Jesus' peace, I think, is inner peace. Jesus can't hand it over to us on a silver platter, as it were. We have to find it ourselves, within ourselves. Inner peace is the pre-condition to outer peace. From my experience, inner peace will be realized when we experience or aquire the unitive consciousness that binds everything into one inseparable whole. We can get there by centering prayer, meditation, contemplation, or any kind of meditative or contemplative excercise, or sensory depravation, or simply turning inward, away from the distractions of everyday life, in quiet contemplation.

Good luck, pilgrims all!

How can you have inner peace when the world is in turmoil.?

I do have inner peace when the world is in turmoil.

How can I have it?

I don't know. It is an inner experience.

Since I am not book knowledged like many here I may not quote the scripture properly.  Jesus teached something about removing the 'plank' from our own eyes first and then we will see clearly to remove the 'splinter' in our brother's eye.

This is how you can have Inner Peace while the world around you is in turmoil.

You must first look within yourself, and find that peace which surpasses all understanding and the turmoil of the outside world. Once you have found that unlimited peace within yourself, you will then be able to share that peace with a world in turmoil.  Once you have that unlimited inner peace, the turmoil of the world can not overwhelm you, allowing you to exist in it, but not be broken or crushed by the weight of it.

If I do not have first Inner Peace, how can I bring peace to a world in turmoil, I must first have peace within myself and my own spirit in order to bring peace to a world in turmoil.

Arminius shared ways to discover inner peace such as....  We can get there by centering prayer, meditation, contemplation, or any kind of meditative or contemplative excercise, or sensory depravation, or simply turning inward, away from the distractions of everyday life, in quiet contemplation.

(>-.-)> *Peace* ~ Beyond ~ *Peace* <(-.-<)

Steven A. Breeze

If there is to be peace in the world,
There must be peace in the nations.

If there is to be peace in the nations,
There must be peace in the cities.

If there is to be peace in the cities,
There must be peace between neighbors.

If there is to be peace between neighbors,
There must be peace in the home.

If there is to be peace in the home,
There must be peace in the heart.

Lao Tzu

These words predate Jesus by a good three or four centuries and are as good an answer to the problem of peace as any that I have found. Yes, it is hard to have peace in our hearts in a turbulent world, but how can we bring peace if we do have it to bring?

This hymn (a favorite from my UCCan days), also gets at the core of the message: peace must begin with each of us.

Mendalla

Oneness with God. The state of the world has nothing to do with it , for me. That shalom, for me, means that the world can be going to pieces and a person be ok (at one with themselves and God). It works that the world can be ok and the person going to pieces (not at one with themselves or God).

According to Maitreya: "Without sharing there can be no justice; without justice there can be no peace; without peace, there can be no future."


We have the road to peace within our means. "War is over, if we want it."

Honestly, it's hard for me. It's hard to feel at one with all the tragedy and pain people are going through- and feel at peace. That feels like just plain denial. Like, "I'm okay. Sucks to be you." kind of thinking. No. When the world's in turmoil, I feel for the people experiencing it, and I feel helpless to help in any significant way. I do what I can, but feel it's not enough. Like today, I was reading about the Philipines and feeling my stomach in knots shedding tears for the people there, while I sit on my couch feeling helpless. I work for a humanitarian organization that will be fundraising- but I don't know what else I can do without putting myself out on the street begging for a livelihood. I feel like everyday, every gathering with people should start with an acknowledgment that the world is going through serious trouble- before we go about our pleasant day- whether we are going to church or going to staff meeting, or going to a movie. Aknowledge how fortunate we are- and take on some of others' pain. Because we all need to shoulder some of the burden for people who can't speak and act for themselves, to help them through it- even if it is only shouldering it emotionally, through keeping them in our thoughts and making our actions throughout the day more intentionally helpful in the world. I don't feel peace of Christ though ignoring tragedy. I feel it when I am in the company of people who aknowledge it and want to help. The peace is found in future hope, sometimes not in present reality.

Kimmio,
For me, there is no "sucks to be you" OR an "I'm ok".
It is that I am gutted about the Phillipines, heartbroken that 95 years later -knowing what we came to know- we still go to war, fully aware that every man from the reserve I serve went to war for this country and were forbidden to wear traditional dress and their medals and still get the shaft in return, hurting badly that my friend is dying.... nope I am not ok and no "sucks to be you" about it. Simply for me I am at one with God. I know my brokenness has a home. I know my fear, anger, hurt... can be rested there. I can be rejuvenated, restored... hope can be resurrected no matter how many times it dies.
I am at peace inside my turmoil when God is beside me.

I'm getting there. I fell to pieces and had a total reassessment of my life purpose when the Japan crisis happened. I don't know why I noticed that more profoundly than tragedies past- but I had just lost my job, was up late several days in a row watching TV and it traumatized me as though I was there. Beginning over the last 2 years to feel okay and not let things paralyze me. Whatever will be will be. But that doesn't mean I stop hoping and trying.

The light of Christ's peace shines from within. It is ours to discover and bring to the world. If we all strive to bring Christ to the planet on which we live then there he shall be found.

