How conflict and anger led me to finding Inner Peace | Shannon N Smith | TEDxHimi

What is peace? Is it possible to live peacefully in this ever complex world? Shannon Smith shares his view through his own life story where he frustratingly wandered off into the world of mind-altering drugs, a religious cult, rejection, isolation and suffering. Though the path he took may not initially seem to have anything to do with peace, he says, “Conflict and anger led me to finding Inner Peace.”

平和とは何か？ いまだかつてない複雑さを擁するこの世界で、果たして心の平和を保つことは可能なのだろうか？ シャノン・スミスは、自らの人生を語ることで、これらの問いに答える。苛立ちに突き動かされ、迷い込んだところにあったのは、薬物、カルト、拒絶、孤独、苦しみ。彼が歩むことになった道のりは、一見、平和とは何の繋がりもないように見えるだろう。しかし、彼は言う。「対立と怒りが、わたしを内なる平和へと導いたのです」

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Shannon N. Smith was born to an American father and a Japanese mother. He studied at an International/American school in Japan until he graduated from high school. He had a lot of opportunities to be exposed to various cultures. Through his experiences, he has visualized his desire for world peace, free from chains such as religion, race and culture. However, as a result of considering and taking actions according to this belief, he has trodden a thorny path and has had close calls with death.

He gave his whole life to achieve his goal, but he didn’t anticipate that things he strongly believed in would be turned upside down, or that someone he trusted would leave him. Taking the hard road was stimulating but difficult. Before long, he found something really important as a person, which he had overlooked for many years. He now works as a translator/interpreter, speaker curator, English teacher, and also helps and supports people using mindfulness in order to bring out the best in them.

アメリカ人の父と日本人の母の間に日本で生まれる。高校卒業まで日本のインターナショナルスクールやアメリカンスクールに通い、多様な文化を吸収する中、宗教・人種・文化を超えた平和な世界の実現に貢献したいというビジョンが湧く。このビジョンを内に秘め、悩み、行動した結果、死と隣り合わせの生活を送る事になる。

やがて「信じるもののために全てを投げ打つ経験」、「信じていたものが根底から覆される経験」、「信じていた人が離れていく経験」などを経て、根本的に見落としていた人として大切な事に気付く。現在は翻訳・通訳、スピーカーキュレーター、英語講師、マインドフルネスなどを通じて人の良いところを引き出すお手伝いをしている。 This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx