Om shanti, shanti, shanti.
As-Salaam-Alaikum.
This morning my yoga class ended with om, shanti, shanti, shanti. Om meaning nothing, but considered to be the sound of the universe. That which came before and birthed all else after. Now and for eternity. Shanti simply meaning peace. Om, shanti, shanti, shanti is a common mantra used in Hinduism and Buddhism.
Tonight, I watched Malcom X, the movie starring Denzel Washington. A commonly used Muslim greeting spoken in the movie is As-Salaam-Alaikum, or peace be unto you. Both a salutation when greeting people, and when saying goodbye. Salaam means peace, and is from the same root as the word Islam. As-Salaam-Alaikum is also quite similar to the Hebrew phrase Shalom aleichem - peace be upon you.
Across cultures and languages, we find tidings of peace. Something I haven’t been aware of, at least not consciously. I’m curious about our relationship and history with peace, as humans—a freedom from (unnecessary) violence. An experience of harmony with life.
Alas, I’m tired and tonight will have to leave things here.