The Baba then went on to discuss the next spiritual law of peace.
‘The sixth law of peace, my son, is: ‘peace in the world begins with peace within individuals and families’. It is very simple to remember and understand. Don’t you think so?’ the Baba asked.
‘Yes guruji. It is a simple yet a profound truth.’ Atma Prakash responded.
The Baba continued: ‘If there is no peace within the individual human persons there will not be any peace in the world. That is why the UNESCO Constitution begins by saying, “As wars begin in the minds of men, it is in the minds of men that defenses for peace must be constructed.” Inner peace comes from purity of heart. It needs forgiveness and reconciliation…
‘Emotional and physical health are equally important in one’s quest for inner peace. Healing of the inner wounds inflicted upon one’s psyche is very essential to experience inner peace. A peaceless person creates a peaceless world. A wounded person becomes a source of woundedness in the world. Hence, the real starting point of peace in the world is the heart and mind of the individual….
‘The greatest of wars are to be fought not in the battlefields of the world but in the hearts and minds of people….
‘Family is the basic social unit. It is from our families that we learn the first lessons of life and love. Peace in the society and in the world has to find its strong basis in the family. Regeneration of India has to begin with regeneration of family values in India….
‘Respect for womanhood and motherhood is a very important prerequisite for regaining the family values. The families where women are loved and respected will enjoy abundant divine grace. ‘Yatra naryastsu poojyate, ramante tatra devata’. As you may know, it means: ‘Where women are respected there God is pleased to dwell’. This was what our saints and sages of yore had taught us…..
‘It is a very sad reality that in a country that speaks so highly about women, there exists even today the worst forms of atrocities and discriminations against them. Birth of a female child is often mourned in many Indian families…..
‘Children are God’s most precious gifts to humanity. So are old parents. Love and concern for the children and for old parents are very important requirements for peaceful and happy family life. It is a tragedy that in our efforts to earn a good living, we often forget to live a good life….
‘In our eagerness to provide better living conditions for our children, we deny them the basic requirements of happy childhood which is nurturing love and caring companionship…
‘Husbands and wives also face similar crises in the ‘busy life’ of the modern world. As a result, members of the same family often live as strangers to one another under the same roof….
‘Upholding the sanctity of marriage and human sexuality are very important if families have to find peace and happiness. Sexual morality can also prevent the spread of AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases…
‘A large number of family break-ups happen due to marital infidelity. Premarital and extramarital sex are the two most common contributing factors for the spread of AIDS…
‘Sexual fidelity is at the core of marital peace and happiness. Peace and happiness in the world begin with peace and happiness in the families.’
The Baba concluded. ‘Do you have any questions, my son?’, he asked Atma Prakash.
‘No guruji. It is simple.’ Atma Prakash replied.
The Baba blessed him and walked towards his cottage.
Excerpts from Integral Revolution
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