Some of us have had the good fortune of meeting up with highly accomplished spiritual masters who are always serene and happy. Most time, we can also find one or two ordinary-looking people among our midst who always seem to glow with peace and serenity. These are usually people who have lived a simple life based on universal spiritual values of love and compassion.
They all have something in common – symptoms of inner peace. Below are some of these symptoms (as listed by Saskia Davis).
Symptoms of Inner Peace
1. Tendency to think and act spontaneously rather than from fears based on past experiences.
2. An unmistakable ability to enjoy each moment.
3. Loss of interest in judging self.
4. Loss of interest in judging other people.
5. Loss of interest in conflicts.
6. Loss of interest in interpreting actions of others.
7. Loss of ability to worry (this is a very serious symptom).
8. Frequent, overwhelming episodes of appreciation.
9. Contented feelings of connectedness with others and nature.
10. Frequent attacks of smiling through the eyes of the heart.
11. Increasing susceptibility to love extended by others as well as the uncontrollable urge to extend it.
12. Increasing tendency to let things happen rather than to make them happen.
To the lay people, some of these symptoms may even seem alarming, but when one takes a deeper look at them, one will eventually see the wisdom arising from them.
How to Stay Well (or Get Better, If You’re Not So Well To Begin With)
If these symptoms appeal to you, here are what you can do to achieve your own inner peace.
1. Do things that bring you a sense of fulfillment, joy and purpose, that validate your worth as a human being. See your life as your own creation, and strive to make it a positive one.
2. Pay close and loving attention to yourself, tuning in to your needs on all levels. Take care of yourself, nourishing, supporting, and encouraging yourself.
3. Release all negative emotions – resentment, envy, fear, sadness, anger. Express your feelings appropriately; don’t hold on to them. Forgive yourself. Forgive others too.
4. Hold positive images and goals in your mind, pictures of what you truly want in your life. When fearful images arise, re-focus on images that evoke feelings of peace and joy.
5. Love yourself, and love everyone else. Make loving the purpose and primary expression in your life.
6. Create love, loving, honest relationships, allowing for the expression and fulfillment of needs for intimacy and security. Try to heal any wounds in past relationships, as with old lovers, mother, father and siblings.
7. Make a positive contribution to your community, through some form of work or service that you value and enjoy.
8. Make a commitment to health and well-being, and develop a healing programme, drawing on the support and advice of experts without becoming enslaved to them.
9. Accept yourself and everything in your life as an opportunity for growth and learning. Be grateful. When you mess up your life, forgive yourself, learn what you can from the experience, and then move on.
10. Keep a sense of humour.