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Finding Peace Within Yourself

Do you think finding peace within yourself is difficult? If you are like me, who often thinks about…
a Buddhist monk meditating near a river bank to find peace within himself
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Do you think finding peace within yourself is difficult? If you are like me, who often thinks about how to find inner peace, then today’s short post might interest you.

Many people think that finding peace within us often takes a long time.

With most of us leading busy lives, it’s hardly possible to find time for our family and dear ones, let alone the time find inner peace.

However, both are myths and not true. You can search for peace within yourself easily and in no time, though you need to work for it and want it too.

Let me try to explain about how you can find peace within yourself from this short story that I had recently read.

“When you find peace within yourself, you become the kind of person who can live at peace with others.” ~ Peace Pilgrim

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A Story About Finding Peace Within

Buddha was once travelling from one town to the other with some of his followers. While travelling, they happened to pass a lake.

They stopped a while and Buddha told one of his followers, “I am feeling thirsty. Please fetch me some water from that lake.”

The follower went up to the lake. He noticed that some people were washing their clothes in the water. And at that moment a bullock cart started crossing the shallow lake, thus turning the water very muddy.

The follower thought, “How can I give this dirty water to Buddha to drink!” So, he returned to Buddha and said, “The lake water is very muddy, and not suitable to drink.”

After sometime, Buddha again asked the same follower to go back to the lake and bring him some water to drink. The follower went back, and this time he found that the water was crystal clear.

The mud had settled down and the water looked clean and good enough to drink. So, he collected some water and brought it to Buddha.

Buddha looked at the water, and then at the follower and said, “Look what you did to make the water clean. You let the water be…and the mud settled down on its own, and you got clean and clear water.”

He further told his follower, “Your mind is also like the water. When it is disturbed, just let it be. Give it a little time and it will settle down on its own. You don’t have to do anything, nor put in any efforts to calm it down. It is effortless and it will happen on its own.”

“First keep the peace within yourself, then you can also bring peace to others.” ~ Thomas Kempis

Lesson Learnt From the Story to Find Peace Within

If you try to recollect as to what Buddha said – he said, “It is effortless.” Similarly, having peace of mind is not a strenuous process. Instead, it is an effortless process.

So, don’t look for external things and ways to find peace that exists within you. Whenever you are in a disturbed state of mind, just relax and try to be at peace.

Give yourself some time. Spare a few minutes or more, or even a few hours or days, depending upon the turmoil in your mind.

Pull out your mind from all engagements and let it rest from the turmoil. Eventually the disturbance will fade or settle, and very soon you will find yourself in a peaceful state.

When there is peace within you, it permeates to the outside too. It spreads all over, around you, and in the environment. It affects people, such that they also start feeling that peace and grace.

“Each one has to find his peace from within. And peace to be real must be unaffected by outside circumstances.” ~ Mahatma Gandhi

May peace be with you!

Over to you

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What do you do to find peace within yourself? Do you think it is easy or tough to find peace? Share stories and views about finding peace within yourself in the comments below.

 

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  1. Finding peace within oneself can indeed be challenging, especially in today’s fast-paced and hectic world. However, it is certainly possible with conscious effort and a desire for inner peace.

    The story of Buddha and the muddy water beautifully illustrates the concept of finding peace within. Just as the muddy water settled down on its own when left undisturbed, our minds have the capacity to calm themselves naturally given time and space.

    To find peace within yourself, it’s important to take moments of stillness and solitude. Allocate some time each day to disconnect from external distractions and engage in activities that promote inner calm, such as meditation, deep breathing exercises, or simply being in nature.

    Engaging in self-reflection and introspection can also help cultivate peace within. By becoming aware of your thoughts, emotions, and reactions, you can gain insight into what causes disturbances and work towards resolving them. Journaling, practicing gratitude, and engaging in activities that bring you joy and fulfillment can contribute to a sense of inner peace.

    It’s important to note that finding peace within oneself is not a one-time accomplishment but an ongoing practice. Life is dynamic, and challenges and disturbances may arise. Cultivating resilience and developing coping mechanisms can help navigate these challenges while maintaining a sense of inner peace.

    Ultimately, the journey towards finding peace within oneself is personal and unique to each individual. What works for one person may not work for another. It requires patience, self-compassion, and a commitment to self-care. Through consistent effort and a willingness to explore different practices, it is possible to discover and nurture a deep sense of peace within oneself.

  2. Finding inner peace allowed me to control stress and more rationally manage my time. No problem now find a moment for your family. live slow!

  3. The statement about letting the mind calm, just like the water, was key for me in this story.

    So many times I try to work on an unsettled mind and feel very ineffective but when I have patience and let my mind calm, I become more effective.

