THE WEB OF SERENITY 01-Aug-2016
You are calm when you understand your own feelings. All of us can achieve such a state without being Zen masters by accepting others, their sensitivities and sensibilities. Remember, our fellow beings are just like us, our likes, dislikes or idiosyncrasies, moods, anger, and affection. When you begin to appreciate all our internal workings by the action of ‘cause and effect,’ you will also reduce your annoyance, worry, and lament. You will now reach a condition of ‘mindfully active’ quietude.
You’d say that this sense of ‘perfection’ is for ascetics — not for us, ordinary folks, for whom catching the 8.16am local train is everything that keeps us going. It need not be so. You and I, in our own little ways, can learn to manage ourselves and learn to adapt to others’ feelings. When you offer a helping hand to the infirm, for instance, it will enhance your spiritual strength. You’ll feel that you’ve listened to the song of your inner voice.
Remember, the calmer you are — without losing your touch with the varied demands of life — the greater will be your success, influence, and strength to be good and do good. Just imagine you are manning a bank’s counter. You have a nice, friendly smile enveloping your face. Customers will quickly realise this — they will prefer to deal with you, thanks to your warm, likeable temperament. This is pleasantly infectious; it spreads happiness around.
When you are calm, you are much loved and appreciated. You are like a tree, or an extended porch, during a downpour. Nothing matters, even the ups and downs in life for one who carries, or reflects, calm blessings. You feel comfortable in their presence — because they echo nature’s sweetness, peace, tranquillity, and acceptance.
Our ancients — saints, seers, philosophers, mystics, and others — connected balance of mind, character and righteousness to equanimity. Even in our present age, the era of upheavals, tranquillity is considered the ultimate paradigm of culture, the summit of our spirit, or soul. It is, again, as valued as wisdom; it’s also more priceless than the most expensive jewellery.
This is simply because one cannot ever compare material wealth, without the spiritual element, to a life of serenity — a life that dwells in the river of goodness, under calm waves.
