Serenity

CALMNESS of mind is one of the beautiful jewels of wisdom. It is the result of long and patient effort in self-control. Its presence is an indication of ripened experience, and of a more than ordinary knowledge of the laws and operations of thought.

A calm mind is one of wisdom’s beautiful jewels. It comes from long, patient practice in self-control. A calm mind shows mature experience and an unusually deep understanding of the rules of thought and how thought works.

A man becomes calm in the measure that he understands himself as a thought evolved being, for such knowledge necessitates the understanding of others as the result of thought, and as he develops a right understanding, and sees more and more clearly the internal relations of things by the action of cause and effect he ceases to fuss and fume and worry and grieve, and remains poised, steadfast, serene.

A man becomes calmer as he understands more fully that his thoughts have shaped who he is. This knowledge requires him to understand that others, too, are shaped by their thoughts. As his understanding grows, he sees more clearly how things are connected through cause and effect. As a result, he stops fussing, fuming, worrying, and grieving. He remains balanced, steady, and calm.

The calm man, having learned how to govern himself, knows how to adapt himself to others; and they, in turn, reverence his spiritual strength, and feel that they can learn of him and rely upon him. The more tranquil a man becomes, the greater is his success, his influence, his power for good. Even the ordinary trader will find his business prosperity increase as he develops a greater self-control and equanimity, for people will always prefer to deal with a man whose demeanour is strongly equable.

A calm man has learned to control himself, so he knows how to adapt to others. In turn, others deeply respect his spiritual strength and feel they can learn from him and rely on him. The calmer a man becomes, the greater his success, his influence, and his power to do good. Even an ordinary shopkeeper will see his business grow as he develops greater self-control and a steadier temperament. This is because people will always prefer to deal with a man whose manner is consistently calm and steady.

The strong, calm man is always loved and revered. He is like a shade-giving tree in a thirsty land, or a sheltering rock in a storm. "Who does not love a tranquil heart, a sweet-tempered, balanced life? It does not matter whether it rains or shines, or what changes come to those possessing these blessings, for they are always sweet, serene, and calm. That exquisite poise of character, which we call serenity is the last lesson of culture, the fruitage of the soul. It is precious as wisdom, more to be desired than gold—yea, than even fine gold. How insignificant mere money seeking looks in comparison with a serene life—a life that dwells in the ocean of Truth, beneath the waves, beyond the reach of tempests, in the Eternal Calm!

The strong, calm man is always loved and respected. He is like a tree giving shade in a thirsty land, or a rock offering shelter in a storm. "Who does not love a peaceful heart and a gentle, balanced life? Whether it rains or shines, whatever changes come, people with these blessings always remain gentle, peaceful, and calm. That beautiful balance of character we call serenity is the final lesson of personal growth, the fruit of the soul. Serenity is as precious as wisdom and more desirable than gold, even the purest gold. How insignificant the mere pursuit of money seems beside a peaceful life. Such a life rests in the ocean of Truth, beneath the waves, beyond the reach of storms, in the Eternal Calm!

"How many people we know who sour their lives, who ruin all that is sweet and beautiful by explosive tempers, who destroy their poise of character, and make bad blood! It is a question whether the great majority of people do not ruin their lives and mar their happiness by lack of self-control. How few people we meet in life who are well balanced, who have that exquisite poise which is characteristic of the finished character!

"How many people we know make their lives bitter! Their explosive tempers ruin all that is sweet and beautiful. They lose their inner balance and stir up resentment! We might ask whether the vast majority of people ruin their lives and spoil their happiness through lack of self-control. How few people we meet are well balanced! How few have the remarkable composure that marks a fully developed character!

Yes, humanity surges with uncontrolled passion, is tumultuous with ungoverned grief, is blown about by anxiety and doubt only the wise man, only he whose thoughts are controlled and purified, makes the winds and the storms of the soul obey him.

Yes, humanity is swept up in uncontrolled passion, shaken by unchecked grief, and tossed about by anxiety and doubt. Only the wise man, whose thoughts are controlled and purified, can make the soul’s winds and storms obey him.

Tempest-tossed souls, wherever ye may be, under whatsoever conditions ye may live, know this in the ocean of life the isles of Blessedness are smiling, and the sunny shore of your ideal awaits your coming. Keep your hand firmly upon the helm of thought. In the bark of your soul reclines the commanding Master; He does but sleep: wake Him. Self-control is strength; Right Thought is mastery; Calmness is power. Say unto your heart, "Peace, be still!"

Storm-tossed souls, wherever you are and whatever your living conditions, know this: islands of blessedness smile in life's ocean. The sunny shore of your ideal awaits you. Keep your hand firmly on the wheel of thought. The Master who commands the boat of your soul is resting within it. He is only sleeping. Wake him. Self-control is strength. Right thought is mastery. Calmness is power. Say to your heart, "Peace, be still!"