    Even though I already “knew” this, reading your story was a validation to continue to focus on things this way

  4. Hi Harleena…

    Another great sharing…finding peace within yourself is extremely fruitful to combat today’s stress & strain-full situation faced by every one in their daily life due irrespective of age,sex & socioeconomic status.I think main cause of this stress & strain is due to increasing our modernity & trend to lead a very much luxurious life by the influence of external stimuli through all sorts of media,corporates & other influential things…

    Being a Buddhist in religious view I feel proud for mentioning Buddha’s story in connection with above.Buddha always emphasized on inner peace because only through this approach you can obtained “Nirvana”~ultimate freedom- Nirvana is achieved after a long process of committed application to the path of purification (Pali: Vissudhimagga) taught by the Buddha. The Buddha explained that the disciplined way of life he recommended to his students (dhamma-vinaya) is a gradual training extending often over a number of years. To be committed to this path already requires that a seed of wisdom is present in the individual. This wisdom becomes manifest in the experience of awakening (bodhi). Attaining nibbāna, in either the current or some future birth, depends on effort, and is not pre-determined.Nirvana is the result of following the Noble Eightfold Path.

    Best way to obtained Inner Peace is possible through – “Vipassana” Meditation.Vipassana, which means to see things as they really are, is one of India’s most ancient techniques of meditation. It was rediscovered by Gotama Buddha more than 2500 years ago and was taught by him as a universal remedy for universal ills, i.e., an Art Of Living.

    This non-sectarian technique aims for the total eradication of mental impurities and the resultant highest happiness of full liberation. Healing, not merely the curing of diseases, but the essential healing of human suffering, is its purpose.

    Vipassana is a way of self-transformation through self-observation. It focuses on the deep interconnection between mind and body, which can be experienced directly by disciplined attention to the physical sensations that form the life of the body, and that continuously interconnect and condition the life of the mind. It is this observation-based, self-exploratory journey to the common root of mind and body that dissolves mental impurity, resulting in a balanced mind full of love and compassion.

    The scientific laws that operate one’s thoughts, feelings, judgements and sensations become clear. Through direct experience, the nature of how one grows or regresses, how one produces suffering or frees oneself from suffering is understood. Life becomes characterized by increased awareness, non-delusion, self-control and peace.

    I hope my sharing will be fruitful for those people who really like to obtain peace within along with your wise article.Regards.

    1. Hi Dhires,

      I’m glad you like the post. Thanks for informing and educating us all about Buddha and Buddhism. The Noble Eightfold Path if followed will surely lead to a quality life.

      I’ve heard of Vipassana and it is a way of achieving mindfulness, which is essential to achieve inner peace and happiness.

      The mind, if purified and uncluttered, helps us to be, our true self. Vipassana is definitely a practice helpful to all, irrespective of any religion or personal beliefs.

      Thanks for sharing this information with all the readers. 🙂

  5. Glad you liked the post Justin!

    Yes indeed, not all days are good ones or the kind we would like to remember, and you aren’t alone when you mention such days because they come in everyone’s lives. And something or the other causes stress and affects our day.

    What matters most at such times is to make best use of the time you have in hand to de-stress yourself and make you peaceful. Walks, exercises, gym etc, or even meditation are wonderful ways of finding peace within yourself.

    Thanks for stopping by. 🙂

  6. Great post Harleena,

    Some days there is just so much stress and chaos that we sometimes have negative thoughts and alters our perspective, which greatly affects our attitude and productivity for the day. I like to take walks, sit on the beach, or go to the gym, which gets my mind clear, and I believe creates chemicals internally that make us feel naturally better.

  7. That would be wonderful Koundeenya because there’s so much to learn from his teachings!

    Nice to know that you have finally found peace and are more happier and content than before. I guess all of us have our ups and downs, and those not so good days or the bad ones – yet we learn to come out strong – don’t we?

    I guess once we schedule our time for doing things and have a set aim or goal, things do take shape and they bring us much peace and joy too. If you are able to submit your assignments much ahead of time – then you are surely on the right track!

    Ah…nice to know that you love reading, something that I used to do years back – just caught up with other things nowadays. That’s one sure thing that helps you grow and learn. Meditation is mainly done to calm you down and take you within, and yes – initially there will be many distractions and your mind too will wander all over. However, after a few days of practice, you will begin enjoying it. So, I suggest that you keep trying to meditate because it does have it’s benefits. 🙂

    Thanks for stopping by. 🙂

  8. Hello,

    This is really an inspiring post. I really loved the story of Buddha. I actually have bought one of the books about his preachings, but never got a chance to read it. I think, I should do it.

    For me, peace is something that has been with me since the last few months. These days, I stopped frustating for useless and priceless things and I started doing something that triggers me up. I mostly either sit writing something or desinging a graphic (I am a student of Visual Communication, so I always have plenty of such assignments to be done and I’m submitting them, on or before the deadline.

    I actually love reading too. Most of my time, I keep reading random blogs and I stumble a lot. I have been thinking of meditating in my leisure time but whenever I sit down, something distracts me.

