Quiet the Mind (Part 8)
This is the final message in this series on quieting the mind. Some of the recent news events in the United States highlight the effect of an active mind. These include:
Turmoil on Wall Street and the collapse of large financial institutions
Turmoil resulting from the damage caused by Hurricane Ike
Accusations and bitterness involved in the 2008 presidential campaign
The active mind, with all its beliefs and opinions, is feasting on these events. We see sensational news coverage with graphic images. We hear opinions, many of which focus on blame and criticism. With all this mental activity stirring, do you feel peace – or do you feel stress?
With regard to the presidential campaign, we see polarized minds seeking to bolster their own side while “defeating” the other side. Everything is a competitive battle. There are few signs of cooperation. This is the way the mind and ego operate, and the results are not pretty.
The active mind will always want to take sides. It will delight in the downfall or criticism of those taking an opposing view.
We’re often tempted to believe that this open airing of views and opinions lead to better solutions and a better world. I see just the opposite. I see stress on the rise, and verbal and physical assault on the rise.
It is the quiet mind that can see the whole picture more clearly. It is the quiet mind that has the compassion needed to implement solutions that serve all. It is the quiet mind that connects with intuitive wisdom.
The problem is that we’ve never been taught that the quiet mind can be trusted to produce beneficial results. Furthermore, we’ve never been taught how to quiet the mind.
To go on a campaign to convince others to quiet their minds will not work. Each of us must make that commitment first. It can be a lonely, uncertain path at the beginning, especially when you’re in the minority playing by a new set of “rules” while others cling to the “old” system. Most people view a quiet mind as a very weak, passive way to approach life. You’ll face some challenges if you walk down this road of quieting the mind.
Once you attain a quiet mind, you will develop more peace and harmony. Others will then be attracted to that. By the way, when you develop a quiet mind, it doesn’t mean that you won’t hold opinions any longer. You just won’t be attached to them as you were before. And you will be more open to allowing others to hold contrary opinions.
In the end, everyone wants more peace and less anxiety. We also want to live in harmony with others. An active mind will never bring these to you. We’ve given a busy mind thousands of years to show what it can – and can’t — accomplish. I, for one, am not impressed with the results produced by busy minds.
Maybe now is the time to see what a quiet mind can bring.
– Jeff Keller
© 2008