August 18th, 2009
Article from SoulFULLY Living issue 102
Inner peace is an essential ingredient for health and well-being, thriving relationships, happiness, success, enlightenment and more. So, why don’t more people have it?...Great question!
There are 11 roadblocks most people bump up against that limits inner peace in their lives. Do you see yourself in any of these?
1. Underlying Angst. Within virtually every human being is an underlying angst. It’s a nervous energy, that’s not necessarily tied to stress, although that certainly amplifies the uneasy feeling. Do you know what I mean? As a baby, you are born into inner peace, but at an early age the developing ego pulls you away from your natural state of inner peace. Additional conditioning from parents, teachers, friends, television and media feed insecurities. Feeling that you're "not good enough" or unworthy, fear of not being loved and even basic survival instincts all feed the underlying angst. How much underlying angst do you experience?
2. Distractions. Since we can't pretend underlying angst isn't there, it drives our behaviors unconsciously. Do you distract yourself by overworking, watching TV or medicating yourself with food, smoking, alcohol or (yikes!) drugs? Do you keep yourself nearly non-stop busy with hobbies, organizing, exercising or mundane conversations with friends and family? There are countless ways to distract ourselves, squeezing out time to expand one’s inner peace.
3. Thinking Success or Goal Achievement Brings Inner Peace. Some believe if they achieve a certain amount of success, find their ideal relationship, lose 25 pounds or finally de-clutter their home – that THEN, they’ll find inner peace. True, these elements can positively contribute to one’s quality of life. But, ask anyone who has achieved these goals…it doesn’t necessarily give you inner peace.
4. Fear of Reflection. Many people are simply afraid to stop and reflect about their lives. The quiet and stillness threaten their current state of being, thus they fill their lives with noise – music, television, radio or non-stop conversation. Perhaps some are afraid of what they’d find? Or are afraid they would remain helpless and unable to change?
5. Disconnecting From Power. There are lots of ways to "unplug" from your sense of power and choice. It's a lot like unplugging an electrical cord from the wall socket. Without power, it’s easy to feel like a victim, blame others, stay confused or react unconsciously. You disconnect from your power anytime you minimize yourself, neglect self-care, get caught in negative self talk, attach to stressful thoughts or forget you're at choice. Without "power" it's difficult to access your inner guidance, take inspired action or experience inner peace.
6. Living Unconsciously. Our brains are set up to allow us to navigate the world without being consciously engaged in every moment. Living unconsciously interferes with our ability to transcend dysfunctional habits, make higher choices and enjoy inner peace.
7. "Thinking" That Fights Reality. Our thinking fights reality anytime we think something "should" or "shouldn't" be happening, but it is. We fight reality when we fixate on a past we cannot change, or a reality that hasn’t happened yet in the future. Spending time in the past or future or arguing with "what is" happening now, is a sure path to inner turmoil. It occupies precious time that could be allowing greater inner peace to enter our lives. How many thoughts in your mind are arguing with reality in some way?
8. Lack of tools and knowledge about inner peace. There is little to no training in school or college to help you expand inner peace in your lives. At least there wasn't any in all the traditional schools I attended. How do you transcend the programming of the brain and unlearn the affects of the ego? Most people don’t seek out the tools and knowledge to have greater inner peace in their lives.
9. Missing pieces of the puzzle. Even though there is more information available today to help you expand inner peace in your life, almost every teaching only focuses on ONE facet. Without focus on ALL the elements of inner peace, it's no wonder most people don’t have it.
10. People aren't focusing on it. You receive in life, what you focus on. Take one look at the news, eavesdrop on family dinner conversations or ask 100 strangers or friends – you’ll quickly discover, most people simply aren’t focusing on inner peace. How can inner peace expand if you aren’t paying attention to it?
11. People believe stress is just a "natural" part of life. There are times when stress is a useful emotion. But, it has become such a predominant part of our everyday lives. For some people, they are nervous when they don’t have "stress."
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