I have taught meditation for a long time – 42 years. And for years, have discussed the value of reducing stress and the resulting benefits for our body and mind. Lower blood pressure, better sleep, less anxiety and depression, to name a few.

The other day, it hit me. It’s way beyond time to talk more about the overwhelming need we have to create peace and love in our lives. If you doubt the need, just turn on the news on any of your mobile devices. The stress and turmoil in the world today has reached alarming heights. It seems everyone is affected.

You may be familiar with the quote from Mother Teresa, “The problem with the world is that we draw the circle of our family too small.” In other words, if we treated the people that we meet as family, there would be much less strife, much more love.

So, I want to invite you all to do that! Interact with peace in your heart – as if those around you were dear family. Does this sound airy fairy, or unrealistic? Well, it is unrealistic when we hold overwhelming tension, fear, and stress inside. Did you know there’s a statement in the UN Charter that says, war begins in the mind?” But here’s some good news.

The reverse of the above proclamation is also true, PEACE begins in the mind. For example, when attending an Effortless Meditation™ introduction class at our center, people frequently comment on the calming influence here. What they are feeling is the byproduct of meditation practice. Consistent meditation practice is an antidote for what ails you, your family, and the world.

Meditators find that they begin to relate to people in a more harmonious and compassionate way. As we quiet our mind with a simple meditation practice, we spontaneously begin to feel closer to those we meet. In our deepest meditations, all the differences among us drop away. Then, after meditating, we’re more comfortable and at home around others. After all, at our core, we are very much alike.

Here’s the bottom line: There’s more to life than the struggles of the conscious mind, the psyche. Haven’t we all known quiet moments of peace and joy? I invite you to join me in meditation practice and experience those moments of delight grow in number – every day. This is a game changer. And the need for peace is great. Would you agree?

I welcome your feedback.

Greg Schweitzer

Stress Reduction Resources, Director