Discovering Peace Through Mindfulness
BY: T. Franklin Murphy | May 1, 2016 (modified January 9, 2023)

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A practice of mindfulness can provide a momentary respite from the chaos. During these quiet moments, we find peace.
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In the depths of struggles, where do we find peace? Too many quiet days, and the tediousness bores us, insufficient days of rest and life overwhelms. We must find middle ground to avoid the sluggishness of overwhelm and the laziness of stagnation. Some need to be prodded to act while others must be forced to rest. The body—and mind—are not machines. We tire and quickly become depleted. For some constant activity serves as an escape from the ghosts haunting their mind, others need the reassurance of work to prove their worth; but the unrelenting pace damages the soul and the body.

Our bodies and minds need restful moments to properly integrate the troublesome backdrop of living. The peaceful escape is most salient during troubled times. During the darkness of difficulty, moments of peace rejuvenates the soul and re-energizes the body.
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​When Life Overwhelms

​We experience rough patches; an unexpected blast knocks the air out of us, dashing hopes. During the late months of 2008 and into 2009, I suffered a divorce, loss of a life’s savings in equity, and an unexpected lawsuit that forced bankruptcy. I continued to function but not well; but when I lost contact with a supportive friend, I collapsed in despair. Hopes of recovery—a possible new life—crumbled. Short spurts of sleep provided my only escape, only intervening when complete exhaustion triumphed my over-active mind. Painful ruminations continually intruded, spanning over  fifteen months of mental hell.
 
I’m not special. The experience was more poignant because I’m the one that felt it. Most people encounter similar moments of suffering. That was my time. However, the ashes of ruin fertilize the soil for beautiful new beginnings. In the deepest moments of despair, I discovered peace.
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Non-Judgmental Awareness of Pain

​The light of peace—although only monetarily—broke through the agonizing days; at first just a flash, piercing through the darkness, delighting my soul. I could feel it. I relished the moment and then it quickly vanished. A momentary glimpse at the possibility of healing. My mind was still at war, but the ceasefire gave hope.

The first taste of peace came with a simple nonjudgmental awareness of the pain. A quiet acceptance without a forced plan to heal. This first joyous escape was soon followed with other peaceful encounters. Peace became a regular visitor, still in simple, short bursts. In the sacred moments of pain, I discovered peace. My life problems remained, still haunting progress; but with moments of tranquility gracing my life, I begin the process of rebuilding.
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​We Search for the Meaning of Pain

​​Emotional unrest challenges self-confidence, dampens hope and discourages action; even when action is essential for recovery. Following painful experience, the body delves into a mire of thoughts and feelings. Our brain organizes experience—emotions and thoughts—to create a coherent story.  We experience life through the lens of meaning—the meanings we assign.
 
We search for answers; Why do I feel this way? What does this mean? How do I escape these feelings?

See Meaning Making Machines for more on this topic

Our mind fumbles ​for answers, giving meaning to experience. Graspable meaning creates a sense of control—escape from vulnerability. We give meaning to experiences even when we have insufficient knowledge of the causes. Our meanings are influenced by our moods. When lost in sorrow, our explanations are sorrowful, adding to despair by finding catastrophic meaning to mundane events. Our answers (no matter how eloquent) can’t explain away the pain. The lover is still gone, the bill collector still knocks, and the future still menacingly looms beyond control.
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Disrupting Flow of Thoughts

​​Stopping the incessant flow of thought, even for a moment, invites breaks in the action, giving space for refreshing moments of peace. We must purposely invite the space. The mind gets dragged into finding answers that don’t exist. When resolutions are unavailable, the wheels of the mind continue to spin, sinking deeper into the unforgiving sludge of the unknown; the more the wheels spin, the deeper the mind sinks.

​Often information emerges solving the problems that have us stuck; but this doesn’t always happen at our command. We must wait. During the dark waiting periods when causes are unknown, and futures are put on hold, we need a mental escape. We need the respite to prevent overwhelm; outmatched by experience to prevent the depression, discouragement and helplessness that are sure to follow.
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Mindfulness and Peace

​The practice of mindfulness directs awareness away from words and towards feelings. This practice works well with nature, exercise, and meditation. We momentarily excuse ourselves from the normal practice of understanding with words, assigning meaning and creating connections. Excusing our momentary participation in meaning making word games may be awkward at first.

See Focus on Feelings and Mindful Breathing for more on this topic

Our initial attempts to disengage and focus on feeling may challenge our resolve as our mind stubbornly continues to feast on disrupting thoughts. We must catch our wandering mind and redirect it—over and over and over. This engages the mind in a new process, momentarily distracting from painful ruminations by focusing on feelings without judgement, without explanations, and without words—just feeling.

These practices invite peace. Momentary relief from current troubles, refreshing and rejuvenating the mind to reengage with life. Quietness, once appreciated, does not bore. The routine escapes enliven our spirits and sharpen our minds. We find peace.
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​Other Flourishing Life Society articles of interest on the topic of peace: