The Shanti Path

Abstract

This thesis considers the relationship between our own individual peace that we experience and the external peace of the world around us. It seeks to gain a deeper insight into this connection through a twopronged approach. The first approach is an autobiographic narrative, drawing from the autoethography research methodology, which examines my own internal processes affecting my own individual peace. This includes conversational interviews with teachers and inspirers within my own internal journey. The second approach is an academic one, where firstly literature regarding the relationship between the inner and outer realms is considered. Religion is examined here as the external representation of the inner path. Then both the internal and external approaches are considered in their own right. The internal path is identified as the act of ‘Living Peace’ in our own lives. Qualities like service, love, balance, detachment, nonviolence and compassion were all seen as fundamental to developing inner peace, regardless of the religious or philosophical framework within which these ideas are presented. Here scientific evidence is also highlighted regarding the physical and mental benefits observed through spiritual activities such as prayer and meditation. The outer realm is represented through the concept of ‘Sharing Peace’. Here education is highlighted as a system that every child experiences and therefore a powerful tool for developing peace. There are a number of aspects identified as being important to holistic peace education, including the role of the teacher, the teaching of morals, the importance of experiential learning, the function of contemplation and the role of myths and stories. The effect of trauma on children is also considered in terms of changes in their fundamental beliefs, post traumatic-stress, depression and anger. The thesis then seeks to explore some pathways to healing from these events. Spirituality is seen to be important in post-traumatic growth and helps in coping and growing from these experiences. Ultimately the thesis comes full circle, returning to my own individual experience and journey, which highlights the underlying theme of this work. All efforts for peace are interrelated and can never be truly separated. While no work is more important than the other, we always must come back to ourselves. We as individuals are responsible for peace not only on the macro level but the micro as well. We must work to become more complete and peaceful in ourselves so we can seek to develop these qualities in the people and systems around us. The two aspects of peace, the internal and external, must be developed together. They rely on one another and if they are not cultivated simultaneously the result is unbalanced. Peace is defined as a state of balance and harmony, so if we wish to work towards it we must do so on both fronts. The thesis that follows is my attempted to do this in my own life and academic studies.