September always feels like a time for reflection and transition, perhaps due to an ancestral need to prepare for the move through the autumn equinox, or a cultural mindset associated with going back to school. This month also marks World Peace Day (21 September) – a day dedicated to promoting nonviolence and needed now more than ever, as we witness conflicts and unrest across the globe. In our theme Choosing peace, we consider how individually we might pause, and how together we can collaborate to begin to create a culture of peace.

Finding a sense of peace through creativity runs as a thread through the pages of this issue, beginning with our cover artist, Nicholas Jones, who shares what this means to him:

“Painting is one of the ways I stay anchored to beauty in a world that can often feel overwhelmingly turbulent and confusing. It’s my way of holding the sorrow and wonder of the world together. Each piece is an attempt to offer an authentic moment of stillness, in the hope that it might bring joy to others and help them feel more grounded and present.”

Continuing this thread, our themed pages are entirely crafted by artist and writer Jackie Morris, who began painting doves as a way to process the horror unfurling globally. Her hope was that these doves might help to “find joy in these dark times”. In ‘Still searching for peace’ Jackie combines these paintings with words that allow us to begin to step through our emotions and imagine peace.

Also in this issue, you will hear from Buddhist teacher Stephen Fulder as he explores how to find quiet resilience when everything around us seems uncertain. You will be reminded by peace pilgrim Satish Kumar that we can all be partners in peace, and you will learn how we might rediscover the power of our own stories, actions and capacity for change, through an evocative piece by poet Nadia Colburn.

Choosing peace is an invitation to delve into the complex layers of creating a more peaceful world. Whether we see peace as something personal, a contentment that we might find in ourselves, or as a collective action for all of humanity, compassion and a deep sense of connection hold the key to reaching true peace.

In the final days of crafting this issue, we heard the sad news of the death of Joanna Macy. A Buddhist scholar and teacher, Joanna dedicated her life to The Work that Reconnects – a gift and a toolkit for a shared journey to connection, empowerment and action. As we strive towards a more peaceful world, Joanna is in our thoughts and hearts.

The Editorial Team