Practicing Peace

"War and peace begin in the hearts of individuals," declares Pema Chodron in her inspiring and accessible new book, which draws on Buddhist teachings to explore the origins of aggression and war.

When you breathe in all the grace available to you and release everything that is outside of your control, you'll discover peace that surpasses your circumstances. All it takes is practice. If you feel overwhelmed with anxiety about the future, you're far from alone. For many of us, when we're not worrying about what is to come, we find ourselves wrestling with things from the past. Where does that leave us today? Morgan Harper Nichols has learned the answer to this question. She has examined stories from her own life and the lives of people around the world and noticed a common thread: we all long for peace. We're all seeking light and life. But these things don't happen passively. Peace Is a Practice invites you to become a peacemaker in your own life, starting right where you are, and in some of the most unexpected places. As these words and images inspire you to take daily steps toward peace, you'll uncover the key to: Embracing the beauty of the present Letting go of regret of the past and fear of the future Developing a path toward meaning and authenticity Approaching life's challenges with faith and a calm confidence Feeling peace even in the midst of uncertainty or difficult times In every moment, there is something as deep and boundless as a winding river waiting to be found--a true peace that flows, beckoning you to rest . . . and be still.

From the bestselling author Whitmire comes this guide to the Quaker discipline of practicing peace. Stories of successful nonviolent movements throughout history are partnered with quotes mined from over 350 years of Quaker teachings on peace.

"This chapter introduces the comparative regional study of conflictual peace in Southeast Asia and South America over five sections. First, it surveys trends in interstate peace and conflict in both Southeast Asia and South America in order to illustrate the puzzle at the heart of this book: the long, but conflictual peace of each region. The second section explores existing accounts of this reality, highlighting the role of state power, regional organizations, and norms and in culture in shaping regional relations"--

This book is about the practice of peace in daily life. We talk about the importance of peace but often struggle to embody it. Someone annoys us and suddenly we are embroiled in a vortex of conflict. We may ask ourselves, “How can we live with greater integrity? How can we make a positive difference in the world without diminishing others or ourselves?” The author proposes that practicing peace is not something that we do by heroic effort. Christ, by pure grace, breaks through to us when we least expect it. Christ is both received and hosted in an open space of God’s creation. This book invites readers on a journey which interweaves theology, contemplation, and action in intensely practical ways. Containing numerous anecdotes and thought-provoking questions, the book will be a useful resource for church study groups and leadership programs. As we explore this embodied spirituality, we may discover that the Christlike God’s restorative love is transforming us into a people of peace.

Inspiring teachings on what each of us can do to promote peace from the inside out. Can there be hope for a peaceful future in times like these? How can we overcome our sense of helplessness when problems seem so big and tensions so strong? Pema Chödrön here shows us how to look deeply at the underlying causes of these tensions and how we really can create a more peaceful world—by starting right where we are and learning to see the seeds of hostility in our hearts. She draws on Buddhist teachings to explore the origins of anger, aggression, hatred, and war, and offers practical techniques all of us can use to work for genuine, lasting peace in our own lives and in whatever circumstances we find ourselves.

National bestselling author, Thich Nhat Hanh is the world's foremost Zen Buddhist teacher and one of the world's three great spiritual leaders.