You cannot find peace by avoiding life.

Hear now, O seekers of wisdom, the profound words of Virginia Woolf, who, in her deep understanding of the human condition, spoke these haunting words: "You cannot find peace by avoiding life." These words ring with the weight of a truth that has echoed throughout the ages. It is a paradox that so many have faced—the belief that by turning away from the struggles, the pains, and the complexities of life, we can find a refuge of calm. Yet, as Woolf so clearly reveals, this avoidance only deepens the unrest within us. Peace is not found in running from life, but in confronting it, embracing it in all its messiness and uncertainty.

Consider, O seekers, the ancient warriors of old, those who, in the midst of battle, were faced not only with external enemies but with their own fears. They did not seek refuge in avoidance, but in courage and acceptance of the challenges before them. Achilles, the mightiest of the Greek heroes, did not shrink from the war that called him. Though he knew the cost—his own death awaited him—he embraced his fate, finding in it not just glory, but a deep sense of purpose. He understood that it is through facing the trials of life that one finds the peace of honor and fulfillment. To avoid the battle would have been to avoid the very essence of his being.

Similarly, the Buddha once taught that suffering is an inevitable part of the human experience, and that the path to enlightenment lies not in avoiding pain but in understanding and transcending it. His life itself was a testimony to this truth. He could have lived in comfort, shielded from the suffering of the world, but instead, he chose to confront it, to seek the root of human suffering, and to find peace in its acceptance, not its denial. The Buddha’s path was one of facing life directly, without the veil of avoidance, for it is only through engagement with the world, through understanding our fears and desires, that we can truly find peace within.

In the story of Joan of Arc, we also see the profound power of embracing life with all its uncertainties and trials. Joan was a young peasant girl who heard the divine call to lead the French army, and despite the overwhelming challenges and dangers, she did not flee. She did not retreat into the safety of a quiet life; instead, she faced her fate head-on, driven by a sense of divine purpose. In her courage and commitment, she found not only peace with her mission but an unwavering sense of self. Her story teaches us that true peace is not the absence of struggle but the willingness to engage with the struggle and find purpose within it.

Yet, in our own lives, it is easy to fall into the trap of seeking peace by avoiding discomfort, whether it is through withdrawing from relationships, responsibilities, or our fears. The modern world, with its distractions and comforts, often encourages us to escape the realities of life, offering temporary relief in the form of entertainment, indulgence, or isolation. But as Woolf warns, these methods of avoidance only deepen our inner unrest. The peace we seek cannot be found in evasion, for it is in the encounter with life itself—its joys and pains—that we discover the strength to live fully and the wisdom to be at peace with what comes.

Thus, the lesson is clear: peace is not a place we find by running away, but a state of being that arises through engagement. It is found not in avoiding life’s challenges but in embracing them, in facing them with the understanding that within every struggle lies the seed of growth. Whether it is confronting our own emotions, facing conflict, or accepting the inevitable suffering that comes with the human experience, peace is a product of our willingness to be present, to fully live, and to be authentic in our journey.

O seekers, let the words of Virginia Woolf guide you. Do not seek peace by escaping the trials of life. Embrace them, for it is through the struggle that we grow, and it is through the acceptance of life’s uncertainties that we find true peace. Live boldly, engage fully, and find in the very challenges you face the path to the peace you seek. For in the end, it is not the avoidance of life’s complexities that brings peace, but the courage to live through them with an open heart and an unwavering spirit.