What is Peace? Do we know when we have peace, are at peace, or are we only aware of its presence when it’s gone? Do we squander time when we could be at peace, choosing instead to indulge in misery and complaints, until something horrible happens to make us realize that our lives were pretty peaceful? Why do we fail to realize and appreciate what we have in front of us, unable to see that it could be lost or taken away?

Many cultures try to teach that peace is a state of mind, It’s taught in the Catholic mass when each person turns in a full circle around them, greets each person, holds their hand, looks them in the eye and says, “Peace – Be – With – You”. Buddhist monks teach meditation, expressing the concept that to meditate is to be unaffected and calm while chaos occurs around you, to remain in peace while others panic.

In reviewing the concept of Peace in its most simplistic definition, it is described as the absence of war. Could this refer to the war within each of us, as we struggle against ourselves? Is it possible to know peace without first knowing war? Must we experience friction in order to know its release?

In the laws of physics, friction occurs when two objects come into contact with each other. The amount of friction can be measured in the terms of how much pressure is required before motion of some type occurs. We see this when two sticks are rubbed together until a spark is created, resulting in fire. When you take a step, you create friction to push your foot off the ground to take the next step. When waves break on the shore, friction is created. It is the same with people, a kiss is friction and when two ideas or ideologies clash, it creates friction.

While pondering these thoughts, I began to wonder…What if we need places and people to help us find peace by creating chaos around us? What if by grand decision, we inadvertently create friction as part of a master plan? Could the law of physics and friction be the entire catalyst for our journey on earth? After all, does not the friction of a grain of sand in the oyster create the pearl?

What if every action does have a reaction and we hold the key to peace? What if the answer lies in the fact that we haven’t understood at what price peace comes or that peace has a price at all? Perhaps we have a larger role to play in consciously creating the act of peace.

Is it possible that each of us creates friction and offers peace in one of three roles, which I have identified and named as – a Haven, a Harbor or a Hollow? Could it be that each person who enters our lives, whether for a brief moment or a lifetime relationship, are like ships tendering at our dock, coming into our lives when they need a particular experience?

As we continue to cry aloud en masse to give peace a chance, have we been looking outward for so long, that we’ve lost sight of all that we know and knew to be true? Could the answers we seek and the help we long for, actually be found within ourselves?

Do you know your destiny in this lifetime? If you do, can you identify your role as a Haven, a Harbor or a Hollow?

Haven
A Haven is a retreat, a sanctuary. Haven’s express an oasis of joy and serenity, a Haven is dreamy, unreal. Havens can be found in your mother’s arms as a child, your lover’s embrace or a moment spent under the moon and stars by a lazy river on a perfect evening.

Haven’s remind you of hope, of all the wonder and beauty in the world and why it is so good to be here. But Havens by nature, are fleeting. Haven’s don’t judge. They are just here to remind you of joy, of light and of laughter, of the power of love and what it means to be fully alive and present.

They are like a first kiss, a beautiful dream, or the moment you feel the stirring of love. A Haven can be remembered forever but only lived for a few moments. Havens are to remind you of Heaven (Haven) and that at times, life can be like heaven on earth. Havens are natural forces and must do what they do; they cannot be contained, as they move like angels on earth, spreading their light. Once the moment is experienced, they must drift away or you will become enraptured and stay caught in stasis, instead of moving forward like you need to do.

Friction is caused when it is time for the Haven and the person to part company, as the person fears loss and wants to control the Haven and attempt to assert ownership, which cannot be. A Haven cannot be owned or possessed. Once the open hand attempts to make a fist, the Haven slips away. A Haven is not a home and when the person attempts to settle in permanently, the Haven will create friction, shake them loose and set them free. The purpose of a Haven is to create a magical moment of bliss, to remind people that Heaven can exist on Earth.

Harbor
A Harbor is an organized portal of entry, where people are welcome to enter and to leave. A Harbor offers protection from storms and provides a place to seek safety, shelter and repairs. Harbors, while offering safety, do not equally accept all newcomers. A Harbor knows that not all who enter come in peace. A Harbor has a duty to protect all who enter and so it takes the time to build trust with newcomers in order to understand their intentions.

