{"id":138270,"date":"2026-05-10T17:16:52","date_gmt":"2026-05-10T15:16:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.zelfkennis.nu\/geen-onderdeel-van-een-categorie\/geweldloze-vrede\/"},"modified":"2026-06-05T14:29:36","modified_gmt":"2026-06-05T12:29:36","slug":"nonviolent-peace","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.zelfkennis.nu\/en\/articles\/nonviolent-peace\/","title":{"rendered":"Nonviolent Peace"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>[et_pb_section fb_built=&#8221;1&#8243; custom_padding_last_edited=&#8221;on|desktop&#8221; admin_label=&#8221;section&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.18.0&#8243; background_color=&#8221;rgba(255,255,255,0)&#8221; custom_padding_tablet=&#8221;50px|0|50px|0&#8243; custom_padding_phone=&#8221;&#8221; da_disable_devices=&#8221;off|off|off&#8221; transparent_background=&#8221;on&#8221; padding_mobile=&#8221;off&#8221; locked=&#8221;off&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221; da_is_popup=&#8221;off&#8221; da_exit_intent=&#8221;off&#8221; da_has_close=&#8221;on&#8221; da_alt_close=&#8221;off&#8221; da_dark_close=&#8221;off&#8221; da_not_modal=&#8221;on&#8221; da_is_singular=&#8221;off&#8221; da_with_loader=&#8221;off&#8221; da_has_shadow=&#8221;on&#8221;][et_pb_row use_custom_gutter=&#8221;on&#8221; gutter_width=&#8221;1&#8243; padding_mobile=&#8221;off&#8221; make_equal=&#8221;on&#8221; column_padding_mobile=&#8221;on&#8221; admin_label=&#8221;row&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.16&#8243; background_size=&#8221;initial&#8221; background_position=&#8221;top_left&#8221; background_repeat=&#8221;repeat&#8221; max_width=&#8221;780px&#8221; use_custom_width=&#8221;on&#8221; custom_width_px=&#8221;780px&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_column type=&#8221;4_4&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.16&#8243; background_color=&#8221;#fff2d7&#8243; custom_padding=&#8221;|||&#8221; custom_css_main_element=&#8221;border: 8px solid #dcb385;&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221; custom_padding__hover=&#8221;|||&#8221;][et_pb_divider show_divider=&#8221;off&#8221; admin_label=&#8221;DIVIDER 20D20T15M&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.6&#8243; height=&#8221;20px&#8221; height_tablet=&#8221;20px&#8221; height_phone=&#8221;15px&#8221; height_last_edited=&#8221;on|desktop&#8221; hide_on_mobile=&#8221;off&#8221; saved_tabs=&#8221;all&#8221; locked=&#8221;off&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][\/et_pb_divider][et_pb_image src=&#8221;https:\/\/www.zelfkennis.nu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Bericht-pic-Geweldloze-vrede.jpg&#8221; title_text=&#8221;Bericht pic Geweldloze vrede&#8221; show_in_lightbox=&#8221;on&#8221; use_overlay=&#8221;on&#8221; hover_overlay_color=&#8221;rgba(220,179,133,0.5)&#8221; align_tablet=&#8221;center&#8221; align_phone=&#8221;&#8221; align_last_edited=&#8221;on|desktop&#8221; admin_label=&#8221;Afbeelding (ONDERKANT MARGE = 0PX, VANWEGE VOLGEND EVENTUEEL TEKSTBLOK)&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.6&#8243; custom_margin=&#8221;0px|3%|0px|3%&#8221; z_index_tablet=&#8221;500&#8243; box_shadow_horizontal_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; box_shadow_vertical_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; box_shadow_blur_tablet=&#8221;40px&#8221; box_shadow_spread_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text admin_label=&#8221;DE TEKST (CLONE INDIEN NODIG)&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.6&#8243; background_size=&#8221;initial&#8221; background_position=&#8221;top_left&#8221; background_repeat=&#8221;repeat&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;3%|3%|3%|3%&#8221; z_index_tablet=&#8221;500&#8243; box_shadow_horizontal_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; box_shadow_vertical_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; box_shadow_blur_tablet=&#8221;40px&#8221; box_shadow_spread_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;]<\/p>\n<h2>Toward a Nonviolent Peace<\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"color: #500000;\">True peace can be found beyond the duality of our mind and heart. That is why we should devote time and attention to attaining inner peace, beyond thought and emotion. Maintaining inner peace, however, becomes challenging when that peace is actually \u2018tested\u2019 by adverse circumstances and resistance. Tempers then grow shorter and sensitivities greater when our intended peacefulness is put to the test by triggers from the outside world.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>It is therefore no surprise that we currently see so much polarity and aggression around us. Films, the dominant art form on television and on-demand platforms, present a showcase of ingeniously and realistically portrayed violence, such as murder and physical and psychological abuse. Who is still shocked or even blinks an eye at executions and oppression, no matter how realistically depicted? These films win Oscars in abundance. Crime novels, still the best-selling genre, are filled with acts of violence. Games in which young people simulate killing hundreds of opponents are considered entirely normal and are not controversial at all. Our society is saturated with accepted violence and seems perfectly comfortable with it.<\/p>\n<p><em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.zelfkennis.nu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Geweldloze-vrede-gr.