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"The momentary absence of desire that gives rise to the state of satisfaction" seems to be on of those circular philosophy that keep people bond in "searching" for the unattainable. Recognizing this is an excerpt, I may be missing the salient point, the helpful, "ah ha" moment which might improve or lift my awareness. Circular thoughts like these brought me to philosophy in my youth, and perhaps lead me to label myself as stoic as I grew older. I have no, or very little "desire" these days and it has been that way for a very many years, perhaps a state of apathy (although I do care, desire world peace). Unfortunately the "lack of desire" - if not the same "absence of desire" has engaged my being in a quasi state of depression; if I want nothing, desire nothing, then I can not feel satisfied, I can not feel at all. This is the circular set-up for a life of "blah" I read in this excerpt. Desire can be - and has been the impetus for many great and good things in life; it is kindness and self-awareness that help balance how these desires affect and effect us and the world that counts. Without desires, we are simply blobs, existing. peace

Greetings, There is much calm, serenity and even peace in livingn"in the moment" - certainly, no one wants illness.no less terminal. Yet, the one thing we have (most) control is.our mind/thoughts...and ability to decide. peace

There must be Native American blood in my veins; I appreciate the "kindness," of silence, however, my silence has always disturbed those around. I say "kindness" bc silence.. especially in conversation is loving. Allowing the other to talk when you to listen ...holy. peace

Not so long ago, I had to escape, withdraw, retreat from the "noise" of society. A dark, cold, rainy morning before daybreak I was on bended knees, begging, pleading, crying out to God, Creator, Spirit (and possibly any entity that would hear my prayers) to caste out the "noise" in my head. On bended knees, with tears flowing, and my nose dripping, I begged release from the ongoing, seemingly never ending anxiety of the noise in my head, the worry about everything that had developed over a period of 10 years. Every morning, every day, all day the "noise" of anxiety bound my heart, mind and soul to agony. No relief, that dark, cold, rainy morning before daybreak, I found myself on my knees pleading, begging, crying for silence, for solitude, for peace of mind. Then in an instance, a voice, and a gush, a guidance urged me to "Go home" to my ancestral home; to the little "nowhere" town of my mother's house. Interestingly, the last place on earth I would want to go to find silence, my mother 's house (and the ancestral community) was too often a place of stress, distress and unnamed anxiety for me - yet nonetheless - I realize it is "home" a place to disengage from the ongoing noise of my regular life. So I grabbed a backpack and hurriedly hiked to the bus stop in darkness of the early morning to purchase a ticket with money that I worried I didn't have to spend for the 9 hour bus ride "home". I told no one. I did not forewarn my mother (or other family members) that I would be "coming home" that dark, cold, rainy morning. The bus ride was safe and mercifully quiet (considering the community of people on a long-distance bus are usually anxious, worried, and running just like I was that day). And once there, back "home" - to my surprise, for the first time ever (very much an adult, having made the trip many, many, many times over the years), my visit to my mother's house, as well as the visit with my mother was one of solitude, solace and silence. It was... [View Full Comment] Not so long ago, I had to escape, withdraw, retreat from the "noise" of society. A dark, cold, rainy morning before daybreak I was on bended knees, begging, pleading, crying out to God, Creator, Spirit (and possibly any entity that would hear my prayers) to caste out the "noise" in my head. On bended knees, with tears flowing, and my nose dripping, I begged release from the ongoing, seemingly never ending anxiety of the noise in my head, the worry about everything that had developed over a period of 10 years. Every morning, every day, all day the "noise" of anxiety bound my heart, mind and soul to agony. No relief, that dark, cold, rainy morning before daybreak, I found myself on my knees pleading, begging, crying for silence, for solitude, for peace of mind. Then in an instance, a voice, and a gush, a guidance urged me to "Go home" to my ancestral home; to the little "nowhere" town of my mother's house. Interestingly, the last place on earth I would want to go to find silence, my mother 's house (and the ancestral community) was too often a place of stress, distress and unnamed anxiety for me - yet nonetheless - I realize it is "home" a place to disengage from the ongoing noise of my regular life. So I grabbed a backpack and hurriedly hiked to the bus stop in darkness of the early morning to purchase a ticket with money that I worried I didn't have to spend for the 9 hour bus ride "home". I told no one. I did not forewarn my mother (or other family members) that I would be "coming home" that dark, cold, rainy morning. The bus ride was safe and mercifully quiet (considering the community of people on a long-distance bus are usually anxious, worried, and running just like I was that day). And once there, back "home" - to my surprise, for the first time ever (very much an adult, having made the trip many, many, many times over the years), my visit to my mother's house, as well as the visit with my mother was one of solitude, solace and silence. It was a time of "genuine and deep communication" and I emerged several days later, recharged. The "noise" in my head lessened, indeed silenced. I returned to my place of residence understanding, perhaps as Merton did, that I can not completely disengage from the "noise of society" yet from time to time there is the necessity to go to the "The Abbey" for quiet contemplation; for recharging, the solace, the solitude, the silence. peace.[Hide Full Comment]

I love when people, strangers stop and allow me to chat, touch and even let their dogs play with me. I love this exchange between strangers - and the pets like it too. I'm a stranger, a strange smell, a strange voice - yet when I stop and ask - or just simply embrace a dog that wants to jump on me - I am so blessed! Pets "know" love and who needs love - and I feel a 1,000 times better when I exchange love with a pet on the street. Inevitably, this leads to a greeting and smile with the pet's owner - friendly - kind exchange between strangers. Joy.

Greetings, My job is to help people. I'm a quiet mindful person and very low key. Most times the manager doesn't acknowlege the thanks I get from the people I help. I remind myself "Im helping people" and I thrive, improve and feel grateful for the opportunity. Kindness, mindfulness, peace is how I bloom.