Do you have inner peace?

[AliceGregory]

[GuyAnswersGirls123]

Most of the time. I never get road rage or become impatient waiting in line or anything like that.

I do have a bit of a temper sometimes when people are pushing my buttons, but I've practiced challenging any negative thoughts that arise to the point where someone once thought I was a psychopath given how quickly I went from being angry to chill. Sometimes it manifests in a funny way like this:

Belligerent person: You're an idiot!

Me: Why? Would you care to explain?

Belligerent person: Yes. It's because your parents passed retarded genes onto you.

Me: [starting to get a little pissed] Still beats the belligerent asshole genes your parents passed onto you.

Belligerent person: [insult me further]

Me: Up yours!

Belligerent person: [more insults]

Me: [starting to realize I need to mellow out, so I start reframing my negative thoughts and realize this is no big deal and come back to inner peace]. By the way, do you like Dredd (2012)? It's one of my favorite movies and I just rewatched it again!

Belligerent: WTF. Are you a psychopath?

[GuyAnswersGirls123]

I'm actually quite opposite of the psychopath, feeling emotions very intensely and was the most turbulent teenager, prone to love madly, have intense fits of rage, feel other people's emotions so powerfully to the point where I couldn't be happy at a party if even one person looked upset. Yet it's why I needed to especially start learning about how to achieve inner peace from Stoicism and Buddhism and start putting the teachings into daily practice.

Now I think I'm pretty decent at it although I sometimes get the strong emotion first and then have to reframe my thoughts to get back to the state of inner peace. The time I require to do that as I get more and more practice becomes shorter and shorter.

My wife and I have never fought in 14 years of marriage and additional years being together, for example. A lot of that is owed to the fact that my wife rarely pushes my buttons, but I think also in part because I've constantly practiced inner peace.

My one downside is that I can lose my sense of inner peace when I start getting drunk. Alcohol was my ultimate obstacle to inner peace, but I've recently quit alcohol (3 months clean so far).

[TenderFantasy]

I'm just wondering... if someone tried to rob your house or hurt your wife and kids (or you), would you have inner peace still?

[GuyAnswersGirls123]

@TenderFantasy Probably not. It's not something I get to practice very often. Another problem I've found in the few real-world street fights I've been in is that unless I get really angry, I start pulling my punches trying to minimally hurt the other person in ways that are counter-productive. So I usually need anger in those cases to even throw proper strikes. I have heard from trained soldiers who get into these types of violent situations quite often though that they can maintain their cool even in the process of killing people, but I lack that type of training (something I might need to correct). It does seem easier to me to do it if we had firearms for self-defense, but they're prohibited in Japan.

[GuyAnswersGirls123]

@TenderFantasy One thing I should clarify is that inner peace isn't necessarily pacifistic, at least the way I conceive of it. The Stoics were often battle-hardened Greek and Romance soldiers, for example. "Inner Peace" might bring to mind very pacifistic imagery. I usually prefer "Inner Calm". Being calm and very level-headed in even the most violent situations can help for trained soldiers. It's not something I think I can do yet given my lack of practice but it's something that still seems ideal to me.

[GuyAnswersGirls123]

* Roman, sorry

[Saiesh30]

Nope. Definitely not. Heart and mind is everywhere. It has been everywhere from quite some years now and still is.
But... That's not how it's gonna be forever.
I'm working on it and yes I'll achieve it in near future.
This too shall pass.

[TenderFantasy]

Hang in there. Life's not easy. People who are in denial of this are just great liars lol. Maybe try meditating a bit and getting a good meal, enjoying good activities and having a good sleep as well If you need some emotional support, try talking with friends and family and of course, also people online who are willing. If you're ever in need, my DM is available. You've helped me in the past and I just want to thank you and pay it forward! ❤🙂

[Saiesh30]

That's indeed so sweet of you 😇 I'll keep in mind whom to reach out 😊

[FreyaRed]

Yes, there is emotional void inside me. My old jaded soul feels mostly nothing, because I've been reincarnated too many times and nothing really surprises me anymore.

[IslaTheWitch]

Yes, I have. And a lot of understanding of what happens to me in different situations. It helps to maintain the inner peace.

[WhiteSteve]

I should have such a great life right now, but I’m unfortunately unable due to some circumstances. Very frustrating because it could be the opposite of what it is, even thought it’s sort of still right there. Hopefully I’ll get my peace back one day🤞🤞

[NormalBoringGuy]

I have conditional inner peace. My sock and underwear drawer must be meticulously organized. And if I'm playing Scrabble with my mother on Saturday night and have a delicious 7-letter word lined up.

[selfish-and-cruel]

I would have much more if not so many stupid people crossed my way.

[Drew-1990]

I do not most of the time. I have a good family and good friends, not many but good ones. But all my friends and family are married and/or have kids. I'm alone quite a bit and really shy and have a horrible time meeting new people.

[stark04]

Yes. Say this to yourself, I don't care what others do, say or think. I'm at peace with myself and that's what matters.

[Somoneelse]

Still on my way to Inner Peace and spiritual enlightment

[tfan1]

Only when I’m sitting on or masturbating kneeling in front of one of my clean toilets.

[mrkdvsn]

Inner peace is definitely possible after you've asked the Lord Jesus into your heart

[OddBeMe]

God no. That’s why Walgreens has a lifetime customer.

[standardguy]

When i lived in Peru I had more inner peace than now.

[azgınteke]

no there's not
So much war, climate change, expensiveness, people have no respect for people and I am not at peace.

[Iamherrrr]

On the journey towards inner peace at the moment. ❤️

[DeeDeeDeVour]

I do and it's bundled with joy.

[Demonatrix]

No I have a lot of inner rage

[Nikki1989]

Yes, life is golden.

[NathanDavis]

mostly, yes...

[Drumlin2001]

No. I'm messed up inside

[exitseven]

Yes, I had a nice dinner today.

[ChicoFromThe305]

Inner Yea, outer not so much

[Rangers]

No, it's all war 24/7

[TiaNour]

Uhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh no

[cootjuhh]

only when naked on my bed

[Jmmmfi4]

NOT EVEN CLOSE

[rosemilk]

i wish i did

[laly520]

yes gladly

[ChiTown33]

Yep.

[LavLavLuv]

Yes..

[Danny_dan92]

Sure

[serenalovesramen]

what’s that

[eagle1951]

probably not