Is anyone truly at peace with themselves and if so, how did it come about (no religious answers please)?

Question

Please don't respond with a religious spin or angle on this question as I am seeking (from what is only my perspective I appreciate) a practical / pragmatic viewpoint

There are some really good answers here. Thanks. And not even one just taking the ****. Amazing!
In response to one of the answers, I am far from unhappy, but can find myself drawn by material things which necessitate a more complicated work environment than I sometimes think is necessary. My brother (recovered!) had cancer at 18 and whilst he, like many of us enjoy 'nice' things, he seems 'at peace' with his lot and has what could be construed as a more humble and greatful outlook. I'm not even sure there's an issue with there being different approaches to life - again it's just a matter of whether you feel 'right' inside. Interestingly, this in itself raises the question of is there such a thing as a selfless act or do we do everything because it makes us feel 'right'? Ooops - I think I can feel another Yahoo question coming on!!!

Answer 1

Yes, but here's the rub. In order to give you an honest answer, I'd have to give too much personal information and that's not the smart thing to do in a public forum. I will say this, however: It is a long process. The combination of academic learning and life experience over the course of years should lead to a high degree of understanding. Once you've achieved a high degree of understanding, you are prepared to accept or deny without there being unrest within yourself.
Psychology, religion, pseudo-spirituality, etc. do not provide satisfactory methods that lead to understanding of oneself or others. They address symptoms, but not causes and do not provide satisfactory answers to fundamental questions either. Some would argue that they do, and that's where you find the dividing line between masking vs understanding... its like the difference between thinking that you know versus knowing.

Answer 2

Being at peace with yourself doesn't mean that life will be less crappy but it helps you to deal with it better. Never regret anything in your past, meaning that you can disagree with what you've done but don't do the shoulda coulda woulda thing! It's in the past and done so now you deal with it in the best possible way. First off don't even wonder what other people think of you or what you do. There is a certain amount of selfishness we should hold onto in life. This doesn't mean you should be an a** to people, just focus for yourself to make wise decisions and do what feels right to your gut! Do you understand what I'm saying? Always follow your instincts even if your mind doesn't agree. (Yes, your conscience is different than your gut cuz your conscience has been warped by society and unfortunately friends and parents,some, who shouldn't give advice.) I'm sure you can all remember at least a few times (or possibly hundreds) that you would like to beat yourself up for not listening to your gut, good or bad,cuz guts are not "naughty or nice", they are both and so is life! I look at my life and can admit my mistakes but would never change a thing about my past because it made me who I am today! You gotta take the good with the bad! Most importantly, be yourself!!! If your not comfortable being your true self around others you will never love yourself or come to peace with yourself!!! Good Luck to you ;)

Answer 3

I've just finished reading a book written collaboratively between the Dalai Lama and a western Psychiatrist as an aid for people in discovering happiness. After finishing the book I truly believe the Dalai Lama is at peace and a very happy person. This came about by many years of learning, meditations and a firm belief in the importance of compassion, patience and trying to dispell all negative thoughts.It was written for the lay person and is non-religious in content. I didn't get much out of it, mostly because I'm basically a fairly content person but others may benefit from his philosophies on living.
Cheers.

Answer 4

Yes. After a very pathetic childhood, I spent most of my 20's and 30's recovering. I went to a doctor who helped me with hormonal balance (because high stress, or post traumatic stress takes a toll on your endocrine system...thyroid and adrenals.) All the while, I spent a lot of money on self help books, personal development seminars, some therapy (father is a therapist, go figure.) And I feel content. Personal development has been my constant focus all of my life starting from age 12. Having balanced hormones really makes a big difference also. You can be whomever you wish to be, despite an adverse history. I am a success, considering my childhood. Good luck.

Answer 5

Well, I wouldn't say that I'm at peace within 100%, still have disruptions time to time from material and emotional stuff but I experience reasonable stability of mind. Some of the "how" that I instrumentalized for that:

a) When in dillemma, I always think of the day when I'm going to take my last breath and look at thing with that perspective sitting there. It helps me a lot to level the desires/expectations.

b) I very often think of grandness of infinite space and time and tend to feel the insignificance of specific problems/issues/discomforts that are sitting on my back and more often than not, they just go away.

c) I'm trying to practice practical detachment which is intended to give me peace without having to renounce this world. It means, having fully aware of my duties, goals and aspirations but not drowing myself into that so much that I start seeing things in disbalanced perspective.

d) Putting full faith into God and practice meditation, not with material desire but with desire to eliminate all my desires. I have experienced that lesser number of desires I have, better I feel myself. Very often I imagine and try to make myself comfortable with idea that I have given up all my material possesions and I have nothing left except just basic stuff necessary for survival.

Actually list goes much longer...but these are just few examples..

Answer 6

I can say that I am truly at peace with myself. I have sorted out most of the issues I had as a teen and young adult. I know now what I believe in, faith or religion wise. I am constantly learning, so I understand that learning and growing could change some of my beliefs, and I'm fine with that.

Every person comes to a point of acceptance of themselves. It just takes time and life experience.

Answer 7

To achieve peace do transcendental meditation and spiritual Yoga. Get in touch with one of these great swami or Guru from India, most of the celebrities such as Beatles, Rock Hudson, Liz Taylor suffice to mention a few to make my point. Condition of mind and body in unison, first you learn how to do it properly to get best results.

Answer 8

yes i am at peace,with myself,
even in the time of pain and despair
my loved ones help me push on
that is something peace within everyone has to come to terms with,
do not let anyone try to make peace for you
for no one but you will die in the end for you
some might say i lash out, only when any person or race, is getting picked on
for we all might look different and be different
but we all put our pants on the same way
thats the only time i have no peace when i am freely giving a piece of my mind

Answer 9

You are only at peace with yourself if you're content with what you have a strive for the betterment of others. Positive thinking is also a good way to be at peace with yourself because nothing can shake your "bubble" if you take things positively.

Answer 10

I came about my own inner peace by going through chemotherapy. I have always dealt with the possibility that I could die (growing up as a diabetic does that!). However, I realized that my situation is entirely UP TO ME. If I decide to do something, then I'll do it. I have to ensure my own well being, etc.