Peace gets compromised when war wages. People, families, and nations have fought bitterly at the cost of a peaceful co-existence. But war is not just a phenomenon that we see out there in society. There is an ongoing waging war that each one of us is part of that keeps us away from lasting peace – the war within.

We need to recognise that if we don’t address the conflicts within, they may well manifest as conflicts we start having with people around us. External wars are often rooted in the battles we are losing within.

We battle temptation when our better sense tells us otherwise. Sometimes we find ourselves in control and sometimes we give in. The war keeps waging.

Laziness gets the better of us even when we know our time in this world is limited and every moment needs to be special. Sometimes we give our best and find ourselves in the dynamic zone, and sometimes inertia and dullness get the better of us. The war keeps waging.

We find ourselves conflicted when what we know to be right is at odds with a very close relationship we carry. Sometimes we find the courage to assert ourselves and stand on principle, and sometimes we compromise our values for the sake of a relationship. The war keeps waging.

Acquiring more and more starts bordering on greed and self-centredness. Our higher nature of compassion, empathy, and care often gets suppressed and we struggle to find our balance. Sometimes we put the higher purpose and live with a win-win paradigm, and sometimes we lose perspective and become aggressive, unreasonable, and greedy. The war keeps waging.

We often lose our ability to bring our knowledge to guide us and find ourselves invaded by our emotions. Sometimes we find ourselves steadfast in knowledge, feeling strong and confident in managing things, and sometimes we are swept by fear, anger, and attachment. The war keeps waging.

Life is constantly testing us with challenges and opportunities. Twists and turns of fate test our preparedness for the unforeseen and unpredictable. And through all our experience, when we deeply reflect, we will realise that what we are striving for is peace and happiness. From experience, we know that peace begins when war ends. And we will only find that everlasting peace in our lives when we win the war that wages within.

Today, I am reminded of my favourite quote by Confucius:

“If there is righteousness in the heart, there will be beauty in the character.
If there is beauty in the character, there will be harmony in the home.
If there is harmony in the home, there will be order in the nations.
When there is order in the nations, there will be peace in the world.”

(Picture-Basilique du Sacré-Coeur, Paris)