Inner Peace as a Contribution to Human Flourishing

Abstract

Although philosophers and theologians have emphasized the centrality of inner peace for the good life, this concept has not generally been included in research on human flourishing. The authors argue that inner peace contributes to a more complete form of flourishing for both religious and secular people. They then propose a new instrument, the Inner Peace Scale, to measure inner peace, and they provide an initial psychometric evaluation of the instrument based on five empirical studies. The authors distinguish their scale from related measures, such as contentment, serenity, or tranquility. Engagement with literature from the social sciences and the humanities, along with the authors’ research findings, suggest that inner peace is comprised of three dimensions: acceptance of loss, transcendence of hedonism and materialism, and inner balance and calmness. Greater attention to the dimension of transcending hedonism and materialism may prove especially helpful in advancing the field, particularly in consumeristic societies.

Associations between the Importance of Well-Being Domains and the Subsequent Experience of Well-Being

“…Empirical research has been able to confirm some of the pathways that we would expect in light of the wisdom of the humanities. To take just one example, it appears that it is indeed "better to give than to receive", as a preoccupation with hedonistic enjoyment may adversely affect a sense of inner peace or personal growth, while participation in benevolent service to others is associated with a variety of positive well-being outcomes [8,35]. In the same vein, we found that the increased importance of character strengths showed little evidence of association with the domains of physical health and emotional health, and was negatively associated with the financial stability domain.…”

“…These domains comprise emotional health, purpose in life, social connectedness, character strengths, physical health, and financial security [3,5], and have been shown to be highly valued by people [3,6]. Most people throughout the world would also insist on including additional well-being domains, such as spirituality [7] or inner peace [8]. Consideration of community well-being, which involves more than a simple aggregation of individuals' self-reported well-being, is also desirable [9].…”

Who and what belongs to us? Towards a comprehensive concept of inclusion and planetary citizenship

“…Meaning in life consists of an 'attachment to something larger, and the larger the entity to which you attach yourself, the more meaning in your life' (Seligman, 2002, p. 14). Attachment to the inner self and the outer world could enhance human flourishing (Xi and Lee, 2021). Therefore, planetary citizenship is linked to human growth towards being a person who is aware, reflective and free of prejudice, and who can look at the world from new perspectives; for example, by imagining the world from the perspective of a plant, a rock or an unborn child (Baril, 2021).…”

“…For experiences of planetary inclusion, we propose the position: 'I live in peace and harmony with the world'. This is a basic factor of eudaimonic well-being (Xi and Lee, 2021).…”

A Literature Review on Holistic Well-Being and Dopamine Fasting: An Integrated Approach

“…Incorporating mindfulness into daily rituals, such as mindful eating, breathing exercises, and gratitude journaling, can bring attention to the present moment and enhance overall well-being [ 33 ]. Mindful practices encourage a greater sense of awareness and appreciation for the experiences that shape daily life, fostering an outlook of mindfulness that aligns with the principles of dopamine fasting and wellness [ 34 ]. Holistic wellness involves incorporating practices like nature connection and mindfulness into daily routines, fostering social connections through meaningful conversations, group activities, and volunteering, and nurturing community relationships to enhance well-being and create a supportive environment [ 35 ].…”