Serenity
by James A Allen
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 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 ever more clearly the internal
relations of things by the action of cause and effect, he ceases to
fuss, fume, worry, and grieve. He remains
poised, steadfast, serene.
The calm man, having learned how to govern himself, knows how to
adapt himself to others. And they, in turn reverence his spiritual
strength. They feel that they can learn from 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 demeanor is equitable.
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 who possess these blessings, for they are always serene and
calm. That exquisite poise of character that we call serenity is the
last lesson of culture.
It is the flowering of life, the fruitage of the soul.
It is precious as wisdom--more desirable than 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 the tempests, 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!
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.
Tempest-tossed souls, wherever you may be, under whatever
conditions you 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 hands firmly upon the helm of thought. In the core
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!"
Develop a deeper understanding of the principles of As A Man
Thinketh.
You cannot change your thoughts without changing your life in the
process -- either for good or for bad. Immerse yourself in the right
thoughts and you will become the person you long to be, just as
surely as the planting of an acorn yields an oak tree and not a pine
tree. Plant your acorn now.
by James A Allen
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 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 ever more clearly the internal
relations of things by the action of cause and effect, he ceases to
fuss, fume, worry, and grieve. He remains
poised, steadfast, serene.
The calm man, having learned how to govern himself, knows how to
adapt himself to others. And they, in turn reverence his spiritual
strength. They feel that they can learn from 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 demeanor is equitable.
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 who possess these blessings, for they are always serene and
calm. That exquisite poise of character that we call serenity is the
last lesson of culture.
It is the flowering of life, the fruitage of the soul.
It is precious as wisdom--more desirable than 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 the tempests, 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!
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.
Tempest-tossed souls, wherever you may be, under whatever
conditions you 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 hands firmly upon the helm of thought. In the core
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!"
Develop a deeper understanding of the principles of As A Man
Thinketh.
You cannot change your thoughts without changing your life in the
process -- either for good or for bad. Immerse yourself in the right
thoughts and you will become the person you long to be, just as
surely as the planting of an acorn yields an oak tree and not a pine
tree. Plant your acorn now.
