The practice of meditation can lead to a deep sense of peace from "summary" of Waking Up by Sam Harris
Meditation is a practice that holds the potential to transform our experience of the world. By simply sitting quietly and paying attention to our breath, or to the sensations in our bodies, or to the contents of our own minds, we can begin to see that our moment-to-moment experience is characterized by a ceaseless flow of phenomena. Thoughts, emotions, and sensory impressions arise and pass away continually. And yet, we are rarely fully conscious of this process. We are lost in thought, identified with our emotions, and distracted by the sights and sounds around us. However, through meditation, we can learn to break this spell of identification with our thoughts and feelings. We can begin to see that we are not our thoughts, but rather the awareness in which thoughts come and go. This shift in perspective can lead to a profound sense of freedom and peace. As we practice meditation, we develop the ability to observe our thoughts and emotions without being swept away by them. We can learn to simply let them be, without getting caught up in the stories they tell. This ability to cultivate a non-reactive awareness of our inner experience can be immensely liberating. We begin to see that the peace we seek is not something to be found in the external world, but rather is a quality of our own minds. It is always available to us, regardless of our circumstances. This realization can bring a deep sense of calm and contentment that is not contingent on the ups and downs of life. In this way, the practice of meditation can lead us to a profound sense of peace that is not dependent on external conditions. It is a peace that arises from within, from our own capacity for mindful awareness. And as we continue to cultivate this capacity through regular practice, we may find that this peace becomes not just a temporary state, but a lasting quality of our lives. A sense of peace that is always available to us, no matter what challenges we may face.
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