Illustration by Kevin Christopher M. Tee (2015)

| pi:s |

I don’t even need to talk about this word, but talk about it let us anyway. For I think its value and goodness is being taken for granted in today’s world.

In a Catholic Mass, the entire congregation is called to interact with each other by offering each other “a sign of God’s peace”. Jesus Himself said “Peace be with you” in His post-resurrection appearance to the frightened apostles, and indicated that He would give and leave His peace with them. The congregation usually exchanges “Peace be with you” and loved ones may kiss and hug as well. But do we truly allow peace to reign in our lives?

Simple living is also about living a peaceful life. Consider the first definition below: freedom from disturbance. Freedom from unnecessary hassles in life – thereby allowing you to focus more on finding and living out your higher purpose, on living a life of consciousness and of service. This is the first, and most important, layer of peace: peace with yourself, peace as a mood of personal governance.

We always advocate the second layer of peace – world peace, peace between nations, between societies, between others. But what about your own peace? Surely in learning to make peace a lifestyle, you would be better equipped and better founded in fostering peace with others. Again and again, ancient proverbs memorialized in the Bible warn against a rash, angry tongue, and advocates being slow to anger. When you are angry all the time, it is your loss because of so much energy wasted on getting angry, energy that could otherwise have been used for good.

Rightful conduct. Kindness and love towards others from the highest to the humblest people in your life. A healthy balance of physical and spiritual well-being – time to do your things and time to converse with your God who will help you keep things in check. It all starts with the self, with the individual.

And if love is the cornerstone of the faith, then peace is the building block of love.

Definition

noun

• freedom from disturbance; tranquility
  • mental or emotional calm
• a state or period in which there is no war or a war has just ended
  • a treaty agreeing peace between warring states
  • the state of being free from civil disorder
  • the state of being free from dissension
• (“the peace”) a ceremonial handshake or kiss exchanged during a service in some Churches (now usually only in the Eucharist) symbolizing Christian love and unity.

Etymology

Middle English, from Old French pais, itself from Latin pax, pac- (“peace”).

In other languages

• Bahasa Indonesia: perdamaian
• بهاس ملايو:
  • كامانن (keamanan)
• Cebuano: kalinaw
• Deutsch: der Frieden; die Ruhe
• Español: la paz; la tranquilidad
• Filipino: kapayapaan
• Français: la paix; la tranquilité; la calme
• 한국어: 평화 (pyeonghwa)
• Italiano: la pace; la serenità
• ភាសាខ្មែរ: សន្ដិផាប (sa ndi pha b)
• Latino: pax; pacem
• မြန်မာဘာသာ: ငြိမ်းချမ်းရေး (ngyaaimhkyamrayy)
• 日本語: 平和 (へいわ)
• ພາສາລາວ: ສັນຕິພາບ (santiphab)
• ภาษาไทย: สันติภาพ (S̄ạntip̣hāph)
• தமிழ்: அமைதி (Amaiti)
• Tiếng Việt: hòa bình
• 中文: 和平 (hépíng); 平安 (píngān)