A Question of Inner Peace

I was researching something I planned to write when I discovered the fantastic story of Peace Pilgrim, a remarkable woman who dedicated her life to helping others find peace.  

Peace Pilgrim was born Mildred Lisette Norman, a spiritual teacher, mystic, pacifist, and peace activist. 

In 1952, she became the first woman to walk the entire length of the Appalachian Trail in one season. Starting on January 1, 1953, in Pasadena, California, she adopted the name "Peace Pilgrim" and walked across the United States for 28 years, speaking with others about peace. 

She carried no money on her pilgrimages and was supported entirely by the kindness and generosity of others who believed in her cause.  

When she began her pilgrimage, Pilgrim vowed to "remain a wanderer until mankind has learned the way of peace, walking until given shelter and fasting until given food."

Pilgrim was tragically killed in a car accident in 1981 when she was being driven to a speaking engagement on what was her seventh cross-country pilgrimage.  

I was fascinated by Pilgrim's story and a bit rueful that I had never heard it before. I was also intrigued by the fact that her pilgrimage and peace began after she had a mystical experience that transformed her life. 

After an extended meditation, Pilgrim said she had a spiritual awakening that directly resulted from experiencing "the creator's love." This experience was so profound that Pilgrim felt she had to renounce the comfort of her life and begin walking and sharing her story and insights.  

Among the many quotes from her work that I read, this one stood out for me: 

There is a criterion by which you can judge whether the thoughts you are thinking and the things you are doing are right for you. The criterion is: Have they brought you inner peace?

This is a simple statement, but there is a deep complexity to this way of thinking that is much harder to grasp.  

If we decided to put our thoughts and actions to the test to see if they were bringing us inner peace, it would mean that we would have to abandon much of our dualistic thinking and a whole lot of surrender of self. 

When I say dualistic thinking, I mean that most of us want the world to be divided into either/or categories. We want easy choices, after all. We don't want to have to think too deeply about grey areas.  

So, we often need to evaluate whether or not there is more going on beneath the surface of our thoughts and actions.  

But if we are willing to be brave and thoughtful, we can ask ourselves if our thoughts and actions bring us inner peace or tear it apart.  This one question alone may transform our lives.  

It takes courage to do this because it may mean we must dismantle many of the inner structures of belief we've created.  

It could also lead us to some radical changes in our lives.  It may not be as radical as deciding to walk across the country, but it might mean we have to change, which most of us fear worse than anything, even death.  

Ultimately, this is a small price to pay for finding the serenity we seek, the kind that God longs for us to feel.  

So, take the time to ask yourself that question as you move through your day today.  Ask yourself if your critical thoughts about yourself need to change.  Decide that perhaps this is the day to do things differently.  

And may the grace and peace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you now and always. Amen.