War, to me, is an echo of deep wounds unresolved—a manifestation of inner chaos that spills outward. I sit here, far removed from the violent conflicts unfolding across the globe. But the distance doesn’t shield me from their impact. It compels me to reflect. I grapple with the stark contradiction between what I’ve learned this past year about peace and the harsh realities of a world where war still rages.
Immersed in ancient wisdom, I have been led by teachings that, time and again, reject war as a solution. Buddhist philosophy teaches us that anger is a fire, best extinguished with compassion and kindness. Never once have I encountered a teaching that justifies the destruction of others for the sake of self. While some point to texts like the Bhagavadgita, which seemingly depicts a battlefield, even there, the war is symbolic. It is a representation of the inner struggle each of us must face. It is not an endorsement of literal violence.
What I see now is an abundance of division, a cycle of hate that fuels itself. The concept of duality—”us versus them”—perpetuates conflict, but it is not the true nature of reality. War, at its core, is a symptom of wounded souls, hurt people hurting other people. Leaders who order destruction must be, on some level, deeply wounded themselves, incapable of seeing past their own pain. They need not more hatred but compassion. Yet, the vicious cycle of retaliation—”they hurt us, so we hurt them”—only digs deeper into the wound. It is a cycle without resolution. It spirals into greater destruction. We risk losing everything, even the planet itself.
Yet, amid this chaos, I hold onto a truth that has been my guide: the highest vibration always wins. Peace, love, and compassion resonate far beyond the temporary din of war. This doesn’t mean destruction will be avoided or that loss won’t happen—impermanence is a part of life. I’ve learned to face my anger, to meet it with understanding and light., it is a process and I am not perfect. It then is possible to face hatred with compassion. When people hate, it is often because they themselves are in darkness. And what else can we do with darkness but bring light to it?
As I reflect on this, I urge anyone reading to join in a moment of peace, a meditation for using the Shanti mantra- a prayer for peace. Shanti, shanti, shanti. I know the path forward isn’t clear, and the world doesn’t look good right now. But I also know that the vibration of peace, of compassion, must ultimately prevail. It must prevail over the violence and chaos of war. And until that happens, we must keep shining light where there is hate. Namaste.
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