    ~Koundeenya

  9. Hi Harleena,

    I’m happy to read that we have similar topics about health. I also believe that you can only find true peace when it starts from within. Healing through inner peace.

    Your post is so thorough that one feels she can put to practice the important lesson learned. Your story is very simple but has a profound message. Great minds always put aside time to meditate to allow the mud to settle in one’s mind. I can mention one quotation related to this:

    “An un-meditated life is worth nothing.”

    Thanks for this.

    1. Glad to know that we share similar interests too Jena!

      Yes indeed, peace should always begin with finding it within yourself first, and then looking for it in others or around us.

      Nice to know that you liked this simple story shared, which was intended to make people think and take back a lesson learnt too. Sometimes such stories make us reflect on our lives and the way we need to change – isn’t it?

      Even if don’t meditate or aren’t used to doing so, just sitting still and thinking deep within can help, though if one can meditate – nothing like it. That has it’s own benefits too. 🙂

      Thanks for stopping by. 🙂

    1. Glad you enjoyed the story Nikky!

      I too love stories that give us something to take back home. I’m glad you found it of value. 🙂

      Thanks for stopping by. 🙂

  10. Yes, it is really important to find peace within oneself….very well explained and the story about Buddha is illustrative enough to drive the point home.

    But then, it may not be so “effortless” for simple souls like me 🙂 Will take some real focus and patience to drive away the ill-natured thoughts to keep the peace of mind. What do you say?

    1. Glad you could relate to the post Praveen!

      I think what most of us seek is to find inner peace within ourselves, though each of us tries to do so through various ways.

      It surely isn’t easy, but it’s tough either, if we only learn to let go and let be. Just let the mind calm down like the muddy water for things to really become crystal clear. It does work, though you need to try it out and want to do so too. 🙂

      Thanks for stopping by. Always nice to have you over. 🙂

  11. Hi Harleena,

    Thank you so much for sharing this inspirational message through the story!

    The muddy water scenerio is so relevant to our present daily living. To find peace, we just have to accept everything, every situation, every person, every everything. As Radu said, it is the state of being at peace. No effort is required. The inner peace will guide us intuitively which direction to go in life.

    Excellent insights, Harleena. I do appreciate you!

    Viola Tam

    1. Glad you liked the story Viola!

      You are absolutely right! Acceptance is the key to finding peace within ourselves because that is another way of letting go – isn’t it? Seeking peace within us should be effortless, though very few of us are really able to reach that state – including me, but I am trying. 🙂

      Thanks for stopping by – I appreciate you too. 🙂

  12. I have a restless spirit. It is part of my nature and most of the time I am used to the constant flow of energy that cycles through me, but there are moments where it is nice to quiet our minds.

    I find the two best ways for me to do that are exercise and writing. They help take the edge off and remove some of the stress that sometimes builds up.

    1. Some of us are like that Jack!

      In-fact most of us are like that due to the hectic lifestyles we lead, which often leaves us no time to ourselves. But yes, one does like the energy such kind of lifestyle gives us too. Though sometimes it just gets a way too much and we do need ways to find peace within ourselves – to just calm down and stop for a while.

      Ah…writing is indeed therapeutic, provided you are writing daily and that too from your heart, which you do so wonderfully. I think it’s a great way to express your feelings and a nice outlet too.

      Thanks for stopping by. 🙂

  13. Great story Harleena, I don’t believe I’ve heard that one before but oh how true.

    Our minds are like the water. If we give ourselves some time, things will settle down and we’ll think much more clearer about things. I’ve found that to be the case over and over again. We’re just a very impatient society and it’s hard to quiet our minds so that the solutions can present themselves at times.

    Enjoy your weekend and thanks again.

    ~Adrienne

    1. Glad you liked the story Adrienne!

      You’re absolutely right! Our minds are like water that need to be still and clear off any kind of turmoil so that the mud settles – just as in the story, which would enable us to see things with a clear and focused mind.

      It is hard to quiet our minds, but if we don’t then we would always be living with noise and not really have focused or clear goals. The thinking is largely affected I feel.

      Thanks for stopping by, and have a wonderful weekend as well. 🙂

  14. I find that painting or creating something calms me down. I’ve recently found out that exercise also is good for calming. Anything that requires you to focus only on it: like praying, meditation etc, has very calming properties.

    Great post. I like the brevity too!

    1. Wonderful indeed Anne!

      Sounds like you already found ways to find your inner-peace. Yes, painting, cooking, sewing, writing, music, meditation, praying, exercising, and even talking sometimes calm you down. I guess it all depends from one person to another – isn’t it?

      Ah…you too noticed the brevity of the post! Yes, am working on it. 🙂

      Thanks for stopping by. 🙂

  15. Peace…finding love (because it’s always there) in every person and situation. Don’t get in the way of noticing it, and you’ll find peace no matter how traumatic or busy life is.

