In search of Peace

Thomas Merton writes of Gandhi that "the spirit of non-violence sprang from an inner realization of spiritual unity in himself. The whole Gandhian concept of non-violent action and satyagraha [literally, truth force] is incomprehensible if it is thought to be a means of achieving unity rather than as the fruit of inner unity already achieved."

Gandhi believed the core of his--and our--being is union with God. From this awareness, nonviolence must flow naturally and consistently. In his words:

Non-violence is not a garment to be put on and off at will. Its seat is in the heart, and it must be an inseparable part of our very being.

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If God is love

(and I believe Sacred is all love)

and if God dwells within each Sacred Child

and if we live out

that Sacred Presence

we should be people of love

indeed if we have achieved some degree of spiritual unity

with the Sacred we carry

then we cannot help but be people of love

love will flow from us

naturally

for love will be what we are

this day

surrounded by fear and anger

hearing the voices of those who say

the only way to answer anger is with anger

hate with hate

guns with more guns

only the presence of God within

saves us

and enables us to have love

be love

it is a staggering task

to seek to be people of love in a world of

hate and violence

But we have sacred presence

and we can live differently

we start by finding that love

at our core

and we put on the clothing of love

we start

with God, finding loving unity

and then we move to ourselves

and then we live love with those nearest to our heart

and then perhaps

we can live love toward that person at work

that person on the street

that person whose very way of being

violates our comfort zone

this is not for the faint of heart

it is for people with hearts

united

with God