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Each one of us judges our day, our year, and indeed, our lives by what has been accomplished. "Was it a good day?" People will say, "I accomplished this, I went there. I did this, I did that, and, yes, it was a good day." Or, "No, I had problems. My tire went flat, my car broke down, this problem happened, that problem happened. So, no, it was not a good day."
What is really important? Is it really the breaking down of the car that can destroy a day? I agree that it is inconvenient. Things happen in people's lives and they say, "I am ruined! I am destroyed!"
I want to point out that there's something happening in your life that is more important than the sum of all your accomplishments and your mistakes put together. What is it? It is so simple. It is the coming and the going of each breath.
This is the greatest miracle that you will ever witness. No miracle in your life will ever be greater than the coming and going of each breath. In times of trouble, it doesn't leave you. And it is one thing that never judges. Each breath brings the possibility of being fulfilled. Each breath brings the possibility of being in peace.
I know that everyone has an idea of what peace is. When people hear the word peace, they think of world peace, no more wars. Take a look at it from a different angle and you will see real peace. Peace is something that manifests inside of human beings.
I will tell you what I am talking about. I received emails from people in Lebanon and Israel who have experienced peace within. And what do you think these emails said? "Thank you. Thank you for what you have shown us in our lives." They were being bombed, but even in the middle of the war, there is a gratitude for the peace they feel inside of themselves.
You see, what I talk about is not just words. I have nothing new to say. Everything I say, you know. Your heart, your being, your self, has been saying this to you again and again and again and again: "Be in peace. Be content."
To be content. To be in peace. To understand. To enjoy this life. Look at this journey not by failures, not by successes—but as the most precious gift. That's what it is: the most precious gift that could possibly be given to a human being. And here, you have it. It is the sum of all desires fulfilled. It is everything that you have always wanted. And it is everything that you will ever want.
This one place within you is where there are no doubts and no questions, where there is clarity and understanding, where there's a celebration of life going on and you are welcomed. You are welcome to take part in the celebration of existence. You are the only one who can go there. No one else. Only you can go there. It's made for you.
Each one of us can experience that peace in our lives—not in words, not in concepts, not in ideas, but in reality—every single day. The peace that I'm talking about is the peace that people experience in the middle of rocket-falls.
This is not about religion. Follow whatever religion you want. This is about finding the place within inside of you that still remains untapped. I'm not here to offer formulas to you. I can put you in touch with the peace that is within you. As impossible as it may sound, it's happening right now. Somewhere in the world, somebody is being put in touch with that beauty that is inside of them. And it is no surprise that when a person feels the beauty within, the next words they say are, "Thank you. Thank you for letting me feel the peace inside of me."
Maharaji
in Maharaji: Life, Maharaji: PeacePermalink
Today, a breath came into me and brought me the gift of life. For this, I am filled with gratitude. For this, I'm eternally thankful because today I am alive.
What does that mean? When I am in that thankfulness, aware of what I have been given, it doesn't have to mean anything. When your child was a little baby and looked at you and just smiled one of those smiles that melted you, did it have to mean anything? In that moment, all that was needed was a smile back, and everything was said. I don't think there is enough paper on the face of this earth to write what it meant.
In this existence, what I have understood traveling so many places, seeing so many people, is that there is a song that has been written but never sung. There is a symphony that has been composed but never played. There is a poetry that has been written but never recited. And each one of us carries this song, this poetry, this symphony, within us.
There's a lot more to every moment of your life. The question is: How much do you take home at the end of the day? Is it enough to satisfy your hunger?
There are many kinds of hunger. Some people hunger to be more successful. Of course, that kind of hunger will never be satisfied no matter how much you have. But do you recognize the one thing that you can satisfy? The one thing that is real—not a definition from someone else. That is the most important thing.
When I begin to understand that, something incredible happens. When you are fulfilled, something amazing happens automatically. People spend a lot of money trying to make it happen, but sometimes all the money and effort in the world doesn't do it. Then something happens, and when it does, it does amazing things.
It's contentment. Once in awhile, you find yourself content. And when you are content, you become happy. And when you become happy, all of a sudden, you become kind. Your level of tolerance goes sky-high. Could it be that kindness is automatic for you, that gentleness is your second nature, that you appreciate peace, that you like love, that you wish another human being well who you may not even know? All because you happen to be content for a few minutes? If that's true, there is a chance for peace. Maybe peace is not that elusive after all.
Kindness towards yourself, kindness towards another human being—kindness. Instead of so much noise, a symphony begins to play that is so sweet, and every moment begins to fill with gratitude.
Living life should be a beautiful thing every single day. For me, it is work in progress. A conscious effort has to be made. Every day, I have to be able to turn within and find my reality. This is about living your life—eyes wide open—with a feeling. For the first time, to dance to a song that comes from within you. To not just think of being alive, but to actually feel alive every single day. That is the possibility.
Peace was set as the threshold for humanity a long time ago. It is only one of the dreams that we have not been able to fulfill. We have gone to the moon. Now the real challenge is: peace. Peace begins with every single human being.
I love peace. I have found peace in my life. I'm so thankful that I have. I want you to also find that peace in your life. And for those who have found that peace, to feel it every day. If I can feel it, you can feel it. It is possible. It's not a dream; it's not a philosophy; it's not an idea. I'm talking about a well where you can quench your thirst. I'm talking about an ocean, and I'm saying, "Come. Swim. Jump in. Feel yourself refreshed every single day. Not just one day. Every single day."
Maharaji