    1. Nice to see you Betsy!

      Yes indeed, all of us have the peace within us, all we need to do is find it. I guess you just need to stand still and let it come to you on its own, just like the settling of the muddy water in the post.

      Thanks for stopping by. 🙂

  16. Hi Harleena.

    Peace is needed so much in our stressful lives. Without peace it’s hard to be happy or to even think clearly. I believe a lack of peace also contributes to health problems.

    When I feel troubled and need peace, I pray to God. I simply talk to Him, tell Him what’s on my mind and what’s bothering me. And then I leave my problems with Him. By the time I finish praying, my head is clear and I have inner peace. It works every time.

    Other times, I play praise and worship or classical music and that gives me inner peace as well. The right music is so calming.

    Thanks for this article. 🙂

    1. Absolutely June!

      With the kind of lives we lead nowadays, all us need more peace and harmony in our lives. When we are stressed or tensed while we work or do things, it does play on our health and even affects relationships we have with people, which includes our family members more-so.

      Yes indeed, the Almighty is a great source of strength and the ultimate to calm us when we are troubled or tensed. Just sharing your worries with Him brings instant peace within us and we feel light after doing that too.

      Oh yes! Music is so soothing to the ears and our soul too, though depends on the music too! I prefer the soft instrumental or more on the devotional kinds that brings peace within us the moment we hear it.

      Thanks for stopping by. 🙂

  17. I love this post Harleena,

    Peace comes from the inside, no doubt. We see that all the time. People who have lots of problems and negativity in their life are people who have a “restless soul”. I know, I was one of such people few years back.

    As I always explain in my posts, everything is energy and what we feel inside is energy attracting same kind of energy in the outside. So if we quite down an become calm, “the mud will settle down” and we will become clear again. That’s story illustrated this so well 🙂

    Thanks you for this short post, according to your standards, but good one too 🙂

    1. Glad you loved the post Sylviane!

      You are absolutely right! People with negativity in their lives can never be at peace with themselves, because they spread more negativity around them and cause problems. In fact, they are a reason for unrest in most of the cases, and that’s why they are rightly termed as – restless souls, just as you mentioned.

      I liked what you had shared in your recent post about energy, which affirms the fact that positive energy will bring us more peace and calm in our lives- just as the story conveyed too.

      Ah…you could make out the post was a short one! I know how hard I tried to keep the length in mind, especially for the Tuesday posts. I’m still working on that. 🙂

      Thanks for stopping by. 🙂

  18. Great story.

    I will remember that one. I try to meditate every morning. That helps. For on the spot inner peace, nothing beats belly breathing!

    1. Glad you liked the story Galen!

      Oh yes! I think it’s an easy one to remember, and I feel when we read or share stories, they become a part of our lives too and get embedded in our memories. Meditation does wonders for finding peace within ourselves.

      Yes, deep breathing is known to calm us down and I’ve often see people practice that in the real sense via yoga. Belly breathing too I think is a form of yoga exercise – isn’t it?

      Thanks for stopping by. 🙂

  19. Hi Harleena,

    Once I remember telling the same story to one of my friends 🙂 He was trying to sort out problems he had of drinking alcohol over and over again. When he gets too angry with that problem, he just went for it and doesn’t let his mind calm down. I had to be with him to prevent drinking and we together (Actually he needs to take action) sorted it out once he was calm and quiet after a few hours. People find quick ways to wipe away problems and make ’em worse. Anyway, practically, there are only few people actually who listen to such stories carefully and follow ’em 🙂 I was glad he understood the message within.

    Even I get angry and sometimes it feels that if I respond to that with my action, it will be over. You remember I was telling you about my childhood at Carolyn’s post 🙂 Now I’m used to that mostly. Not totally. People believe that stressing out is something we take outside and we have to act on it to go away 🙂 It’s us who are taking ’em to our mind and we have to let ’em away. I know, with the complexity of life, it may seem hard. But if we take action, we can make our lives easy as you mentioned in your recent post 🙂

    Cheers…

    1. I’m glad to know that you’ve already made a practical use of this story, Mayura!

      You’ve observed very correctly that people try to find quick ways to wipe away problems, and yes, they do make them worse by resorting to ways like substance abuse and drugs. It is evident from your friend’s story that once you’re calm, you’re in your senses, and then you’re not likely to take the negative approach.

      When you’re presented with a situation that could anger you, it is best to be non-reactive. And I think you do the right thing. You’re right, that if you adopt the tit for tat approach, the situation will explode and the results will be disastrous. However, your response differs from situation to situation. And you need to have a clear understanding of what and why you’re being non-reactive, otherwise, if you nurture pent up anger, you’ll only hurt yourself.

      You’ve surely learned some wonderful lessons in life quite early, and I agree with them. The actions we take have direct implications on our self and mind. If we think we release our negative energy by being angry and resorting to inappropriate practices, we’re wrong. It takes a toll on you, consciously and subconsciously.

