We must first create peace in ourselves if we desire to see peace in the world; for lacking peace within, no effort of ours can bring any result.
Hazrat Pir-o-Murshid Inayat Khan
Related Material by Pir-o-Murshid Inayat Khan
Compiled by Wahiduddin Richard Shelquist – wahiduddin.net
Our spirit is the real part of us. The body is but a garment. There is absolute peace in the abode from whence the spirit came, and the true happiness of the soul lies in that peace. As one would not find peace at the tailor’s just because one’s coat came from there, so the spirit cannot get true happiness from the earth just because the body belongs to the earth. The soul experiences life through the mind and body and enjoys it, but its true happiness lies in peace.
In order to gain this peace we have to begin with ourselves. There are fights going on within us between spirit and matter. Struggles for our daily bread, and want of peace in our surroundings. We must first get this peace within ourselves before we can talk of peace in the world. Then we must be at peace with our surroundings, and never do or say anything that disturbs that peace. All thoughts, words, and actions that disturb the peace are sin, and all thoughts words, and actions that create peace are virtue.
What keeps happiness out of one’s life is the closing of the doors of the heart, and when the heart is not living, then there is no happiness there. Sometimes the heart is not fully alive but only partly. At the same time it expects life from the other heart. But the real life of the heart is to live independently in its own happiness and that is gained by spiritual attainment, by digging deep into one’s own heart.
Those who have found their peace within themselves may be in a cave of the mountain or among the crowd, yet in every place they will experience peace. What generally happens is that in order to get peace we blame the other person who jars upon our nerves. But in reality the true peace can come only by being so firm against all influences around us that nothing can disturb us.
( from the Sufi Message Series, Volume VI – The Alchemy of Happiness, Chapter II: The Aim of Life )
It is natural to experience peace, but [ our ] life in the world is not natural. Animals and birds all experience peace, but not humankind, for we are the robber of our own peace. We have made our lives so artificial that we can never imagine how far we are removed from what may be called a normal, natural life for us to live. It is for this reason that we need the art of discovering peace within us; we shall not experience peace by improving outside conditions. Humans have always longed for peace and have always brought about wars. At the same time individuals say they are seeking for peace. Then where does war come from? It comes because the meaning of peace has not been fully understood. Humans live in a continual turmoil, in a restless condition, and in order to seek for peace they seek war; if this goes on we shall not have peace till all individuals begin to seek peace within themselves first. What is peace? Peace is the natural condition of the soul.
( from the Sufi Message Series, Volume VI – The Alchemy of Happiness, Chapter III: The Purpose of Life (1) )
O peace-maker, before trying to make peace throughout the world, first make peace within thyself!
( from The Sayings of Pir-o-Murshid Inayat Khan: Alapas (God speaking to humanity) )
Commentary by Murshid S.A.M. (Sufi Ahmed Murad)
Samuel L. Lewis
One may begin with the simplest processes of body — how to keep the body well, fit, and strong. In this one can learn the law of harmony and the laws of breath. These same laws will enable one to understand and utilize the mind; they will also enable one to understand and harmonize with the minds and hearts of others. It is the combination of law, which is universal, and the awakening of Love, which distinguishes no self, that brings peace to the individual, the group, or the cosmos.