12/03/2022
Are we looking for peace in life?
Peace 😇
Once a king announced in his kingdom that the artist who paints the best painting depicting peace would be given an award.
Many great painters of the state participated in this competition with great enthusiasm and joy. They sent many fine paintings to the king. All those paintings were put on exhibition in the court.
One of those paintings was such that everyone's eyes got fixed on it. The painting depicted a serene lake, perfectly reflecting the high snow-capped mountains very peacefully. In this painting, a clear blue sky with white clouds was visible. This picture was depicting peace in every respect. Most people found this to be the best out of all the paintings sent. And everyone felt that this painting would get the first prize. The painter was also relaxed and excited.
But when the king announced the winner, everyone was stunned! The award-winning painting was depicting a storm, and also had mountains, but they were rough, bumpy and lifeless. The sky looked to be filled with rage, with streaks of lightning shining through. There was also a waterfall of fiercely flowing water. There was nothing in this picture that portrayed peace. It seemed that the artist had mistakenly submitted his painting depicting a storm instead of peace.
Everyone was surprised at this decision of the king. The painter who believed he would win pleaded with the king, "Oh dear King, I don't mind that my painting was not chosen as a symbol of peace. But may I know why this painting depicting a storm was chosen by you as symbolising peace?"
Everyone present in there was curious to know the answer to this question. Then the king smiled and said with great love, "Look at this painting carefully, with concentration. And while watching, also feel the condition within you."
In that picture a small bush could be seen growing in the crevices of a rock. A bird had made its nest in the bush. And in the midst of this stormy weather, the bird was sitting there protecting the children in its nest with a stable and calm mind.
Everyone looked at the painting patiently and with concentration. There was a look of peace and contentment on everyone's face. The whole environment there became serene.
Peace does not mean being in a place where there is no noise or disturbance.
*Peace means to be still and calm at heart even in the midst of all chaos.* Without inner peace, outer peace is meaningless. In this picture, despite the turbulent environment around the bird, she was protecting her children with a very calm mind. In fact, this painting was depicting peace in the best possible way. Because, peace is not something we look for outside, peace is what we feel within. Peace is a state of mind, not the state of the surrounding.
♾️
"Peace and bliss are innate qualities of the soul. It is through true meditation that we create such conditions within ourselves, which allow them to blossom."
Copy-paste
