Building Peace from Within: Reflections from Module One

“If you want to awaken all of humanity, then awaken all of yourself; if you want to eliminate the suffering of the world, then eliminate all that is dark and negative in yourself. Truly the greatest gift you have to give is that of your own self-transformation.”  - Lao Tzu

We began the 2025 Peace Practice Alliance with an invitation to slow down. To pause. To turn inward and meet ourselves exactly where we are. In a world that often demands urgency and productivity, our first step was presence.

Our opening call centered on the theme of personal peace as the foundation of peacebuilding. We asked: What does personal peace mean to you? Why is it important? These questions guided us into deeper self-awareness and reminded us that peace begins within and helps to sustain us through the ebbs and flows of life.

Participants shared the many ways they ground themselves through walking, journaling, counseling, singing, crying, praying, organizing, reading, meditating, practicing mindfulness, and simply breathing. These personal peace practices are as diverse as our global community, and highlight the simple, everyday ways we root ourselves in peace, even when the world feels chaotic and heavy. 

During each call, we practice peace and embrace a moment of silence: a breath, a stretch, a sip of water, or a simple pause. This opening ritual allows us to arrive fully and tune in to ourselves and the present moment. As we check in with each other, words like “tired,” “excited,” “overwhelmed but hopeful” fill the chat. In these moments, we are reminded of our shared humanity and the real lives behind each screen.

During our opening call, Sabrina from Sri Lanka shared a heartfelt video reflection that beautifully illustrated her peace practice. Through a blend of quote, song, and visual imagery, she invited us into her world, where peace begins with slowing down, observing her breath, and thoughtfully arranging her home using accessible materials to create a sense of calm. Her offering was a gentle reminder that peace is built through small, intentional steps. Each time we ground ourselves and act with mindfulness, we plant seeds of peace that ripple outward. Sabrina's reflection resonated deeply, anchoring us in the truth that peace already lives within us, we simply need to nurture it with love, compassion, and care.

Together, we affirmed that building a peaceful world starts by caring for ourselves. When we care for ourselves, we show up with more clarity, more empathy, and more presence. And from that place, real transformation becomes possible.