Tranquillity

Searching for peace in amongst the chaos.

I feel the default mode of Western modernity is not a tranquil one. Nearly everything about our lives runs counter to the very idea of peacefulness and serenity. Chaos, by its very nature is a disturbance, whereas tranquillity is to be undisturbed. Over the past decade or so, there has been a definite decrease in the general calmness of the average person. We are a lot more stressed, worried, anxious, hostile, uncivil, uncertain, despairing, uneasy, lonely, and exhausted (unlike this non-exhaustive list).

Me: Yeah, not good at the moment, Darryl.

Tranquillity almost always seems to be associated with nature, and our connection with it. Even without looking deeply into it, you ask most people where is their most tranquil or peaceful spot or to describe a place, it will undoubtedly include something natural. It may be a place like Bonnie Doon (famed for its serenity), or the beach or a lake or a stream or a garden or a forest or a mountain or looking up at the night sky. This looking out over the land and/or being around water seems to have a soothing positive effect on our peace of mind.

What prevents tranquillity? I mean, how long have you got? It’s why so many use artificial means to try and achieve it, but it’s never really the same nor sustaining. I know we aren’t all Zen Buddhists composing Haikus in the most serene and idyllic of surroundings, but it doesn’t mean such things are beyond us. Some would suggest that this idea of “searching” for peace is antithetical to tranquillity. You are hunting for it, trying to find it, forcing it, stressing about achieving it, which puts you at odds of ever obtaining supreme peace in the first place. By trying to search for it you learn to not search for it because it’s already there.

Peace (Haiku)

Watching over all

Deep breaths released to the wind

A new beginning

Jin Sakai having a moment of tranquillity in Ghost of Tsushima. Image courtesy of Martyn Foster. 

I walk along a beautiful beach

I look at tranquil landscapes

I observe tranquil photos and videos

I listen to tranquil music

I read books which give me peace of mind

I embrace solitude

Modernity isn’t built for tranquillity. Incessant notifications, constant interruptions, and never-ending tasks – especially in the pursuit of productivity and efficiency. Please consider donating at one of the links below, if you are able to do so, I would very much appreciate it.

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Photo by Tomasz Biskup on Unsplash.