The Secret of Tranquility | Previous Challenge Entry

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TITLE: The Secret of Tranquility | Previous Challenge Entry
By Shanta Richard
04/09/14
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"The Secret of Tranquility
Evening shadows were deepening as daylight gave way to the gloom of night. It was the magical time when birds go to roost and stars start to blink. It was a stressful day when overworked mentally and worn out physically the agitated brain refused to allow the drooping eyelids to close in sleep. I knew I had to slow down and relax. Where could I find rest, where could I find the secret of tranquility ?
Sometimes fantasy and daydreaming could be a solution to an overactive brain. So I gave my imagination free reign. Considering Yoga and meditation to be an answer, my imagination took me to the snow capped mountains of the Himalayas. There I found a Rishi sitting cross legged on a rock, his eyes were closed, his arms were raised over his head and his face was tilted towards the sky. I stood before him until he opened his eyes.
"Guruji, what is the secret of inner peace," I asked.
He looked at me solemnly and said, "Peace is the result of freedom. They are forever free who have broken the ego cage of 'I and Mine' ." Thinking that this was easily said than done, I thanked him and continued on my way.
Next my imagination took me to the mountains of Greece. There among the lofty rock towers of the Meteora, almost four hundred meters into the sky, appearing to be togethersuspended in air were the monasteries of the Eastern Orthodox Church. It was a serene and tranquil place and I thought my answer would be here. I rang the bell at the entrance and was ushered into the presence of the chief monk.
"Holy One, where can I find the secret of inner peace?" I asked.
"The more humble and obedient you are to God the more wise and at peace you will be."
Again not satisfied I thanked him and moved on.
Flying over France my imagination took me to a scullery in a Catholic monastery. There I found a novice monk singing and praising God as he performed the menial tasks of a kitchen help. I wondered if finding a creative alternative that would utilize the energy produced by stress would be my answer. Still undecided I continued my search.
My imagination took me finally to a large kitchen in the home of a mother of nineteen children. A big pot of food was cooking on the stove. The kettle was whistling. The aroma of fresh baked bread filled the place. Children were running around. And there in the very center of all this hustle and bustle, sitting on an old chair was a woman with her apron over her head. One of the children approached me and said,
"Be quiet, Mummy is praying."
Here was a mother of nineteen finding tranquility in the midst of all her chores in the presence of the Author of Peace.
My answer did not lie in the mighty Himalayas or the monastery of the lofty Meteora , but in the cheerful songs of Brother Lawrence in the scullery and Susana Wesley, under her kitchen apron. The secret of tranquility lies in the ability to calm down and relax despite being surrounded by the chaos of life's stresses. My bible does not promise me that I will never walk through the turbulent waters or the fiery furnace. But my God promises that He will not leave me alone and that His presence will always be with me. And in His presence there is tranquility.

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