---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Whether we’re seeking inner peace or…"
description: "\"“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..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d01/pema-ch-dr-n-327_global-peace_whether-we-re-seeking-inner-peace-or-glo_1225570.jpg"
---

#  Whether we’re seeking inner peace or global peace or a…

![“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…” quote by Pema Chödrön](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d01/pema-ch-dr-n-327_global-peace_whether-we-re-seeking-inner-peace-or-glo_1225570.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d01/pema-ch-dr-n-327_global-peace_whether-we-re-seeking-inner-peace-or-glo_1225570.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d01/pema-ch-dr-n-327_global-peace_whether-we-re-seeking-inner-peace-or-glo_1225570.jpg)

> ““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 Chödrön](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 embraces both ease and difficulty, staying open to all experiences without resistance.

**In simple terms:** Peace includes all feelings, even challenges.

Key Takeaway

Cultivate openness to every moment.

Themes

peace mindfulness acceptance resilience

Mood

reflective calm

Type

philosophical inspirational

When to use this quote

- meditation
- conflict resolution
- stress management
- personal growth

Key Concepts

unconditional openness non‑attachment

Questions to Reflect On

- What does “unconditional openness” look like for you?
- How can you stay open during conflict?

A Different Perspective

Openness may feel unsafe when confronting intense pain.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[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/) [Unconditional Openness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/unconditional-openness-663958/)

## Related quotes

> [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…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pema-ch-dr-n/the-peace-that-we-are-looking-for-is-not-peace-that-crumbles-as-soon/)

[Pema Chodron](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/)

> [“When you are wise, peace shall follow.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abhijit-naskar/when-you-are-wise-peace-shall-follow/)

[Abhijit Naskar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abhijit-naskar/)

> [As professor of global peace studies at the International Islamic University of Malaysia I am committed to the ending of war also through criminalization…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johan-galtung/as-professor-of-global-peace-studies-at-the-international-islamic/)

[Johan Galtung](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johan-galtung/)

> [When you look at the global situation, if America learned to be one of the many countries in the world and to find its…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oliver-stone/when-you-look-at-the-global-situation-if-america-learned-to-be-one-of/)

[Oliver Stone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oliver-stone/)

> [Establishment of Global Peace will not be possible simply by stopping wars; we should go deep in finding out the cases of violations of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/t-joseph-benziger/establishment-of-global-peace-will-not-be-possible-simply-by-stopping/)

[T Joseph Benziger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/t-joseph-benziger/)

> [“Social wars of a society should aim to reinstate a dignified life where love can thrive; not to create a future bound by immense…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wayne-chirisa/social-wars-of-a-society-should-aim-to-reinstate-a-dignified-life/)

[Wayne Chirisa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wayne-chirisa/)

> [The United Nations remains the sole universal international organisation designed to maintain global peace. And in this sense it has no alternative today. It…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vladimir-putin/the-united-nations-remains-the-sole-universal-international/)

[Vladimir Putin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vladimir-putin/)

> [Legalized drugs would cause dislocations in the US economy - the prison industry for example and tens of billions spent annually on drug enforcement.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-bowden/legalized-drugs-would-cause-dislocations-in-the-us-economy-the-prison/)

[Charles Bowden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-bowden/)

> [Coexistence and personal peace are at the heart of global peace and harmony.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/widad-akrawi/coexistence-and-personal-peace-are-at-the-heart-of-global-peace-and/)

[Widad Akrawi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/widad-akrawi/)

> [“ONE BUT MANY One God, many faces. One family, many races. One truth, many paths. One heart, many complexions. One light, many reflections. One…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suzy-kassem/one-but-many-one-god-many-faces-one-family-many-races-one-truth-many/)

[Suzy Kassem](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suzy-kassem/)

> [I'll work for global peace and the sweet release of the love and human kindness in us all.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chicago-band/i-ll-work-for-global-peace-and-the-sweet-release-of-the-love-and/)

[Chicago (Band](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chicago-band/)

> [“Together you are a species that grows in all aspects of life – separated you are a mere speck of dust in vast ocean…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abhijit-naskar/together-you-are-a-species-that-grows-in-all-aspects-of-life/)

[Abhijit Naskar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abhijit-naskar/)

> [“Yoga exercises are the best connecting tools for unity, human dignity, health, equality, global peace and compassion.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amit-ray/yoga-exercises-are-the-best-connecting-tools-for-unity-human-dignity/)

[Amit Ray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amit-ray/)

> [I believe that the United Kingdom can stay at the forefront in leading the world's growth and development and also continue to play an…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/li-keqiang/i-believe-that-the-united-kingdom-can-stay-at-the-forefront-in/)

[Li Keqiang](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/li-keqiang/)

## More by Pema Chödrön

> [“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 Chödrön quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pema-ch-dr-n/)

## More Global peace quotes

> [I believe that the United Kingdom can stay at the forefront in leading the world's growth and development and also continue to play an…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/li-keqiang/i-believe-that-the-united-kingdom-can-stay-at-the-forefront-in/)