Harbors have long memories. They hold energy, retain possession of goods and space and can harbor a grudge when mistreated. Harbors can conceal and hide people, in order to protect them from other people or storms. A harbor is a landing place, but never the same, as new cargo and ships enter daily and new people move there to work on the docks and in the town. People who decide to stay there long term, adjust to deal with the constant change, understanding that there are people they may connect with and then never see again. A Harbor is a place to lay anchor for a while, usually temporarily, as room always needs to be made to allow new people and cargo to enter.

Harbors are often haunted with ghosts of regret, grief, unresolved situations and people who have not learned to let go of the past. Like many situations in life, a Harbor understands the circle of life including lack and abundance and that luck comes and goes. The purpose of a Harbor is to allow all who enter their portal, to unload their burdens and share their stories, their adventures and their treasures. They provide comfort, solace and space to interact with other travelers.

Hollow
A Hollow is similar in nature to a mother’s womb. It is a place to recover from an arduous journey in order to be reborn. Often located between mountains, it symbolizes that we have undergone an experience of monumental proportions and now we are able to rest and recuperate before we journey again to climb another mountain.

A Hollow is different from a Haven or a Harbor. It does not promise that all life is beautiful like a Haven nor is it active like a Harbor, a Hollow’s beauty lies in its simplicity and connection to nature. A Hollow allows you to be, just as you are, no comparisons, no action, just a time of reflection. There in the Hollow is a natural rhythm, the chirping of crickets and birds, the croaking of frogs, the splashing turtles and the sway of the trees in the breeze. A Hollow creates a large bowl in which you are invited to sink into and feel the connection of the circle of life. It reminds you that what will be will be, regardless of where you venture again or where you have come from.

A Hollow works like a vacuum. Things are drawn there to fill the space. During time in the Hollow, one retreats from the world. A Hollow, like a Haven, is not meant to be lived in for a lifetime. A Hollow offers an opportunity to reflect and gather strength in order to move on to the next part of the journey. Hollow’s can be enchanted with a magic that allows us to gaze into the water and see within and around us what has not been clear before. However, one must not dwell too long in the Hollow, for there is a the danger of staying inactive for too long, and becoming stuck in a bog or swamp, left to wallow in the murky water.

The Hollow is the in-between. It is there for us when we need it. The purpose of a Hollow is to allow us to recuperate and build up strength, so we can deal with our shadow selves and the mental and emotional thoughts slowing us down.

The Gifts of the Haven, Harbor, and Hollow

In the Haven, we remember who we are at the core level and the source from which we are all connected. We are given the gift of joy.

In the Harbor, we deal with action and the physical, making decisions and movements every day. We are given the gift of purpose.

In the Hollow, we go within to discern why we have done what we have done thus far in life and what that says about us. From there, we strengthen our resolve to go forth and do better on our next step and adventure. We are given the gift of strength.

Do you recognize yourself as a Haven, a Harbor or a Hollow? Perhaps you are all three or act as one or the other in different relationships? Can you identify the Haven, Harbor and Hollow in others and how the friction caused in each meeting, can help you on your road to inner peace?

May the friction you encounter on your journey create a spark, lighting your path to peace.

More about Kala Ambrose:
Kala is an award winning author, intuitive and talk show host of the Explore Your Spirit with Kala Show. Her thought-provoking interviews entice listeners to tune in around the globe! Described by her guests and listeners as discerning, empowering and inspiring, she speaks with world renowned authors, artists, teachers and researchers delving into metaphysical, holistic and paranormal topics. Kala’s  book, 9 Life Altering Lessons: Secrets of the Mystery Schools Unveiled delves into the mysteries of ancient Egyptian mystery schools and explains their wisdom teachings. Kala lectures on Esoteric Teachings,  Developing Business Intuition, Working with Auras, Chakras and Energy Fields, and Wise Woman Wisdom (also known as the Divine Feminine). Kala’s Guided Meditations CD’s have just been released with Spirit of Hawaii and Egyptian Mystery Temple and Tibetan Mountain Journey.  More info: www.ExploreYourSpirit.com