There is a scene in the Hollywood movie Kung Fu Panda, where Master Shifu—in a state of complete agitation—asks Master Oogway for advice on how to ward off the demon Tai Lung, who is about to attack their settlement. Oogway, in response, prods the surface of the pond they are standing next to and says, “Your mind is like this water, my friend. When it is agitated, it becomes difficult to see. But when you allow it to settle, the answer becomes clear.” Inner peace, therefore, is something every warrior must possess, he tells Shifu. And this is the lesson that Shifu goes on to teach the Dragon Warrior Po later in the story.
Even for those of us who aren’t Kung Fu warriors, the pursuit of inner peace is an important one. After all, we all go through ups and downs in life. We crib, complain, and anguish under the weight of life’s difficulties. We wish, we knew the secret to a calm, centred mind. Most of us spend our entire lives trying to find this elusive inner peace. A few of us do manage to find it, perhaps, after years of meditation or through intense suffering and introspection.
What if there were a simpler way to achieve inner peace? In this feature, Soulveda explores daily habits that can help us maintain emotional hygiene, and in turn, achieve inner peace.
Honesty and integrity are among the highest virtues a human being must possess. Always speaking the truth and making sure our thoughts, words, and actions are in line can help us be true to ourselves and those around us. When we are honest with those around us, we can solidify true friendships and bid goodbye to unhealthy ones. When we are honest with ourselves, we can make peace with our strengths, weaknesses and the truth about our lives.
Taking some time off every day to relax and reconnect with ourselves is highly crucial if we wish to find inner peace. For some, quiet introspection alone works, while others prefer to engage in an exercise routine, meditation or a hobby.
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