If you want true inner peace, start saying “yes” to these 8 things

Inner peace: it’s something we all strive for, but it can often feel elusive.

As Lachlan Brown, founder of Hack Spirit and a mindfulness and Buddhism expert, I’ve discovered that saying “yes” to certain things in life can make a world of difference.

Now, I’m not talking about being a pushover or agreeing to everything that comes your way. Rather, this is about embracing particular attitudes and actions that foster tranquility within you.

In this piece, I’m going to share the specific things you should start saying “yes” to.

Let’s dive in.

1) Embrace acceptance

Finding inner peace is all about saying “yes” to acceptance.

What do I mean by acceptance? It’s about truly acknowledging your feelings and thoughts, even the negative ones. It’s about letting them exist without judgment or resistance.

This doesn’t mean you have to like these feelings or get stuck in them, but rather, you simply observe and accept them as part of your current experience.

Consider it like this: when we resist or push away our feelings, it often amplifies our pain and distress. But when we say “yes” to acceptance, we’re taking a step towards peace.

Mindfulness teaches us that our feelings are not permanent; they come and go like waves in the ocean. By accepting them, we allow this natural ebb and flow, fostering inner tranquility.

When you’re feeling something uncomfortable, instead of running away or hiding from it, try saying “yes” to acceptance. It could be a game-changer for your journey towards inner peace.

2) Practice gratitude

Another key to unlocking true inner peace is saying “yes” to gratitude.

I’ve found this personally transformative in my own life. Each morning, I take a moment to reflect on something I’m grateful for, no matter how small it might be. This simple act sets a positive tone for my day and helps me maintain inner calm.

Gratitude is more than just saying “thank you.” It’s recognizing the good in our lives and appreciating what we have, rather than focusing on what we lack. This shift in mindset can significantly impact your overall well-being and peace of mind.

Gratitude is a way of seeing that alters our gaze.

Embracing gratitude allows us to appreciate the present moment and find joy in everyday things. 

Why not try saying “yes” to practicing gratitude? It could be your gateway to lasting inner peace.

3) Let go of your ego

Our ego can be our greatest enemy when it comes to finding inner peace.

In Buddhism, the idea of “self” or “ego” is seen as an illusion. It’s this illusion that often leads us to suffering, as we cling to our desires, fears, and false identities.

Saying “yes” to letting go of your ego isn’t about losing your sense of self; instead, it’s about understanding that we are much more than just our thoughts, feelings, and perceptions.

It’s about letting go of the need to be right, the need for validation, and the constant comparison with others. When we let go of these ego-driven pursuits, we create space for peace and contentment.

This journey may not be easy, but remember that in Buddhism, every step towards letting go is a step closer to achieving true inner peace.

4) Be present

Our minds are often everywhere but the present moment. We’re either ruminating on the past or worrying about the future, and this constant mental chatter can rob us of our peace.

Mindfulness is all about bringing our attention back to the present moment. It’s about fully engaging with what’s happening right now, not what has happened or what might happen.

Saying “yes” to being present means saying “no” to these distractions. It means tuning into your senses and truly experiencing the world around you in this very moment.

This might be easier said than done, but it’s a practice worth pursuing. After all, as mindfulness teaches us, the present moment is the only one we truly have.

Embrace it, live it, and you’ll find your inner peace deepening.

5) Cultivate compassion

A vital step towards inner peace that I’ve discovered both in my personal exploration and through my work on mindfulness is saying “yes” to compassion.

Compassion is about recognizing the suffering in ourselves and others, and then taking action to alleviate it. It’s about treating ourselves and others with kindness, even when things get tough.

In my book, Hidden Secrets of Buddhism: How To Live With Maximum Impact and Minimum Ego, I delve into how cultivating compassion can help us lead more fulfilling lives and find true inner peace.

By saying “yes” to compassion, we open our hearts to understanding and empathy, replacing judgment with acceptance.

This shift in attitude not only transforms our relationships with others but also our relationship with ourselves.

Inner peace begins with a peaceful heart. Say “yes” to compassion—it’s a choice that can truly make a difference.

6) Embrace impermanence

Nothing in life is permanent. Everything changes. This is a fundamental concept in both Buddhism and mindfulness.

Life is a constant flow of change. Our bodies change, our thoughts change, our feelings change, and our circumstances change. Yet, we often cling to the notion of permanence, leading to suffering and robbing us of our inner peace.

Saying “yes” to embracing impermanence means accepting that change is a part of life. It’s about letting go of our attachment to certain outcomes and learning to flow with the natural rhythm of life.

It might be uncomfortable to face the reality of impermanence, but it’s a path towards true inner peace.

After all, when we stop resisting change, we start embracing the beauty of each moment as it is – transient, unique, and precious.

7) Practice non-attachment

Let’s face the truth: We often attach our happiness to external things or conditions, and this can lead us away from inner peace.

Practicing non-attachment is a central teaching in Buddhism. It doesn’t mean not caring about anything, but rather, it implies not clinging or becoming overly identified with our experiences, possessions, or even our thoughts and emotions.

As mindfulness expert and author Pema Chödrön puts it, “The root of suffering is resisting the certainty that no matter what the circumstances, uncertainty is all we truly have.”

Saying “yes” to practicing non-attachment means letting go of the need to control everything. It’s about understanding that things come and go, including our feelings, and that’s okay.

Practicing non-attachment can be challenging, but it’s an essential step towards finding true inner peace.

Peace doesn’t come from finding stability in life, but from embracing its inherent instability.

8) Seek discomfort

This might sound counterintuitive, but sometimes, finding peace means saying “yes” to discomfort.

In mindfulness practice, we’re encouraged to lean into discomfort rather than avoiding it. Why? Because avoidance often leads to more distress in the long run.

When we push away difficult feelings or situations, we’re essentially telling ourselves that we can’t handle them. But when we allow ourselves to feel discomfort and face challenges head-on, we build resilience and foster inner peace.

It’s not about enjoying discomfort, but about acknowledging it as a part of life and learning from it.

When you find yourself shying away from a challenging situation or feeling, try saying “yes” to it instead. It might just lead you closer to the inner peace you’re seeking.

Conclusion

Finding inner peace isn’t about avoiding life’s challenges or striving for a constant state of bliss.

Instead, it’s about saying “yes” to acceptance, gratitude, letting go of ego, being present, cultivating compassion, embracing impermanence, practicing non-attachment, and even seeking discomfort.

This journey is personal and unique to everyone. Be patient with yourself and take one step at a time.

If you’re interested in diving deeper into the teachings of Buddhism and mindfulness that can help you live with maximum impact and minimum ego, I invite you to check out my book, Hidden Secrets of Buddhism: How To Live With Maximum Impact and Minimum Ego.

May your journey towards inner peace be filled with insight, growth, and serenity.