Perfect security and full peace cannot be had in this world, because this is a relative plane. All objects are conditioned in time, space and causation. They are perishable. So where can you look for full security and perfect peace? You can find this in the immortal self. It is an embodiment of peace. It is beyond time, space and causation.
Real, deep peace is independent of external conditions. Real, abiding peace is stupendous stillness of the Immortal Soul within. If you can rest in this ocean of peace, all the usual noises of the world can hardly affect you. If you enter the silence or the wonderful calm of divine peace by stilling the bubbling mind and restraining the thoughts and withdrawing the outgoing senses, all disturbing noises will die away. Motor-cars may roll on the streets; boys may shout at the pitch of their voices; railway trains may run in front of your house; several mills may be working in your neighbourhood – and yet, all these noises will not disturb you even a bit.
Peace is the most covetable possession on earth. It is the greatest treasure in all the universe. Peace is the most important and indispensable factor for all the growth and development. It is in the tranquillity and quiet of the night that the seed slowly sprouts from under the soil. The bud opens in the depth of the most silent hours. So also, in a state of peace and love, people evolve, grow in their distinctive culture and develop a perfect civilization. In peace and calmness, spiritual evolution is facilitated.
The ‘peace’ that prevails today is the peace of fear and the peace of preparation. Ignoring the sincere advice of wisdom, the great nations of the world are intent upon demonstrating their destructive strength. That way lies war, not peace.
No political ‘ism’ can ever solve the problem and bring about peace. All ‘isms’ are only the different hoods of the hydra-headed monster of selfishness-cum-egoism. When autocratic monarchs ruled over the nations, people thought that democracy would shower peace, plenty and prosperity upon earth. They dethroned the kings. Democracy also failed to yield the fruit of peace. Some people tried totalitarianism, socialism, communism – so many ‘isms’. Each man thought that his solution alone was the best for the world. Each new ‘ism’ created only more problems and more quarrels.
Many are working today for the promotion of world peace, without having peace in themselves. Their loud propaganda, big talk and lectures cause more confusion, conflict and discord. All over the world, great conferences are held for bringing about universal brotherhood and a universal religion. It is the vanity of man that goads him to reform society without first reforming himself. Vanity rules the world. When two vain people meet, there is friction and quarrel.
This is also the case of social reform. Self-styled enlightened men started interfering with the customs and manners of people, in an effort to civilize them. The people lost their old moorings, and the reforms could not offer new, sound ones. Masses of people drifted away into chaos. How can blind men lead other blind men? You must acquire the Supreme Knowledge of the Reality. Then, and then alone, can you lead another on the right path.
You can elevate others only if you have elevated yourself. This world can be saved only by those who have already saved themselves. A prisoner cannot liberate other prisoners. One realized sage can do more for the promotion of peace than a thou sand missionaries preaching and disputing, day in and day out.
Politics has its basis in sociology; sociology has its basis in individual personal development; individual personal development is governed by the philosophy and the religion that each man follows. The philosophy of the East considers man as the unit, and man is asked to perfect himself.
Reform yourself. Society will reform itself. Get worldliness out of your heart. The world will take care of itself. Remove the world out of your mind. The world will be peaceful. That is the only solution. This is not pessimism. This is glorious optimism. This is not escapism. It is the only way to face the situation. If each man tries to work out his own salvation, there will be nobody to create problems. If each man strives heart and soul to practise religion, to do sadhana, and to attain God-realization, he will have very little inclination and very little time to create quarrels. Automatically there will be peace on earth.