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignright wp-image-137667\" src=\"https:\/\/www.zelfkennis.nu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Geweldloze-vrede-kl.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"276\" height=\"411\" \/><\/a><\/em>Socially aware people will need to inform one another about greater spiritual awareness, from every possible perspective. This strengthens inner resilience and spiritual strength, something that is urgently needed in this chaotic time of political and social missteps and setbacks. The result is that injustice can be confronted more effectively. Together, not fragmented. This requires that our own deeply ingrained conditioning and prejudices no longer prevail. It is precisely these that so often undermine shared idealism. They arise from a different kind of \u2018prescribed reality\u2019:<br \/>\nthe reality we unconsciously prescribe to ourselves through assumptions and negative patterns. We will have to leave these behind if we want to present a united and peaceful force.<\/p>\n<p>True spirituality is the thorough examination of one\u2019s own mind so that it can free itself from all forms of petty thinking, speaking, and acting. It is the realization of a mind that places truth and togetherness above all else, free from ego-identifications. Free from resentment, in whatever form it may appear. Free from inner nonsense, one might also say. For that, a good \u2018bullshit detector\u2019 is needed\u2014one that recognizes our own nonsense just as sharply as that of others. Insight into the workings of both mind and heart, as well as into the often unnoticed automatisms that influence them, is essential.[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=&#8221;PULL QUOTE BLAUW&#8221; module_class=&#8221;rood&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.6&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; text_font=&#8221;Spectral|700|on||||||&#8221; text_text_color=&#8221;#336072&#8243; text_font_size=&#8221;20px&#8221; text_orientation=&#8221;center&#8221; width=&#8221;80%&#8221; module_alignment=&#8221;center&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;15px||15px||false|false&#8221; border_width_top=&#8221;1px&#8221; border_color_top=&#8221;rgba(51,96,114,0.5)&#8221; border_width_bottom=&#8221;1px&#8221; border_color_bottom=&#8221;rgba(51,96,114,0.5)&#8221; locked=&#8221;off&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;]<\/p>\n<p>\u2018Spiritual bypassing\u2019 facilitates power structures<\/p>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=&#8221;DE TEKST (CLONE INDIEN NODIG)&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.6&#8243; background_size=&#8221;initial&#8221; background_position=&#8221;top_left&#8221; background_repeat=&#8221;repeat&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;3%|3%|3%|3%&#8221; z_index_tablet=&#8221;500&#8243; box_shadow_horizontal_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; box_shadow_vertical_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; box_shadow_blur_tablet=&#8221;40px&#8221; box_shadow_spread_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; locked=&#8221;off&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;]<em>\u201cThe hope for humanity lies in the transformation of the individual,\u201d<\/em> stated Jiddu Krishnamurti, a sage who rejected all religious dogma and placed complete trust in the developmental potential of every human being who loves truth and actively seeks it.<\/p>\n<p>Spirituality, therefore, is about developing inner strength and clearing emotional and mental blockages such as conditioning, ignorance, frustration, insecurity, arrogance, and woundedness. When people ask, \u201cWhat can we do about it?\u201d, I reply, \u201cWe can begin by refraining from a great many things.\u201d<\/p>\n<h3>Peace Is Not Optional<\/h3>\n<p>In the Netherlands, there are many spiritual initiatives, wrapped in loving words, intentions, and appearances, often accompanied by all kinds of merchandise. In doing so, people frequently turn their backs on social reality. But that will not save the Netherlands. In fact, it distracts from the investigation into how the human mind functions and, in the worst case, can even facilitate existing power structures. \u2018Spiritual bypassing\u2019 ensures that those in power encounter no meaningful resistance. They have every interest in spiritual people staying out of worldly affairs.<\/p>\n<p>It is important that we continually reach out to individuals and groups to awaken interest in what inner liberation truly means and in what leads to a nonviolent peace in every sphere of life. Not as a political tactic of persuasion, but to make it clear that even a lifestyle based on love and peacefulness can come under pressure from forces that go unnoticed or are ignored.<\/p>\n<p>Spirituality is neither vague nor optional. On the contrary, practical spirituality stands firmly with both feet on the ground. People who allow themselves to be carried along by their mobile phones all day long and never let them out of sight\u2014that is what might truly be called detached from reality. It is only one example.