Have you ever been in a crowded subway or busy street and felt like it was just too much? Or lost in a crowded marketplace in a foreign country, or caught up in an argument that was going nowhere?
A great meditation teacher once said that there should be no difference between meditating in a cave or in the center of a city as peace is inside us and is not dependent on external circumstances. Although this is undoubtedly true, it is definitely put to the test when our lives are full of chaos or anger.
Being in touch with your inner peace is not the same as being happy. When difficult or painful things happen, such as the loss of a loved one, you will not feel happy, that's for sure. But it doesn't mean you have to lose your peace. Beneath the tears and grief there can remain a steadiness, an inner stillness, independent of the circumstances.
Maintaining that peace, especially when confronted with difficult situations, means being able to let go all the time, constantly, in every moment. We say, "don't even pick it up!" for as soon as you begin to hold on, whether to resentment, irritation, hurt or anger, you create suffering for yourself. Your mind gets caught up in the emotion and you lose your balance. Letting go does not deny your feelings. You can feel all sorts of things, whether sadness, joy, anxiety or laughter.
The difference is that you are not holding on to these feelings. They come and then they pass. Like birds in the sky of your mind, let them fly away.
One of the greatest spiritual teachings is the awareness that all things are impermanent, that all things come and go, that we cannot cling to anything, not even pleasure, without also creating suffering. As we integrate the truth of this teaching it is wonderfully liberating for it brings us back into the present moment. If everything is so impermanent, including ourselves and our feelings, then there is no purpose in holding on and trying to make those feelings last longer. Rather, there is far greater joy in releasing them and reconnecting to sanity and peace.
Chaos is natural--if you look at the world it is everywhere--but to find your peace in the midst of chaos is something we all have to deal with. Life is unpredictable and will bring about many different emotions and mind states that can be challenging and difficult, even unbearable at times. But beneath all the dramas, distractions and problems there is a still and calm place you can rest in.
If, amidst the turmoil, you can find just one moment of peace in each day, then your whole life will become more joyful. Like the water in a lake, when your mind is calm you can see the depths below, but when your mind is disturbed it is easy to get caught up in the waves. Through meditation you can become more aware of when emotions arise so you can take some time to chill out before they take over.
"Meditation is when I can watch stuff go by and the part of me that usually interrupts and says, 'That's a good story,' or 'that son of a bitch,' or 'I'm guilty and awful,' that part sits back and sees it as just one more story but without attachment to it," says our friend Dr. Joan Borysenko in our book, Be the Change. "This gives me the most delicious sense of spaciousness and peace."
If circumstances cannot be changed then you can change your attitude toward them--you may not be able to control the wind but you can adjust your sails. You can either blame others or you can relax into each moment as it arises. When you can just be with the way things are in the present moment then you can be free of complications, and that freedom is your peace.
Just Being Meditation
Find a comfortable place to sit, and close your eyes. Become aware of yourself, of your presence on the chair in the room. Cast your mind around your body. Breathe into and release any places of tension.
Now feel the flow of your breath as it enters and leaves. Here you are: alive ... breathing ... sensing ... your heart beating ... your feet on the floor. Be present with yourself and whatever is happening, without judgment.
Now just sit and be and breathe ... just sitting ... just being... just breathing. Silently repeat, "May all things be well, may I be at peace with all things."
Stay with this for a few minutes, or for as long as you like. When you are ready take a deep breath and gently open your eyes.
How do you stay peaceful when chaos is all around you? Do comment below. You can receive notice of our blogs every Tuesday by checking Become a Fan at the top.
You can learn more in our award-winning book: BE THE CHANGE, How Meditation Can Transform You and the World, or from our three meditation CD's.
: Metta--Loving kindness and Forgiveness; Samadhi-Breath Awareness and Insight; and Yoga Nidra-Inner Conscious Relaxation.
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Andrew Harvey and Karuna Erickson: A Response to Today's Challenges: Sacred Activism and Heart Yoga
Ed and Deb Shapiro: Don't Worry, Be Happy!
You comment is spot on!
I love what you say here my friend:
"Most people get stuck reacting when chaos arises. Or, for that matter when anything arises, naturally in the moment. Spaciousness, emptiness and non-attachment all help with presence - first and foremost, we need to practice being totally relaxed, trusting and surrendered to whatever is happening in the moment."
Big Love - Ed
You can only look at the highway - driving is another place that people are often selfish
It takes more energy to be caring and compassionate than to be self-centered and greedy.
That's why meditation is so vital to us all - we learn to connect with our humanness and caring selves
Ed
Think of the tiger and the monkey................While peacefuly eating a banana the monkey hears and smells an on coming tiger....chaos! This sets off all kinds of alarms, bells and whistles, the monkey naturally knows what it must do. His hunger is not the crisis, his threatened life is. He takes off without hesitation. Still alive, he finds a peaceful place to finish his meal.......... If he hadn't dropped it in his mad dash to get away from the tiger.
I find when confronted by chaos and crisis the first thing I try to do is to relax, think, focus on the problem and find a path to resolution...........some might say meditate.
In a sense the practice of Judo is similar. Use the force that attacks you, as the force to protect you.
I'm not sure if this make any sense, but having dealt with a lifetime of crisis and chaos, I have always come out of them with a greater understanding of myself and those around me.......Now where is that banana?
Yes very true chaos can bring about the necessary ingredient to wake up.
This is well said:
"I find when confronted by chaos and crisis the first thing I try to do is to relax, think, focus on the problem and find a path to resolution...........some might say meditate."
