Cultivating Stillness: The Key to a Fulfilling Life
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Chapter 1: The Challenge of Stillness
Is there anything simpler yet more challenging than sitting quietly? The renowned philosopher Blaise Pascal argued that our inability to remain still is a primary cause of our discontent. In today's world, social media and technology are often blamed for our distractions, but we must remember that distraction is inherent to human nature. As Seneca wisely noted, "No one has ever become wise merely by chance," and likewise, tranquility does not come about by mere happenstance.
Pascal reflects in his Pensées that we rarely dwell in the present moment. We tend to dwell on the past or rush toward the future, which leads us to fail to truly live. As he pointed out, “And since we are always planning how to be happy, it is inevitable that we should never be so.” Humanity is caught in the tension between the pursuit of happiness and the confusion surrounding its attainment.
What if I told you that embracing stillness could pave the way for a more active life? Even more, what if it could help you cultivate calmness, happiness, and productivity? The lives of remarkable contemplatives suggest just that. In The Saints’ Guide to Happiness, Robert Ellsberg illustrates how saints engaged in significant endeavors, from running schools and hospitals to founding religious orders, all while mastering their own passions.
Section 1.1: Finding Inner Peace
In a world where quiet spaces are increasingly rare, it's crucial to realize that escaping external noise is insufficient; we must also find stillness amidst our internal chaos. Ellsberg observes, “The capacity to sit alone in one’s room without going mad implies the cultivation of an inner life.” This inner life goes beyond intellectual pursuits; it involves resting within the essence of our being, what the desert fathers referred to as the heart or soul.
An ancient Buddhist text titled “On Knowing the Better Way to Be Alone” recounts an interaction between the Buddha and a monk named Thera. The Buddha teaches, “It is the way of deep observation to see that the past no longer exists, and the future has not yet come, and to dwell at the ease of the present moment, free from desire.”
Section 1.2: The Present Moment
Take a moment to reflect on this excerpt from St. Faustina Kowalska's personal diary:
O my God, When I look into the future, I am frightened,
But why plunge into the future?
Only the present moment is precious to me,
As the future may never enter into my soul at all.
It is no longer in my power to change, correct or add to the past;
For neither the sages nor prophets could do that.
And so what the past has embraced I must entrust to God.
O present moment, you belong to me, whole and entire.
I desire to use you as best I can.
Slowing down to simply "sit" can be a daunting task. A seemingly endless list of priorities often competes for our attention. Yet, we must remind ourselves that taking time to "sit" and simply be is not a trivial pursuit. “When we sit, we bring joy and nourishment to ourselves and others,” noted the esteemed Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh.
In his concise work How to Sit, Hanh explains that:
Imagine a boat filled with people crossing an ocean. If anyone panics during a storm, it endangers the entire vessel. Conversely, if just one person remains calm, they can foster tranquility in others. This calmness can ultimately save the boat. Such is the power of non-action; our state of being forms the foundation for all appropriate actions.
Many saints and sages, much like us, grappled with deadlines and to-do lists, making stillness a challenge. Thus, they created their own "interior castle," as Ellsberg describes. The happiness of the saints relies on a certain inwardness — the ability to cultivate stillness.
Chapter 2: The Depths of Spiritual Life
The great contemplatives have often likened the spiritual journey to an ocean. While life may resemble a tumultuous sea on the surface, calm waters lie beneath. Learning to practice stillness allows us to anchor ourselves in these deeper waters.
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