      If only we can apply simple ways to deal with life, we’ll realize that our life too is not that complex and complicated, isn’t it?

      Thanks for your important real story of experience, lessons from your life, and your wonderful thoughts. 🙂

  20. Another great story, Harleena.

    We all have to find the way that works for us to clear the waters and find our peace.

    One thing that I always consider first, if I really have any control over the situation. If not I let go and have peace. Second if I do have control, so I can find a solution for what ever is happening I say to myself 10 times, “Let go and let God.” Then I move on to another task and sooner or later I’ll have my answer or solution.

    Thank you for sharing this great story, we all need to hear it.

    Debbie

    1. Glad you liked the story Debbie!

      Absolutely! All of us have our own ways of finding peace I think, and each one of us has to find our own ways to attain peace within ourselves.
      I like the way you try to find peace within yourself!

      Yes indeed, if there is something that is within our control then well and good, if not, we need to just let go of it and not try to trouble our minds or get stressed out thinking about it. There is really no other way.

      Thanks for stopping by. 🙂

        1. Happy to know that you enjoy reading the posts here. Always a pleasure to write for my wonderful readers like you. 🙂

          Thanks once again. 🙂

  21. Now, that’s a hard question, Harleena 😀

    From a philosophical stand point, how do we define inner peace? (Do we know it only when we achieve it?).

    If inner peace is about reducing the tension, the stress within our mind and maintaining a positive attitude, well then I agree with you (Great story by the way. Thanks for sharing it!).

    We can solve those problems, the tensions by keeping calm (letting the water settle by meditating and/or focusing on positive things).

    What I try to do these days is not to worry (Whatever it is, I believe that I can solve it). If I can’t solve the problem, let the problem solve itself (or analyze and see whether the problem is actually a problem for me).

    A worry free attitude, but one that cares (take for instance: I had a 5 page essay due today. Up until yesterday, I had only finished 2 pages). I was starting to worry whether I would be able to finish it (but, I told myself I can solve the problem if I don’t worry and focus on solving the problem by writing the essay). Sure enough I finished the essay yesterday itself (that too, without “spending” my sleeping time).

    Like they say, All iz well 😉

    1. Well, it is indeed an intriguing question, Jeevan.

      To be honest, I’ve not yet fully achieved a true state of inner peace, but from what little I’ve experienced and learned from the great masters through their word, is that inner peace is the state of absolute bliss.

      Inner peace is a state where you won’t even have any ill intentions, leave alone thinking or acting wrong or bad. You then do not need to make any efforts to remain calm.

      But of course, since we’re not in that state, we need to take many measures and adopt certain procedures to reduce tensions, de-stress our mind, solve problems etc. just to attain a temporary and very unstable state of peace.

      I believe inner peace is not about reducing tension or stress, though that does happen with time too. It is about being what you truly are and experiencing your real self, which is peace. The rest happens automatically. It’s not easy to comprehend and accept such a theory, but you witness that by watching those who experience it.

      However, all those points and aspects you mentioned about how to remain happy and peaceful are very practical and good for us. Keeping calm, being positive, be focused, avoid worrying, have self-belief, have the right attitude, be logical and be smart are really wonderful tips that you’ve given here.

      Thanks for contributing your point of view and useful information for all readers. 🙂

      1. Oh, okay 😉

        It is hard to define it, isn’t it? I think I have a bit of inner peace now. I am really happy with life, even with the curve balls it throws at me :D. Well, at least I am trying to be 😉

        1. Sometimes, yes it is Jeevan.

          I’m glad you are more at peace now than before, and yes, its good that you are ready for changes in life as well as the challenges life puts forth. Hope you find the peace you are looking for. 🙂

  22. Hey Harleena,

    This post is directly for the heart of every human being. 🙂

    I love the story you just shared – simple and powerful. It’s easy to forget that without peace life won’t show up as it is (a miracle) but a as a fight, contest, struggle etc.

    Also I found that being at peace with oneself it’s not something to do but to just be. It is always within us in the background of the mind. Not fighting and reacting to every thought allows this dimension to show up. When there is no resistence there is no suffering. 🙂

    It’s interesting to see that when I’m at peace regardless of what is happening outside, things work out effortlessly – a new course of action comes into play, a post like yours or a great book appears or I feel the urge to go out in nature, meditate, do some yoga, listen to some great music or just to look in the mirror and say, “thank you for being alive here and now.” The circumstances will always arrange themselves to match our dominant state of being.

    In the end I want to thank you for sharing this post. Peace emanates from it!

    Be blessed ,
    Radu

    1. I’m happy that you loved the story, Radu!

      It is a great lesson from Buddha, whose simple but great ways captivated the hearts and minds of millions. And he gave a very logical and simple solution that we wouldn’t have even considered just for the fact because it is too simple!

