“The human mind is capable of excitement without the application of gross and violent stimulants….” —William Wordsworth
What’s a picnic without ants? They crawl into our food hamper and march self-confidently across our blanket. Their columns all proceed in single file, clearly indicating a highly organized life. The three-year-old boy with us follows the ant trail back to the ants’ hill in the sand. The child picks up a stick and stirs the anthill, sending hundreds of little insects scurrying in wild confusion.
Even as adults, some of us stir things up just to see movement. We get anxious when life proceeds with too much sameness. Especially in Western societies, we are so accustomed to constant diversions and entertainment that we sometimes mistake peace for inertia. We may be tempted to create a crisis just so we can alleviate our anxiety by scurrying around. Making peace with peace frequently requires practice. We simply take time away from daily distractions to allow our minds to become quiet so that we accustom ourselves to that state of being.
The great spiritual traditions encourage us to know ourselves, the nature of our own minds, and our part in the world. Then we know, like the ants, where to find nourishment, and we can march confidently toward it.
Sounds like what Dad used to call “confusing activity with accomplishment”.
LoL. T’anks, Toot!