The four step path to peace.

When I look at my Daughter, I see pure radiance and innocence. All she experiences is the immediate world she is in contact with - her parents, her toys, her milk bottles and the room she is in. As human beings grow older, they come into contact with harsh realities and negativity as well, which they were shielded from at a young age. How then do we maintain peace of mind and maintain positivity in this world that it is being increasingly polluted both in the physical realm and mental realm?

There are four steps prescribed for this purification process: devotion, spiritual knowledge, detachment and righteousness. 

Devotion refers to the faith that we have in God as well as our practices to constantly meditate on the form of God. 

Spiritual knowledge is the seed of understanding that God is the all-doer and that we are merely tools. It is also the understanding that we are the soul, unblemished and radiant, and not the physical form that we see in a mirror. In order to see out true selves, we need to internalise through meditation. We will then know that we are a part of the infinite consciousness. If we think of ourselves as a drop of water, distinct from the ocean, we will struggle. However, if we think of ourselves as part of the ocean and merge into the ocean, we gain the power of the ocean and attain bliss. Alas, everything happens for a reason and everything is done by God for our betterment. 

Detachment refers to living a minimalistic lifestyle and not placing importance on worldly objects and things around us. Yes, we need a phone for example to communicate, but it cannot become the centre of our lives. A spiritual man once told me that in order to truly help someone, especially if it's a relative, we need to push emotions aside. If a doctor gets emotionally involved with a patient, he will not be able to provide the appropriate medical care. Similarly, we need to detach from the relation and then only can we provide service. Detachment will also allow us to reach the higher realms and merge with infinite consciousness. 

Last but not the least, dharma or righteousness should be the core of every decision that we make in life. If our conscience is clear, the decision is right and our minds will be filled with positivity. 

These four steps may not come immediately to our minds when faced with problems or struggles, but regular meditation will help us along this path. Then, and only then, can we attain peace of mind.