      You’re right – peace is the essence. The true nature of everything is peace. And you rightly said: “Just be,” which sounds so simple but is one of the most difficult states to attain; however, not impossible.

      It’s astonishing to know that our real nature is quite contrary to what we believe it is and that we portray. We’re involved in all kinds of fierce activities to achieve material comfort and peace, whereas, this story tells you to drop and stop everything, and just be. It’s a concept hard to swallow for those who are deep and hard conditioned by the life that we know and live.

      It’s like when you listen to music with the headphones on, you do not get to hear the noise around you; you feel the same when you’re peaceful, and nothing disturbs you. Our attitude and perspective changes, and we start to view the world with a new pair of eyes and a fresh quiet mind, and perhaps that’s why we begin noticing many opportunities that allured us before. Just my thoughts.:)

      Thank you for sharing your wonderful thoughts and experiences with all of us. 🙂

  23. Hi Harleena,

    Oh you know how I love stories and I sure enjoyed the one you shared above. Actually, that’s what I do a lot of times…I just let it be! I get so busy and uptight at times that I can’t even think straight anymore. That’s when I walk away and just leave everything behind. Let it settle, just like the mud in the story you shared.

    Be blessed,

    Ilka

    1. Glad you enjoyed the story Ilka!

      Oh yes! I love the stories that you share on your blog too, which are so inspirational and makes things so much easier to understand. Letting go of the turmoils we face or stepping back from the chaos that often clouds our mind is the key to finding peace within ourselves I feel, which you are already doing. Of course, we need to come back to resolve them, but we need to do that once we are in a peaceful state – isn’t it?

      With our stressed out lives, it does become tough to think straight and remain calm all the time. Yet, that is the only way if we really want to attain inner-peace. Just let it be – let loose – stay calm – till the water settles down. 🙂

      Thanks for stopping by. Always a pleasure to have you over. 🙂

  24. I love this post, Harleena!

    There are days when I actually achieve this. Sometimes even for long periods of time. I trust that with a little more practice and a faithful heart, that I will learn to live in peace always.

    I do know that peace lies within. We just need to emrbace it. Accept, Surrender. Simplify. Be love. I am thankful to have wonderful friends like you to share my journey and share their light.

    Thanks so much for sharing, Harleena! xo

    1. Welcome to the blog Shelley, it’s a pleasure to have you over!

      Glad you loved the post and could relate to it. 🙂

      I know the inspirational person that you are from the wonderful posts you share on your blog, as well as the updates on Facebook. With all that you do and you are, you surely would be a peaceful person with a kind and thankful heart.

      You are so right! We need to accept and surrender ourselves to really find peace within ourselves, which again for many is easier said than done. But unless we work towards it and condition ourselves to remain calm – we can never really find peace.

      Thanks for stopping by and for your insightful comment. 🙂

  25. Hi Harleena,

    Yes, Peace is so important. When you meet someone who is at peace with herself, you know you have found such a special person. Yes, we should try to be better but we should also accept ourselves for who we are.

    I loved your Buddha story. You’re right, we just need time to let the mud settle in ourselves so the water will be clear again.

    Thanks for sharing this lovely post with us!

    1. Absolutely Carolyn!

      I think most of us know the importance of peace, yet we find it tough to find that peace within ourselves, or often look for it elsewhere – not realizing it is always within us.

      You raised a very good point about accepting ourselves for who we are, which again if we do, it connects us to ourselves in a better way. We find the desired peace if we understand our limitations and accept them – and do so willingly.

      Glad you liked the story, which I didn’t realize till Amandah pointed out, was somewhat similar to your train analogy! Guess I am still so inspired by that story that it lingers on in my sub-conscious. 🙂

      Thanks for stopping by and sharing your wisdom with all of us. 🙂

  26. Hello Harleena:)

    I just wanted to say how awesome your blog is, girl! I found you on FB today and have been browsing your site ever since 🙂

    I am inspired by you and motivated to just keep doing what I am doing, which is Blogging and sharing value.

    Thank you again for being such an inspiration!

    Have a great day!

    Hugs,
    Joan

    1. Welcome to the blog Joan, and nice to see you here!

      Thank you for these warm and kind words, and for liking my blog. I’m glad you reached out to connect. 🙂

      I need to hop over to your blog that I’m sure would be as awesome as you are too.

      Thanks for stopping by, and have a wonderful day as well 🙂

  27. Hi Harleena,

    We must be on the same vibe since our latest post was on a related topic of meditation.

    For me, I find peace doing things that are relaxing and casual to my mind. Things like reading a book, playing a game, or eating a healthy snack.

    Your tips are obviously much better.

    Thanks for the great post

    1. Nice to have you back Bryce!

      Oh yes! I also felt the same way when I visited your post yesterday – it surely was a co-incidence. 🙂

      Yes indeed, anything that relaxes our mind brings us peace within. It could be just about anything that is away from our usual work tasks or daily chores because those then become monotonous and sometimes become a reason for creating a turmoil within us, which in turn brings about uncalled for stress.

