Inner Peace: A Path To Equanimity

Attaining inner peace is the ultimate goal of all spiritual traditions, though their methods may vary. The world around us is unpredictable, and more often than not, events do not unfold as we desire. In the face of adversity, we have two choices: we can either allow external circumstances to dictate our emotions, or we can cultivate a state of equanimity—an inner peace that enables us to remain balanced and master our emotions, even in the midst of life’s challenges.

Broadly speaking, there are two primary spiritual approaches to inner peace. The first is the Stoic tradition, which takes a rational, philosophical perspective. The second is the experiential approach found in the teachings of Buddhists and Sufis.

The Stoics emphasize the importance of distinguishing between what is within our control and what is not. Our focus should remain on what we can influence, while we learn to accept what lies beyond our control. For instance, we should strive to secure employment and contribute to society—an achievable and practical goal. However, worrying about the potential extinction of life due to an asteroid impact is futile, as it is entirely beyond our influence.

A crucial aspect of the Stoic approach to inner peace is the ability to correctly discern the boundary between what we can and cannot control. Regardless of whether we always get this distinction right, the fundamental Stoic principle remains: whatever happens—whether good or bad—must be accepted, for the workings of the world are ultimately beyond our control.

This idea closely parallels the Sufi concept of Taslim, or submission to God. In Sufism, surrendering to the Divine acknowledges that we have no real control over external events. The path to inner peace begins with embracing whatever unfolds, whether it brings joy or suffering.

However, unlike the Stoic approach, which is primarily about rational acceptance, the Sufi and Buddhist traditions emphasize a practical and experiential path to inner peace. Beyond accepting the world as it is, they teach that true peace is cultivated through loving-kindness—extending compassion and goodwill to all beings, including those who may have wronged us or failed to appreciate our kindness.

In Sufism, love and kindness are not only guiding principles on the path to self-purification but essential components of attaining inner tranquillity.