I was explaining to a friend that peace and joy are something that I already possess. All humans do, it’s nothing that anyone needs to go out and search for anywhere else.
The inner states of peace and joy are directly connected to my ability to be kind, loving, and of service to others.
“When I am those things, I notice that peace and joy emanate from a well inside me, from inside my heart. The more love that I express to others, the more peace and joy I experience, the two are directly connected.
I am the one who covers the well so that I cannot experience peace and joy. I cover it up by casting judgments and blame towards others, while holding onto resentments and regrets.
If I pay attention, I’ll notice that the bitter experience of anger and resentment are actually felt in my brain, while peace, love, and joy are felt in my chest.
I can not possess peace and joy while my hands are full, holding onto resentments and regrets. I have to make a conscious decision about which I hang onto.
I have to decide which I want to hang onto, and which to let go of.
So if I’m not experiencing peace, internally, whose fault is that? Remember, he who blames his problems on others extends his own suffering. Only when I choose to take responsibility for my own life experience can I effect any sort of change in it.”
