Let Peace Begin With Me

I was having difficulty with the last verse of a hymn: “Let this be my solemn vow, to take each moment and live each moment in peace eternally.” To me that meant never standing up, never creating waves. That was a hard vow.

How could take a vow without any chance of honoring it? My minister shed new light on it: “Christian peace is understood from the Jewish word Shalom. Shalom is the peace in the midst of the struggles of life, the peace to speak up, to fight for justice, to love the unlovable, to be grateful and enjoy the blessings poured upon us daily.”

That is the same definition as Seijaku: Serenity in the midst of activity! The purpose of T’ai Chi Chih is not to create peace on the outside; it is to balance the internal energy, thereby bringing peace within. When there is peace within, we can better know when and how to act. It may not bring “peace,” but the peace within will see us through. I am now happy to take the vow, to the best of my ability, to “take each moment and live each moment in Peace eternally. Let there be Peace on earth, and let it begin with me.”

ALL by ~ John Marquez

Author’s Note: About a year ago when I subscribed to The Vital Force, Kim said she’d be looking forward to an article from me. At that moment, I thought, “Yeah, right!” Never in my lifetime did I think I’d be writing these words!  TCC has changed me! (Editor’s Note: See also John’s article on page 22.)

self
alone
pandemic
the world changing
tai chi chih
grateful 
smile

steps
pavement
a new day
feeling vibrant
awareness
in out
breathe

grace
teachers
conducive
paving the way
absorbing
belief
shine

doubt

unknown

let it go

transformation

feeling free

unlock

joy

rise

moonlight

the new day

aware of breath

and share it

oneness

peace

life

rebirth

transition

recognition

clarity

freshness

new

sense

exist

energy

open window

falling free

blissful

feel

calm

rainstorm

raging winds

preparedness

inner peace

thankful

live

move

practice

shifting weight

dreaded hip turns

persistence

teachings

grasp

sweet

angels

unfold truths

special feelings

namaste

life’s good

joy

birth

carefree

celebrate

experience

intellect

absorb

life