      Thanks for stopping by. 🙂

  28. I love this post, Harleena.

    Sometimes all it takes is stepping back and taking a breath. This helps me return to the present moment and dial back the drama of whatever’s going on. It helps me to regain sight of what’s important and what lies within my capability and what does not.

    1. Nice to see you back Steve, and glad you loved the post too!

      You’re absolutely right! Sometimes we need to slow down our pace and play it cool, instead of always being uptight and stressed about things. But yes, few of us are really able to find peace within ourselves, unless we really make an effort to do so. I am happy that you are able to discover peace within yourself, which must be helping you see things in a clearer picture.

      Thanks for stopping by. 🙂

  29. I love this story.

    I try and start my day with positive affirmations or devotions and then go to the gym and work on my business for a few hours after that. It is becoming easier for me to have that peaceful state, but work on it quite alot.

    1. Welcome to the blog Maggie – it’s nice to see you here!

      Glad you liked the story. 🙂

      Yes indeed, we have to work to attain the peaceful state we want, though the way we choose depends on what suits us best. I like your way of starting the day with the positive affirmations and then the gym, followed by your work. Similarly, for me it’s usually my morning walks and being one to one with nature, followed by meditation, and then work. And for others it might be something else that gives them peace.

      What matters most is that finally we find peace within ourselves through whichever way we take – isn’t it?

      Thanks for stopping by. 🙂

  30. I have many favorites here at Aha-Now, Harleena… but this post is by far my favorite of them all! It was soul-searching and resonated with the process I’m going through at this moment in my life.

    Oftentimes, the very thing we’re looking the most for is right there in our reach. It has taken me years (33 of them to be exact) to find peace within myself. In reading the story you shared here with us, I understand that this was often the case for me – I was constantly “kicking up the muddy waters” and “not allowing the mud to settle.”

    Most of the time, the worse thing we can do to ourselves is search outside of ourselves for the meaning and purpose of our lives.

    These days I find peace in so many things. Right now, I’m loving the peace I get reading a good book. I’m actually reading one at the moment that I’m truly loving called, “The Untethered Soul – The Journey beyond Yourself.” It’s been opening my understanding to so many of these very truths that you’ve written about.

    Thank you sharing this inspiring post with us. I thoroughly enjoyed reading it, my friend.

    1. Nice to have you back, Deone – we’ve been missing you!

      I’m happy that you liked this post more than the others. It sends out a message that holds good in any situation, place, or era. No wonder it resonated with you, because each one of us is troubled in some or the other manner, and we all need to find the peace within our selves.

      Yes, it’s amazing. This is what Corinne reflected too in an earlier comment, that we keep looking everywhere for something to give us peace, and little do we know that we carry the peace within us all the time. Ah, such a simple solution – stop kicking the muddy water, let it settle. That’s it – problem solved.:)

      If only everybody starts to explore the inner resources and power that we all carry – their would be peace and happiness everywhere, as everybody would be happy and content.

      You experience peace because you’re happy and content now, and you like and love yourself now more than ever. I’m sure the book you’re reading would be wonderful, we’re more than what we know about us, and when we go into our depths, we experience a larger self – isn’t it?

      I’m happy to see you at peace. Thank you for sharing your personal thoughts and experiences. 🙂

  31. I close my eyes and think of a beautiful and serene spot which I enjoyed going to – its either pangong lake in ladakh or kedarnath in the himalayas – I think of the peace I experienced there and imagine the same peace flowing into me … It helps a lot. Deep Breathing helps.

    A calm and peaceful minds generates power … I truly believe this !

    1. Sounds wonderful Ruchira!

      The power of visualization works wonders when we want to get away from the daily hassles of life. Getting lost in nature, just as you mentioned, or even just thinking about it and drifting away in such thoughts relaxes us, which helps us to find peace in oneself. Closing your eyes and breathing deep, or just sitting still for sometime, and thinking of something calm and serene helps.

      Yes indeed, a peaceful mind is a powerhouse because then your mind is crystal clear and ready to take on anything.

      Thanks for stopping by. 🙂

  32. When we are troubled, our minds gropes for answers and solutions, running in various directions. This story is a great lesson for me to stay calm.

    Thanks.

    1. Welcome to the blog Janu!

      Yes indeed, a troubled mind is always at unrest and remains uneasy too. It keeps running all the time seeking solutions to its questions. It is never at peace, which in turn makes us stressful and tensed. What matters most is that we learn to take life easy – one day at a time and learn to find peace within those precious moments.

      Thanks for stopping by. 🙂

  33. I have found inner peace by meditating and being more at one with Nature. It took me a while to figure out the best way for me to meditate but once I found my way and my “happy place”, I then found inner peace. I wish more people would find inner peace. It would be a much happier world. 🙂 Great post sweetie!