A resounding "Amen" from me also.

(My definition of "Christ" may differ from Jae's, but this doesn't matter. The sentiment is the same. :-) 

Me too - especially the "bring to the world" part. IMO it's all about bringing compassion to as many places & situations we can.
That said, it's a life's work. Most of us hit a wall somewhere. That's the point. I also read that to be part of the body of Christ, you leave yourself open to risk. (I wouldn't put it that way either).

According to the scripture the Peace of Jesus is different than Peace in the world. How do you interpret this?

Well, the Peace of Christ is inner peace, the Peace in the World is outer peace.

In all times and in all ways peace of mind, nothing can separate us from God... not even death. That is not the peace of the world- the peace of ceasefires or even tranquil times...

The peace of this world is vain peace it is based on Military and economic power and can never last for long it is temporal-----Jesus gives us spiritual peace which because of what we know and understand from His word is everlasting peace even in trouble times we can have joy knowing that the Holy Spirit who can see all things can and will guide us in our trouble to a right outcome so peace remains through our faith and trust in God's promises to never leave us in time of trouble -----

Joy comes from what we know and trust in God's Word -----

Thank you all. Yes, I agree - compassion is key. None of us are perfectly compassionate of course, and yet I feel that's an ideal we should all strive for. It does take risk. Opening ourselves up to love and to be loved is an act of great tension and peril. Some have indeed died for the sake of love. Yet, it surely is a risk worth taking for if we dare not, hate rules the world bringing eventual ruin to all.

The peace of the world is, I believe, a superficial kind of peace
It simply entails nations, people groups, and individuals not fighting with one another. This is good, of course, but surely there is better. The peace of Christ, I would say, ushers in not just cessation of battle, but also compassion, love, understanding, and fellowship.

The peace of the world is enforced by armies. It always seems to be temporary and doesn't recognize the peace of all equally. The peace of Christ comes from really caring about the well being of others and spreading that peace around so that love is protection enough and armies are not necessary.

Yes. Well said Kimmio.

Worldly peace offers no true rest for the soul. It is indeed simply another form of bondage. It forces people to act in a certain way toward one another. The true peace that comes from the Christ is liberating and life-giving. It is a well-spring of the heart which, once embraced and acted on, allows us to freely and generously care for one another.

Yes. Well said Kimmio.

Worldly peace offers no true rest for the soul. It is indeed simply another form of bondage. It forces people to act in a certain way toward one another. The true peace that comes from the Christ is liberating and life-giving. It is a well-spring of the heart which, once embraced and acted on, allows us to freely and generously care for one another.

Just to be clear, this "Peace of Jesus" you're all talking about, that's the same "Jesus" who it's promised will come back and achieve peace by killing all his enemies, correct?

Hi chansen:

The "Peace of Christ" I am talking about is the peace of unity and synthesis. It is the peace that overcomes us when we become aware that all is one, and all are one, and that we are all in this together.

To me, the "Christ Spirit" is the spirit of unity and synthesis, of unitive awareness and consciousness. It is the spirit of non-dualistic thinking. If you don't like the words "Christ" or "Jesus," then you can always use other words that denote the same thing.

The names are not important, they are just metaphors for unitive awareness. The unitive awareness, and acting in the spirit of that awareness, this is what counts.

Does extensive light innundate the Shadow of unknowing?

We should know better, but alas we don't and where would "creation" put all the fallout from past errs of inflated passion?

Some say we must be immersed in errors to learn anything and thus the light is sparked ... and the iconic blast is felt round about ...

That would be one interpretation of future events.

More importantly I would say is that the Christ offers salvation to one and all in the here and now.

Or?

Saved from what?

I gotta go now and stoke some fires, some people appear to have cold fêtès ... po'eM Isis ole ... nothing there but darkness ... out of which some phuel said something could be made ... is this supernatural or just skill we weren't aware of in out vast limitations (mortalization) of icons?

Appears magi to sum mere striking of sparks in flint and irony to otheres. never ignore the other ... even if heh appears out-a-'ere ... he may just have giggled too excessively in the cho-Ire loft ...

Or what? I think you're asking me and I don't understand your question.

What if you don't accept that offer of salvation?

Salvation from being heartless, from being cruel, from living a self-centered life. Salvation from being less than one can truly be. Salvation from lack of generosity towards ones fellow human beings. Salvation from inexperienced unity with God.

You mean, "self-centred" as in telling people they should live according to your God's rules, and trying to influence legislation to force people to live they way you want them to? That level of self-centredness? That level of cruelty?

Here I am offering an opinion - If you don't discover and yield to the light of Christ within then you will never know the soul-peace which that light gives off. You will spend your days in great inner depravity. You will not truly be the warm, kind, good person God wants you to be.

That doesn't explain the myriads of Christian assholes at all.

Those can be self-centered acts. They can also come from unselfish caring for others. I think that every member of a society should have a voice in how that society should be run.

