Our inner lives (spirit) are not always in harmony with our outer lives. If our inner life/outer life remains in discord, so too will our world.We believe we are human beings experiencing the reality of living, yet we are spiritual beings caught in the illusion of our individualism and separation from our Oneness with each other and God. The realms of the inner world, that is our spirituality, have the power to awaken us to our true nature.
But once awakened, we can see the illusion for what it is; we can focus on what truly matters. We can love without fear. We can see that this life is not a zero-sum game in which we must fight for our share. It is a celebration of Divine Love and there is always enough.
“How aware are we of our own inner life, our spirituality-something so intangible yet so priceless? How much effort do we make to perceive that which is not obvious, which can neither be seen nor heard? I believe the exploration and enrichment of the human spirit is what determines our very humanity. Such enrichment provides an inner compass that can lead civilizations to greatness.”
― Daisaku Ikeda Buddhist philosopher, author, educator, poet“Instead of hating the people you think are war-makers, hate the appetites and disorder in your own soul, which are the causes of war. If you love peace, then hate injustice, hate tyranny, hate greed – but hate these things in yourself, not in another.”
― Thomas Merton (1915-1968) Trappist Monk at Our Lady of Gethsemani Abbey, Kentucky,
Our ability to suspend judgment, to be one with our fellow human beings, and to feel peace is being sorely tested by outside events in these days of prayer. Yet we continue to pray the Novena for Peace for to do otherwise is giving up on the miracle we can create.