Peace & Satyagraha

Peace

I am sitting watching 'Birdsong', BBC's adaptation of Stephen Faulk's book, based around World War 1, peace seems so far away in this world of trenches and war.  Yet I know that peace is what these men fought for, peace for everyone to enjoy.  Seeing as today is a day sacred to Pax - Roman goddess of peace, as well, I thought I'd explore deeper into the virtues of peace. 

'Peace' comes from the word 'Pax', Latin for 'freedom from civil disorder', a name given to a Roman goddess.  Pax the goddess was recognised in Augustus' reign, she is often depicted with an olive branch, signifying peace, and also a cornucopia signifying prosperity.  With these two symbols together it would make sense that the message is, that with peace comes prosperity.

In many languages the word for peace is also used a greeting or a farewell, for example the Hawaiian word Aloha, the hebrew word Shalom, as well as the Arabic word Salam.

Peace is an important prospect to all that live on earth, side by side, and in harmony.  Many great leaders of  people have shared their thoughts on peace with us, these words are heart felt, meant for the good of all........

Better than a thousand hollow words, is one word that brings peace.
Buddha

If we have no peace, it is because we have forgotten that we belong to each other.
Mother Teresa

Peace is not merely a distant goal that we seek, but a means by which we arrive at that goal.
Martin Luther King Jr.

We can never obtain peace in the outer world until we make peace with ourselves.
Dalai Lama

It's interesting to note that given the choice most people, will opt for peace rather than conflict.  Most of us do not actively seek out conflict and disharmony.  Animals are sensitive creature too like us, and will make their escape, at the first sense of negativity and hostility.

Peace is the banner that many organistions and movements work under, the 1960's peace movement in America, and the United Nations.  One of the most widely recognised sign for peace now is the CND sign - Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament.
Satyagraha is the philosophy and practise of non-violent restistance, it's a sanskrit word meaning, insistance on truth, or truth-force.  It was deployed by Gandhi, in the campaigns for India's Independence, and also influenced Martin Luther King Jr, in his civil rights campaigns across America, and Nelson Mandela, in his struggle with apartheid in South Africa.

So peace is important to us all, whether we are seeking inner peace, or peace worldwide.  So sending you all love and peace X

Moon - First Quarter 46%

Yoga - None today

Card Message - Ace of Swords (aces - gifts, beginnings, potential, promise) & (air, thinking/intellect, mind). 
The opportunity to cut yourself free from outdated or negative  attachments.  The beginning of a phase of productive intellectual work.  Triumph in legal or academic fields, or in literature or science.  A clean break heralds a new beginning.

30th January - Festival of Peace
Festival of Peace, dedicated to the Roman goddess Pax.

Gratitude - Health