Oh, how our world needs peace. Oh how we, our families, our communities, our neighbourhoods, our countries, our world needs peace.

But fear, busyness, worry, grief, physical pain, guilt, sleepless nights, and those “what-if’s” creep in. And then there are the actions of bullies (at work, school, cyberspace), conspiracy theorists, some politicians, etc., who propel thoughts away from experiencing any sense of peace.

And yet … and yet serenity and peace are available.

We only need to be aware of them … but how? where? when?

They’re there … in the gift of our breath … in the gift of gentle words, spoken aloud … in the silence of hearts for another and for ourselves … in meditations like David Adams’ “Circle Me” (adapted as follows) which can be used by people of faith, of little faith, of no faith: “Keep protection near and danger afar. Circle me. Keep hope within and doubt without. Circle me. Keep light near and darkness afar. Circle me. Keep peace within and evil out.” Others can be encompassed in such prayers/meditations by simply substituting ‘us’ for ‘me’ which can be an encouragement in times of stress.

Stress – a nasty six letter word … or, is it? Few know or realize that there are two kinds of stress. “Eustress” and “Distress.” Sometimes, stress is experienced as “eustress” (from the Greek “eu” meaning ‘good’) which, according to endocrinologist Hans Selye, is the kind of stress that is healthy and gives a good, positive feeling. Then there is the stress that is experienced as “distress” (from the Latin prefix “dis” meaning ‘having a negative force.’ That form of stress is about unpleasant/negative feelings or emotions that impact the level of functioning, whether or not they are related to work, relationships, health, finances, busyness, politics, grief, needing to be perfect or always organized.   Sometimes, distress is related to fear (fear of the known; fear of the unknown).  And sometimes, the distress is a combination of several of the above.

The interesting thing is – our body receives a signal of ‘stress’ regardless of whether it is ‘eu’ or ‘dis’. Eustress is welcome. Distress seldom is. To that end, we do what we can to alleviate the distress in our lives. But how to do that?

Many are noting that this is Advent 2 in the Season of Advent. And while the Season of Advent is based in Christianity, its theme of Peace transcends religion as Rabbi Jonathan Sacks’ reminds: “For though my faith is not yours and yours is not mine, if we are each free to light our own flame, together we can banish some of the darkness in the world.” I find it to be a powerful reminder that together, we can be part of bringing peace into the world.

Another way of alleviating stress – bringing a touch of peace within – is by the lighting of candles. Significant in many faiths and cultural traditions, when candles are lit, darkness dissipates – if only for a moment – and can be a sign of the possibility of peace. While I’m not Jewish, I love their tradition of using the Shamash (which stands in the centre of the Menorah candelabra) to light the four candles on the Shamash’s left side and four candles on its right side). For each night of Hanakkah, the Shamash (‘helper’ candle) lights one of the Menorah’s eight candles. What a metaphor for us all. Whether we are Jew, atheist, Hindu, Buddhist, Christian, Sikh, agnostic, Zoroastrian, Muslim or something else, perhaps we can all be an Advent candlelighter … a Shamash of Peace in our world.

May we take this moment of the Second Week of the Season of Advent and invite peace… for those living in war-torn countries … for those living in our own country in fear … for those living with unrelenting stress … for ourselves, families, work places, government offices, streets, playgrounds, places of worship, schools etc.. Perhaps this adapted prayer from the New Zealand Prayer Book will offer some guidance: “I take this moment, a moment for stillness in the presence of of the-possibility-of Holy Other. I acknowledge that what has been done has been done. What has not been done has not been done. I let it be. Just as the night is dark, I choose to let fears of the darkness of the world and of my own life rest. Rest with Holy Peace. Just as the night is quiet, I invite the quietness of Holy Peace to enfold – enfold all dear to us – enfold all who experience no peace. Just as the night heralds the dawn, may I look expectantly to a new day, new joys, new possibilities.” So may it be. Amen. So may it be.

******
(While often used in religious ceremonies/prayers, the word “amen” isn’t “religious” per se. It simply means “So may it be.”

My friends, may peace, deep peace, be yours.
May each of us be the Shamash in the world around us in some small way and light an Advent Candle for Peace literally and figuratively so that each of us is a reflection and beacon of peace to others.   мир. Shalom. Paix. Vrede. Patz. Salaam. Lapè. Hacaña. Mir. Santi. Zhi-bde. Pau. Minaggen. Hohiyi. Heddwich. Friede. Irini. Paco. Baké. Paz. Solh.  Síocháin. Shee. śānti. Udo. Friður. Rangima’arie, Nohopuku, Rongo. Vrede. Pokój. Pace. Santipap. Barış. Peace

As always, you are welcome to share.

© June Maffin
https://www.soulistry.com/blog
@soulistryjune.bsky.social

~~~~~~~~~~~