Inner peace is a calm and relaxed state of mind, where you feel content and free from stress,

worries, or negative thoughts. It’s a feeling of being at ease with yourself and the world around
you.

-It is achieved through resolution of internal conflicts

Example of Internal conflicts:

Desire for change vs. fear of the unknown: You want to move to a new city for better
opportunities, but you’re nervous about leaving behind familiar things and people. You’re caught
between wanting to grow and fearing what’s new.

Doing what you want vs. what’s expected: Your parents want you to pursue a certain career, but
you have a different dream. You struggle between following your own passion and meeting their
expectations.

Letting go vs. holding on: You’ve been in a friendship or relationship that’s no longer healthy for
you, but it’s hard to move on. You’re conflicted between letting go and holding onto the past.

Comfort vs. growth: You have an opportunity to step out of your comfort zone, like moving to a
new place or trying something new. You’re caught between the security of staying where you
are and the possibility of personal growth.

Conflict Types (Kurt Lewin)

1. Approach-Approach Conflict - Choice between two attractive options

2. Avoidance-Avoidance Conflict - Choice between two unattractive options
3. Approach-Negative Conflict - Attraction and repulsion by the same objective (e.g.,
wanting something for a reason but also not wanting it for another)

Freud's Theory

Mind as a battlefield; life vs. death instincts

Erik Erikson's Theory

- Psychological growth involves resolving inner conflicts

- Failure to resolve conflicts leads to growth blockage and possibly harmful behaviors

- Studies on criminals/terrorists show unresolved inner conflicts from childhood can lead to
violent behaviors
Inner peace is crucial for peace with others

Encouraging children to understand and observe their own minds aids in psychological maturity

Unresolved inner conflicts lead to disruptive behaviors globally

One who cannot live in peace with oneself cannot live in peace with others.

*One way to resolve inner conflicts is through Meditation.

Meditation in the conventional sense is an act of awakening to reality or truth.

Respect for Human dignity

The writ of amparo is a legal protection that helps people stay safe from threats or harm to
their life, freedom, and security. It allows a person to ask the court for help if they feel at risk,
especially if their rights are being abused or ignored.

Being a citizen means knowing your role in your community or country and acting responsibly.
(Understanding what it means to belong and taking responsibility.)

- A social role is based on specific attitudes. (Your role in society depends on your outlook and
beliefs.)

- Attitudes are predispositions to behavior. (How you feel influences how you act.)

- Education should help create good citizens. (Schools are responsible for teaching students to
be good citizens.)

- The term "citizen" relates to politics. (Being a citizen is linked to your role in the political
system.)

- A good citizen thinks about the world but acts locally. (Consider global issues but focus on
your local community.)

- Citizenship is not just about obeying local political leaders. (Being a good citizen goes beyond
following orders.)

- Schools should have a clear idea of what citizenship looks like on both local and global
levels. (Education should reflect a well-rounded understanding of citizenship.)
 - Education programs should incorporate this understanding. (Curricula should teach these
citizenship ideas.)

- Peace education helps develop peaceful attitudes in future citizens. (Teaching peace helps
create more harmonious communities.)

Good citizenship includes these attitudes:

1. Patriotism

2. Productivity

3. Civic Responsibility

4. Interest in Community Issues

5. Active Participation in Community Building

6. Cultural Enrichment

7. Obedience to Law

8. National Coherence

9. Simple Living

10. Democracy

Spiritual Intelligence, Spirituality, and Teaching in a Peaceable Classroom

I. Definition of Spiritual Intelligence

- Relationship between man and the universe, creation, existence (Abdollahzadeh, 2002)

- Awareness of spirituality as context for existence, creative life, and evolution

- Inner consciousness, awareness of world, spirituality, Hereafter

- Self-awareness in relationship with God, others, all creatures

- Ability to see beyond individual perspective; connection between perception, faith, behavior
II. Definition of Spirituality

- Engagement with divine presence (Liebert & Dreiter)

- Dynamics involved:

1. Preparing for interaction with God

2. Experiencing interaction with God

3. Intentionally responding to divine presence

III. Ways of Living in Spirit

1. Prayer

2. Solitude

3. Solitude and Silence

4. Solitude and Prayer

IV. Spirituality of the Teacher

- Effective teachers inspire through warmth, caring, integrity

- Information they convey is transformative due to character depth

- Spiritual teaching:

- Not just conveying information, but nurturing transformation

- Teachers serve as mentors, guides, embodying spirituality

- Teacher’s integrity as “window to the holy” for students

V. Teaching Spirituality

- Self-implicating discipline; shaping of soul, lifestyle

 - Teacher as mentor: deeply engaged in spirituality

- Power of faith guides teachers in understanding unique student needs

- Attentive teachers enhance students' self-awareness and relational development

VI. Role of Spirituality in the Classroom

- Meaning-making and belief system in teaching

- Inward reflection guides justifiable classroom actions

- Pedagogical certainty rooted in teacher’s core being

- Teaching as a spiritual journey; uncovering inner gifts and purpose

- Emphasis on meaningful teacher-student interactions for growth and truth-seeking

VII. Creating a Peaceable Classroom

- Teacher as model of peace:

- Resolve to remain peaceful, radiate positive energy

- Teach greetings of peace; discuss peace issues

Peaceable Classroom Characteristics (Kreidler):

- Affirmation, cooperation, communication, appreciation for diversity

- Appropriate expression of feelings, peaceful conflict resolution

Establishing Classroom as Zone of Peace (Castro & Galace)

- Define peace elements with students

- Display “Zone of Peace” poster with guidelines

Practices to Promote Peace (Castro & Galace):

1. Affirm students

2. Encourage appropriate expression of feelings

 3. Promote respect and acceptance of differences

4. Foster cooperative activities

5. Teach peaceful conflict resolution

6. Build communication skills

7. Guide positive language use

Goal of Peaceable Classroom:

- Safe, accepting environment for personal growth and responsibility

- Encouraging peace principles in classroom to foster broader societal impact