SHAPING THE MIND

One of the key points mentioned in the constitution of the United Nations Economic and Cultural Organization is:

“Since wars begin in the minds of men, it is in the minds of men that the defences of peace must be constructed.” (The UNESCO Courier, Jul-Aug 1966, p 6)

This is an accurate and insightful statement. The reality is that whether it’s a dispute between two people on the street or a confrontation between two nations on the battlefield, all such conflicts start in the mind. Negative emotions like anger, provocation, revenge, and hatred take root in some individuals’ mind. When these emotions grow and manifest in action, they lead to disputes or wars. Therefore, if peace can be established in the mind, it can also be realized in the world.

Negative thoughts in a person’s mind are always reactions. If someone says something harsh, you become angry. If you experience something unpleasant, you become agitated. If your dignity is insulted, revenge sparks within you. These very reactions, which begin in the mind, ultimately lead to conflict and violence.

In this context, the only effective way to prevent both personal disputes and larger-scale wars is through the education of people’s minds. People must be trained in the mindset that religion refers to as patience. This can be achieved when negative thoughts are replaced with positive ones. People should learn not to be provoked by inflammatory words. Instead of engaging with unpleasant things, they should learn to avoid them. They should respond to hatred with love, and make decisions based on calm reflection rather than emotional turmoil.

The reform of the mind leads to the reform of action, and the building of the mind is the building of life.