Chasing Peace in a Loud World

Finding Stillness When Everything Screams for Your Attention

by author

The world can be compared to a chaotic orchestra, each musician at their peak playing a distinct piece. Notifications are incessantly popping up, resembling agitated hornets. The world events are alternating between disasters at a fast pace. Flawless images of people’s social media lives are all that can be seen in their feeds. It is also the case with our mind; it is the loudest among all with its constant issuing of to-do lists, anxiety, and remorse.

In all the background clamor, peace feels less like a serene way of life and more like a mythical creature, talked of by everyone but never seen.

For years, I was after it. I experimented with meditation applications that seemed like just another thing to do on my list. I participated in digital detoxes and still was experiencing a sore withdrawal from the constant flow of information. I attempted to find peace through making my life even more difficult, through “optimizing” my route to tranquility. It was as if one was attempting to quiet the storm by shouting at the clouds.

The moment of change came when I ceased pursuing and began generating. I came to the conclusion that tranquility is not a place one reaches after all emails are cleared and all issues solved. It is a tiny, silent chamber that is already a part of you. The difficulty is not in locating the chamber; it is in acquiring the skill of shutting the door to the racket.

1. Make the Gatekeeper of Your Attention Your focus is the highest quality property that you have, and all the people are after it. Having the “gatekeeper” at the entrance of your brain is the first step to tranquility. That is:

• Curating your inputs: Do not follow the accounts that cause you to compare yourself with others. Stop the news alerts that cause your anxiety to rise. You do not have to take in everything that is thrown at you.
• Making an “appointment” for viewing: Instead of mindlessly scrolling through your timeline, assign a certain time; for instance, “I will read the news at 10 AM for 15 minutes,” or “I will check Instagram for 10 minutes after lunchtime.” You are not just a consumer who is present, but you also actively direct the flow of your attention.

2. Mute the Inner Critic’s Voice In many cases, the biggest source of noise is the mind. That whispering voice that says, “You are not enough,” or “Everyone is ahead of you.” This inner critic is the worst noise maker; you can’t accuse it of being there, but you can always lower its sound. Don’t argue when it happens. Just observe it. Tell it, “Oh, it’s the ‘you’re failing’ story once more.” Give the thought your acknowledgement, appreciate your brain’s (mistaken) attempt to protect you, and softly bring your attention back to your breathing or the activity you are doing.

3. Harness the strength of “monotasking.” Our society glorifies multitasking, yet it is nothing more than a peace robber. It splits your attention and gives you a hectic feeling. The extreme measure of focusing on one task at a time is a complete revolt against the din. If you have food, then just eat. Savor it. Experience its smoothness. If you are going to walk, then just walk. Get aware of the touch of your feet on the ground. The Japanese people refer to this as ichigyo-zammai—the practice of total absorption in one thing. In a universe that requires you to be in every place at the same time, the decision to be completely in one place is a very deep source of tranquility.

4. Search for Quiet in the Tiny Moments A silent retreat that lasts a week is not necessary. The creation of peacefulness occurs in the micro-moments. It is the five minutes dedicated to hearing nothing but the sounds of your morning coffee or taking a long drink before looking at the phone. It is the intentional deep breath you take prior to your reply to that tension-filled email. It is the decision you make to let the sound of your car engine be the only sound you hear while driving.

Peace is not only the absence of disturbing sounds around you. It is an ability to find tranquility in your inner being, regardless of the outer commotion. It is the quietest sound of your own life, a frequency that remains unchanged even during the loudest times of the world.

Do not pursue the imaginary “someday” any longer when it will be totally quiet everywhere. Instead, immediately start making your sanctuary in the very small but defiant choices of lowering the volume, concentrating on one thing, and breathing. The noisy environment will always be present. Nevertheless, you can manage to coexist with it without it becoming part of you.

Thanks for reading. M Usman Arshad