Pause for Peace, one section in the newly published The Way of Peace,begins with a J.D. Salinger quote.

All we do our whole lives is go from one little piece of Holy Ground to the next.

While we often don't have that awareness, this book will cause the reader to pause and reflect.

Rich in interesting quotations and stories, the latest book in the bestselling "Way of" collection points to how very close we are to peace -- and yet most people, if asked, would be likely to answer that we live in difficult and far from peaceful times.

The book has an answer for this. Peace is not found in the absence of noise, trouble or hard work:it comes in a calmness of heart amidst all this.

In one story, a king, judging paintings of peace, awards the prize not to the scene of a mirror-smooth lake and sky with fluffy clouds, but one of a storm scene. In it, a bush grows in a crack in a rock. Within that bush, a bird has built its nest - and sits in perfect peace.

Finding holy ground may mean taking steps to find it. The books first section provides stories, poems and practices to cultivate inner peace. Part two features examples of peacemakers in the world. Part three has prayers for peace.

Some persons experience a flash of inspiration - such as Thomas Merton on a busy street corner in Louisville Kentucky, suddenly overwhelmed with a spiritual gift of awareness of the souls around him on that busy street.

Others are an example of making a time for prayer in daily life and working toward peace. At one solemn Zen spiritual conference, someones wristwatch beeper shatters the silence. Everyone looked around for the offender. The new Abbot spoke up, it was his alarm. This was my wristwatch and it was not a mistake. I have made a vow that regardless of what I am doing, I will interrupt it at noon and will think thoughts of peace. He then invited everyone there to join him to think thoughts of peace for a world that needs it.

Quoting C.S. Lewis that God cant give us peace and happiness apart from Himself - because there is no such thing the books focus is on closeness to God, especially through prayer. Bahai, Buddhist, Christian, Hindu, Jewish, Muslim, Native African, Native American, Shinto, Sikh and Sufi prayer texts call upon the creator for the gift of peace in our hearts and toward one another.

The variety of voices in the small book surprises.

Even Frank Sinatra is quoted: If you dont know the guy on the other side of the world, love him anyway because hes just like you. He has the same dreams, the same hopes and fears. Its one world, pal. Were all neighbors.

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The Way of Peace: Readings for a Harmonious Life,

By Michael Leach, Doris Goodnough, and Maria Angelini, editors

Orbis Books, 2021.

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For spiritual reading or gift-giving, new readings on peace - The Hutchinson News