The Most Important Power in Life: Inner Peace
In The Power of Inner Peace, Carnegie writes, “People spend so much time strengthening their bodies, yet few are willing to calm their minds and train their spirits.” The highest state in life is to cultivate a soul that resides in a rich, peaceful state. In time, you begin to feel a calm presence, with a fulfilled inner world. When you have this power of inner peace, everything feels natural, authentic—even delightful.
Bing Xin once said, “The light of the soul shines in silence, yet dims in noise.” Don’t think that peace of mind equates to loneliness or pain. When your heart is truly calm, you feel happiest, most clear-headed, and free. This state allows you to experience the world more authentically and meaningfully.
Quiet Diligence
The quality of your life depends on whether you can work steadily, with a calm mind. Many people aim too high and then look down on the jobs available to them, leaving themselves in a state of indecision and regret. In reality, ambitions are lofty, but reality is stark; if someone is constantly restless, dismissing opportunities, they’ll find themselves stagnating, with both skill and growth hampered.
As competition grows fiercer, those lacking calm and perseverance will find it increasingly challenging. The writer Yi Shu said, “Whatever you do, do it quietly. Come quietly, go quietly, work quietly, and reap quietly—never make a fuss.” True strength comes not from overthinking but from living life through experience. Decide what you want, then pursue it with quiet determination, without overanalyzing or worrying.
Put in quiet effort, cultivate quietly, and one day, in the silent passage of time, life will surprise you in subtle, unexpected ways.
Complete Inner Peace
People who are calm at heart tend to be happier. Initially, they may be tempted or restless, driven by desire, not knowing which direction to take. But after enduring hardships and becoming more mature, they realize that life is a path with ups and downs. No matter how cautious, focused, or prepared you are, life will still bring pressure, challenges, and unexpected change.
Those who live with clarity let go of needless worry, calm their minds, and learn to be gentle with themselves. Amid all life’s circumstances, they find peace through self-cultivation. As Master Nan Huai-Chin wrote, “True practice is not on a mountain, not in a temple, but within society itself. We all live and practice in life.” Only by fully immersing ourselves in our experiences can we refine our skills, wisdom, and character. Ultimately, this elevates our lives and brings about transformation, allowing each day to be filled with calm, purity, joy, and beauty.
A Power Called Inner Peace
I love Lin Qingxuan’s words: “When our hearts are at peace, our worries fade like mud, and a lotus, a purity of wisdom, blooms from the hidden corners of ignorance.” Life is simple, and so is living, as long as our hearts remain peaceful and pure.
Then, no matter what life brings, we can live it calmly. Life always moves forward, and we must allow our hearts to quiet down, free from agitation, worry, or confusion. Be patient, neither overly joyful nor sorrowful, and continue on, waiting and moving forward. In time, everything will move from the challenges of mountains and rivers to the bright, open fields.
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