It is remarkable how much we hear about the need for peace these days and how precious little of it exists. I also am amazed at how when an act of war is committed it is always done in the name of peace. We hear the expression "Peace is our profession" which hangs in the walls of the Pentegon. It is erily Orwellian to say this. Reminds me of "War is peace, Freedom is Slavery, Lies are truth". We are definately living in 1984.

Now then, what is peace and how can it be used as a weapon? Well this idea is not a new one. We can look at Budda, Jesus Christ and others for the inspiration on how a passive warrior can fight effectively. Religious groups like the Quakers, Anabaptists, Shakers and others lived lives of peace. In the 1840's Henry David Thearou retreated to Waldon's Pond to escape a life of "quiet despiration". He later went to prison for refusing to pay a tax which would by used to finance a war with Mexico. He was later baled out by Ralph Waldo Emerson. When Emerson asked Thearou why he was in prison, Thearou replied "Why arnt you in prison?"

Ghandi was the ultimate warrior for peace. This was a near naked man. He was thin, his face was wrinkled and worn down. Yet he had a silent dignity about him. He endured his suffering and did so with great strength. His suffering shamed his oppressors. He used love as a weapon and proved that love is a powerful weapon indeed. He defeated the mightiest empire ever known and brought the colonial administration to its knees. Few could guess that this Christ like man was a mighty warrior but he most certainly was.

What makes a successful peace warrior? The answer may sound strange but it is anger. Every successful worker for peace starts with anger. The normal education of every peace warrior starts as such:
1) An early education in what is right and wrong (which is why most peace activists have strong religious backgrounds).
2) Recognization that an injustice is happening.
3) Anger at the state of affairs.
4) Willingness to take action.
5) Taking action.

All peace activists from Ghandi, Dorthy Day, Martin Luther King, Nelson Mandela, Lech Welesa, Cardinal Romero or El Salvador and so on all had this in common.

Where does the peace begin? The answer is very simple. It is within all of us. Each of us has the peace in our hearts. From inside the peace goes to our extended families, to our co workers, our neighbors and out to the world. Peace is a powerful weapon when used wisely. It begins with all of us.

Let peace flourish.

Let Love conquer hate.

Let the planet live in peace. Life begins with peace. Peace begins with love. Let the love flow!