Navigating Life's Ups and Downs: Finding Tranquility in a Chaotic World
Anyone who has ever lived can attest to the rollercoaster of life’s ups and downs. Amid the ongoing adjustments of living through a global pandemic, the less obvious impacts of climate change and technology, and rising tensions in geopolitical hotspots like Russia, Ukraine, China, and Palestine, we are coming to terms with a new, rapidly changing world. Add to this the pressures of house prices, rent, stress, floods, and perpetual busyness, and it’s no wonder we feel overwhelmed.
Epictetus, the Greek philosopher, believed that “our greatest sufferings are born out of a failure to distinguish what is in our control and what is not.” In our hyper-connected, fast-paced world, it’s easy to focus excessively on the external—an unpredictable and fragile realm—while neglecting our internal world, which might need more attention and care than ever before.
The Trap of Distraction and the Need for Reflection
In today’s society, it’s easier than ever to distract ourselves from discomfort and run away from our suffering. Our modern world, with its emphasis on consumerism and competition, often turns human beings into mere consumers and communities into competitors. Thich Nhat Hanh, the Buddhist monk and Zen master, had great faith in the healing power of simply stopping. He advocated for taking meaningful pauses to assess whether our desires and ways of living are truly helping us lead engaged, connected, and meaningful lives.
Greek philosopher Socrates famously said, “An unexamined life is not worth living.” He compared living without thinking to practicing pottery without any real technical know-how. Just as you wouldn’t expect to create a great pot without skills, you can’t expect to live a fulfilling life without deep thought and serious reflection.
My Personal Journey
This exact question influenced a significant change in my life. My brother once asked me, “When in your life have you ever really stopped?” This question prompted me to visit Thich Nhat Hanh’s Plum Village Practice Centre in France. Before this, I had never stopped to ask myself what was truly important in my life. My existence was purely external, leaving me scratching the surface and never delving deeper.
This internal-external conflict became clear when I compared two of my biggest overseas adventures. One was a year-long road trip in an old 1983 Bedford van, surfing down the coast of Europe into Africa with friends. The other was three months of living in a rundown hut in the forests of a mindfulness practice centre. The hut was like the Bedford with no wheels—forcing me to confront the unpleasant rather than steer away from it.
Understanding Suffering and Finding Peace
Swiss psychiatrist Carl Jung said, “Suffering comes from our failure to understand and feel the unseen and unheard parts of our psyches.” Constantly moving and distracting ourselves prevents us from stopping and truly exploring our lives. And maybe the best exploration happens when we aren’t moving at all.
This stillness is the birthplace of contentment and tranquillity. By pausing, we see the interdependence of everything. Life is hard, and being human means learning how to meet the hard parts and find peace. Our present moment, no matter how uncomfortable, is our life. Loneliness, despair, anger, restlessness, and worry tell us something about our relationship with life. Distracting and avoiding these feelings only makes them more tenacious.
The Importance of Curiosity and Reflection
Poet Johann Wolfgang von Goethe said, “Plunge boldly into the thick of life and seize it where you will; it is always interesting.” Viewing life as interesting rather than perfect can lead to contentment. This curiosity and playful engagement with life, rather than rigid control, can transform our lives into something closer to a piece of art—interesting and open.
Aristotle said, “Knowing yourself is the beginning of all wisdom.” This wisdom teaches us to take greater responsibility for our choices, making us creators of our environment rather than products of it. To truly know ourselves, we must spend considerable time alone, without distractions like phones or entertainment. This solitude allows us to become aware of our typical distractions, explore our feelings, and make conscious decisions rather than being swayed by external influences.
Shifting Towards Authenticity and Contentment
In our busy lives, we must prioritize knowing ourselves to avoid being lured into the "buy my happiness" culture. Constantly seeking comfort and safety through material possessions only leads to more distraction and suffering. A clear mind and awareness help us act in ways that represent our true feelings rather than out of fear or misunderstanding.
Our modern world often makes it difficult to cultivate authenticity. We are bombarded by stories that tell us we need to be better and more successful. This competitive mindset can lead to a life of quiet desperation. Indigenous tribes saw competition as a sign of mental ill-health, a stark contrast to our current culture.
The Power of Presence and Mindfulness
True aliveness is found in the present moment, not in constant productivity and action. It’s in silence, conversation, discomfort, and monotony. Choosing to be present and reaffirming our presence when it would be easier to lose ourselves in fantasy can be life-changing. Studies show that a wandering mind is an unhappy mind, which often leads to an unhappy life.
Thich Nhat Hanh often said we must be “good gardeners,” cultivating joy, peace, and tranquillity. Meditation helps us become less reactive to stress, recover faster, and reduce inflammation—a factor in many chronic diseases. It diminishes "us and them" thinking, making us more caring, generous, and present.
Embracing Simplicity and Letting Go
Confucius said, “Life is simple, but we insist on making it complicated.” Our capitalist culture often complicates life by promoting the idea that more success and material wealth lead to fulfilment. This constant striving adds tension and pressure, leading to a life of quiet desperation.
In contrast, embracing simplicity and contentment can lead to true wealth. Erich Fromm wrote, “In the sphere of material things giving means being rich. Not he who has much is rich, but he who gives much.” Shifting away from consumerism, competition, and distraction towards simplicity, connection, and presence can lead to a truly rich, meaningful life.
Conclusion
We need to reconnect with the love of nature, play, and human connection. Joy should come from adventure, experience, and meaningful relationships, not from buying things. The happiest people are often those with the least desires, who find pleasure in simple, everyday activities. By living in the present moment and making peace with the mundane, we can find contentment and tranquillity in our chaotic world.
Evan Sutter
Stay calm. Reach out if you want to chat about happiness and well-being.