I come from a long-line of warriors (Beckwiths) and peace-makers (Carlyles). While my grandfather favored evangelical religion and all-star wrestling, my grandmother's mantra was "peace at any price". When I was a child, I was lucky enough to share a household with someone who could do a pretty good imitation of a human volcano. I quickly learned how foolish it was to meet anger with more anger. It just made things worse. By the age of 7 or so, I learned to create a sanctuary of peace within my heart and mind that no loud and angry storm could disturb. The most angry person in my childhood became my first meditation teacher.

The work of peace making is never easy. Many influential peace makers died premature and violent deaths (Jesus, Socrates, Gandhi, Martin Luther King, Robert Kennedy, Paul Wellstone...). Peace making is, as Gandhi and Martin said repeatedly, "the moral equivalent of war". It takes fierce determination, real skill, and a gentle and fearless heart.

In the years ahead, I suspect we will have many opportunities to make peace, mediate conflict, stand up for non-violent means of resolving conflict. To encourage you in this work, I share with you the words of two peace-makers.

Ways to Peace

If there is peace in heart & mind, there can be peace in the family.

If there is peace in the family, there can be peace in the village.

If there is peace in the village, there can be peace in the nation.

If there is peace in the nation, there can be peace in our world.

-Lao Tzu, from the Tao Te Ching

Blessed are the Peace Makers

Blessed are those who mourn, for you will be comforted.

Blessed are those with gentle hearts, for the earth will be entrusted to your care.

Blessed are those who hunger for justice, for you will be satisfied.

Blessed are those who purify your hearts and minds, for you will dwell in the presence of a living Truth.

Blessed are the merciful, for you will plant seeds of mercy in the hearts of your enemies.

Blessed are the peace makers, for through you the words of the prophets have become flesh and blood.

Blessed are those who are persecuted and reviled for a good cause, your reward will endure forever.

-Jesus, from the "Sermon on the Mount", Gospel of Matthew

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May these words ring true in our time.