The Way to Peace

From the teachings of Swami Sivananda Saraswati

Lead an ideal life of peace. Kill ruthlessly all suspicion, prejudice of all sorts, envy, jealousy, selfishness, greed for power and possessions. Lead a simple life. Practise meditation daily and establish peace in your own heart.

If every one of you makes it a point to devote one hour a day in meditation to the projection of peace-thoughts, there will be thousands of other people doing the same thing every day and the total effect of such combined thought projection will be inestimable. Not only will there be the individual force of every such person acting in cooperation but also additional strength will be received from unseen helpers, the ever-present Masters, the Videhas, who silently guide all from the higher realms and make them pursue the right path. They are the great beings who enter into the intellect and emotions of every good and pious person and use the person as an instrument for serving mankind.

Will you not, therefore, now make this one resolve of devoting at least one hour of every day to projecting thoughts of peace so that the present troubles and turmoil of the world may cease? This is a simple thing that you can do – yet the response from the Almighty and His agents will be of great value.

Reformers should reform themselves. They should practise before they preach. They should realize God themselves. They should be peaceful and they should find peace within themselves; then they can radiate peace and unity everywhere. They need not even talk; their very presence will inspire people – in their very presence people will enjoy peace and harmony.

The aim of all nations, therefore, should be to direct their power towards the transformation of the hearts of the people, from the sub-human and weak human nature into the highly human and divine natures through right government, right education and insistence on right living based on perfect truth, not merely relative but absolute. This shall affect the great renaissance of healthy and peaceful life on Earth, and also the eternal life, transcending earthly life.

Make your own individual appeal to God and ask Him to send light to help humanity in the establishment of peace and promotion of happiness.

May there be peace, prosperity and amity all over the world. May the Lord bless you all with peace, plenty and spiritual illumination.

Printed in Yoga, January 2000