Creating a culture of peace
Not the absence of war, but the presence of the world you know is possible.
By Peter Boiu
Culture is built upon a set of values and attitudes that the majority of the people in that culture maintain. These values and attitudes manifest in a set of behaviours. In my dream society, values and attitudes are all directed towards peace and I live in a truly peaceful society. Not one that sees peace as merely the absence of war.
In my society with its culture of peace I feel elated, conscious of who I am, walking the earth with a heart that is full, delighted to help and serve others as they help me - no shame needed, in fact no measurement needed at all in terms of hours or money. Why? Because in a culture that is based upon peace and fulfilment, there is no lack, no scarcity, but contentment. You act, help and work from contentment, so there is no expectation for a certain outcome, and because there is no need for such an expectation, there is no need to measure your or anyone else's actions against those expectations.
A culture of Peace rests on the understanding and realisation that Peace is the aim of the human project, and that every human carries that peace within them. This peace springs from life itself, as we are alive, we breathe and feel so do we carry peace within us.
We could see values and attitudes as the building blocks of a culture of Peace. The standard brick from which such culture needs to be built upon is the “personal peace” brick. That needs to be used for the foundation of such culture as well as for the different storeys and compartments.
My attitude in a Culture of Peace: I help shape and keep the culture of peace. To be able to do so, I am also eager to grow and deepen my understanding and experience of peace. I am committed to peace on a daily basis.
How to do it? By coming back to peace for myself. Trying to really experience that thing which is peace.
You see, we already have a few more building blocks. And the good thing about them is that they are already with you; you don't have to create them or bring them from far. These attitudes are with you all the time; you merely have to nurture them. Regularly.