TDoes the rising tide of geopolitical uncertainty today – marked by the climbing of tensions between the great powers, terrorist attacks, economic instability and the growing polarization of societies – as of sustainable peace simply a fantasy? In the midst of the erosion of civil speech and a climate of fear, it is important to remember: peace is not only possible – it is essential. And like any skill, it can be cultivated. However, this essential competence remains largely absent from our educational systems and the story as a whole.
A war does not start on the battlefield. It starts in the minds of people – a perceived threat of “the other”, distrust and the rupture of communication. When sensitivity and sensitivity are lost, dialogue fails and divisions deepened. I often call war as the worst act of reason – it reflects not only a failure of politics, but of human understanding.
When we even analyze the most horrible events – shootings, wars or terrorist attacks – it becomes obvious that they often arise from emotional isolation or a feeling of pride distorted for aggression. The fundamental human values of non-violence and compassion have unfortunately passed out from our vocabulary. Somewhere along the way, they were overshadowed and even misunderstood as weakness. But compassion is a dynamic source of force that can give clarity the mind and stability to our actions.
In international forums like the United Nations, we often talk about peace and security in the same breath. Although we focus on defense strategies and budgets, we must also focus on the development of emotional resilience and empathy. If even a small part of the defense budgets was invested in teaching people how to manage stress and negative emotions, this could greatly contribute to allowing the cooler heads to prevail when tensions increase. Politicians can define management, but people are the bricks that build this world – happy individuals can create a really harmonious society. It is the heart of true education of peace.
Is peace education practical? GOOD.
Over the past five decades, the Art of Living Foundation has worked with people from various backgrounds around the world. From the battlefields to the front fronts, the resilience programs based on evidence and trauma of the foundation helped veterans and agents of the application of laws to reduce anxiety, to improve sleep and to restore emotional balance.
The transformation was undeniable while working with prison prisoners around the world, be it the United States, Mexico, Brazil, Argentina, South Africa or India. And in Denmark, a taste of inner immobility and meditation has helped gang members you have become positive change agents in their communities. One thing is clear – inside each culprit, there is a victim that cries for help. It doesn’t take much to an individual to turn around.
On the many times, we have seen that an inhibition -free spirit with an enlarged conscience heals the inner victim. And as the victim heals, the culprit disappears – accessible to this space in the transformations, even those radiated as lost causes.
Through years of mediation in some of the most tense regions in the world, it is largely clear that a centered spirit goes beyond conflicts and becomes a lighthouse of clarity, courage and compassion. This is precisely why people in power positions must work on the realization of the inner calm. This cultivates presence and patience, which are essential for a significant dialogue. When we are proud of non -violence, compassion and service to others, we start to move the story – from that of hatred and division to that of love and belonging.
All of them are born a vision of a more harmonious and joyful world – not only for ourselves, but also for future generations. This trip begins in each of us. And when we take enough of this path, we will transform not only our own lives – we will reshape our collective future.