[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=&#8221;PULL QUOTE BLAUW&#8221; module_class=&#8221;rood&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.6&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; text_font=&#8221;Spectral|700|on||||||&#8221; text_text_color=&#8221;#336072&#8243; text_font_size=&#8221;20px&#8221; text_orientation=&#8221;center&#8221; width=&#8221;80%&#8221; module_alignment=&#8221;center&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;15px||15px||false|false&#8221; border_width_top=&#8221;1px&#8221; border_color_top=&#8221;rgba(51,96,114,0.5)&#8221; border_width_bottom=&#8221;1px&#8221; border_color_bottom=&#8221;rgba(51,96,114,0.5)&#8221; locked=&#8221;off&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;]<\/p>\n<p>If spiritual and societal awareness do not go hand in hand<br \/>the ego builds ivory towers<\/p>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=&#8221;DE TEKST (CLONE INDIEN NODIG)&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.6&#8243; background_size=&#8221;initial&#8221; background_position=&#8221;top_left&#8221; background_repeat=&#8221;repeat&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;3%|3%|3%|3%&#8221; z_index_tablet=&#8221;500&#8243; box_shadow_horizontal_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; box_shadow_vertical_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; box_shadow_blur_tablet=&#8221;40px&#8221; box_shadow_spread_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; locked=&#8221;off&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;]<\/p>\n<h3>Practical Exercises<\/h3>\n<p>There are practical exercises that strengthen clarity, self-reflection, and inner strength. It would be valuable if the \u2018awake community\u2019 were to embrace these collectively and experience for themselves what they bring about and contribute. These mini-exercises not only purify the mind but, above all, the heart\u2014and that is essential. A healthy feeling is even more important than a healthy intellect. Many arguments and conflicts arise from an unpurified emotional life. Feelings of agitation, anger, frustration, or confusion more often drive away peace than reason does. They can even give rise to wars. Without insight into this, the peace movement will never truly be able to grow.<\/p>\n<p>Deep within, almost all Dutch people long with heart and soul for peace, integrity, the pursuit of truth, and genuine inner strength. People become far more receptive when we approach them from qualities that we have first realized within ourselves.[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=&#8221;Tekst met kader&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.6&#8243; background_color=&#8221;#faeede&#8221; background_size=&#8221;initial&#8221; background_position=&#8221;top_left&#8221; background_repeat=&#8221;repeat&#8221; custom_margin=&#8221;|20px||20px&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;3%|3%|3%|3%&#8221; border_width_all=&#8221;3px&#8221; border_color_all=&#8221;#dcb385&#8243; use_border_color=&#8221;on&#8221; saved_tabs=&#8221;advanced,css&#8221; locked=&#8221;off&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;]<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"color: #397087;\"><a style=\"color: #397087;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.zelfkennis.nu\/en\/about-peace\/\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-137733\" src=\"https:\/\/www.zelfkennis.nu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/duifje-L.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"25\" height=\"29\" \/> \u00a0 <strong>Read about the seven levels of peace here\u00a0\u00a0<\/strong><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-137735\" src=\"https:\/\/www.zelfkennis.nu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/duifje-R.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"25\" height=\"29\" \/><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_divider show_divider=&#8221;off&#8221; admin_label=&#8221;DIVIDER 20D20T15M&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.6&#8243; height=&#8221;20px&#8221; height_tablet=&#8221;20px&#8221; height_phone=&#8221;15px&#8221; height_last_edited=&#8221;on|desktop&#8221; hide_on_mobile=&#8221;off&#8221; saved_tabs=&#8221;all&#8221; locked=&#8221;off&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][\/et_pb_divider][et_pb_button button_url=&#8221;https:\/\/www.zelfkennis.nu\/contact&#8221; button_text=&#8221;Questions and comments&#8221; button_alignment=&#8221;center&#8221; admin_label=&#8221;contact knop&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.6&#8243; custom_button=&#8221;on&#8221; button_text_color=&#8221;#870101&#8243; button_border_color=&#8221;#dcb385&#8243; button_icon_color=&#8221;#dcb385&#8243; hover_enabled=&#8221;0&#8243; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221; button_text_size__hover_enabled=&#8221;off&#8221; button_text_size__hover=&#8221;null&#8221; button_one_text_size__hover_enabled=&#8221;off&#8221; button_one_text_size__hover=&#8221;null&#8221; button_two_text_size__hover_enabled=&#8221;off&#8221; button_two_text_size__hover=&#8221;null&#8221; button_text_color__hover_enabled=&#8221;off&#8221; button_text_color__hover=&#8221;null&#8221; button_one_text_color__hover_enabled=&#8221;off&#8221; button_one_text_color__hover=&#8221;null&#8221; button_two_text_color__hover_enabled=&#8221;off&#8221; button_two_text_color__hover=&#8221;null&#8221; button_border_width__hover_enabled=&#8221;off&#8221; button_border_width__hover=&#8221;null&#8221; button_one_border_width__hover_enabled=&#8221;off&#8221; button_one_border_width__hover=&#8221;null&#8221; button_two_border_width__hover_enabled=&#8221;off&#8221; button_two_border_width__