Sharat is a Software Architect and Heartfulness trainer based in Bangalore. He currently serves as a Director of Heartfulness Institute and of Ripples of Change Foundation, an NGO. Recreationally, he enjoys badminton and DIY home improvement projects.

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Sharat Hegde

<h3 style="text-align:center;">DEVELOPING PEACE INSIDE OUT</h3><h4>DR. RANJANI IYER, SYLVIE BERTI-ROSSI, and SHARAT HEGDE from the Peacefulness Movement explore the need for peace with globalization and increasingly rich diversity across the world.&nbsp;</h4>&nbsp;According to the Oxford English Dictionary, “diversity” is defined as “the practice or quality of including or involving people from a range of different social and ethnic backgrounds and of different genders, sexual orientations, etc.” We see diversity as a huge strength in developing creative and critical thinking to promote excellence, efficiency, and overall well-being. This applies to corporates, educational institutions, and other organizations that work collaboratively to utilize diverse perspectives to increase engagement and robust interactions.&nbsp;With diversity comes the need for conflict management due to differences in perspectives, knowledge, and points of view. One of the ways to embrace diversity is to “TAP into Peacefulness” and learn to maintain an attitude of mutual respect, open-mindedness, willingness to listen, and collaborative working in peace.&nbsp;TAP into Peacefulness can build skills to connect within and with each other. By becoming peaceful, by being peace, we radiate peace and become peaceful ambassadors. Here is how to do it:<h4 style="text-align:justify;">1. Take a moment to pause:&nbsp;</h4>Research suggests that the practice of pause helps in creating the space to relate emotions and activates the parasympathetic nervous system to induce the feeling of calmness.&nbsp;<a href="https://hbr.org/2015/02/5-ways-to-become-more-self-aware">Self-awareness</a> lies at the root of strong character, giving us the ability to lead with a sense of purpose, authenticity, openness, and trust.&nbsp;You can use a daily check-in to create self-awareness and develop an inner connection to understand your&nbsp;<a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1DNjq_k9BPlW6bh9v2Dg6w5RabuHkbJ0S/view?usp=sharing">feelings and emotions</a>, use the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.mindful.org/the-power-of-pause/">power of pause practice</a> to schedule a one to two minute break in between your busy schedule, or even take an unscheduled short break to avoid mental fatigue. A calm and reflective mind leads to correct thinking and right understanding, that will help you be more efficient, avoid stress and be at peace.&nbsp;<figure class="image"><img src="https://cdn-prod-static.heartfulness.org/TAP_into_Peacefulness2_dfe40483c4.jpg"></figure><h4 style="text-align:justify;">2. Adopt the attitude, be one with yourself:&nbsp;</h4>A positive mindset promotes creativity, empathy, connection, and resilience to overcome difficulties more quickly. Working toward a positive attitude and an attitude to excel, you will connect with self and others by expressing&nbsp;<a href="https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item/how_gratitude_changes_you_and_your_brain">gratitude</a>, heartful&nbsp;<a href="https://6fb734da-c7da-4a3e-97f2-70aba86275fd.filesusr.com/ugd/d7a5fa_63ec707c66824868971e763876c18021.pdf">affirmations</a>, setting short-term and long-term goals, working towards them, and creating a community that offers a sense of belonging. Finding time to reflect, relax, and rejuvenate opens up space for reflective thinking as well as prioritizes self-care.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.lybrate.com/topic/heartfulness-meditation-how-it-is-beneficial/2d8cb243d75765dce2379d82fddaf777">Heartfulness practices</a> take us on an inner journey, and that journey starts in the heart as we develop the 5 Cs of Contentment, Calm, Compassion, Courage, and Clarity, which are the foundation of our mental, emotional, and social intelligence.<h4 style="text-align:justify;">3. Practice peace, your way:&nbsp;</h4>A variety of resources and intentional ways to practice peace can be utilized to connect with the heart and think peaceful thoughts that can promote peace from the inside out.&nbsp;Peace is our true nature and, when we connect with peace within ourselves, we radiate it to others and to our environment.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.peacefulness.org/">Peaceful Intentions</a> will give you time to center and ground yourself, connect to your heart, and finally choose an intention. Silently repeat the words of the intention, and go slowly enough that you can both imagine and feel its true meaning. Let it spread to everything and everyone around you.<figure class="image"><img src="https://cdn-prod-static.heartfulness.org/Hand_ebebb9124c.webp"></figure>Everyone can benefit by learning ways to tap into peace, as it promotes interconnectedness and inclusion that help us to handle conflicts and collaborate in a more empathetic and effective way. In this complex world, as new perspectives are developed, they can provide better opportunities for innovation, creativity, and problem-solving.