“A nation, as a society, forms a moral person, and every member of it is personally responsible for his society.” ~ Thomas Jefferson

The 21st century has become the “communications age”. The digital revolution has accelerated our inquisitive collective consciousness creating an ever-expanding awareness that we are now a global society, vicariously connected and precariously separate. To be complacent is to turn away from all the suffering and inequities our fellow man endures. Ignorance is no longer an option while the abundant world news is available 24/7 at the touch of a smart phone or TV remote. There are many who don’t subscribe to these technologies, but unless one lives as a hermit, the news that travels so quickly will be on your doorstep before long. There are millions who do subscribe to the connective Web brought to us by the Internet and cell phones, so unless all the satellites fall down from the sky the news from across the planet can be in the palm of our hands in a nanosecond.  

So it becomes hard to ignore all of the atrocities confronting free people everywhere. It’s no longer a newspaper which tells a story from a week or two ago, dulling our senses and emotions because of time and space. These events are happening now! This means that the responses of those affected are immediately touching the empathetic fiber of our own beings, allowing us to feel what they feel, see what they see, and know what they know. With pain, love and compassion filling our hearts it is best to stop and realize. We are all connected. We are one.  

As astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson said, “We are all connected; To each other, biologically; To the Earth, chemically; To the rest of the universe, atomically.”  

“The first peace, which is the most important, is that which comes within the souls of people when they realize their relationship, their oneness with the universe and all its powers, and when they realize that at the center of the universe dwells the Great Spirit, and that this center is really everywhere, it is within each of us.” ~ Black Elk (1863-1950)  

Peace has been an elusive butterfly on this planet. Weapons are easily available to arm our tribal discontents and religious zealots, while hatred fuels the slaughtering of others in the name of God, country or power. War breaks out for no apparent reason, making weapons manufacturers richer and young men killers, devaluing life in one fell swoop. No one wins, yet no one seems to learn either.  

What if they gave a war and nobody came?  

The toughest lesson to embrace is that we are all responsible for the collective state of humankind around the world, because we are all connected. Our response can no longer be apathetic or uninvolved, allowing laissez-faire to dictate our inactions. It becomes clear that our inability to act, to do the right thing, reflects back on our spirits, our loved ones and our lives.  

By engaging in loving thoughts and actions, we can affect those around us and world peace. Practice forgiveness, kindness and meditation. While meditating or praying for peace, consider the words listed herein. Each holds a key to establishing a sustainable peace on the planet. The one which resonates with you is the one you need to embrace and learn from. With each good thought comes hope for lasting peace and well being, for mankind, and the planet.  

Forgiveness - Those qualities that sometimes bother us in others may be that inside which makes us feel uncomfortable. If we want to forgive others we must learn to forgive ourselves first. Passing judgment on others opens you up for the same.  

Trust - Relationships have to be built on trust. We need to trust in our intuition and believe that we always have support when we ask for it.  

Appreciation - When we give gratitude for the abundance in our lives it is easy to imagine those less fortunate, we begin to understand how others live and think, breaking down classes and prejudices, allowing us to give freely of our time and selves.

Awareness - Being in the present moment allows us to become sensitive to our environment and those around us. We then become more aware of others and their needs. As our hearts open we radiate a field of positive energy felt by those around us.

Empathy - Sympathetic qualities are sometimes buried but let them surface. Our complicated 21st century, filled with disturbing media images and war-torn countries, breeds a callous regard for life and limb. We build “walls” to avoid recognizing the pain of others.

Compassion - We begin to feel the suffering and misfortunes of others when we truly empathize with others. When we see from a place of love, compassion grows.

Respect - All life is precious and unique and everyone has a purpose to fulfill in our world. Honor the personal journeys of all those you meet, as you do your own.

Unity - Allow the “I” to become “we”. We are all here together, sharing this moment, this world, and this time. By joining with others we create power in numbers and influence.

Love - Only from a place of Love can true Peace be felt or shared. Love for others can only happen when we express or give our love. As you give love it will be returned, multiplied, and abundantly ever-present. Love begins with me.

Journey to the heart ~ Deepak Chopra “Our journey to the heart of love is a return to wholeness and about remembering that we are completely loved and completely lovable, because our essential nature is love. As we come to know our own intimate wholeness we come to realize that separation is only an illusion. At the level of spirit or consciousness we are all inextricably connected. By spending time in the inner quiet of meditation you go beyond your ego mind fears and unrest, and get in touch with your soul. As you go deeper into meditation thoughts of separation drop away and you enter a state of unity consciousness. This experience of inner silence refreshes your mind, allowing it to gently unravel conditioned thought patterns freeing you to be more of who you really are, and allowing you to see OTHERS as they really are. This clear seeing at the soul level is the basis of Peace.

Know that you are a miracle and that you have unique place in the cosmic plan. You are here to be the presence of love, You are here to be the presence of joy, You are here to be the presence of Peace.”

Practice your meditation for peace at Unify.org. A new World Peace event, International Day of Peace will be held in global unity on December 21, the Winter Solstice.