: light)________ .
Where there is sadness, let me sow ________(example: joy)________ .
Where there is judgment, let me sow ______(example: compassion) ______ .
Where there is fear, let me sow ________(example: trust)________ .
Where there is shame, let me sow _______(example: forgiveness)________ .
Where there is greed, let me sow ________(example: generosity)________ .
Where there is anger, let me sow ________(example: tenderness)________ .
Where there is blame, let me sow ________(example: humility)________ .
Where there is selfishness, let me sow _____(example: graciousness)_____ .
Where there is arrogance, let me sow _______(example: gratitude)_______ .
Where there is separation, let me sow ________(example: joy) ________ .
Where there is_________, let me sow_________________ .
Now take just a moment to breathe in your peace … to imagine yourself practicing peace inside, reaching out in peace, and simply being in peace. Let your peace expand like a warm white glow throughout your body, your thoughts, your feelings. Thank yourself for your openness to your heart, and for your willingness to be an instrument of peace.
I thank you too. The more peace there is, the more peace there is.