Macrocosm and microcosm in perfect harmony

Peace Times 11

The balanced relationship between the inner universe and the surrounding reality of serenity. The practice of virtue and the
way of acceptance

By their very nature, people everywhere tend to live in two worlds: the inner and the outer. When these two worlds are in harmony with each other, then people experience joy, serenity and peace, but when they are in conflict people live in frustration, tribulation and turmoil. When peace is absent from our heart, all problems we encounter, no matter how small, weigh so heavily that we may find ourselves in rebellion against anything that annoys us even remotely.

The inner world is found deep within ourselves. It consists of our feelings and emotions, along with our views of reality, truthfulness, moral goodness and beauty. This constitutes our individual philosophy whose understanding will give us all the wisdom we need to live harmoniously with the outer world. When we appreciate people to the point of liking them and loving them, it is because we notice in them the richness of their inner world. Such a richness is expressed through the practice of virtue which includes kindness, understanding, cooperation, meekness, patience and fortitude among others. Of course, our inner world may be infested with vices which may include arrogance, sarcasm, indifference towards the needs of others and every kind of negative attitude one may imagine. Our personality, which we cannot hide, tends to reflect our inner world.

Needless to say, people also live in the outer world which is often a great challenge to the inner world. This outer world consists of the physical environment which surrounds us but also of the social sphere as well. For people to live, they must meet the basic necessities of life, which include food and water. When such elements are good and nourishing, people tend to be healthy and more pleasant. On the other hand, when such elements are polluted with toxic wastes for example, people tend to become sick and more irritable.

Our outer world also consists of the kind of community in which we live: it may be a diversified community where people have different backgrounds, cultures, religions, education and philosophy. Under the circumstances, we have the choice to adapt or not to this social reality. Should we choose to adapt, then we find ourselves psychologically disposed to accept people the way they are. Should we choose not to adapt, then we begin to figure out ways to «convert» people. The first route leads to respect, harmony and peace, while the second route may likely lead to conflict and tension.

What is it that God does which should urge us to imitate Him? He accepts all people the way they are... the Buddhists as Buddhists, the Hindus as Hindus, the Christians as Christians. He views all people as «his children» regardless of whether they accept him or not. He loves all without exception.

People everywhere live constantly in two worlds, the inner and outer. Our primary task is to find a way to bridge these worlds in order to live at peace with ourselves and with others on a permanent basis.

Charles Mercieca - President of the International Association of Educators for World Peace (IAEWP)