September 21st marks the UN International Day of Peace, and is celebrated globally as a renewed commitment to peace-building each year. 100 days before this date, a theme for Peace Day is announced by the UN Secretary-General and, this year, the theme was declared to be ‘Act Now for a Peaceful World’ and peace events on the theme take place in the 100-day countdown. September 21st presents a timely opportunity therefore to reflect on the fact that the power of peace contributed through meditation is no small ‘act’ and is a core foundation of peace-building within communities and our world.
Actions are shaped through the attitudes that we hold and the thoughts that we create. Both are rooted in the awareness that I hold about the self – which is formed from influences around me, from my past, what is held in the deep sub-conscious, as well as a ‘calling’ from my original authentic essence. One of my favourite definitions of meditation is that it’s ‘the art of returning the self to the self’ – a self whose essence is peace. Through the practice of mindfulness and meditation, it’s the awareness that shifts in the self – peeling back the layers – allowing a ‘self’ to be remembered (even ‘re-membered’) once again. A shift in awareness accordingly changes my vision – both of the self and of those around me – and of my world. Importantly however, a ‘shift’ in vibration allows consequential attitudes and thoughts to be imbued by the ‘power’ of peace. This is a felt energy and experience which in a subtle but transparent way influences atmospheres, empowers and can be both healing and restorative. Any act of peace coming from this space provides an offering at so many different levels. I remember the wisdom conveyed to me at a young age from my parents – that food cooked with peace, love and ‘in remembrance’ serves at so many different levels and has the ability to heal hearts and minds. Cooking in temple kitchens from a young age deepened this understanding and practice – and I do believe that food filled with vibrations of peace and love actually tastes different to otherwise!
It’s worthwhile noting that the magnitude of ‘shifts in awareness’ and the vibrations of peace magnify in their effect when more than one person practices with another – a wisdom through the ages, and now much empirical evidence, of the collective power of prayer, meditation and of holding pure thoughts and intentions together.
So, returning to the theme of UN Peace Day, in a world that can be overwhelming at times, the question is where to start with acting now? Remembering the writings of Thich Nhat Hanh in his book “Peace Is Every Step” – the answer is found in the present, and enacted in the next breath, in the next second and in the next thought. Then in connection with one’s inner presence of peace, every thought filled with an attitude of peace lends power to any act of peace-making within and without – and so therein lies an essential role that meditation plays at this time – certainly no ordinary act!
Join the UN Peace Day Meditation Vigil
Date: Sunday 21st September
Time: 6.30pm – 7.30pm (AEST
Register: tiny.cc/unpeaceday2025
