PEACE OF MIND

 

Our nature requires us to resolve our conflicting ideas in order to achieve mental rest. However, our minds have increasingly shut down in favor of immediate gratification – “finding yourself,” what makes us feel good:

 

·       Three-quarters of millennials strongly or somewhat agree with the statement, “Whatever is right for your life or works best for you is the only truth you can know,” whereas only 39% of those born prior to 1945 strongly or somewhat agreed. David Kinnaman, president of the Barna Group, explains that the research shows, “The highest good, according to our society, is ‘finding yourself’ and then living by ‘what’s right for you.’” (“Without God Science, Belief, Morality, and The Meaning of Life,” Zachary Broom)

 

Living for “what’s right for you,” is not right and will not work for you. For one thing, “what’s right for you” changes from one moment to the next. When we are desperately hungry, “what’s right” might dictate that we steal to satisfy our hunger or addiction.

 

We might want to be in control of our own destiny by merely choosing what feels right. However, we know that mugging, even to satisfy our addiction, is wrong. Consequently, we are divided within ourselves, living an uncomfortable schizoid existence, as we try to believe two faiths which are in conflict.

 

Not only did I experience this internal struggle, I also saw it clearly portrayed in the lives of others. I used to set up an easel in Washington Square Park to challenge the beliefs of NYU students. I would ask them, “Is it absolutely wrong to torture babies?”

 

The question troubled them as they struggled for a coherent answer. On the one hand, their heart told them that it was absolutely wrong. However, their minds told them, “It’s a matter of what feels right for you, since there is no objective moral truths.”

 

They were perplexed but found no way to resolve their two conflicting voices. One of their voices had to be wrong, but they couldn’t determine which one.

 

I suggested that they might need a paradigm shift, but I cannot remember a single person who ever agreed they would need to re-examine their thinking. However, if they failed to do so, they were condemning themselves to a constant state of conflict.

 

What then? Without finding the cognitive peace, which they sought, they stopped asking questions and seeking answers. Instead, they would surround themselves with pleasures and distractions.

 

Several years ago, I stopped engaging college students at the Park and elsewhere. Why? They no longer would stop by my provocative easel to talk.

 

Blessed is the one who finds wisdom, and the one who gets understanding, for the gain from her is better than gain from silver and her profit better than gold. She is more precious than jewels, and nothing you desire can compare with her. Long life is in her right hand; in her left hand are riches and honor. (Proverbs 3:13–16)