Right, but as an example, Christians often can't stop thinking about penises and what people who own them are doing with them. For some, it's an obsession, and they use the bible to back up their obsession. If they were kind, they would let people live their lives and not try to ruin lives. Christianity is kind on it's own terms. If you agree with Christianity, it's a kind religion. If you don't, Christians can be some of the worst jackasses on the face of the planet.

"Salvation from being heartless, from being cruel, from living a self-centered life. Salvation from being less than one can truly be. Salvation from lack of generosity towards ones fellow human beings. Salvation from inexperienced unity with God."

Explain to me again about religious shunning, heiros gammos, apochrypha and other secret keeping missions of the church elders? Whats in the Vatican coffers; cellars? Dan Brown's shadowy myths ...

Is there something missing to the intellectual side of modern christianity of "what'sin this for me?"

What happened to the: "teach my children thingy" ... and the expression; apocalyse now ... the uncovering of mysteries?

Na' they don't need to know that ... if they did the foundation of the profitable marketplace wouldn't grow ... if you deny something long enough do you believe the BS? What's that pew I smell ... po'?

Is such an odd perspective down 'ere? Fer goth's sake don't explain the confusion of word redaction carried out as fundamental in the church. Can common people chuck this back at you like BS instead of a stake? That'd be the upright in phi ... and des TIR is on ...

Should one be like a gorse in de castle, or just a Bush in the Capital? That created some chaos didn't it! Now consider a Har Pi in the foothills ... did you know thats a seal (silkie; that'Lass in the pond) in Erse and a phoqah in Classic Gael?

Yes its true, some Christians are very concerned with what everyone who has one is doing with their own penis. That doesn't seem to have been one of Jesus' main concerns however.

---

I believe that the peace of Christ will lead us to be kind, but also to value one another and so to strive toward healthy societies. I don't believe that Christ would see us just allow everyone to do whatever it is they want. Rather, I hold that there are four main evils which we are called together to fight - those being murder, assault, theft, and slavery. I feel that engaging in any of these acts is to fight against the peace of Christ.

I'll agree with the first three.

But if the purpose of Christianity is to engage against murder, assault, and theft, then you've lost your job to the police. Not to mention that people of no religion more than frown on those activities as well.

Really chansen? You're going to side with slavery?

It isn't just those who choose to identify themselves as Christians who I would like to see combat the evils of society, but rather everyone. I agree that people of no religion, and those of other religions, can also join in the opposition. I am not calling for vigilantism, however, but rather for peace-driven means such as demonstrations, protests, and the vote.

No, please read it again. I'm saying that, historically, slavery has often found a friend in Christianity, and the argument can still be made that the bible permits it.

So, what makes Christians and Christianity special?

Are we special? Who says so?

The argument can be made. I think it's a pretty weak argument based upon poor hermeneutics.

The people in the most advantageous place are those who have surrendered themselves to the spirit of the Christ. When I say this, I am not just speaking of their time or their possessions, but rather their very selves, their beings, their life-essences. Such individuals are born anew into a new way of living, a new way of being, filled with compassion and love. By giving themselves to the divine, they can then give themselves selflessly to the service of others.

I think I just threw up in my mouth a little bit.

Hermeneutic; that's a following right ... like chit, that bit after the emmission from the log as poorly understood? Apostolic delusion, that might be recovered in an abstract apocalyptic experience ... or any dummy that encouters Shadowy thoughts that runne contrary to mortal desires ... chitty  bang ... a bump inde night?

Can one tell an authority on everything (god) anything unknown? Why the stranger is isolated, shunned or in a state of mahaineim 'ere ... simply out of IT while only seeing his reflection as out of id. Of course he lost IT during an emotional goodness called a sin of passion that is more acceptable than alientruths ... mental runons? To see this one must take a medium stance like the medium of end aur ... NOS Hittites ... constitutional rigidity! Stand down when the thoughts are free'd ...

If you compare the Hebrew and Greek classic word to Christ's English ... it appears de Light lost the Classic Glow (hallal, לאלילאה) of the Golden Rule ... and thus books on lost Christianities' understanding in classic point of I Corinthians 13 that is often missed by those that believe they know god (everything) when like common intelligence they know near nothing like me! Is it difficult to understand when in an emotional rant ... McPherson get off'a meis heep ... as you can feel everything when bottom'd oude in a sad song ... just look around at what we call paradigm ... or those beyond digm or coin of any excess due to higher powers of avarice!

Nut'n explicitely indicates need of puð'n something there perhaps a "tar" as shadow of a'tar sis, Moorish L'asses ... all bent over and ouda breathes ... lack a Eyres ... that's Jane a' UR in phtttzzz? This due to the emotional powers (romantic) disposing of both Psyche and Sophy and thus wisdom lost ... and we don't know it! The tree of knowledge is not required ... i'sit? Zues'La ... or subtle implicits as inside myth ... many har tacks say there is no depth to parable/myth/whatever!

Our faith in God.

Faith in God is in no way unique  or special to Christianity. Even if you restrict "God" to the Abrahamic deity, you have Judaism and Islam having faith in God. It is your faith in Christ, in the notion of God or God's Word (depending on your theology) being incarnate in Jesus, that sets Christianity apart.

Mendalla