Finding Calm in Complexity
In our fast-paced world of constant notifications, breaking news, and endless responsibilities, finding moments of calm can feel impossible. Yet throughout history, wisdom traditions have offered guidance on creating islands of tranquility amidst life's storms.
One such source of wisdom comes from an 8th-century Chinese poem by the Zen master Shitou called "The Song of the Grass Roof Hermitage." Though more than 1200 years old, its message resonates powerfully with our modern challenges
The poem describes a simple dwelling as “a grass hut where there’s nothing of value,” where "after eating, I relax and enjoy a nap." This seemingly ordinary statement carries profound meaning: it's about embracing simplicity and presence in everyday moments rather than constantly striving for more.
Shitou lived what he taught—a life of deliberate simplicity in a small hut. This wasn't deprivation but liberation. Modern minimalists echo this wisdom. The writer Joshua Becker describes how his family, including young children, simplified their lives by reducing possessions. He began wearing the same black t-shirts and pants daily, eliminating the need to choose outfits each morning.
This external simplicity opens the door to inner simplicity. When we reduce the "picking and choosing" in our physical environment, we create space for greater presence.
Shitou describes simplicity this way: "Places worldly people live, he doesn't live. Realms worldly people love, she doesn't love."
We all have our "worldly" sides—preoccupied with news cycles, family dramas, fashion trends, or work challenges. These aspects of ourselves help us engage with the world but can also overwhelm us. The alternative isn't withdrawal but balance—creating moments when we can set aside these concerns and simply be present.
PRESENCE HELPS US TRUST OURSELVES IN UNCERTAIN TIMES
How do we find trust when so much seems threatening? Trust grows from our ability to face whatever arises with presence and attention. Turning non-judgmental attention to everything – even the hard stuff – builds confidence that we can meet life's challenges. Not because everything will go our way or because global problems will vanish, but because we develop faith in our capacity to be with whatever arises.
In my own case, this trust developed after a serious concussion left me dizzy and in pain for months. Initially convinced that meditation was impossible in such circumstances, I eventually discovered that turning toward difficulty, rather than away, built a resilience that couldn't be taken away.
THE PRACTICE OF PRESENCE
The beauty of presence is its accessibility. Remembering to pay attention to what is here in each moment doesn't require special circumstances or perfect conditions. It's available:
Sitting at a stoplight
Taking out the trash
Brushing your teeth before bed
These ordinary moments offer opportunities to return to what we often refer to as "the ground of being"—that sense of "Oh, yeah. Life is just this moment." The practice involves turning the light of non-judgmental attention inward rather than constantly focusing outward. This simple shift allows us to come home to ourselves, even briefly, throughout our busy days.
COMMITMENT TO PRACTICE
Perhaps most striking is Master Shitou’s straightforward encouragement: "Don't give up." It was tempting to abandon practices of presence in 8th-century China, and it's equally tempting now. We may feel we lack time, can't see progress, or simply believe we're no good at this. Yet there's something precious in developing this capacity for presence—a kind of trust and ease that grows each time we practice.
PRACTICAL STEPS TO FINDING EASE
Start small: Take one minute each day to pause and simply notice your breath coming in and going out.
Find simplicity: Identify one area of your life where you can reduce complexity, a place where you aren’t burdened with "picking and choosing."
Practice presence in ordinary moments: While doing routine tasks like putting on your shoes, bring your full attention to what you're doing.
Let go of knowing: Experiment with being in a place of "not knowing" rather than always applying analytical thinking.
Be gentle with yourself: Remember that finding ease is a practice, not a destination. Each return to presence builds the capacity for trust.
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