--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The peace that we are looking for is not…" description: "\"The peace that we are looking for is not peace that crumbles as soon as there is difficulty or chaos. Whether we’re seeking inner peace or global peace..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d61/pema-ch-dr-n-327_arise_the-peace-that-we-are-looking-for-is-not_842926.jpg" --- # The peace that we are looking for is not peace that… ![“The peace that we are looking for is not peace that crumbles as soon as there is difficulty or chaos. Whether we’re seeking inner peace or global peace or a combination of the two, the way to experience it is to build on the foundation of unconditional openness to all that arises. Peace isn’t an…” quote by Pema Chodron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d61/pema-ch-dr-n-327_arise_the-peace-that-we-are-looking-for-is-not_842926.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d61/pema-ch-dr-n-327_arise_the-peace-that-we-are-looking-for-is-not_842926.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d61/pema-ch-dr-n-327_arise_the-peace-that-we-are-looking-for-is-not_842926.jpg) > “The peace that we are looking for is not peace that crumbles as soon as there is difficulty or chaos. Whether we’re seeking inner peace or global peace or a combination of the two, the way to experience it is to build on the foundation of unconditional openness to all that arises. Peace isn’t an experience free of challenges, free of rough and smooth, it’s an experience that’s expansive enough to include all that arises without feeling threatened.” [Pema Chodron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pema-ch-dr-n/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. True peace endures through difficulty, requiring openness to all experiences without resistance, expanding one’s capacity to hold both joy and suffering. **In simple terms:** Peace includes challenges, not avoids them. Key Takeaway Cultivate openness to all moments. Themes peace resilience mindfulness Mood calm steady Type spiritual inspirational When to use this quote - meditation practice - stressful work - family conflict - social activism Key Concepts non-attachment compassion spiritual growth Questions to Reflect On - How can you stay open during crisis? - What practices help you hold discomfort? A Different Perspective Openness can feel overwhelming without guidance. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Arise](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/arise/) [Challenges](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/challenges/) [Chaos](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/chaos/) [Combination](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/combination/) [Difficulty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/difficulty/) [Enough](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/enough/) [Feelings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/feelings/) [Foundation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/foundation/) [Global peace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/global-peace/) [Inner peace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/inner-peace/) [Openness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/openness/) [Openness Arises](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/openness-arises-663959/) [Peace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/peace/) [Rough](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/rough/) [Seeking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/seeking/) [Smooth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/smooth/) [Threatened](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/threatened/) [Two](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/two/) [Unconditional](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/unconditional/) [Unconditional Openness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/unconditional-openness-663958/) [Way](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/way/) ## Related quotes > [“Whether we’re seeking inner peace or global peace or a combination of the two, the way to experience it is to build on the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pema-ch-dr-n/whether-we-re-seeking-inner-peace-or-global-peace-or-a-combination-of/) [Pema Chödrön](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pema-ch-dr-n/) > [ Over time, as the thinking mind begins to settle \[through the practice of meditation\], we’ll start to see our patterns and habits far more… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pema-ch-dr-n/over-time-as-the-thinking-mind-begins-to-settle-through-the-practice/) [Pema Chodron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pema-ch-dr-n/) > [The Buddha’s principal message that day was that holding on to anything blocks wisdom. Any conclusion that we draw must be let go. The…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pema-ch-dr-n/the-buddha-s-principal-message-that-day-was-that-holding-on-to/) [Pema Chodron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pema-ch-dr-n/) > [When we sit down to meditate, we connect with something unconditional - a state of mind, a basic environment that does not grasp or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pema-ch-dr-n/when-we-sit-down-to-meditate-we-connect-with-something-unconditional/) [Pema Chodron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pema-ch-dr-n/) > [The family is threatened by growing efforts on the part of some to redefine the very institution of marriage, by relativism, by the culture…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pope-francis/the-family-is-threatened-by-growing-efforts-on-the-part-of-some-to/) [Pope Francis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pope-francis/) > [I feel vulnerable when my ego is threatened - if I get jealous of another band's good time slot at a big festival, if…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/greg-saunier/i-feel-vulnerable-when-my-ego-is-threatened-if-i-get-jealous-of/) [Greg Saunier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/greg-saunier/) > [Unconditional good heart toward others is not even a possibility unless we attend to our own demons.