What is Peace?

Peace is a state of mind where there are no good or bad desires, and no happiness or sadness on the fulfillment or lack of fulfillment of desires. It is a state of mind devoid of anger, arrogance, greed, attachment, and endearment. This peace is the real happiness and is also salvation, heavenly paradise, and/or nirvana.

Every effort the soul  makes is directed towards attaining such peace because that is its natural tendency of the soul. The path to such peace is however not easy. To begin with, the decision to venture on to this path to everlasting peace while we are immersed in our worldly affairs, is difficult. On top of it, one faces myriad difficulties and pitfalls along the way.

This is the reason why very few people are able to attain this absolute peace.

When Thought Processes Prevent Us from Attaining Peace

Among all the challenges and tests one faces along the way, the one which distracts and influences the mind the most and deviates the person from his goal, is worry or anxiety. Constant repetition of a series of thoughts without change and without reaching any conclusion is anxiety or worry. A person gripped by worry and anxiety quickly loses both the worlds.

When his mind is infected with worry he becomes restless. Unable to eat and sleep properly, he descends into unhappiness and gloom. Soon he loses physical health and starts underperforming in his worldly affairs. He loses self esteem and spirals downwards. This anxiety or worry is the bondage, is the manifestation of illusion. The one who can free himself of this is the one who is liberated.

He who establishes himself only in the present, and does not worry about the future, or dwell upon in his past, is the one who is complete, and the one who is free or liberated. 

Most of the time people waste their mental energy by thinking about the past and worrying about the future. Lamenting about what has transpired in the past and the fear of what is going to happen in the future keeps tormenting them.

This repetitive process constantly depletes their internal energy. Even the deities in heaven, who live in all possible comforts always remain fearful and anxious of losing there divine standing and falling from grace. This kind of real peace is something that is even beyond them.

 As an initial thought arises, it carves a  path in our mind. Subsequently, other thoughts emerge and start flowing along the same path because this path offers the least resistance. If the initial thought is that of love, then subsequent thoughts are also similar and strengthen love and affection, but if the initial thoughts are that of fear and anxiety, the mind gets overwhelmed with worry which is a constant drain on our internal energy and brings about restlessness and takes away peace.

Remedy: How to Control Our Thought Process To Attain Peace.

Irrespective of the kind of worry, fear, or anxiety which ails our mind, the easiest way to get rid of it is to initiate a line of thinking which is diametrically opposite to the anxiety and fear we are suffering from.

With some belief and strong determination this is not very difficult to initiate. As we remain determined on this new line of thinking it forges in our mind a broad highway of positive ideas. The previous thought process of perpetuating anxiety and worry slowly dwindles down, and we start enjoying peace and happiness.

According to ancient saints the best thought process to get rid of fear and anxiety is to hand yourself to God and become dependent upon him for your welfare. But this process  is not easy as we have never seen God and do not know him well. However, it is easier to hand yourself to your guru as you have seen him, have some closeness to him, and have developed some confidence in his abilities.

 Think of your guru as your most ardent well wisher and always envision him to be with you as your protector. Slowly keep building your faith and your reliance on him. Gradually, over the years, your efforts will bear fruit and in the last stage of your sadhana you will be able to hand yourself completely to your guru. At that time all your worries  will disappear and you will be blessed with eternal peace and fearlessness.

 It is difficult for a new practitioner to envision himself to be dependent on and under the protection of his guru for the entire 24 hours of the day. Such people should make it a point to remember their guru at times when they are worried and fearful.

They should believe that their guru, who possesses all powers, is standing right next to them and protecting them. With him watching over, no power in the world can harm them or bother them. As soon as this resolve comes in their mind, fear and worry quickly dissipate. Gradual strengthening of this resolve in our minds is the way to obtaining lasting peace. 

Sit quietly for a few minutes in the morning and imagine that you are actually sitting in front of your guru. Have faith in him, that he knows everything about you that is good or bad. He knows all your worries and fears. He always takes care of all your needs. He is all powerful, and he considers you to be his own. Initially such a thought process would only give you glimpses of peace, but gradually, after constant practice, it results in amazing peace and bliss. This is the easiest way to get rid of anxiety and worry.

 The highest stage of supreme peace is raazi and riza. At this stage you leave yourself completely at the will of God. Happiness, sorrow, obstacles, failures, what ever comes your way, think that everything is happening for your good and will make you stronger. Just like when a surgeon makes a cut to drain an abscess, the patient has some pain, but he endures it because he knows that it is for his good and will ultimately make him better.

Similarly, consider that obstacles and misery that come in your life are God’s will, although they might have physically come from people around you. Enduring these misfortunes with patience purifies our soul and prepares us for the ultimate spiritual stage. It is the people who endure hardships in their life, that are the ones destined for union with God.

The ones who have an easy life do not worship God,  and God also is not too interested in them. That is why you should accept all difficulties in life and always remain happy, and while doing so always thank your God or guru for whatever he sends your way. To develop such monumental patience , tolerance and belief is not easy, but we should gradually strengthen this line of thought until it becomes our nature.

Translated from Amrit Bindu Vol 1 written by Guru Maharaj, Dr Chaturbhuj Sahay Ji by Sanjiv Kumar