I would say meditate - which in truth is being mindful in the present - seeing how things actually are.
and when you think of it - most people are bananas :-)
Enjoy the journey- Ed
Take care my friends...................SOF
So good to hear how meditation has been helpful for you. It really is being present and aware of how things are. Then you are not a slave but become the master of your own mind. That is a blessing in itself.
Treasure yourself, Ed
Perhaps that's when I'll know that I've got it, when I maintain my grace regularly in situations that used to leave me un-glued Sometimes I can detachedly observe events that have emotional meaning for me and I am amazed at this phenomenon. It's a new thing for me and I like it. Ive been remiss in my meditation lately. I will remedy that by taking 15 minutes this evening for breathing and letting thoughts float by without picking them up.
Enjoy the joy,
little brother
We meditate everyday between 45 minutes and an hour - it works wonders
Treasure yourself, Ed
I will follow your advise,,
BB
Great to have you in our world! I fan you too.
Blessings to our sweet Cara
Treasure yourself- Ed
But then,always friends like you make me want to come back......
HUG to both
BB
How do I stay peaceful when chaos is all around me? I have a memory from this misty morning, when the sea was nearly flat, all was grey with touches of pink and palest blue and I could hear the sea lapping on the beach. That was peaceful.
The most chaotic times I experience are often just before I officiate a wedding ceremony, when everyone wants it to go well and panic seems to be in the air. I prepare in advance, knowing that everything is perfectly working out. Which it always does. Even "mistakes" turn out to be perfect. My job before the ceremony starts is simply to hold the peace. That is a great blessing for me.
It is very lovely to be reminded that the peace is always within us. The peace mantra also helps me: God bless you. I love you. Peace, Be still.
Huge love and blessings to you,
Anne
I can imagine how lucky couples are to have you do the wedding ceremony. Even chaos would be fun! :-)
You are a jewel in the heart of the lotus!
Ed


We are visiting our elderly parents this week and it is challenging on every level. Mom has smoked her way into disease and her health is failing rapidly. There is medical equipment in every room. Her mind has slipped into a place where she has created another reality. She cannot hear well so we echo each sentiment over and over again. There is constant drama, childlike tantrums and general chaos. We know that death is inevitable- and near.
And still Mom reaches for her cigarettes with a shaky hand between shallow sips of air from her oxygen tank.
The repetitive sound of the gongs is a reminder and helps ease the chaos of this extraordinary time. It cannot remove the thick residue of sadness.

 I understand that her fate has already been sealed but I can still exude peace for both of us. She deserves that gift. I give it to myself as well.
Om Shanti.
It was a couple of years before I remembered my dad as being a life well-lived, and not as a madman screaming about people trying to burn him alive or being eaten by ants. But he now lives in my mind as the man who carried me around on his shoulders - I hope your mom lives that way soon, too. Chaos comes, but it also passes.
A wonderful reminder that while we cannot control external events, we can control how we respond to them. Reading the words of wise and loving wisdom teachers, doing our best to suss out their thoughts and wishes for us, centering ourselves in a peaceful stillpoint from which we can authentically create ourselves as we've always believed ourselves to be.....this seems so much more worthwhile than allowing worry and fear to fill our heart-mind.
You have such a great knack for bringing the big questions into everyday life in a way that is both practical and meaningful!
Thanks As Always,
William
The greatest gift is waking up - to know who we are is a joy beyond words, we see the world with new eyes - we understand the inherent wisdom and compassion in us all.
You are wise and I am happy to know you and call you a friend.
Big Love - Ed
Senor Superfrog :)
I hope all who view this read what you have said.
many BLESSINGS - Ee
Reading your piece this week is like going to a spa! May I be at peace with all things....
I know often when returning from a vacation, night out of fun, or something special, I will often walk in my house filled with warm inner peace - and within five minutes find myself frustrated with the dishes in the sink, or arguing with the kids about who took what from whom... and I have to laugh! Maybe I will make a bumper sticker of your chants and hang them around the kitchen for reminders! :)
Much Love
Kari
you are a delight!
as long as you can laugh at it all what more can you want!
Joyfully - Ed
Again I resume the long
lesson; how small a thing
can be pleasing, how little
in this hard world it takes
to satisfy the mind
and bring it to rest.
Within the ongoing havoc
the woods this morning is
almost unnaturally still.
Through stalled air, unshadowed
light, a few leaves fall
of their own weight.
The sky
is gray. It begins in mist
almost at the ground
and rises forever. The trees
rise in silence almost
natural, but not quite,
almost eternal, but
not quite.
What more did I
think I wanted? Here is
what has always been.
Here is what will always
be. Even in me,
the Maker of all this
returns in rest, even
to the slightest of His works,
a yellow leaf slowly
falling, and is pleased.
If I had my choice, I'd love to be able to write poetry. Poets write that which is now in their consciousness; others write today in continuation of yesterday and in expectation of tomorrow.
this is so wonderful!
Ed
I ski and luv luv luv it - it is a great sport and one must be 100% present.
You do have it right - when u care for yourself then the rest follows.
Treasure yourself, Ed
Boy do we have lots of chances to practice what you're teaching! Every day, in fact. Right now, I['m blessed to be staying up on the northern CA coast, overlooking the ocean. I take long walks by the sea and meditate to the sound of the waves breaking. it's glorious!
But next week, I'll be back amidst the chaos of my everyday life and the real work begins. It's easy to be peaceful when we're removed from the daily "grind".
Thanks for reminding us that peace is always available no matter where we are. Kind of like joy!
Blessings,
Judith
Now the trick is to be in the everyday with a smile and a greeting to whatever arises. I know you will cause you are gorgeous Judith Rich :-)
Love and hugs,
Ed
that is always helpful - I hope people check it out!
Peace is our nature,
Ed