成人快手

For VE Day, a spiritual comment and prayer to begin the day with Brahmacharini Shripriya Chaitanya, a novice Hindu monk and teacher

Good morning.

Seventy five years ago, an historic moment took place in Europe. After 6 years of war, there was peace on across the continent. Millions of people flooded the streets all over the UK to celebrate the end of war as well as to express their gratitude for an agreement of peace. As soldiers thought about returning home, people remembered and paid tribute to those who would not, those whose lives had been taken in the war.

As we commemorate VE Day today, the celebrations will be very different to what anyone would have imagined a few weeks ago. At the heart of any celebration, however, is a feeling of joy, and we can still choose to find that within. Of course, while there is a celebration of peace, we are not forgetful of the devastating price that is paid in the course of conflict.

Conflict doesn鈥檛 happen when there are differences; it is when those differences become more important than that which is common between us. No two individuals are alike, and yet each individual is united by their humanity. When we are united, there is joy; in division, there is conflict. When we are at peace with ourselves, that peace emanates from us to the world around us.

Today I also pay tribute to the visionary Hindu saint Swami Chinmayananda, who made tireless efforts to spread his message of oneness and peace. One oft-repeated teaching of his is especially apt now: you change, and the world will change. None of us is powerless to change the world., even at this time of lockdown.

Let us today give thanks for what we have and pray for peace. May we see unity and oneness in diversity. May we discover peace within ourselves, and may that peace be reflected in the world around us.

Hari Om