Segment 4—Part One: Perfect Peace

Author: Michael Cumpian

Perfect Peace, from the Sanskrit parama śānti, means supreme peace; an unchanging state beyond disturbance.

Selections from: PERFECT PEACE, pg. 16, aphorisms (6, 11, 21, 10, 9, 1, 7)

6. Peace is a shoreless ocean, and it is the light that illuminates the world.

11. Wisdom born of peace is the cause of living a full life which knows no death.

21. Peace is effulgent, blissful, and is associated with wisdom; it is indeed the experience of God.

10. One’s inner nature is nearest to the nature of God.

9. Spiritual aspirants have to develop discernment and differentiate between the transitory and the eternal, then decide which is the most worthy of their attention and efforts. Second, a sincere attempt has to be made to experience what has been chosen as worthy and true. Third, that attempt should not be given up; one must persist, regardless of what stands in the way. These three steps are referred to as genuine tapas (the spiritual disciplines that burn out negative, habitual tendencies). From this discipline is born real peace and joy.

1. Perfect peace means that type of peace derived as a result of the absence of desire, anger, greed, and hatred.

7. Pure love can emanate only from a heart immersed in peace.