Life today is more chaotic than ever before. Peace is a concept very few fully understand, often described as the absence of violence and conflict. Very few identify with the deeper workings of the very foundations of ‘peace’. Economic stability, criminal activity both violent and non-violent, political harmony, riots and demonstrations, social unrest, right down to the honesty and integrity of an individual who make up our communities are all factors which contribute to the levels of a societies ‘peacefulness’.
Every day, consciously or sub-consciously, we are exposed to issues which threaten our personal output and contribution to the ‘peace’ of our eco-systems. Everything we consume and observe around us has an impact on our actions and attitudes – ultimately having an impact to how we behave.
Could it be that books about peace could hold the key to helping us to live more ‘peaceful lives’? Below is a list of the 5 best books you can read to help give you that start you need.
The Dalai Lama’s Little Book of Inner Peace: The Essential Life and Teachings
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Few symbolise peace more than the Dalai Lama. Known for encouraging others to love and respect one another, the Dalai Lama shares his life experiences which helped shape his view on the world in which we live in. From here, he provides a simple yet eloquent framework on how to live a fulfilling and peaceful life. The book is a journey of discovery both for himself and the reader, allowing them to see just how prosperous life can be when we welcome in some of the basic fundamentals of respect and integrity, also honing in on the benefits of meditation. The Little Book of Inner Peace shares advice and guidance on how to rid you of the negative elements of life, which too often has the ability to consume us.
Think Like a Monk: The secret of how to harness the power of positivity and be happy now by Jay Shetty
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Jay Shetty’s critically acclaimed book is perfect for those looking for a different approach. To help get you set on your journey to peace, Shetty too draws on his experiences living as a monk to show us just how much potential we all have in achieving that life we want. He simplifies the wisdom he learned and turns it into a powerful and more practical approach which we can adopt from the comfort of our own home. He breaks down what the barriers are in our individual lives and how we can overcome them with courage, compassion, and determination. Jay Shetty is proof that living a peaceful life is achievable.
Peace in the Age of Chaos: The best solution for a sustainable future by Steve Killelea
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Can you ever achieve peace if you don’t truly understand its meaning? Peace in the Age of Chaos is the debut book by the globally renowned philanthropist and businessman Steve Killelea, recipient of the Luxembourg Peace Prize and recognised as one of the world’s 100 most influential people in reducing armed violence.
From establishing the world’s leading ranking of global peacefulness, the Global Peace Index, to working on aid programmes in one of the most violent places in the world, North East Kivu in the DR Congo, everything in Steve’s journey would lead him on a pathway of ground-breaking discovery to answer one question that bears unrivalled significance to the future sustainability of people and the planet – ‘What creates peace, how do we measure it and why do we need it?’
Narrated in a gripping, first-person account, he ignites our consciousness to an entirely new method of understanding peace, designed to resonate with people from all walks of life.
Steve narrates the pursuit of peace through various perspectives: from business and politics to religion and culture. Whether it’s through the lens of a successful self-made entrepreneur or a local farmer in Kenya, to a woman fleeing for her life in the lawless lands of Southern Sudan or a mother whose son was a homicide victim in Baja California, Mexico, Steve’s journey to discover peace always centres on the human experience.
Peace in the Age of Chaos is an intelligent insight for globally conscious and positively motivated readers.
Ikigai: The Japanese Secret to a Long and Happy Life by Héctor García
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It is not uncommon to look towards how the Japanese way of life when in search of peace. Ikigai is the Japanese word for a reason to live and García uses this to highlight the life lived by the people of Okinawa, a Japanese island in which many of its residents are known to live past 100-years-old.
The aim of this book is to make you realise what is truly important in life and not what is urgent. It teaches you true values and gives you an insight into how to stay young whilst you grow older, taking away stresses and learning as each day passes. Digging deeper into discovering the meaning of YOUR life will unlock new opportunities give you that reason to get out of bed in the morning. If it works for the Okinawans why can’t it work for you?
The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho
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Getting lost in a good old-fashioned fable is just as helpful!
Paulo Coelho’s critically acclaimed, The Alchemist, is about the journey of Santiago, a young shepherd boy from southern Spain who embarks on a trek to find the pyramids of Egypt after he dreamed of finding treasure there. One of the most impactful lines from the book is about the idea of a Personal Legend. Coelho says that a Personal Legend “is what you have always wanted to accomplish. Everyone, when they are young, knows what their Personal Legend is.” Santiago’s adventure brings about more than just finding treasure – he learns more about himself and the world. The book is one which enlightens and engages readers of all ages and is the eye opener that many of us need to overcome our fears and achieve that peace of mind.
If you have any other recommended books about peace, feel free to drop them in the comments!
