Inner Peace vs. Outer Chaos: A Tale of Serenity and Struggle

July 27, 2024

Below is something I wrote a some years ago after bumping into a friend I hadn’t seen for a long time. The feelings expressed, I think, are just as relevant today as they were then, when I, along with others, was preparing for the Woomera Action in Easter, 2002 with Hope Caravan. 

ABC iView (Australia) has a series called “I Was Actually There” which includes an episode on Woomera, 2002.

So I thought I’d rewrite this earlier post for today.

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“Serenity and Struggle: A Tale of Inner Peace vs. Outer Chaos”

When I saw him yesterday, he seemed to radiate a serene contentment. Sitting in a half lotus position on his sofa, his bare feet intertwined, he exuded tranquility. The mandala tattoo just above his ankle harmonized perfectly with the diamond-shaped crystal hanging from his neck. We shared some green tea, and he smiled gently as he closed the book he was reading.

He was an old friend, someone I hadn’t seen in ages. In the time apart, our paths had diverged dramatically. He had discovered spiritual bliss, while I continued to grapple with finding peace. He spoke of inner tranquility, whereas I confessed to enduring inner turmoil. His spiritual battles were over; mine felt never-ending.

“You’re caught in duality,” he remarked with a seemingly humble smile. “You think you can change the world, but the only thing you can truly change is yourself.”

He was referring to my plea for him to join me in action—to support those who are voiceless and powerless. I had invited him to participate in the Festival of Freedoms at Woomera during Easter 2002, to stand up for the refugees trapped in Australia’s detention centers.

I responded, “But what if my sense of self extends beyond my physical body? What if it encompasses the whole planet? When I witness suffering and injustice, it feels as though it’s happening within me.”

He laughed, “Well, in that case, your ego is bigger than mine!”

Adjusting his posture, he let his leg fall straight over the side of the sofa, leaning forward with his elbows on his knees. The crystal around his neck swayed like a pendulum between us. Incense smoke spiraled upwards from the joss stick burning on the coffee table.

I could see his point but it didn’t sit right with me. “Ego, big or small, will always be there. Tell me, what would you do if your neighbor’s house was burning down? Would you ignore it because your house is fine?”

“I would help extinguish the fire immediately. But for me, the plight of refugees and distant wars are beyond my control. I seek inner peace through meditation, believing it will ultimately benefit the world more than any protest or action. True change begins within. Your protests add more noise to the chaos. By creating an oasis of silence and peace within, you contribute more profoundly than by facing the razor wire of the camps. Change yourself—that’s all you need to do.”

He sipped his tea and stared intently at me, or perhaps at the space between my eyes—the so-called third eye. I couldn’t tell, but his gaze carried an intensity, as if he was trying to shift my perspective with his energy. He was kidding himself if he thought he could.

Yes, our paths had diverged. While I understood the importance of inner work and its impact on the outer world, I couldn’t accept withdrawing into personal peace while others suffered. Can one carry the inner “oasis of silence” into the world’s places of sorrow and injustice, to share that peace? I wondered.


Unlocking the Mysteries: Pavlos’s Surprising Transformation in His Grandfather’s Study

July 27, 2024

Pavlos sat alone in his grandfather’s study, a place steeped in memories and the faint scent of old books and leather. The room was his sanctuary, a haven where he found solace among familiar objects: the fruit bowl on the side table, the worn chair, and the portrait of his grandfather gazing down from the wall. The dim light filtered through the dusty curtains, casting an ethereal glow on the room. But today, something was different.

The call—he couldn’t think of a better name for it—began as a subtle warmth in his palms. It grew, radiating from the center of his hands to the base of his fingers, eventually reaching the tips. The warmth transformed into a quivering tingle, like millions of tiny feathers stroking under his skin. Startled, Pavlos looked around the room, his eyes landing on the picture of his grandfather. The warmth in his hands faded as he focused on the portrait, but when he redirected his attention back to his hands, the warmth returned.

Intrigued and a bit unnerved, Pavlos decided to experiment. Could he maintain the warmth in his hands while being aware of something outside himself? He chose the picture of his grandfather as his focal point. As he concentrated, a surge of energy raced up from the soles of his feet, halting abruptly near his navel. The energy solidified into a powerful sense of centeredness and balance, filling the emptiness within his chest with a newfound strength.

The sensation intensified, spreading through his body until he felt as though he were aflame from within. Strange symbols and geometric shapes, hieroglyphics, and formulas began to rise in his mind like smoke. His body blazed with a profound understanding that transcended mere thought. “This must be what religious sighs are about,” a voice said. Was it his own thought or something external? Pavlos could no longer distinguish between inner and outer reality. The posture of his body, the position of the furniture, and the entire ambience of the room reverberated through his nervous system, tingling with a new sense of expectation.

Pavlos’s heart raced, his mind spinning with questions. What was this sensation? Why was it happening now? The study had always been a place of comfort, but now it felt like a portal to another dimension, charged with an electric anticipation that made his skin prickle.

The sense of expectation coiled upwards from the base of his spine like a neon curl, sparking into his body’s nerve circuits a shock of recognition. Pavlos felt a connection to something greater, something ancient and wise. The room seemed to pulse with life, as if it held secrets waiting to be discovered. He could hear the faint ticking of the old clock on the mantle, each second amplifying the intensity of his experience.

He closed his eyes, allowing the sensations to guide him. His breath deepened, and he felt as if he were floating in a sea of energy. The warmth, the symbols, the voice—they all merged into a single, harmonious experience. When he finally opened his eyes, the room looked the same, yet everything had changed. He felt more alive, more attuned to his surroundings and to himself.

Pavlos realized that the call was an invitation to explore deeper aspects of his consciousness, to unlock potentials he had never known existed. A wave of emotions washed over him—curiosity, excitement, and a bit of fear. With a sense of purpose and curiosity, he embraced this new journey, eager to see where it would lead. The study, once a place of solace and memories, had become a gateway to a realm of profound discovery and self-awareness. As he stood up, the portrait of his grandfather seemed to smile down at him, as if approving of the path Pavlos was about to embark on.

The adventure had just begun.