[Li Keqiang](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/li-keqiang/)

> [Coexistence and personal peace are at the heart of global peace and harmony.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/widad-akrawi/coexistence-and-personal-peace-are-at-the-heart-of-global-peace-and/)

[Widad Akrawi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/widad-akrawi/)

> [“When you are wise, peace shall follow.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abhijit-naskar/when-you-are-wise-peace-shall-follow/)

[Abhijit Naskar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abhijit-naskar/)

> [“Yoga exercises are the best connecting tools for unity, human dignity, health, equality, global peace and compassion.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amit-ray/yoga-exercises-are-the-best-connecting-tools-for-unity-human-dignity/)

[Amit Ray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amit-ray/)

> [“Together you are a species that grows in all aspects of life – separated you are a mere speck of dust in vast ocean…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abhijit-naskar/together-you-are-a-species-that-grows-in-all-aspects-of-life/)

[Abhijit Naskar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abhijit-naskar/)

> [I'll work for global peace and the sweet release of the love and human kindness in us all.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chicago-band/i-ll-work-for-global-peace-and-the-sweet-release-of-the-love-and/)

[Chicago (Band](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chicago-band/)

> [“ONE BUT MANY One God, many faces. One family, many races. One truth, many paths. One heart, many complexions. One light, many reflections. One…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suzy-kassem/one-but-many-one-god-many-faces-one-family-many-races-one-truth-many/)

[Suzy Kassem](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suzy-kassem/)

> [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…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pema-ch-dr-n/the-peace-that-we-are-looking-for-is-not-peace-that-crumbles-as-soon/)

[Pema Chodron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pema-ch-dr-n/)

> [Legalized drugs would cause dislocations in the US economy - the prison industry for example and tens of billions spent annually on drug enforcement.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-bowden/legalized-drugs-would-cause-dislocations-in-the-us-economy-the-prison/)

[Charles Bowden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-bowden/)

> [The United Nations remains the sole universal international organisation designed to maintain global peace. And in this sense it has no alternative today. It…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vladimir-putin/the-united-nations-remains-the-sole-universal-international/)

[Vladimir Putin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vladimir-putin/)

> [“Social wars of a society should aim to reinstate a dignified life where love can thrive; not to create a future bound by immense…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wayne-chirisa/social-wars-of-a-society-should-aim-to-reinstate-a-dignified-life/)

[Wayne Chirisa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wayne-chirisa/)

> [Establishment of Global Peace will not be possible simply by stopping wars; we should go deep in finding out the cases of violations of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/t-joseph-benziger/establishment-of-global-peace-will-not-be-possible-simply-by-stopping/)

[T Joseph Benziger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/t-joseph-benziger/)

> [When you look at the global situation, if America learned to be one of the many countries in the world and to find its…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oliver-stone/when-you-look-at-the-global-situation-if-america-learned-to-be-one-of/)

[Oliver Stone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oliver-stone/)

> [As professor of global peace studies at the International Islamic University of Malaysia I am committed to the ending of war also through criminalization…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johan-galtung/as-professor-of-global-peace-studies-at-the-international-islamic/)

[Johan Galtung](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johan-galtung/)

> [“There is a rhythm throughout the universe. The pulsation throbs within every heart, during each moment of ecstasy, in every birth contraction. The rhythm…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julie-a-barnes/there-is-a-rhythm-throughout-the-universe-the-pulsation-throbs-within/)

[Julie A. Barnes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julie-a-barnes/)

[Browse all 32 Global peace quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/global-peace/)

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "“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.”",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Pema Chödrön"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pema-ch-dr-n/whether-we-re-seeking-inner-peace-or-global-peace-or-a-combination-of/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Global peace"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pema-ch-dr-n/whether-we-re-seeking-inner-peace-or-global-peace-or-a-combination-of/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d01/pema-ch-dr-n-327_global-peace_whether-we-re-seeking-inner-peace-or-glo_1225570.jpg",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d01/pema-ch-dr-n-327_global-peace_whether-we-re-seeking-inner-peace-or-glo_1225570.jpg",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d01/pema-ch-dr-n-327_global-peace_whether-we-re-seeking-inner-peace-or-glo_1225570.jpg",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“Whether we’re seeking inner peace or global peace or a combination of the two, the way to experience it is…” — Pema Chödrön",
                "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
                "creator": {
                    "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
                }
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "BreadcrumbList",
            "itemListElement": [
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 1,
                    "name": "Home",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 2,
                    "name": "Quotes",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 3,
                    "name": "Pema Chödrön",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pema-ch-dr-n/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "“Whether we’re seeking inner peace or...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pema-ch-dr-n/whether-we-re-seeking-inner-peace-or-global-peace-or-a-combination-of/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pema-ch-dr-n/whether-we-re-seeking-inner-peace-or-global-peace-or-a-combination-of/#breadcrumb"
        },
        {
            "@type": "WebSite",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "publisher": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "Organization",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "logo": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png",
                "width": 512,
                "height": 512
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
