Peace and Freedom

Al l beings seek peace and freedom.
Students have come to me in internal conflict, in a state of disharmony and suffering. They are in opposition with themselves and their experience. They invariably believe that their unrest is a result of their personal circumstances.  They try to manipulate, control and otherwise alter their external experience believing that peace lies in the resolution of dissent.  Peace is not reliant upon agreement.  Otherwise it would be a temporary phenomenon dependent upon ones ability to negotiate conditions. The beauty of conflict is that it generates the longing for peace.
Generally speaking people contrive “peace” as the equivalent of having their personal desires fulfilled. This will not grant peace because the nature of  desire is insatiability.  Peace is the absence of desire.  Peace is the unequivocal acceptance of things as they are.  Peace is a choice. 
Peace as an enduring condition arises spontaneously and naturally when the mind is still.  When you no longer object or resist what arises in the field of your experience.  When you enter into a state of non-resistance you immediately feel a spaciousness and freedom.  Ironically whenever you try to control your experience you lessen your personal freedom.  You limit your choices.  Acceptance creates possibility.  You can’t fully engage in life unless your willing to surrender the illusion and dysfunction of control.
Do you truly know which of your experiences are of redeeming value and which are not?   Has anything ever happened against your will that proved to be grace?   Has any disappointing moment led to a greater opportunity?  Salvation often comes in the form of tragedy.  There have been times in my life when I have fallen headlong into suffering that scraped the flesh from my bones only to find that my descent into pain and darkness was my deliverance.  I have learned not to judge what appears at my feet or knocks at my door. What appears initially as misfortune is often the gift I have prayed most devoutly for.  
I have learned throughout my life that where ever I proceed with judgement I am humbled.  Whenever I resist my experience I create suffering.  When I desire things to be other then they are I miss the grace inherent in the moment.  I have found that peace is the natural state of the mind.  As I return breath by breath to the vulnerability of my mortal self I feel compassion well within my heart.  Peace in the end is love.
santidevi