Thich Nhat Hanh Quote on Inner Peace and Understanding The Nature Of Our Inner World

“We must look deeply into the nature of our volition to see whether it is pushing us in the direction of liberation from suffering and toward peace and compassion, or in the direction of affliction and misery. What is it that we really want deep in our heart? Is it money, fame, power? Or is it finding inner peace, being able to live life fully and enjoy the present moment?”

Thich Nhat Hanh, Savor

Beyond the Quote (244/365)

How to achieve inner peace? Eliminate all inner conflict. For what is peace but the absence of war? And who is less at peace than the person who is constantly at war within themselves? As is evidenced from throughout human history and in modern times, eliminating war is no easy feat. There are very real threats that, time and time again, have called for war under the context that the fight was (and is) for the greater good. And while the means for achieving peace in the external world are (and will forever be) up for debate because we all share this world together—achieving inner peace is something that is (and will forever be) up to only you.

There is no external debate for how you should be handling your inner world—at least there shouldn’t be. Your inner world is precisely that—a world that is yours to handle. No external person should be manipulating how your world is handled or how conflict is dealt with. That’s for you to decide. But, most people don’t realize this and they let their inner world get handled, abused, and stirred up so much so that inner peace becomes a sort of inside joke. How to be at peace when your insides are raging like a torrential storm? How to be at peace when you’re torn and constantly confused on how to handle situations? How to be at peace when people can make you upset and shake up your entire being with just the murmur of a single word?

It doesn’t have to be like that. What’s the best way to break up ten fights? By breaking up one fight at a time. Try breaking up two fights at the same time and you’ll only be able to devote 50% of your attention, energy, and conviction to each. Unless you’re incredibly convincing, this probably won’t be enough. Try breaking up three at the same time and that number will drop to 33%. Try breaking up all ten and you’ll be left with only 10% and a feeling of incredible overwhelm. That’s one of those moments when you might find yourself sitting in the corner in a ball because it feels like too much to even think about. What’s the point in even trying when the mountain of work is so high, right? But, that’s where you’re wrong.

The bigger the obstacle the greater the triumph. The bigger the challenge the greater the growth. These inner “fights” are precisely what’s separating you from the version of yourself that you are now, and your absolute best version. Those inner “fights” are the very problems that you need to answer in order to achieve the solution you so desire—inner peace. When you go to school, you don’t think about the thousands of problems you have to solve in order to get a diploma do you? I hope not because it’ll probably leave you in a ball in the corner of the room. No! You take it one day at a time and solve only the problems that are due the next day. And you repeat that for something like four years and voila! A diploma.

This is some of the best advice I can give when it comes to solving the avalanche of inner problems you’re experiencing inside, too. Take it one day at a time and only solve the most prominent problems of that day. Just do that day’s homework. Create a safe space where you can turn inward and reflect carefully on what’s conflicting you inside. Once you identify what the problem is, say it out loud or write it down. Now it’s real. Then, either through research, conversation, writing, therapy, or meditation—solve the problem. Even if there is no easy answer (which there usually isn’t), just pick an answer. Make a decision and move on to the next problem—or enjoy the calm that comes from moving on. Because, remember, not making a decision is a decision—and a poor one at that. All you’re doing is choosing to move the problem to a later date, which, will then be piled up on top of the later problems that are bound to arise. Remember when you missed school for a few days and how you had to do all of the work for the days you missed PLUS for the day you came back? Yeah, it’s like that.

So, do your work and get to the bottom of what’s causing you so much inner conflict. Focus on solving one problem at a time and stay tuned in to what’s happening inside. Some of the most peaceful moments in my life came right after I decided how I was going to handle a given conflicting situation and I’m sure the same will be true for you, too. And maybe one day, just maybe, you’ll look inside and realize that you’re not conflicted over anything in particular? Maybe you’ll realize that you’ve come up with solutions for just about all of the confusing problems in your life. And maybe you’ll just sit in awareness and enjoy the present moment without any mental chatter or distraction. And what a beautiful day that might be, eh? Sounds like it’s worth the fight to me.

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