hover=&#8221;null&#8221; button_border_color__hover_enabled=&#8221;off&#8221; button_border_color__hover=&#8221;null&#8221; button_one_border_color__hover_enabled=&#8221;off&#8221; button_one_border_color__hover=&#8221;null&#8221; button_two_border_color__hover_enabled=&#8221;off&#8221; button_two_border_color__hover=&#8221;null&#8221; button_border_radius__hover_enabled=&#8221;off&#8221; button_border_radius__hover=&#8221;null&#8221; button_one_border_radius__hover_enabled=&#8221;off&#8221; button_one_border_radius__hover=&#8221;null&#8221; button_two_border_radius__hover_enabled=&#8221;off&#8221; button_two_border_radius__hover=&#8221;null&#8221; button_letter_spacing__hover_enabled=&#8221;off&#8221; button_letter_spacing__hover=&#8221;null&#8221; button_one_letter_spacing__hover_enabled=&#8221;off&#8221; button_one_letter_spacing__hover=&#8221;null&#8221; button_two_letter_spacing__hover_enabled=&#8221;off&#8221; button_two_letter_spacing__hover=&#8221;null&#8221; button_bg_color__hover_enabled=&#8221;off&#8221; button_bg_color__hover=&#8221;null&#8221; button_one_bg_color__hover_enabled=&#8221;off&#8221; button_one_bg_color__hover=&#8221;null&#8221; button_two_bg_color__hover_enabled=&#8221;off&#8221; button_two_bg_color__hover=&#8221;null&#8221; sticky_enabled=&#8221;0&#8243;][\/et_pb_button][et_pb_text admin_label=&#8221;DE STER MET COPYRIGHT SVG | geen class gebruikt, de 110px staat in de HTML in dit blok. Zodat ook de preview klopt.&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.16&#8243; background_size=&#8221;initial&#8221; background_position=&#8221;top_left&#8221; background_repeat=&#8221;repeat&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;3%|3%|3%|3%&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;]<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-117416 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.zelfkennis.nu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/verginaster-nieuw-200.svg\" alt=\"\" width=\"110\" height=\"110\" \/><\/p>\n<h6>\u00a9 Michiel Koperdraat<\/h6>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_code admin_label=&#8221;Code&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.6&#8243; z_index_tablet=&#8221;500&#8243; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;]<script type=\"text\/javascript\"><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->jQuery(document).ready(function( $ ){<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->\/\/ Get page title<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->var pageTitle = $(\"title\").text();<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->\/\/ Change page title on tab switch<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->$(window).blur(function() {<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->$(\"title\").text(\"ACHIEVE IN PEACE!\");<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->});<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->  <!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->\/\/ Make normal title come back again<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->$(window).focus(function() {<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->$(\"title\").text(pageTitle);<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->});<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->});<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><\/script>[\/et_pb_code][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Beyond the duality of head and heart, true peace can be found. Therefore, we should devote time and attention to achieving inner peace, beyond thinking and feeling. However, maintaining inner peace becomes difficult when life throws you a curveball and that peace is actually \u2018tested\u2019. Tempers quickly shorten and toes lengthen when intended peacefulness is tested by external triggers.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":137694,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"on","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[31],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-138270","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-articles"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.zelfkennis.nu\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/138270","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.zelfkennis.nu\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.zelfkennis.nu\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.zelfkennis.nu\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.zelfkennis.nu\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=138270"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/www.zelfkennis.nu\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/138270\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":138280,"href":"https:\/\/www.zelfkennis.nu\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/138270\/revisions\/138280"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.zelfkennis.nu\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/137694"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.zelfkennis.nu\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=138270"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.zelfkennis.nu\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=138270"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.zelfkennis.nu\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=138270"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}