STILLNESS IS THE KEY (HANDBOOK FOR THE MODERN STOIC III)
STILLNESS IS THE KEY
I want to
begin by telling a story. This is about my short football career. Not that I
was particularly skilful in that sport. However, my lack of skills was more
than made up when I became the default defender in lower string football teams
in my Squadron during my training days. I was big and bulky (a kind word for
overweight) and my body could take punishing blows that came along with the job
description. Forget the football, target the opponent was all I knew and all I
did and quite frankly enjoyed the same.
It was in my
fourth semester during a football match that the usual melee of players of both
teams. To make out who had the ball was quite impossible. I and my fellow
defenders were watching the ball from our half as the game progressed and
hoping that the strikers score a goal for the team. Without much thought, I
moved ahead into the opponents half and as if on cue saw the football racing
towards me. All I knew that I had to take the shot there was no way out. Now
even after 20 years, I have not forgotten what was in my head at that very
moment. My thoughts were absolutely calm and the body was fully relaxed. I too
was surprised when the ball flew over all the players taking a slight left
deviation and crashing in the nets. That was the first and last goal I have
ever scored!! As time passed the moment was archived to a lovely memory that
made me smile at times. Now that I have crossed the barrier of forty the
incident came rushing to my head as I finished the third book by Ryan Holiday called
“Stillness is the key”.
The ability
to be steady, focused and calm in any situation is the message of this book and
this has been derived from stoic thinkers such as Epictetus, Zeno etc. Having focus on what is truly important along
with having a graceful and relaxed awareness is something that I has been my take away from this third book by Ryan Holiday. We are asked to seek stillness,
to have a better understanding of what is happening around us and take
decisions that have a better chance of succeeding in any adverse situation. The
path to stillness as per the author goes through the domain of the Mind, Spirit and the Body. The
book too is divided into three sections that have very clearly given us some
tools and techniques to cultivate stillness in each of these domains.
The Mind:
" The mind is restless, Krishna, impetuous, self-willed, hard to train;
To
master the mind seems as difficult as to master the
mighty winds."
- The Bhagavad Gita
The
spirit:
The second section of the book takes us to the domain of the spirit. We are
introduced to the Stoic philosophy that believes that virtue is the highest
good and that should be the principle behind all our actions. No one is more
exhausted than a person who gives in to all temptations around him. We are
asked to cultivate our own moral code which will act as a compass not only for
us but fellow travellers. The healing of our inner child is an absolute
must-read part of the book, most of us carry wounds of our childhood, and these
wounds effect to a great deal the decisions that we take on day to day basis.
We demand reparation for our early wounds to our narcissism. We need to be
understanding and compassionate with our inner child and try to give more than
what we got. The difference between happiness and pleasure is clearly brought out;
as the author speaks of always seeking pleasure is looking for one high after
another. To find happiness we need self-discipline and even sacrifice. At times
we need to reflect over an impulse and let it pass like a bad smell. Knowing
when we have had enough is also important in this quest for stillness. How
often have we aspired and worked relentlessly for an accomplishment only to find
that the relief and peace that we had hoped to find has eluded us? At some
point, we need to embrace the fact that we have had enough, and we have done
enough. This feeling will never come from external accomplishments but from the
inside. From stepping off the train and seeing what you already have, and what you’ve
always had. If I can highlight the most impactful portion of the book it is the
chapter asking us to accept a higher power. Here the importance of having faith
is more important than the existence of God. It is this faith and belief in a
higher power that is essential in times of adversity and attainment of inner
peace.
The Body:
In
the final part of the book, the author asks us to strengthen our body as it is
the physical vessel for our minds and spirit. This is a final domain which we
cannot neglect. What do we do with our bodies,? What do we put in them? What
kind of routines do we have? These are some of the questions that have been
dwelled in this section. Here at the outset, we are introduced to the Zen
concept of Wu Wei. This is the ability to hold back for
the opportune moment, and this is what distinguishes an amateur from a professional.
This calls for physical stillness and being active in the mental and spiritual
level. Some sort of physical activity is required; be it walking,
jogging or anything else. Apart from physical health, these are known to have an impact on our
focus. Repetition and routine are also important components when we study the
domain of the body. It is often correctly said that consistency is the mother
of greatness. We need to take a few steps but they have to be done on a
consistence basis over the long term to see results. Seeking solitude is
advised by the author as a means to unlock some of the best and most creative
work within us. Getting good and proper sleep is an important part of any
routine. There is no glamour in working oneself to death. Sleep and rest are
weapons that we can use to sharpen our edge.
In his final act, the author has
reminded us of our own mortality. As we move further in the journey of life, a
virtuous well-lived life is perhaps the only thing that will leave an imprint
on this world. It is in death that the domains of mind, body and spirit come
together. The stoic phrase “memento mori “which means the inevitability of
death culminates the book.
"As a well-spent day brings a happy sleep
So a
well-employed life brings happy death."
- Leonardo Da Vinci
-
The book has made me ponder on two different
approaches to the subject of stillness, on one hand, it is an absolute
essential in bringing out the best in us. When our minds are devoid of any
unnecessary noise only then we can see the clear picture around us. In aviation
parlance, it is akin to having a better situational awareness. In any
endeavour, there always will be several variables that may or may not be in our
favour. In such a dynamic situation being calm, still and aware in mind body
and spirit is our best bet for success.
Secondly
despite everything, success or not, nothing stops us from living a good life,
one that emanates integrity, honour and self-control. Let us not have a
destination fixation which will not allow us to appreciate the present. It is
now, the present, which is the best that was meant to be. Let us look at
whatever we have and be grateful for it. We all have a right to be happy in our
lives as much as someone who has more than us, or maybe more successful than
us. A well-lived life is the only aim to have because frankly, no one is getting out of here alive.
