Lecturing or demanding that others live peacefully is one of the least effective ways to inspire them; however, when we simply demonstrate that we’re living peacefully, we offer other people a large dose of inspiration by our mere presence.
During my first encounter with Swami Satchidananda, for instance, he emitted such an aura of peacefulness that I felt inspired by merely standing next to him. It would have been impossible for me to feel anything other than peace in his midst. That day I purchased his wonderful book, Beyond Words, and on page 21 was given an inkling as to why I felt so inspired merely by being in his company
Being at peace with ourselves is a way of going through life eschewing conflict and confrontation. When we’re in a state of tranquility, we actually send out a vibration of energy that impacts all living creatures, including plants, animals, and all people (even babies). And, of course, the reverse applies as well: Belligerent individuals who live in turmoil and revel in hostile encounters send out nonverbal energy that adversely impacts those around them. T h e immediate impulse is to remove ourselves from these low-energy, nonpeaceful people, because sticking around means tension and a lowering of our energy. Moreover, we become a counterforce to what we’re experiencing, meaning that we become angry at their anger and arrogant toward their arrogance.
Practicing a peaceful approach to our life on Earth is a way of returning to where we came from. At the same time it’s a powerful source of , inspiration to all living creatures.
