In the midst of the seemingly endless confusion and violence of the world, it may be difficult to imagine peace is possible. As a starting point, it is useful to be clear about what we mean by peace.The Buddha had no difficulty explaining the qualities of peace and establishing that it is worth striving for:
Among whatever qualities there may be, fabricated or unfabricated, the quality of dispassion — the subduing of intoxication, the elimination of thirst, the uprooting of attachment, the breaking of the round, the destruction of craving, dispassion, cessation, the realization of Unbinding — is considered supreme. Those who have confidence in the quality of dispassion have confidence in what is supreme; and for those with confidence in the supreme, supreme is the result (Iti 90)*.
The path to peace in the world begins and ends with peace inside each of us. Not only did the Buddha describe to us the qualities and the value peace, but he also explained to us how to achieve it through mindfulness, the light of peace calling all of us to better ourselves. When working for peace, think globally, act locally must include insight meditation.