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Zen Master Koto was famous for his wisdom, knowledge, and calm nature. Despite the chaos around him, he always found peace. One day, a young student asked him, “Master, how can we find inner peace in this noisy and chaotic world?” Master Koto replied, “Inner peace is not outside this busy world; it is hidden within the noise and chaos. We must learn to be peaceful amid the noise, not avoid it.”
The student was confused and asked, “How can we find peace in the midst of chaos?” Master Koto smiled and showed him some water. “When the water is still, it reflects the beauty around it. But when disturbed, the reflections are spoiled. Similarly, when our minds are disturbed, our perception of reality is unclear. To see the beauty of the world, we must keep our minds still like the water.”
The Concept of Stillness
Inner peace has different names in various religions: upekha, hishtavot, samatvam, and in English, it is called stillness. Roman philosopher Seneca said, “You achieve stillness when no noise disturbs you and no words affect you. You can see and hear everything, but nothing can make you act against your will.”
Ryan Holiday, in his book “Stillness Is the Key,” describes stillness as a mental state where you can focus sharply, generate new ideas, and think clearly even in high-pressure situations. To achieve stillness, focus on three areas: mind, body, and spirit.
Emptying the Mind
In 1665, Isaac Newton observed an apple falling from a tree and pondered deeply on it, leading to the discovery of modern physics. Newton’s stillness of mind allowed him to think deeply. Today, however, many people avoid being alone with their thoughts, preferring distractions like phones and TV.
Social psychologist Timothy Wilson conducted a study where people were left alone with their thoughts for 15 minutes. Many found it so uncomfortable that they preferred to give themselves electric shocks. This shows how difficult it is for people to sit peacefully.
To achieve stillness, empty your mind through journaling. Julia Cameron, in her book “The Artist’s Way,” recommends writing three pages every morning without worrying about grammar or structure. This practice helps clear the mind of clutter and makes it easier to achieve stillness.
Moving the Body
Former British Prime Minister Winston Churchill found peace by laying bricks, a repetitive and physical activity that calmed his busy mind. Similarly, William Gladstone chopped wood to find peace. These activities allowed them to focus and recharge.
Find a repetitive physical activity that works for you, whether it’s cooking, exercising, or playing sports. These activities help calm the mind and prepare you to return to work with renewed focus.
Satisfying the Spirit
At a billionaire’s party, author Joseph Heller remarked that he had something the billionaire didn’t: the knowledge that he had enough. This feeling of “enough” is key to achieving stillness. Ryan Holiday explains that anxiety and fear do not lead to great work. Knowing you have enough helps you stay focused and content.
To achieve stillness, balance your life. Work hard but don’t sacrifice relationships. Exercise but avoid injury. Eat enough but not too much. Realize that true contentment comes from within.
Epicurus said, “Nothing is enough for the man to whom enough is too little.” Focus on the present moment and give your best. The past and future are not in your control; only the present is.
Stay present and live fully in the moment.
References
- Holiday, R. (2019). Stillness Is the Key. Portfoliohttps://www.amazon.com/Stillness-Key-Ryan-Holiday/dp/0525538585.
- Cameron, J. (1992). The Artist’s Way. TarcherPerigee.
- Seneca. Letters from a Stoic.
- Epicurus. Letter to Menoeceus.
- Wilson, T. D. (2014). Strangers to Ourselves: Discovering the Adaptive Unconscious. Harvard University Press.