    1. That’s wonderful Brenda!

      Meditation does work well to calm us down and helps us in finding peace withing ourselves. I believe a lot in that too, though am not all that regular with it nowadays. Nature too is wonderful and in-fact inspirational for me too, as I get so many of my post ideas when I go for my morning walks.

      I guess each one of us has to discover our own way to find peace within ourselves, through whichever way that suits us. Just as Amandah mentioned, it could be through music, writing, watching some inspirational movie, just about anything that gives us peace – isn’t it?

      Thanks for stopping by. 🙂

  34. Hi Harleena,

    Great post! I especially liked, “Your mind is also like the water. When it is disturbed, just let it be. Give it a little time and it will settle down on its own. You don’t have to do anything, nor put in any efforts to calm it down. It is effortless and it will happen on its own.” Most of us have been conditioned to constantly take action. We wouldn’t dream of just ‘being’ for a while. It’s amazing how peaceful you can become if you allow your mind to calm down and say, “This too shall pass.”

    To find peace, I’ve been listening to Joel Osteen’s weekly podcasts. His words are finally sinking into my brain. 🙂 We don’t have to live stressed and uptight. We can let go and let God. We can choose to be peaceful and happy. We don’t have to allow external forces to upset us. As Carolyn Nicander Mohr wrote in her guest blog “Don’t Get on That Train!”

    Other ways I find peace are…

    1. Working out.
    2. Meditating.
    3. Listening to music.
    4. Writing.
    5. Designing.
    6. Watching comedies.
    7. Sitting in the sun.

    Once you realize you have the POWER within you to find peace, you’ll feel peaceful in no time.

    1. Glad you liked the post Amandah!

      I loved those lines too the moment I read them, because they are so true! But you rightly mentioned, we are forever in a rush to take instant action and thus our minds can never be at peace. It takes a patience and practice to remain calm and just be in the moment and let the storm pass, though if you make up your mind, you can do it easily too.

      Nice to learn about Joel and his podcasts – they seem to be working great for you. He’s right, stress works against us always and it shows on us. Moreover, people around us too are affected because of the stress we face. We DO need to let go and let things pass by or calm down, and then take the required action. Yes, Carolyn too reminded us about the same aspect, so it works for everyone.

      Meditation, music, writing, walking are things I also do to find peace when my mind is in a turmoil. And I think mediation works wonders as it helps you go within yourself and sort out your thoughts. I do intent writing another post really soon about the way to find inner peace, where I would be mentioning all of these.

      Thanks for stopping by and your insightful comment. 🙂

  35. It’s very simple to understand but practically – can we really leave our mind free, so that without any effort it regains its peace? Time heals everything. Good concept but needs some modern touch for remedy. I dont mean to oppose, but in this fast world we need quick results, right?

    1. Welcome to the blog, Ram!

      You do not have to free your mind; it’s all about giving your mind some time. You just need to relax, not be reactive, and let things and time pass by. Try to maintain your silence and observe your breath. Your mind will calm down.

      Yes, that’s meditation, and you know it. And this practice holds good no matter what era you live in. It’s the best way to find hold and grip over life in this fast world, as you say, lest you too be carried away and get your life out of control.

      I agree it is not so easy practically, but with practice, it becomes effortless. And, you’re right – time heals everything. And everything takes its own sweet time, desire for quick results sometimes mess up things.

      Thanks for stopping by and contributing your thoughts to the post. 🙂

  36. What a great story, Harleena.

    It’s so true too. There have been times when I’ve gone a bit crazy looking for a solution to a problem. It’s only when I quieted myself down that the answers came. Thank you for the reminder today.!

    1. Glad you liked the story Corinne!

      Exactly, I too experienced the same many a times, so when I read this story, I just could relate so well with it. 🙂

      We all face times when we’re troubled and have turmoil in our lives, but what matters most is that we learn to give things time to settle down, and that way we do find the peace that we desire.

      It works with me, and as you say, with you too – so, it must be really working with everyone else I guess!

      Thanks for stopping by. 🙂

      1. That peace within is the presence of God, from my point of view, finding that deep peace within have to be a soul call, it is what you wanted and if you allow God to come into your life, you will gain and experience that inner peace, I say this from experience there must be a want for it.

        I think everyone in life will experience that joy one day or another. It’s a very beautiful experience.

        1. Welcome to the blog!

          Yes indeed, the ultimate inner peace we can only find when we are one to one with Him, which isn’t all that easy though. Like you put it, there must be a want or need for you to reach out and seek that peace, which once you have – finding peace within would become so much easier. I’m glad you finally managed to experience that peaceful joy in your life.

          Thanks for stopping by. 🙂

    2. I did not read full story yet i knew it is contentment
      that stalls making heavy and disturbing movement
      in family life it is not easy as thought over
      mind needs peace from worries and cover

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