“The feeling of serenity transcends that which is normally understood by calm or tranquillity; it implies a superlative state which is beyond reasoning, desires, contradictions, and words. Serenity designates a situation which is beyond mundane noise.”
-Samael Aun Weor, Revolution of the Dialectic
Serenity is nothing less than the state of being without internal conflict, without attachment to the mind, without fixation or tension. The Chan Buddhist practice of mo chao is being with what is. Mo chao translates to serene reflection.
In the teachings of the 3rd century Indian sage Patanjali, mo chao is called pratayhara, the practice of separating one’s awareness from internal and external phenomenon. As a meditation discipline, pratyahara is preceded by an ethical basis, correct meditation position, and specific breathing exercises.
Sitting and being with what is does not usually guarantee a serene state. But sitting and being with pain, restlessness, distraction, boredom, and anxiety is the key to experiencing true and lasting serenity. And serenity is the necessary foundation to be able to move in the world with wisdom, compassion, and peace.
Part of the Serenity Prayer used in twelve step recovery goes as follows:
God, grant me the serenity
to accept the things I cannot change,
the courage to change the things I can,
and the wisdom to know the difference.
