The Dalai Lama is not the only spiritual leader or wise person who tells us to not let the behavior of others destroy our inner peace. Our parents, if they were aware enough, told us the same thing, and our best friends are there when we need them, to remind us to protect our inner peace.
More Than Peace
In fact, I believe that what we want to protect is not only our peace but also our joy, kindness, love, compassion, innocence, generosity, creativity, sensitivity, intuition, capacity to dream, humor and sense of purpose, our intelligence and everything else that makes us beautiful and alive. It seems to me that what every sensible person tells us to do is not let the behavior of others destroy our soul.
One Important Detail
But the devil is in the details, as they say. I note that the Dalai Lama says “the behavior of others” and not “others”. He points to behaviors, not people. While acknowledging the damaging effects of certain actions, he does not encourage distancing ourselves from each other. What we need to protect ourselves from is behaviors, not people. Whose mother was wise enough to make that distinction, and not slam the door on unwanted pals? Which friends do not gang up with us against people who don’t behave the way we want them to?
Is It Possible?
Knowing that it is about protecting one’s soul from damaging behaviors and not about separation from people, what I discern in the Dalai Lama’s advice is encouragement. The wise ones tell us that we can keep our peace despite anything. But looking at the huge challenges our generation faces, at the waves of destruction, aggression, disease, poverty, and all the behaviors that are driving it all, I want to ask the wise ones: Are… you… sure?
Is it possible to keep your peace despite it all? The Dalai Lama has his own experience of suffering and so do most of the wise people who advise us. They do not speak from ivory towers. They tell us it is possible, and also desirable. Why?
Why Protect Peace
Why it is possible and also desirable to protect our peace and all that makes our soul alive is, to me, because that is what creates a world worth living in. Unless we protect what is beautiful and true in ourselves and each other, we will lose everything that is of real value.
Next time someone behaves badly, I will remember to protect everyone’s peace and dignity, instead of reacting with anger and contempt. Also, instead of cutting off a person for what they did to me or others, I will try to help rekindle their soul. I don’t believe that peace or any other quality of soul can be truly destroyed. It can be hidden, forgotten, or numbed, but it is always there.
Find Out More
To find out more about regaining and maintaining your peace and highest inner qualities, check out my book Healing Is Child’s Play- How to Regain Your Innocent Mind and Easily Heal Anything.