Question to Radhanath Swami: How do we resolve the conflict which sometimes occurs between peace within and peace around us? We can be at peace with ourselves, but it may not be something which is probably acceptable to people around us in all circumstances. So what should take priority: our inner self being at peace or is it more important that people around us and the world around us is more at peace?
Answer by Radhanath Swami : Both are important. To the degree we try to create peace around us, we will find peace within ourselves. And to the degree we find peace within ourselves, we will actually have the power to create peace around us. Just like, if you don’t eat you don’t have the strength to do your work. So somehow or the other, however busy you are, you find some time to eat food. Isn’t it? Similarly, however busy we are, if we actually want to have a qualitatively healthy life and make positive changes in the environment around us, we have to have inner strength. Satsang, kirtan, and meditation, these spiritual practices are like food that give us spiritual nourishment and strength that equip us to be more effective in creating peace in the environment around us.
