Peace. What is it? How do we know when we’ve felt it? How do we create it and what stops us from accessing more of it, more of the time?

There are so many different types of peace – an inner state, an outer state, a personalized experience, a global consciousness, the presence of a bodily sensation, the absence of a state of mind. Have you ever stopped to think of what peace actually means to you? Have you ever stopped to look at what you believe about peace and why that may be so? Lastly, can you recall any moments of your life that you would associate with the presence of deep peace?

For many people, peace is associated with stillness, with a flat line state of being, with a lack of excitement and movement. Consequently, everything possible is done to avoid being still in body, mind or spirit which often results in the creation of drama, continuous action, stimulation and even conflict, to keep a life of perceived boredom at bay.

Early childhood experiences with a parent or teacher may have encouraged us to push the limits of how much we could fit into the day, positively reinforcing our efforts to achieve as much as we could regardless of the cost. Later in life we may have had jobs that required us to follow a similar pattern, with efficiency and productivity front and centre. Limited time and strict schedules can leave little space for the energy of peace, provoking adrenal activity and a physiological environment where stress hormones are in plentiful supply. Everyday stimulants such as caffeine further enhance our stress response, taking us further from the peaceful state we seek.

What do you think your relationships would look like if they were peace-full? What would peaceful conversations sound like? Would you be at peace in a peaceful relationship?

It is interesting to look at what is happening in your life right now and then to go within and ask yourself, what would I need to believe about peace in order to create what I am seeing? Challenge yourself and look for the keys that can unlock the well of peace that lies within you.

Be aware of how busy you are and ask yourself whether everything in your schedule is completely necessary, whether it can be delegated or whether the timeframe can be adjusted. Factor in time for yourself. Time to just be, to feel calm and to breathe! If necessary, do this with your children, modelling for them the importance of 5 minutes peace and introducing them to a new paradigm of self-love rather than self-sacrifice. It may be more so in our being, than in our doing, that we create peace on Earth.

The following affirmations may be useful for you:

I am comfortable with peace.

I am comfortable with relationships that are harmonious and filled with peace.

I give myself permission to feel peace.

It is ok for me to feel peaceful, even if no one else is peaceful.

I am worthy of peace.

Jeannine is an energetic healer, holistic counsellor and author who practices on the Central Coast.

For questions, appointments or further information about The Beauty Evolution book, please feel free to call her on 0414 241 224, browse her website or email directly on essencepower@live.com.au