Peace on Earth? Why, yes

Seventy-two percent of Press readers online say it's impossible: Peace on Earth will never happen.

I say humbug.

First, let's define peace. If we elevate the word to utopian perfection, seamless harmony and ever-present bliss, then it's true; that's just not real life. If we define peace as the absence of violence, as at minimum acting without intent to harm each other despite differences, then why not? Maybe not in your lifetime or mine, maybe not in our grandchildren's. But in their grandchildren's world, I can see it, in baby steps.

Consider how society has progressed so far with its tolerance of violence. Long ago most forms of violence were not only tolerated, they were perfectly legal. Over time through religion and laws society has condemned violence in increasing levels and with greater degrees of intimacy. First only murder and mayhem, then slavery, then simple assaults, and more recently, domestic violence and rape.

I don't believe it will stop there. Slowly and worldwide there are more sophisticated definitions of violence and prohibitions against it, both moral and official. They will keep expanding.

While laws reflect human perceptions, that's not where peace originates.

"World peace must develop from inner peace. Peace is not mere absence of violence. Peace is, I think, the manifestation of human compassion." - The Dalai Lama

Compassion is made difficult by our differences. Humans fear what they don't understand and the more we fear, the more we judge and the easier it is to justify, and proliferate in return, harm. Yes, it works both ways, but it has to start with the only person we can control: oneself.

Compassion is building block of peace. Compassion isn't sympathy or even empathy; it's the exercise of learning, then imagining what it feels like, what it is to experience in total, being another person. With their advantages and disadvantages, their upbringing, their problems and blessings, their perspectives and not our own. It is neither approval nor disapproval. It is simply the deepest level of knowledge - a true and unfettered understanding. When compassion is exercised, fear is removed and harm is not possible. Therefore peace is.

Yet peace is not possible as long as people see people as "us" and "them." Blaming the current culture of impossibility on the other only prolongs the lack of peace; the more "we" seek a common path, the fewer "they" will be there to blame.

Friend and local First Presbyterian pastor Bill Peterson wrote in his weekly email that his many years of experience - both before and after entering the ministry - led him to conclude that in matters of philosophies and faith, "one size or type definitely does not fit all."

The road to outer peace is found on the path to inner peace. The path to inner peace, to happiness, is paved with compassion. Just because others take a different road doesn't mean they've gotten lost.

Sholeh Patrick is a columnist for the Hagadone News Network. Email sholehjo@hotmail.com