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The efficiency of peace
Peace is efficient. Like the human digestive system, which operates most efficiently when chi is neither stagnant nor deficient, peace operates most efficiently when love is neither stagnant nor deficient. The free flow of chi creates an easy digestion, of food in the body so that it is nourished well and of love in the heart so that its openness welcomes peace.
We tend to think of efficiency not only as acting economically–no waste, only necessity–but also as mechanical rather than human. In other words, without consideration for kindness. However, love cannot exist without kindness, and peace and kindness walk hand in hand. We think of emotions and feelings as being attached to–desirous of–a person or an outcome. That’s romantic love, for example, but efficiency indicates non-attachment. A peaceful person can risk not wasting time, words, or energy. Such beautiful economy makes best use of the resource that is love. Such beautiful economy is effective–certainly for the “economist,” who remains loving, kind, and unattached.
In Buddhist terms, “skillful” might replace “efficient.” In more broadly spiritual terms, peace is artful.
Peace is also active, alive, a flow moving through the body and keeping the body in motion and ready for motion. It’s not a dark and humorless place, nor a magic cloud of the highest untouchable self.
The practice of peace. I think about my friend Phil who reminds me that the singer must practice regularly but should be able to give a performance out of thin air, not be all serious and ritualized every time–if the practice has been there, the readiness will be there.
In the same way that the athlete, in an event of a fire, can run down twenty-five flights of stairs! She’s ready! She can jump into action.
Peace is like this too. Peace leaps into action, even quiet leaps, into quiet actions…
Peace is ready. I like that. A beautiful preparedness that grows from practice, that knows just what to do.
inspiring and logical note and comments! thank you.