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The following text was published as a column in the magazine InZicht<\/em>, theme issue ‘Peace’<\/span><\/strong>
(February 2024 – volume 26-1)<\/span><\/h5>\n
Introduction<\/h3>\n
\u201cTo get free (from your marker), you need technique\u201d<\/em> Johan Cruyff once said. This applies to many aspects of life, including ‘staying free in peace.’ To remain inwardly at peace in every situation you encounter, we need technique. Technique is developed through practice. In addition to our peace-loving attitude, we need technique to inwardly \u2018run free\u2019 and stay that way when faced with opposition or aggression. There are situations where the peace-loving mindset we have embraced is not sufficient to maintain inner peace. It then becomes apparent that we lack the experience gained through practice that allows us to \u2018run free.\u2019 We lose our inner peace! If we do not realize this, we continue to react automatically. These reactions are often far from peaceful. If we supposedly ‘peacefully grit our teeth’ in those moments, we drift even further away from peace, as it leads to a loss of connection with others. This results in even more problems of unrest. We \u2018lose\u2019 ourselves in situations. It is crucial to become aware of this and to train ourselves in being peaceful, no matter who or what we encounter.<\/span><\/p>\n The hope of humanity lies in the transformation of the individual<\/strong><\/span> [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=”TEKST” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” module_alignment=”left” custom_padding=”3%|3%|3%|3%” z_index_tablet=”500″ text_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” text_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” text_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” link_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” link_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” link_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” ul_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” ul_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” ul_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” ol_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” ol_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” ol_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” quote_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” quote_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” quote_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” header_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” header_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” header_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” header_2_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” header_2_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” header_2_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” header_3_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” header_3_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” header_3_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” header_4_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” header_4_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” header_4_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” header_5_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” header_5_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” header_5_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” header_6_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” header_6_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” header_6_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” box_shadow_horizontal_tablet=”0px” box_shadow_vertical_tablet=”0px” box_shadow_blur_tablet=”40px” box_shadow_spread_tablet=”0px” use_border_color=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n In Sanskrit, words often carry extensive and layered meanings. Shanti<\/em> is Sanskrit for Peace<\/em>. In both Hinduism and Buddhism, recitations and practices are often concluded with the primal mantra Om<\/em>, followed by thrice shanti<\/em>, the last of which is aspirated at the end. Shanti<\/em> (\u0936\u093e\u0928\u094d\u0924\u093f) therefore means more than just the peace<\/em> we know and more than the absence of conflict. Shanti<\/em> is derived from the root \u2018sham\u2019<\/em> (\u0936\u092e\u094d), the core from which multiple words emerge about tranquility, harmony, and peace. Sham<\/em> has many meanings, somewhat akin to the English \u2018release\u2019<\/em>. Sham<\/em>, supplemented with the suffix \u2018ti\u2019<\/em>, forms the feminine word shanti<\/em>, with many layers. A visarga<\/em> may also be added, aspirating the pronunciation at the end. This means that after the vowel ‘i’, you end with a short exhaling \u2018h\u2019. This can be symbolically interpreted as exhaling tension, creating space for peace and serenity. In transcription, this is written as \u2018\u1e25\u2019 and in Sanskrit with a colon (\u0936\u093e\u0928\u094d\u0924\u093f:). Transcription indicates with a hyphen above the vowel if its pronunciation should be slightly longer, as seen here with \u014cm<\/em> and \u015b\u0101nti<\/em>, and the emphasis on the \u2018s\u2019 makes it \u2018sh\u2019.<\/p>\n Shanti<\/em> affirms positive tranquility and peace on all levels of existence:<\/p>\n
Jiddu Krishnamurti<\/span><\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.zelfkennis.nu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/pinksteren-duif-1-300x237.jpg\")
<\/em>Shanti, shanti, shantih<\/h2>\n
This is officially transcribed as \u014cm, \u015b\u0101nti, \u015b\u0101nti, \u015b\u0101nti\u1e25.<\/em> This triad affirms peace of body, mind, and soul and supports us in realizing a more sustainable inner peace, especially when expressed in devotion. Every spiritual tradition focuses on this, for in true peace, there is no duality. The more people realize inner peace, the sooner societal peace can emerge. Our inner path to peace thus paves the way for peace externally.<\/p>\n\n
Affirmation: \u201cI am not my body; it is the vehicle of my soul in this life.\u201d<\/em><\/span><\/li>\n
Affirmation: \u201cI am not my thoughts and feelings; they are my tools for gaining insight and self-realization.\u201d<\/em><\/span><\/li>\n
Affirmation: \u201cI am not separate; I am connected with everyone.\u201d<\/em><\/span><\/li>\n
Affirmation: \u201cI support no form of war propaganda.\u201d<\/em><\/span><\/li>\n
Affirmation: \u201cI am part of nature; I honor her \u2014 she is the cradle of my existence.\u201d<\/em><\/span><\/li>\n
Affirmation: \u201cI know I cannot be what I can perceive, for I am That which perceives.\u201d<\/em><\/span><\/li>\n
Affirmation: \u201cI am the Self that manifests all that is physical (material), subtle (mental), and causal (originating) \u2014 both the beautiful and the ugly.\u201d<\/em><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
![\"From](\"https:\/\/www.zelfkennis.nu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/Naar-Vrede-ZKnu.jpg\" "\\"Painting")
<\/a>In summary, repeatedly reciting the mantra \u2018Om, shanti, shanti, shantih\u2019<\/em> reaffirms our intense desire for peace on all these levels, from the earthly-physical to the highest spiritual. However, it is not enough to stop here. In addition to the intense desire to be \u2018at peace\u2019, it is important to lovingly leave behind everything within ourselves that obstructs peace. Unfortunately, we have been taught to identify with many things and thought mechanisms that block natural peace, often without our awareness. In fact, we have even been untaught to remain silent and awake-conscious from our original pure child-being. Assumptions, tendencies, and conditioning acquired through wrong examples or painful experiences (which cause us to experience opposition) can be transcended through practice, through conscious effort in relaxation, in dedicated surrender. Practices exist for the head, heart, and body that connect these aspects, which can be practiced daily and concluded with Om, shanti, shanti, shantih<\/em>. There is still much inner work to be done, for when we see what people in unconsciousness and in discord do to each other in this world…<\/p>\n