The secrets of pursuing peace in times of conflict

Finding peace in times of conflict is always possible if you follow your faith and create an inner sanctuary where love, light and a higher power reign.

Rivalry comes in all shapes and sizes, forms and fashions. From personal to global, systemic to environmental, conflict is part of life. It may even seem to conflict is why life is what it is. You may need conflict to show you a new perspective or use it to help you grow.

Conflict can help you discover your emotions and have compassion. Or, it can separate your strengths and test your faith. Conflict is all around you. From the weeds in your garden that compete for soil, water and sunlight, to balancing your needs with the needs of your family. There are many ways conflict can manifest itself in your life:

Interior

• Responsibility and happiness

• Beliefs and values

• Faith and evidence

• Spirituality and ego

• Emotional or psychological pain

• Body pain

Interpersonal

• Marriage

• Children

• Family Friends

Household

• Resistant

• Divorce

• Addiction

• Abuse

Civil

• War

• Invasion

• Poverty

• Institutional abuse

• Acts of terrorism

How you deal with this conflict depends on how much you have a hand in it, or play a part in it, and how close it is to you and your family.

Direct responsibility

When you are directly responsible for the conflict you face, you can find peace by doing everything you can to reconcile it. You may not fix the issues at hand, especially if other players are not interested in a peaceful or impartial resolution. But you can be proud of yourself for your role in this matter, and do everything you can to change it. Peace comes when you focus on noble actions, undesirable outcomes.

Indirect responsibility

When you are not directly responsible for the conflict in your life, and someone else has brought trouble to your door, you will need to dig deeper to find your sense of inner peace. Feeling violated against can be a weak and violating experience. One where there may be no immediate escape. But you can face the fact that your path has brought you a chance to find love, compassion, forgiveness and faith in the face of adversity. Take this opportunity and be a quiet eye to the storm, until it is completely over.

Direct effect

The conflict that has a direct impact on you has reached home and the hits are intense. It can feel like the weight of this conflict crushes down on you and you struggle with every breath. But again, when you are the first line of defense, you can face the problem and create a foundation of peace to be formed.

Indirect effect

When another feels the impact of conflict, it aggravates the issues and makes the path to peace more difficult to navigate for all. You should deal with any discomfort you feel in witnessing to someone or something you care about to endure suffering, while at the same time giving them a sense of peace and comfort in their own battle to find peace.

What helps me through my personal conflict is my understanding of the connection between spiritual turmoil and secular conflict. I know that when someone abuses me, they hurt me too. Beliefs do not matter, a thought of peace will not lead to a body of violence; not even psychological or emotional violence. Rivalry is born of an uneasy mind and spirit. I consider this when I perform my peacemaking.

So, how do you deal with conflict not only theoretically, but in the real world?

Spiritual learning

• Go to your spiritual texts. Read and get the messages of your faith. Take them to your heart and know them in your awakening life.

• Talk to purveyors of your belief system messages and ask for their guidance. Let them bless you with their wisdom and share their challenges in life.

Prayer

Seek guidance, help and peaceful feelings from your Higher Power. Pray for peace of mind and love for those in conflict with you, as well. Know that they are hurting too.

Meditation

Meditation, yoga, deep breathing and even just sitting in silence - especially in nature - can help you adapt to the vibrations and messages of both heaven and earth. Be quiet, and listen.

Dance

Tribal dancing, sky festivals, formal dance classes and fitness fitness will clear the mind of stressful thoughts, help decompress from stress, improve mood and make you smile Break a sweat and get a sweat shape while getting away from your funk.

Art

There is nothing about artistic pursuit in times of conflict. Many cities commissioned works of art during the Great Depression to keep the spirit high and keep the men working. Get painting, ceramics, drawing, sewing, graphic design or even writing.

Find something you feel passionate about creating and admiring. Hours will remove anxiety, even for those moments. Conflict is a part of life that you are unlikely to escape. But how you deal with conflict will show your true colors. If you face it and take responsibility where it belongs to you, process your emotions and find the faith in which it holds your life, rivalry seems to be less of a burden and more of a message. Families are closely affected during times of conflict no matter how big or small.

The best motivation for finding a peace in the midst of the turmoil of life is the welfare of your family. Keeping your loved ones in high spirits, and keeping faith at the forefront will help you build a sanctuary where peace reigns. And even the contention in it will not save the love and light of your faith and family. Conflict cannot live where there is only room for peace.