There was a master Monk who asked his pupil to paint him a picture of peace. Eager to please, the young student hurried off to create his masterpiece. After some careful thought, he soon returned with a magnificent painting.

It was of a glimmering lake reflecting the majestic mountains. The skies were clear blue. The sun was shining and the birds were singing.

The master takes one quick look and hands it back. “This is beautiful however it is not true peace.”

Determined, the student reflected and allowed the answer to come. Finally the pupil returned to his Master with a new picture.

This time he had painted a crazy harsh waterfall. Wind was blowing in one direction. Rain was blowing the other. Rocks and boulders were flying around.

In the middle of it all was a single tree bush. In this little bush was a nest. In this nest was a Mother bird feeding her baby chick as any other day.

The Master nodded and smile. “Yes, if you can find peace in the chaos, you truly understand peace.”

This is a story that I tell often to my clients. Inspired by the Zen Koans from 101 Ken Stories, I use this anecdote to express the notion Peace in the Chaos.

The Message

There are many messages hidden throughout this story. Beauty/Peace is subjective. Hurried Action vs. Reflective Action.

The intended message is the establishment of peace in the chaotic nature of our lives. Inner peace is not an easy thing to achieve. Many strive for it. But the obstacles of life and our own self nature prevent this.

However, I find it possible when I keep it simple. I have many fears that allow me to become lost in my own thoughts. So for me to succeed, I must keep it simple.

In my work with addicts to corporate executives, there is a natural pattern that most people take in creating a life of peace and happiness. Each step allows us to become stronger and resistant to forms of stress, anxiety, fear or darkness.

Step 1: Understand Peace and Feel at Peace

Remove yourself from the chaos of life so that you can focus. Learn what it takes to feel at peace. Get away in mind, spirit, and/or body. Go to locations like parks, shrines, temples, and toy stores. Read books. Seek guidance and therapy. Reflect. To live a daily life of peace you must allow yourself to start with simply one second.

For at least one second of your day allow yourself to feel at peace. To do so, you must clear your mind and be in the present moment. You must work on your underlying issues to become aware of your self detrimental ways.

This can be a long journey. Many of us have demons that we are too afraid to face. At some point, we must confront our fears if we want to allow inner peace to come to our lives. Be mindful of your angst and nerves, while changing them into smiles and opportunities.

Do things that feed your spirit. What makes you truly smile? What lightens your heart and makes you feel at ease? Know your body. Know how it feels to be at peace. Know how it feels to feel other emotions and manifestations.

Try different techniques and tools. Do what is best for you. Do what works. Many use mental imagery, breathing techniques, exercise, nature, music, art and other such venues to feel and practice peace.

Step 2: Bring Peace into the Chaos

Now that you understand and have practiced living in daily peace, you must find ways to be peaceful in chaotic environments. For each person this is different. The environment, the people, the triggers, and all such affects us in different ways.

Your chaos can be identified when your emotions start to rise. Are you suddenly anxious, angry or giddy? Are you no longer thinking clear and reacting versus being mindful?

For some it could be the next door neighbor’s yapping dog that never stops. For others it could be an overbearing critical parent. Chaos is chaos. We each define our own.

So we must take the peace we have learned and practice it in these chaotic situations. Bring peace into the Chaos. In this stage, we are familiar our bodies. So we must reproduce them in our fluctuating environments.

In this stage, you will learn to sit in the angst of fear and insecurity without being affected. You will hold your power and remain focused on mindfulness and breathing.

You will allow your external world to swirl around you as you keep a clear energy.

Step 3: Create Peace in the Chaos

The real challenge and game is to create Peace wherever you go. As you learn to master techniques to maintain your inner peace, you will have greater body and energy awareness.  You will find that your energy affects others around you.

We all have the ability to influence others in our lives. With our energy of inner peace, we can calm our environments. This stage needs a self aware, self reflective, and spiritually powerful hero. Good thing we all are capable of such heroic powers.

We will see our own fears and not assume each other’s. We will be mindful and act in peaceful manners. We will allow the simple truth to arise rather than chase it in insecurity.

As with anything it starts with one. Find one other person to practice living with inner peace.  This could be your best friend or a random stranger you will never meet again.
In time as you start to understand how to create peace, you can move on to helping three, ten, or even millions a day.

But this will not work, if you have not loved yourself and worked on discovering your own inner peace. Your intentions must be clear and pure. Unconditional love is a language that all humans understand.

Start with simple smiles and eye contact. Hugs and other expressions of love quickly calm the spirit if appropriate.

The Cause

We have the ability to create change by connecting rather than controlling. By connecting with each other, we can either create peace and happiness or fear and angst.

If each one of us takes the time to reflect and process our emotions and feelings, humanity will have greater prosperity. We are too quick to react and we manifest our fears in many different ways.

One person finding inner peace will attract others to do the same. This law of attraction will better the world. All it takes is one person to change the world.

Will that be you?

What is your Chaos and how do you find Peace in it?