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pema-ch-dr-n/unconditional-good-heart-toward-others-is-not-even-a-possibility/) [Pema Chodron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pema-ch-dr-n/) > [Ego could be defined as whatever covers up basic goodness. From an experiential point of view, what is ego covering up? It's covering up…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pema-ch-dr-n/ego-could-be-defined-as-whatever-covers-up-basic-goodness-from-an/) [Pema Chodron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pema-ch-dr-n/) > [Meditation takes us just as we are, with our confusion and our sanity. This complete acceptance of ourselves as we are is called maitri,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pema-ch-dr-n/meditation-takes-us-just-as-we-are-with-our-confusion-and-our-sanity/) [Pema Chodron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pema-ch-dr-n/) > [Peace isn’t an experience free of challenges, free of rough and smooth, it’s an experience that’s expansive enough to include all that arises without…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pema-ch-dr-n/peace-isn-t-an-experience-free-of-challenges-free-of-rough-and-smooth/) [Pema Chodron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pema-ch-dr-n/) > [As long as our orientation is toward perfection or success, we will never learn about unconditional friendship with ourselves, nor will we find compassion.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pema-ch-dr-n/as-long-as-our-orientation-is-toward-perfection-or-success-we-will/) [Pema Chodron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pema-ch-dr-n/) > [We think that by protecting ourselves from suffering, we are being kind to ourselves. The truth is we only become more fearful, more hardened…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pema-ch-dr-n/we-think-that-by-protecting-ourselves-from-suffering-we-are-being/) [Pema Chodron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pema-ch-dr-n/) > [Don't worry about achieving. Don't worry about perfection. Just be there each moment as best you can. When you realize you've wandered off again,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pema-ch-dr-n/don-t-worry-about-achieving-don-t-worry-about-perfection-just-be-2/) [Pema Chodron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pema-ch-dr-n/) > [Openness doesn’t come from resisting our fears but rather from getting to know them well.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pema-ch-dr-n/openness-doesn-t-come-from-resisting-our-fears-but-rather-from/) [Pema Chodron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pema-ch-dr-n/) > [Meditation accepts us just as we are-in both our tantrums and our bad habits, in our love and commitments and happiness. It allows us…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pema-ch-dr-n/meditation-accepts-us-just-as-we-are-in-both-our-tantrums-and-our-bad/) [Pema Chodron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pema-ch-dr-n/) ## More by Pema Chodron > [“LIFE’S work is to wake up, to let the things that enter into your life wake you up rather than put you to sleep.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pema-ch-dr-n/life-s-work-is-to-wake-up-to-let-the-things-that-enter-into-your-life/) [Pema Chödrön](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pema-ch-dr-n/) > [Since death is certain and the time of death is uncertain, what is the most important thing?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pema-ch-dr-n/since-death-is-certain-and-the-time-of-death-is-uncertain-what-is-the/) [Pema Chodron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pema-ch-dr-n/) > [Buddhist words such as compassion and emptiness don't mean much until we start cultivating our innate ability simply to be there with pain with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pema-ch-dr-n/buddhist-words-such-as-compassion-and-emptiness-don-t-mean-much-until/) [Pema Chodron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pema-ch-dr-n/) > [The essence of generosity is letting go. Pain is always a sign that we are holding on to something - usually ourselves.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pema-ch-dr-n/the-essence-of-generosity-is-letting-go-pain-is-always-a-sign-that-we/) [Pema Chodron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pema-ch-dr-n/) > [“If the object of meditation were something concrete, something solid and graspable - an image or a statue or a dot on the floor…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pema-ch-dr-n/if-the-object-of-meditation-were-something-concrete-something-solid/) [Pema Chödrön](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pema-ch-dr-n/) > [It's a transformative experience to simply pause instead of immediately fill up the space. By waiting, we begin to connect with fundamental restlessness as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pema-ch-dr-n/it-s-a-transformative-experience-to-simply-pause-instead-of/) [Pema Chodron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pema-ch-dr-n/) > [“The essence of life is that it’s challenging. Sometimes it is sweet, and sometimes it is bitter. Sometimes your body tenses, and sometimes it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pema-ch-dr-n/the-essence-of-life-is-that-it-s-challenging-sometimes-it-is-sweet/) [Pema Chödrön](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pema-ch-dr-n/) > [If we run a hundred miles an hour to the other end of the continent in order to get away from the obstacle, we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pema-ch-dr-n/if-we-run-a-hundred-miles-an-hour-to-the-other-end-of-the-continent/) [Pema Chodron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pema-ch-dr-n/) > [“But in this meditation technique, we are with the out-breath; there's no particular instruction about what to do until the next out-breath.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pema-ch-dr-n/but-in-this-meditation-technique-we-are-with-the-out-breath-there-s/) [Pema Chödrön](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pema-ch-dr-n/) > [“Nothing ever goes away until it has taught us what we need to know. Nothing ever really attacks us except our own confusion. Perhaps…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pema-ch-dr-n/nothing-ever-goes-away-until-it-has-taught-us-what-we-need-to-know/) [Pema Chödrön](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pema-ch-dr-n/) > [So even if the hot loneliness is there, and for 1.6 seconds we sit with that restlessness when yesterday we couldn't sit for even…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pema-ch-dr-n/so-even-if-the-hot-loneliness-is-there-and-for-1-6-seconds-we-sit/) [Pema Chodron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pema-ch-dr-n/) > [If you have rage and righteously act it out and blame it all on others, it's really you who suffers. The other people and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pema-ch-dr-n/if-you-have-rage-and-righteously-act-it-out-and-blame-it-all-on/) [Pema Chodron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pema-ch-dr-n/) > [“When we realize that the path is the goal, there’s a sense of workability. Trungpa Rinpoche said, “Whatever occurs in the confused mind is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pema-ch-dr-n/when-we-realize-that-the-path-is-the-goal-there-s-a-sense-of/) [Pema Chödrön](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pema-ch-dr-n/) > [Every day is a new opportunity to work with what you have inside toward enlightenment.