A beat for peace: Salam Bada

Peace, as a state of being, permeates all levels of life: social, political, ethical, and spiritual. Recognising the interconnectedness of these realms is crucial because actions in one sphere influence and shape the others. But where does peace begin? It begins in the heart, as Lost Boy, a musician supported by Xchange Perspectives, sings.

• Watch the music video 'Salam Bada'

How do we achieve peace, and what does it mean? Interestingly, every human being yearns for peace. We all desire to live in stable and safe conditions and seek inner peace, a state of complete soul-rest. This common yearning raises the question: why do we long for peace? 

A Journey of Discovery

Peace is a mental construct that encompasses the conditions necessary for fostering development and growth. Our constant struggle to meet these conditions—safety, continuity, and love—demonstrates our deep-seated desire for peace. These fulfilled conditions create a fertile ground for mature growth and spark a spirit of creativity that guides this process.

Ultimately, our quest for peace is about providing an inner and outer context for discovering life's purpose. Recognising this process takes humanity beyond seeing peace merely as a goal; it becomes both the path and the destination. It envisions a reality of continuous, thrilling quests for higher and nobler discoveries across all aspects of life, elevating human civilisation beyond our current conceptual frameworks.

Creating a Culture of Peace

Why haven't we achieved peace yet? We need to be more patient. Trees are cut quickly; forests grow over generations. Making peace is a long and complicated process, often misunderstood as a mere agreement between parties, signed by elites and implemented by the people. Since the Second World War, this notion has evolved. Modern conflicts often arise within states, driven by economic, ethnic, political, or cultural factors, making them harder to analyse. Denying the interconnected nature of these issues is common, but external players often influence and intensify these conflicts to suit their own interests.

We all know how to make war, with sophisticated weapons and armies aiming to defeat the other side. Paradoxically, "war is a cultural achievement of humanity," showcasing our ability to organise, strategise, and mobilise resources on a massive scale, albeit for destructive purposes. Now, we must learn to create and sustain a culture of peace. Though challenging, it is not impossible; otherwise, humanity would have self-destructed long ago. Many societies possess knowledge of non-violent conflict resolution, reconciliation, and conflict de-escalation. Every civilisation has developed forms of diplomacy, dialogue, and rituals to mitigate opposing parties' tensions. Furthermore, diverse cultures have cultivated an intimate understanding of peace as integral to life, seen in meditation techniques and societies built on cooperation and social interdependence.