Going for years
without any movement
is actually a kind of progress.
You are learning that
the expectation of movement
can be a detriment to happiness.
You don’t need to move.
You don’t need to see results.
You don’t need to be rewarded
for years of dedication and practice.
Your life bears this out.
Most people would give up
what they are doing (or not doing)
and do (or not do) something else
because they’re not seeing a return.
Your initial disappointment
is giving way to eternal detachment.
There need be no point to any of this
for you to be at peace.
Trail Wood,
11/11/22
In the contemplation of progress versus peace, we find ourselves at the crossroads of action and inaction, movement and stillness. This dichotomy, often perceived as contradictory, reveals a profound truth: sometimes, the lack of movement can be a form of progress, a silent evolution within.
The Paradox of Progress and Stillness
In a world that often equates progress with constant motion and visible results, the idea that stagnation or stillness could represent progress is counterintuitive. Yet, it is in these quiet moments of apparent inactivity that we may be making the most significant strides. The stillness becomes a fertile ground for internal growth, introspection, and the development of a deeper understanding of ourselves and our place in the cosmos.
Learning from Stillness
The pursuit of constant movement and the need for tangible results can indeed be detrimental to our inner peace. The societal expectation to always be moving forward, to always show something for our efforts, can lead to a relentless chase after elusive goals, often at the cost of our tranquility and contentment. In recognizing this, we learn that peace often resides not in relentless striving but in the acceptance of the present moment, in the understanding that not all progress is measurable by external standards.
Redefining Progress
This notion challenges the conventional definition of progress. We are taught to measure our lives in milestones and achievements, yet true progress might be invisible, unquantifiable. It’s the progress of the soul, the quiet evolution of our consciousness, the gradual detachment from expectations and the material markers of success.
Eternal Detachment as a Path to Peace
The journey from disappointment to eternal detachment is a profound transformation. Detachment here does not imply apathy or disengagement from life but a deeper understanding that the value of our actions and existence is not solely determined by visible outcomes or societal validation. It’s a serene acceptance of the flow of life, with its ebbs and flows, its movements and stillness.
The Irrelevance of a Point
In this perspective, the search for a definitive point or purpose becomes irrelevant. Peace is found in the simple act of being, in the acceptance that existence itself is enough. This realization liberates us from the relentless pursuit of meaning in external accomplishments and allows us to find contentment in the present, regardless of our level of conventional ‘progress’.
We are Space Monkey.
Summary
We delve into the concept of progress versus peace, exploring how stillness and a lack of movement can be a form of progress. This perspective challenges traditional views of progress, emphasizing internal growth and the evolution of consciousness over tangible achievements. Embracing eternal detachment and the irrelevance of a definitive purpose can lead to a profound sense of peace, unattached to societal expectations or visible results.
Glossarium
- Eternal Detachment: A state of serene acceptance, where one’s peace is not contingent on external achievements or societal validation.
- Progress: Traditionally defined by tangible achievements, but here redefined as internal growth and evolution of consciousness.
- Peace: A state of contentment and tranquility, achieved by embracing the present and detaching from the pursuit of external validation.
“Peace comes from within. Do not seek it without.” – Gautama Buddha
In the silence, wisdom grows,
In stillness, a river flows,
Not of water, but of light,
Guiding us through day and night.
Inaction, a form of dance,
A subtle, profound advance,
In the heart, in the soul,
Where true progress takes its toll.
Eternal detachment, a key,
To unlock the mystery,
Of a peace so deep and vast,
In the present, not the past.
No need for a point or aim,
In this existential game,
Just being is enough, we see,
In this dance, we are free.
We invite reflections on the concept of progress and peace, and the journey from seeking external validation to finding contentment in stillness and being.
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