Is Your Peace of Mind Up to You?

Peace of mind is not something that happens to us. Like mastering a new pose or learning a new language, peace of mind is attitude we can improve with practice. Eventually, we all need to be reminded that our inner tranquility is something we have a say in regardless of the circumstances in which we find ourself.

What We Can Control, and What We Can’t

Some things are within our control, and some are not. 

In our control are our thoughts, intentions, reactions, and judgments—the elements within our inner world. Outside of our control are circumstances like our birth, the opinions of others, our physical health, social standing, and career success. 

While we can influence some external factors, this influence is limited. We can exercise to care for our health, save money to build financial security, and gain education to improve career prospects. Yet none of this guarantees freedom from illness, job loss, or unexpected hardships. 

The Problem with External Happiness

When people are asked about happiness, they often point to external factors: a loving partner, a successful career, financial stability, or a beautiful home. Or clear air to breath, freedom and safety from violence.

But if our happiness depends on things beyond our control, then we risk handing over our peace of mind to circumstances that can change without warning.

What Is True Happiness?

It's hard to imagine happiness without having fundamental needs and desires met. Who could be happy while breathing pollution and being disenfranchised? Perhaps ‘happy’ is the wrong word.

The Greek word for happiness, Eudaemonia, conveys a deeper meaning than mere pleasure or success. It means “goodness of spirit,” a life of inner virtue.

A good life isn’t defined solely by favorable circumstances; it also requires qualities like patience, resilience, and kindness. If we are denied what we need to enjoy life, we at least have it in our power to be at peace with it.

Consider this: Is a person truly happy with a luxurious car if they lack the patience to sit in traffic? Is someone with a devoted partner truly fulfilled if they are consumed by jealousy? And what about a person with a stable job who lives in constant fear of layoffs? True happiness depends not on what we have, but on who we are and how we meet life’s challenges.

Embracing inner virtue

Whether or not we believe external success is essential for happiness, we must acknowledge that inner virtue is the only part we can fully control. Our values, beliefs, and intentions can be ours alone, regardless of what the world throws our way.

You may be struggling through a period of poor health and persistent pain. You may be dealing with stress at work. You may be feeling overwhelmed by a sense of limitation, loss and injustice. 

These are not “bad” things, nor are they “good” things—they simply are. Allowing your inner peace to be disturbed by circumstanced beyond your control is like being upset that the rain is wet.

We can acknowledge that things are unpleasant without surrendering our power to cultivate patience, courage, and integrity.

The only “bad” things are the ones we allow within ourselves, such as anger, fear, and greed.

Peace as a measure of progress

Progress in yoga is not measured by how flexible you are or how many mantras you have memorized. Your progress in yoga is an inner quality whose strength is not known until it is tested.

The Bhagavad Gita tells us that yoga is being able to focus on our duty and surrender attachment to the fruit of our labor, to meet victory and defeat with equanimity. You may be suffering now. That does not mean you will suffer forever. In the meantime, demonstrate how well yoga has trained you to maintain your peace of mind.

FREE GUIDE

Ready to dive further into deepening your spiritual practice through simple Stoic self-reflection exercises? I put together this free guide to help you get started.

Enjoy