The Energy of Peace

Live freely, animated and motivated by God’s Spirit. Galatians 5:16

Enter any space, and you’ll notice.

Energy is everything, everywhere, all at once.

Molecules vibrate endlessly, taking on different forms:

light, sound, solid matter, thought, and spirit.

Can you feel it -

in the coffee shop,

in a conversation,

at a concert,

or in a contemplative garden?

Energy is palpable.

It's the "vibe" (vibration) of the coffee shop that draws us in to linger longer,

or the “same wavelength” we feel when we have a close conversation,

or the mesmerizing "attunement" of listeners through music and lyrics,

or the "resonance" of unity in the sacred ambience of a Zen garden.

Energy is perceptible.

We feel a static that "makes our hair stand on end,"

or a sensation of "goose-bumps" or "God-bumps."

Spaces and people seem to "pick us up" or "bring us down."

We feel "charged up," "at equilibrium," or "tension-filled" in various situations.

Energy is potential.

Low-energy (including low mood) are referred to as low-frequency.

Energizing, elevating patterns are known as higher-frequency, or spiritual energy.

Energy around us draws us in or repels us.

In every case, energy impacts us. And it matters.

We are both energy and metabolizers of the energy around us.

It's a lot to take in.

But there is Good News.

Energy is promised.

"Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives.

Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid." Jesus, in John 14:27

Peace, the eternal spiritual energy, is given to us.

Peace, unlike anything the world may sell or advertise.

Peace, not from straining or striving, but from stillness.

Be still and know that I am God. Psalm 46:10

Stillness to know God (peace) makes it possible to tap into spiritual solutions.

Choosing peace, instead of fear or chaos, is an energizing call to action

that eliminates self-pity and thoughts of why something shouldn't be happening."

-Wayne W. Dyer: There's A Spiritual Solution to Every Problem.

Quieting the mind and body,

We can increase our frequency (the spiritual energy of God in us).

Hearing the spirit, we know:

Calmness is the living breath of God's immortality in you. - Paramahansa Yogananda

Anytime we need to access peace,

it's not reaching for a remote control to point at ourselves to "change our mind"

or "change the channel."

It's recognizing that we are a channel -

a channel to conduct the flow of peace,

or an instrument to be filled to overflowing with peace -

the palpable, perceptible potential of promised peace.

A song by Steve Winwood in the '80's crooned,

"Bring me a higher love...Bring me a higher love (oh)...Bring me a higher love...

Where's that higher love I keep thinking of?"

Yet the Peace Prayer below, attributed to St. Francis, is a not a request to be given peace,

but a determination to give peace (since it is in giving that we receive).

Lord, make me a channel of your peace.

Where there is hatred, let me sow love;

Where there is injury, pardon;

Where there is doubt, faith;

Where there is despair, hope;

Where there is darkness, light;

Where there is sadness, joy.

O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek

To be consoled as to console,

To be understood as to understand,

To be loved as to love;

For it is in giving that we receive;

It is in pardoning that we are pardoned;

It is in dying to self that we are born to eternal life.

And before we try to give peace "on empty,"

our frequency (the spiritual energy of God in us) requires our inquiry.

We can ask honest questions of the body, mind and spirit as we

seek peace and pursue it. Psalm 34:14

Where and when do I feel Goodness?

How and with whom do I feel God's Spirit and Love?

Which ways of living support the higher frequencies of Spirit and Love?

Which detract?

Our frequency (the spiritual energy of God in us) is our resolution.

Don’t fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray.

Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns.

Before you know it, a sense of God’s wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It’s wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life.

-Paul, in Philippians 4:7

When we are serious about recognizing Energy's potential, we know that everything matters.

Instead of "worrying" the body, mind or spirit, we calm it with consistency.

Instead of "absorbing" the negativity of feeling incapable, incurable and impossible,

we give our intention to our frequency:

The frequency of nourishment and care to our bodies and to life around us;

The frequency of positive thoughts and words to our minds and from our mouths; and

The frequency of spiritual recognition through stillness, awe, wonder, gratitude and service.

Our frequency (the spiritual energy of God in us) is our realization.

Moments when we think someone (or something) else is causing the disorder and chaos we are feeling

are moments to recognize that someone (or something) is allowing us to discover

that we have not yet mastered ourselves. These are our teachers.

And through any moment, we can say, "I can choose Peace rather than this." - Wayne Dyer

Faith allows us to personally and communally embody peace.

Instead of needing to "feel it to believe it," we believe it to feel it.

I’ve learned by now to be quite content whatever my circumstances.

I’m just as happy with little as with much, with much as with little.

I’ve found the recipe for being happy whether full or hungry, hands full or hands empty.

Whatever I have, wherever I am,

I can make it through anything in the One who makes me who I am.

-the apostle Paul, Phil. 4:11-14

Rather than praying for pain to go away,

we pray that we learn as much as possible, trusting that we will see through Peace.

And Peace will see us through.

And in all cases, we bless, not curse-

anyone, anything, or any situation.

Channeling Peace in the moment necessarily

dissipates the low energy of fear to access the highest energy of Love in the moment.

Now…

When fear knocks at the door,

Faith answers -

and no one is there.

Only the lingering aroma of Peace.