‘One of the tragedies of the contemporary human person is consequent on the disconnection with the interior self’. Admittedly, there are varied reasons for this quandary but the most fundamental is the noisy characteristics of the society. Therefore, the demand to survive in society takes priority and as the individual immerses the self, one is gradually consumed of any connection with the interior self. This implicitly means that society solely determines if an individual is happy or sad, positive or negative, a failure or a success. Perhaps that is why the world is characterised with so much unhappy, sad, pessimistic, depressed, and heartbroken individuals. Do you fall in any of the above categories? If so, Vincent Norman peale offers a recipe to aid you in the chapter two of above mentioned motivational book titled: “power comes from a quiet mind”.
He proposes the act of “acquiring quietude of mind which invariably leads to a refined mental disposition” or a ‘metanoia’ of the individual towards reality. However, it can only be achieved, Peale opines, by being open to the gift of peace given by God. In addition, being open implies “empting the mind” which is concerned with letting out the frustrations, failures, shame, depression, anger, unpleasant memories and feelings to a trusted confidant or in prayer to God. However, Peale further establishes the possibility of regressing as a result of the continuous influence of society. He thus states that it is a gradual process which can only be strengthened and sustained by always immersing the mind with positive, creative and uplifting thoughts. Hence, when society presents the individual with the reality of these experiences, the individual accepts and also transforms them with positive thoughts which would sustain the inner peace given by God and invariably affects the reaction of the individual.
He further recommends that our daily conversations with others should be characterized with positive comments and words. In addition, he suggests the technique of silence as pivotal for a quiet mind especially before engaging in any pertinent issue or making a crucial decision. Silence enables the individual think objectively devoid of every negative influence or emotion after a process of silent introspection. Reading the bible or other holy books are other techniques he proposes to achieve a quiet mind.
Finally, Peale suggests that it is important to have a quiet mind if one desires to have a quiet heart. But a quiet heart must be forgiving and merciful toward others. Why not try some of these techniques and see if there would be no difference in your approach and disposition towards life.
Reviewed by: AMEH
4 comments
Wow.. what a wonderful piece.
Obviously, there are lots of noisy characteristics in our society today. It’s rather sad that these noises (some of which are mentioned by the writer) are so loud that they exert such a high influence on majority of the population. Apart from seeking peace of mind by ourselves, I feel it is also great for our genuine pastors/priests/ministers, etc to develop good personal relationship with their members, it could help reduce the volume of the noise. Unfortunately, our society is filled with those who even increase it. It’s really important to develop this quite mind, but we also need to consistent in the approach..
# thumbs up to the writer#
I must commend this piece, as it is very relevant to our society today, and particularly for young people who are depressed and are almost settling for suicide. These persons need a connection to the self that will lead to the introspection which would enhance the nurturing of a quiet and sound mind that is able to make right decisions.
Obviously we are in a noisy world that disconnects many from the interior self that holds the secret to our success, joy and healing. The mind receives and process information and passes the result to d heart but indeed only a positive and quiet mind can embrace solitude of heart.
It is a beautiful piece. Most human don’t know themselves and just like the write up we are too noisy. We are tied up with becoming rich forgetting we are rich and then when we are too uptight we become depressed and when that happens suicide becomes an option to relieve our pains.