TOWARDS GLOBAL PEACE
We often talk of peace in the context of war. But this is a very narrow and restricted notion of peace. Peace is deeply linked with the entirety of human life. Peace is a complete ideology in itself. Peace is the only religion for both—man and the universe. It is the master-key that opens the doors to every success. Peace creates a favourable atmosphere for success in every endeavour. Without peace, no positive action—small or big—is possible.
PEACE—A POSITIVE BEHAVIOUR
PEACE is a product of a positive mental attitude, while violence is the result of negative thinking. Peace is the natural state of society; violence is an unnatural state. Peace is as much in accordance with nature’s plan as violence is against it. When peaceful conditions prevail in a society, activities take place in their proper form. But if the atmosphere of peace is disturbed, the normal functioning of society is disrupted.
This law applies to man as well as to the whole universe. According to the scheme of nature, peace is the only secret for smooth functioning in human society as well as in the rest of the universe. Peace, therefore, is such a basic requirement of man that it is crucial to maintain it in all situations. Without peace there can be neither development nor progress. No excuse whatsoever justifies the use of violence in individual or national life. Regardless of how unfavourable circumstances might be, an environment of peace is indispensable. We must maintain peace unilaterally, for nothing that we desire can be achieved without it. If we fail to establish peace, we must face destruction in every field of life. The option for us is not between peace and no peace, but, rather, between peace and annihilation. Without peace, there is no hope for the survival of humankind.
What disturbs the peaceful plan of nature is mainly traceable to the fact that people have become excessively materialistic. It is this thinking that leads to the exploitation of nature, resulting in the disturbance of nature’s peaceful plan. If people opted for a path of moderation, they would soon discover that, if earlier they were comfortable physically, now they are comfortable spiritually. And without doubt, spiritual comfort is far better than material comfort.
The perpetrator of violence—be he a Hitler or a common man—invariably suffers from remorse, while the peacemaker derives great satisfaction from his efforts. If one were to think of the end result one would never indulge in violence. One should bear in mind that peace is in consonance with humanity, whereas violence means descent to the animal level.
The perpetrator of violence invariably suffers from remorse, while the peacemaker derives great satisfaction from his efforts. If one were to think of the end result, one would never indulge in violence.
Peaceful revolution is the outcome of peaceful thinking. Peaceful minds make for a peaceful world. Man is born in peace. Man must die in peace. Peace—man’s birthright—is God’s greatest blessing for human beings.
Peace is the only religion for both man and the universe. In a peaceful environment all good things are possible, whereas in the absence of peace, we cannot achieve anything of a positive nature, either as individuals or as a community, at a national level or at the international level.