In the January post for Friends Talk, I focused on the Quaker testimony of Equality.  This seemed to be a good fit with Martin Luther King, Jr. Day  which Friends Life Care commemorated with an organization-wide gathering.  And so, even though it was out of order with the Quaker acronym SPICES (Simplicity, Peace, Integrity, Community, Equality, Stewardship), it seemed especially timely.  Now I am back in order with this post on Peace.

In learning about this important value of Quakerism,  I found that Peace had a meaning strongly connected to social justice and was  decidedly antiwar.

A Friend’s Definition of Peace

Peace  – This Quaker testimony is defined as seeking justice and healing for all people; taking away the causes of war in the ways we live.  To that end, it suggests that people should take action to make the world a more peaceful place.

“We utterly deny all outward wars and strife, and fightings with outward weapons, for any end, or under any pretense whatsoever; this is our testimony to the whole world…. The Spirit of Christ, by which we are guided, is not changeable, so as once to command us from a thing as evil, and again to move us unto it; and we certainly know, and testify to the world, that the Spirit of Christ, which leads us into all truth, will never move us to fight and war against any man with outward weapons, neither for the Kingdom of Christ nor for the Kingdoms of this world…. Therefore, we cannot learn war any more.”

Peace & Social Justice

If you had the opportunity to listen to the interview on video with civil activist Dick Fernandez which was included in my last post, you learned that along with focusing on civil rights, Martin Luther King, Jr. also spoke out against the Vietnam War. Through his support of this antiwar movement that he connected with another amazing world leader who was also focused on peaceful resolution – Thich Nhat Hanh.  In fact, Martin Luther King, Jr. nominated Thich Nhat Hanh for a Nobel Peace Prize in 1967.

Here is an excerpt of the nomination letter written by Martin Luther King, Jr.:

“As the Nobel Peace Prize Laureate of 1964, I now have the pleasure of proposing to you the name of Thich Nhat Hanh for that award in 1967. I do not personally know of anyone more worthy of the Nobel Peace Prize than this gentle Buddhist monk from Vietnam.

This would be a notably auspicious year for you to bestow your Prize on the Venerable Nhat Hanh. Here is an apostle of peace and non-violence, cruelly separated from his own people while they are oppressed by a vicious war which has grown to threaten the sanity and security of the entire world.

Because no honor is more respected than the Nobel Peace Prize, conferring the Prize on Nhat Hanh would itself be a most generous act of peace. It would remind all nations that men of good will stand ready to lead warring elements out of an abyss of hatred and destruction. It would re-awaken men to the teaching of beauty and love found in peace. It would help to revive hopes for a new order of justice and harmony.

I know Thich Nhat Hanh, and am privileged to call him my friend. Let me share with you some things I know…”

Living Peacefully

Peace advocate. Buddhist monk.  Father of modern mindfulness. Poet and teacher.  Thich Nhat Hanh spent his life exiled from his home country for his beliefs.  And through his recent death at age 95, the world is reminded of the importance of peace.  Clearly, this is a critical topic for the world throughout history and continues to challenge us all today.  This is another reason why Quakers hold it dear as one of the life guiding testimonies – the P of SPICES.

Inspiring Quotes about Peace

Following are a couple of quotes about peace from Thich Nhat Hanh which I personally connected with as well as an interview with Oprah Winfrey that I enjoyed and wanted to share with you:

“Peace is present right here and now, in ourselves and in everything we do and see. Every breath we take, every step we take, can be filled with peace, joy, and serenity. The question is whether or not we are in touch with it. We need only to be awake, alive in the present moment.”

“If in our daily life we can smile, if we can be peaceful and happy, not only we, but everyone will profit from it. This is the most basic kind of peace work.”

My Personal Reflection

Also when I reflect on his teachings on peace and mindfulness, I am reminded of the hymn, “It is Well With My Soul.” The first stanza says:

When peace like a river attendeth my way
When sorrows like sea billows roll
Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say
It is well, it is well with my soul…

Thich Nhat Hanh was and is a beautiful example of true wellness of soul. In those moments when it has been difficult for me to catch my breath and fear or grief has gripped me, I am reminded that I can pause and call for peace to enter that space. I can breathe in peace and exhale fear. I can breathe in peace and exhale negative thoughts. I can breathe in peace and call forth joy and serenity.

The presence of peace is readily available in my storms. It’s as if peace says, “I was created for this moment. Watch me shine.” We found peace through the life, mind and heart of Thich Nhat Hanh.

May the value that is peace brighten our being. May peace enter our spaces of anger, frustration and hopelessness. May peace calm our turbulent weather. And may we with mindful awareness invite peace to illuminate our souls.

Are you living a peaceful life?  Do you practice mindfulness?  Please share your thoughts and feelings in the comment section under this post.

Contributed by Joylyn Williamson

Joylyn Williamson, Inside Sales Manager

Joylyn joined Friends Life Care in 2017 as a sales manager and plan counselor on the sales and marketing team. She brings many years of experience with inside sales in both business-to-business and consumer.  Previously she held positions selling to vertical markets like the federal government and meeting tough sales quotas for technology and IT offerings.  She is excited to be a part of Friends Life Care and appreciates working in an organization guided by Quaker values.

Originally from Southern California, Joylyn has called the east coast home for over 20 years. Last year she relocated her 88-year-old father from California to her home in Pennsylvania.  She now manages his care as he has a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s. He is her favorite person; and she finds it an honor to care for the man who once took care of her.

Joylyn earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Drama, TV and Film and completed some graduate studies in Communications at Regent University. Joylyn volunteers with a local theatre company performing onstage or working behind the scenes.