Chapter 26.2: Let Stillness, Silence, and Serenity Govern Action

Stillness is the lord of commotion,

Silence is the lord of cacophony, 

Serenity is the lord of contention.

What is the wellspring of serenity and stillness that we can return to for a rest and cool drink amidst all the hustle and bustle, the running around, and the cacophony and commotion of our culture?  At the start of a race, it is what happens in that moment of stillness before the shot fires and everything and everyone explodes in a swift snarl of commotion that matters most.  It is the mindset, the self-talk in that moment of stillness that governs the performance and experience (though not always the outcome) that follows.  

 
 

So too with silence.  Taking a moment of silence before responding to the chaotic cacophony of voices empowers us with intentionality to avoid reacting emotionally to triggers or saying something we might regret later.  Far too often we raise our voice in an attempt to be heard in this world only to see public and private discourse escalate in volume and descend into mutual misunderstanding, myopic miscommunication, and maligning misjudgment.  The antidote to the social media frenzy and tweeting tirades that incessantly scream at us is simply silence.  We don't need to outsmart and outmaneuver others.  We don't need to have the last word.  We can, in the immortal lyrics of The Beatles, "let it be."  So, in the words of the Dalai Lama: "Don't let the behavior of others destroy your inner peace."  It is worth far more than that.

The secret practicing serenity is separate our worth from our performance, to separate our identity from other people's opinions, and to protect and hold on to our inner peace.  Serenity, then, is not an escape from the storms of life, or an avoidance of the problems of life, but rather an anchor to keep us from being swept away by them.  As recently departed Vietnamese Buddhist monk, advocate for peace, and father of mindfulness Thich Nhat Hanh (1926-2022) has taught: "Every breath we take, every step we make can be filled with peace, joy, and serenity.  We need only be awake, alive in the present moment."  May it be for each of us. ~ DCB

Thich Nhat Hanh

In gratitude and fondness, from one fellow traveler to another,

Thank you for the gifts you've given and the life you've lived,

May your peaceful spirit live on in the eternities,

And your teachings continue to inspire future generations.

 


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