A calm mind in a serene body expresses wisdom; it also celebrates seasoned experience. Call it the outcome of a long, painstaking effort in self-control — or, a life filled with awareness. It sure makes you what you are, or what you want to be. It connects you to a heightened belief in the laws of the cosmos, including your evolution of thought and action.
You are calm when you understand yourself as a thoughtfully evolved being. The reason is simple. When you understand yourself and others, you also develop the power to value everyone’s sensibilities; also sensitivities. You’ll perceive clearly the interconnectedness of things — their actions, their cause and effect. You’ll not gripe, flare up, fret, or bewail. You’ll remain unruffled, poised and resolute.
When you are calm, you will govern yourself — you will be in control. You’ll know how to adapt and revere your spiritual strength. You will connect with the divine and feel that you can learn from all things, big and small. The calmer you are, the greater your success, influence and also acceptance. Your sense of composure is what makes people to like and respect you; they will also prefer to transact with you, because they find your demeanour pleasing.
A calm person is like a shade-giving tree, an umbrella-like awning during the rains. You’d call this serenity too — the first lesson of civilisation, the blossoming of the soul. It’s as precious as wisdom and, perhaps, much more valuable than gold. A life of composure is much better than all the riches in the world — because, it brings to you a life that dwells in the deep-depths of truth, beneath the calm waves, beyond the reach of thunder, in everlasting tranquillity.
The quest for calm is akin to our eternal search for happiness. We all have it in us — not outside of us. If calmness is a reward for living a peaceful life, so is happiness — a veritable canvas that spreads optimism. Calmness and also happiness reflect the future, a purpose, a goal to achieve. When you learn to find them in the present-moment, you’ll attain quietude and also a sense of personal serenity.
Calmness and happiness are in your heart — they are nature’s best gifts you have to just take, not ask. How many people we know ruin their lives, wreck all that is wonderful by volatile rage, or demolish their dignity of character, and make existence a total muddle. Blame it all on lack of self-control. Yes, it isn’t easy to maintain tranquillity in the wake of a storm, or day-to-day challenges and/or stresses in life. There may not be more than a handful of people in life who are far too well balanced, or present an extraordinary poise, from the inside out, under the pump. This is, indeed, a reflection, or feature, of a finished article, or spiritual advancement.
Humanity is at loggerheads with itself, today. Witness — uncontrolled fury, intolerance, blasphemy, hate, lies, and angst. You need to be a sage, if your thoughts are controlled and purified. You ought to be an ascetic to lure the tempests of your soul to obey your thoughts. Or, so would you think. This is erroneous. Each of us can bring tranquillity into our life in little ways. These tiny nuggets of truth quieten our turbulent minds — even when we are uneasy, jittery, or frantic.
When you place your mind resolutely in control of your thoughts and actions, you’ll begin to be what you wish to be. You’ll become your own master in the art of self-control. You’ll evolve and you’ll believe in your inner wisdom — that calmness is power. You’ll now begin to live — not just exist.
