How to get peace and happiness in life?

When He, and other enlightened sages of antiquity, first taught that we must do good for goodness' sake, love our enemies and treat our neighbours as ourselves, men listened, but did not act―they thought the theory was beautiful, but quite above the powers of man to perform. 

The developing process that the world has gone through during the last eighteen hundred years has not, however, been in vain. 

Men of pure minds and willing hearts can now see that such a state of things is not impossible and that it is the duty of every individual, man or woman, to endeavour to bring it about in themselves. 

By this means they will reform the world, and by no other. 

In their own persons the change must commence and their bright and beautiful examples will work more efficiently than sermon or psalm in modifying and subduing the discordant tempers and passions of the undeveloped ones with whom they may be thrown in contact.

When this true life commences in the hearts of men, how different will be their pursuits and desires! 

To seek out the oppressed and suffering and pour consolation and relief into their wounds will be the work they most delight in―to make others partakers of the same hopes and joys they possess will be their constant aim. They will not shut themselves up in gloomy abstractions, meditating on the follies and vices of their fellow men and pharisaically congratulating themselves that they are so much wiser and better. No, my friends, they will go forth into the world―they will enjoy all its innocent pleasures and relaxations, which are as necessary to the health of mind and body, as the food they eat and the air they breathe.

While succouring and encouraging all who are in need of their brotherly assistance, they will cultivate the gentle harmonies of their own natures―all the talents and gifts they are endowed with, so that they may add their quota to the general fund of cheerful and healthy recreations.

It was never intended that this should be a world of suffering. The sins and vices of men have made it what it is. Happiness was in their own hands but they have taken the wrong way to retain it. They have cultivated tempers and passions that have brought misery and degradation in their train whereas if they had developed their hearts and their moral natures had been educated and warmed into growth by kindly encouragement, the whole condition of the human family would be different.

―Joshua, son of Nun in Spirit