Inner peace comes to us through the realization of the presence of God.

Looking at the world around, we may often feel insecure. There are so many powers beyond our control. There are so many things beyond our understanding. Some of them seem to be threatening. How can we stay calm and assured in the midst of the turmoil where we often find ourselves?

"Divine order is a fundamental Truth of the universe. There is always a cosmos within every chaos", said Eric Butterworth. The world is a whole system, where all parts work together for the benefit of all. Nothing just happens. Nothing just exists. All things are interconnected through the law of cause and effect - but even more, all things contribute to the universal growth and development. Being a vital part of this system, we may rely on its help and assistance.

No matter what the future will bring, it will be the natural outflow of our life here and now. No matter what the future will bring, it will be meant for our good - it will come in a form of an adequate compensation for our previous efforts, and at the same time as a challenge to rise up higher in consciousness.

The author of the Wisdom of Solomon says that God "created all things that they might have being. The creative forces of the world make for life; there is no deadly poison in them".

The same truth is expressed in the Gospel of Thomas:

"I am the light that is over all things. I am all: from me all came forth, and to me all attained. Split a piece of wood; I am there. Lift up the stone, and you will find me there".

"If you become my disciples and pay attention to my sayings, these stones will serve you".

The last phrase doesn't mean that "stones" will violate their own nature in order to serve us. They will simply unfold their hidden potential. There will be no "miracles" in the sense of breaking of the universal laws.

Looking at the world around, it is important to realize that there are no ordinary things. Some of them may look dead and motionless - like a stone - but in truth they are full of life. They are full with the presence of God.

We consider things lifeless because of our limited concept of what life is. We consider other beings void of intelligence because of our limited concept of what intelligence is. But God is Life, God is Intelligence, and God is Omnipresent. There is not a spot where God is not! So, the realization of the presence of God doesn't mean that we are specially chosen to be "visited by God" or "blessed by God", as some people think. The Presence is everywhere. Blessings are everywhere.

What makes the difference in people's lives is their vision. Some people are shortsighted - they focus on their problems and call them unsolvable, only to reinforce their own difficulties. On the other hand, other people develop their imagination and willpower, acquiring an exalted vision. They are not idle dreamers! Seeing events in their proper perspective, they become peaceful and gain the full access to the resources for successful life.

(to be continued)