Cheon Seong Gyeong Ⅱ - 403. Peace and freedom
29 Today it is commonly held by people at all levels of society that this world is not a world of peace. Still the people of the world yearn for peace. Moreover, everyone without exception wants to live in a free society, free nation and free world. A man or woman seeking to walk the true path of life wants to enjoy genuine happiness while rejoicing in genuine freedom in an environment of genuine peace. But there can be no genuine happiness unless peace and freedom reside in our mind. Although people cry out for freedom, they also admit that their surroundings are not free enough for them to live as their heart desires. Therefore no human being can deny the fact that he or she has not yet reached the fulfillment that his or her mind eagerly pursues. (7-014, 1959.07.05)
30 Everything seeks partners that have good origins. Moreover, everything seeks places where there is freedom, and pursues that which brings peace. Nonetheless, freedom, peace and happiness are not to be sought separately; they must be sought together. So is freedom to be found within peace, or is peace to be found within freedom? Peace is a condition for freedom; freedom comes on the foundation of peace. Peace is where two people harmonize with each other, which is only possible when they make concessions to one another. (182-112, 1988.10.16)
31 There is no freedom under the love of Satan’s world. Neither is there peace, happiness, hope or eternal life. We must restore all these through indemnity. Freedom arises when we restore the creation’s rights, human rights and love’s rights. Therefore your mind and body must become one. I am saying you should restore human rights. Only when our mind and body are united can we be truly free. If a grandfather and his granddaughter-in-law, for example, were one in heart, then it wouldn’t matter even if he had to enter her room unannounced. What I mean is, the artificiality would crumble, because when there is unity of heart, there is freedom, and only in freedom is there peace and true happiness. (229-357, 1992.04.13)
32 Without a foundation of unity, freedom cannot exist. If your mind and body clash, can you have freedom, maintain it, and be joyful? Can freedom appear? It cannot. Also, where is peace? True peace is where we are completely free, where everything is smooth and nothing is lacking. Yet when your mind and body clash, is there a place where peace can dwell? No. The same is true for happiness. Can anyone find happiness when his or her mind and body are fighting? There’s no way. When we consider these fundamental issues, we realize that it is only where our mind and body are completely united that we can be free, that a base for peace appears, and that happiness arises. It is only when a husband and wife become one in heart and body that they can dream about a peaceful world based on peace in their family. (232-190, 1992.07.06) |