Obscurity was his nature, as well as his profession. The byways of espionage
are not populated by the brash and colourful adventurers of fiction. A man
who, like Smiley, has lived and worked for years among his country's enemies
learns only one prayer: that he may never, never be noticed.
Assimilation is his highest aim, he learns to love the crowds who pass him
in the street without a glance; he clings to them for his anonymity and his
safety. His fear makes him servile - he could embrace the shoppers who
jostle him in their impatience, and force him from the pavement. He could
adore the officials, the police, the bus conductors, for the terse
indifference of their attitudes.
But this fear, this servility, this dependence, had developed in Smiley a
perception of the colour of human beings: a swift, feminine sensitivity to
their characters and motives. He knew mankind as a huntsman knows his cover,
as a fox the wood.
(John
Le Carre)
Ignorance
Awareness makes us acutely conscious of our ignorance. It wakes us up. We are
not enlightened or saintly.
Our perspective has broadened a little and some barriers have fallen. Nothing
more.
An awakened person can only feel happiness and freedom when it is not at the
expense of others.
What use is freedom when another person pays for your pleasure?
Compassion compels us to live a considerate life. A life of kindness and
equanimity.
We see balance. We see discord and harmony. We see possibilities.
Keeping quiet is essential.
If you draw attention to yourself, you tread on somebody else's feet.
This creates discord.
It is far better to remain silent and unknown. Anonymous and silent.
A quiet person does not parade their skills or demonstrate their
accomplishments.
They remain humble and reserved.
Simplicity
Simple things are valued more than complexity. At the heart of everything
lies the essence.
This is what matters. Not the outward show.
And the essence is always simple.
Strike to the heart of all things in life and you interact with the real.
Remain at the periphery and you dance with shadows and dreams. The maya of the
floating world.
Aloneness
Find time for solitude in your life. Switch everything off and walk away.
No
phone. No iPod.
Leave your car behind and make sure that you travel alone.
Get to know yourself again.
Spend some time thinking, feeling, contemplating and living.
Go out in the early hours and walk along the surf. Hear only the splash of the
sea and the babble of your own thoughts.
In time, your mind will calm and the inner noise will fade.
If you cannot find somewhere nice to go, spend time alone in a room or simply walk the streets.
Do not try to share this with anyone else. Set aside your insecurities and stand
alone. Be strong. Be you.
This is a journey for you alone.
When you understand the peace of aloneness, you will become silent within.
This will permeate your life and you will also know silence without.
You will have found your quiet. And you will know that it is not meek at all. It
lives. It breathes.
Potential resides within.
Page created 11 February 2000