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pema-ch-dr-n/every-day-is-a-new-opportunity-to-work-with-what-you-have-inside/) [Pema Chodron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pema-ch-dr-n/) > [If someone comes along and shoots an arrow into your heart, it’s fruitless to stand there and yell at the person. It would be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pema-ch-dr-n/if-someone-comes-along-and-shoots-an-arrow-into-your-heart-it-s/) [Pema Chodron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pema-ch-dr-n/) [Explore all 664 Pema Chodron quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pema-ch-dr-n/) ## More Arise quotes > [I think a new world will arise out of the religious mists when we approach our Bible with the idea that it is not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aiden-wilson-tozer/i-think-a-new-world-will-arise-out-of-the-religious-mists-when-we/) [Aiden Wilson Tozer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aiden-wilson-tozer/) > [The financial crisis we are facing today arises from the fact that there is almost no more social, cultural, natural, and spiritual capital left…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-eisenstein/the-financial-crisis-we-are-facing-today-arises-from-the-fact-that/) [Charles Eisenstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-eisenstein/) > [Let art, then, imitate nature, find what she desires, and follow as she directs. For in invention nature is never last, education never first;…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcus-tullius-cicero/let-art-then-imitate-nature-find-what-she-desires-and-follow-as-she/) [Marcus Tullius Cicero](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcus-tullius-cicero/) > [Do not be satisfied with the speech of your lips and the thought in your heart, all the promises and good sayings in your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/menachem-mendel-of-kotzk/do-not-be-satisfied-with-the-speech-of-your-lips-and-the-thought-in/) [Menachem Mendel of Kotzk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/menachem-mendel-of-kotzk/) > [Arise Evans had a fungous nose, and said, it was revealed to him, that the King's hand would cure him, and at the first…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-aubrey/arise-evans-had-a-fungous-nose-and-said-it-was-revealed-to-him-that/) [John Aubrey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-aubrey/) > [Boasting and bravado may exist in the breast even of the coward, if he is successful through a mere lucky hit; but a just…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thucydides/boasting-and-bravado-may-exist-in-the-breast-even-of-the-coward-if-he/) [Thucydides](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thucydides/) > [We need less travelling by jet plaes from congress to congress... but more kneeling and praying and pleading to God to have mercy on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martyn-lloyd-jones/we-need-less-travelling-by-jet-plaes-from-congress-to-congress-but/) [Martyn Lloyd-Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martyn-lloyd-jones/) > [In my model, important interference phenomena arise when individual strata come into contact. These chaotic fluctuations are, I suppose, what my music is really…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-ferneyhough/in-my-model-important-interference-phenomena-arise-when-individual/) [Brian Ferneyhough](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-ferneyhough/) > [Whenever you step out of the noise of thinking, that is meditation, and a different state of consciousness arises.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eckhart-tolle/whenever-you-step-out-of-the-noise-of-thinking-that-is-meditation-and/) [Eckhart Tolle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eckhart-tolle/) > [An idea or institution may arise for one reason and be maintained for quite a different reason.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-mccabe/an-idea-or-institution-may-arise-for-one-reason-and-be-maintained-for/) [Joseph McCabe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-mccabe/) > [The oppressed without hope are mysteriously quiet. When the conception of change is beyond the limits of the possible, there are no words to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sheila-rowbotham/the-oppressed-without-hope-are-mysteriously-quiet-when-the-conception/) [Sheila Rowbotham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sheila-rowbotham/) > [I arise full of eagerness and energy, knowing well what achievement lies ahead of me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zane-grey/i-arise-full-of-eagerness-and-energy-knowing-well-what-achievement/) [Zane Grey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zane-grey/) > [When you train your thoughts to dissolve as they arise, they will cross your mind like a bird crosses the sky--without leaving a trace.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julietta-suzuki/when-you-train-your-thoughts-to-dissolve-as-they-arise-they-will/) [Julietta Suzuki](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julietta-suzuki/) > [Nothing, not even the best and noblest, can go on as it now is. Nothing, not even what is lowest and most bestial, will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/nothing-not-even-the-best-and-noblest-can-go-on-as-it-now-is-nothing/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [So we and our elaborately evolving computers may meet each other halfway. Someday a human being, named perhaps Fred White, may shoot a robot…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philip-k-dick/so-we-and-our-elaborately-evolving-computers-may-meet-each-other/) [Philip K. Dick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philip-k-dick/) [Browse all 1,703 Arise quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/arise/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "The peace that we are looking for is not peace that crumbles as soon as there is difficulty or chaos. Whether we’re seeking inner peace or global peace or a combination of the two, the way to experience it is to build on the foundation of unconditional openness to all that arises. 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