How Hard is it to Find Inner Peace?

Peace and balance are often perceived as an unattainable dream-like state or a divine connection that only a few can obtain. People think that they have to retire to the mountains and meditate for years to achieve peace. On the contrary, anyone can be at peace just by being organized and making a few changes in their lifestyle. It’s a constant practice that guides your way of life and teaches you to be more calm, composed, and content with each passing day.

The path to peace (or should we say Inner Peace?) does implicate deep philosophies. But don’t confuse it with transforming yourself into a holy soul who walks around in saffron robes. It’s about finding inner happiness. Inner peace can be as simple as resting under the shade of a tree, or enjoying a simple moment, or it can be as hard as trying to prove yourselves to others throughout your life.

The Relevance of Inner Peace in Modern Times

Despite being an integral part of spiritual philosophies, inner peace and tranquility remain relevant in the modern context as well. Our lives have become too chaotic. We suppress our feelings due to peer pressure. We don’t speak our minds, and we often try to please others; a common behavior we exhibit at work and home. We make ‘friends’ we don’t like and often do not value people who truly deserve our time and attention.

Let me ask you this: When was the last time when you had a good dinner with all your family members and enjoyed the beauty of simple conversations?
You know the answer to that question.

We’ve made our lives too complicated and forgotten to enjoy little things in life, and that is definitely hampering our pursuit of peace. And though you may have different approaches in getting to your happy space, there are a few fundamental practices that govern the whole idea of finding inner peace.

Master the Art of Acceptance

Your path to inner peace goes through acceptance. You’ll have to learn to acknowledge things both from internal and external standpoints.
A classic example of such an issue is ‘differences in opinions,’ which most of us take quite seriously. We begin disliking that person or end up completely ignoring them. The same thing happens when we are criticized regarding our work or personality. While some of it might be positive, given by our well-wishers (mentors, friends, family members), the majority of criticism we receive is neither constructive nor well-meaning. Over time, we learn to suppress our emotions, and when we fail, it leads to an outburst.

Such reactions and their outcomes can be quite toxic for our soul and our well-being. You have to understand that challenges will always be there, and life will throw up surprises every now and then. Acknowledge their existence, accept their inevitability, and deal with these situations without getting emotional or worked up. Similarly, accept the people around you for who they are and remain unaffected by their opinions. It won’t be easy, but with proper training, it’s possible.

Learn to Let Go

Things that have happened in the past often deeply impact our soul. Detaching from a relationship or dealing with the loss of a loved one is not easy, and most of us find it hard to cope with such incidents. Strangely enough, pain often brings comfort to people who’ve gone through emotional and physical suffering. Such individuals often identify with these emotions, and it becomes even harder for them to let go of their past.
Now, many will say, ‘How can we let go of the things that’ve been a part of our lives for so long?’
My answer to that question is, “It’s not doing you any good. Living in the past will only prevent you from enjoying your present and future.”
The past is immutable. There’s no changing it. This means you’re left with only two choices: You can either accept it and move on or you live in the past and keep suffering. Letting it go helps you look forward, clearing your mind to cope with life and the more important events that are yet to come.

As I earlier said, inner peace is not an achievement; it’s a practice. You have to practice inner peace every day in each of your actions and emotions. Be strong, do not let unimportant people and emotions affect you, and keep yourself away from negativity. Slowly and steadily, you’ll find yourself inching closer to your pursuit of peace and happiness. Cheers to Life!