"The words of the wise are stated gently." --Rabbi M.M. Lefin of Satanov, Cheshbon HaNefesh
In the middah of calmness, we savor life in a very reflective way. We take in the sensory stimulation, process it, absorb it, and make it a part of us. People who have calmness are able to be thoughtful and contemplative, respond to the world in a gentle way, and allow the world to go about them but not be overturned by it.
Meditation
Daily Questions
What were the "seeds" that started to erode your calmness today?
If an event caused you to lose your calm spirit, what was it and how did you react? Is this something that has caused you agitation previously?
If you were on the verge of losing your calmness of spirit, what did you employ that helped you?
Were you able to use prayer or meditation to get through the circumstances and remain calm?
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Quotables
But I tell you that whoever is enraged against his brother baselessly is liable to a beit din, and whoever says to his brother, “reka” is liable to a sanhedrin, and whoever calls him “naval” is made liable to the fire of Geihinnom. --Mashiach Yeshua, Matthew 5:22, DHE
The world is a very narrow bridge. They key to crossing is to not be afraid. --Rabbi Nachman ben Simcha of Bratslav
It is intelligent of a person to be slow to anger, and his splendor to ignore an offense. --Proverbs 19:11
If you have been abused, remain aloof; and if you have thoughts [of responding in kind], put your hand to your mouth; for the squeezing of milk produces butter; the squeezing of the nose produces blood; and the squeezing of anger produces strife. --Proverbs 30:32
A gentle reply turns away wrath, but a galling word incites anger. --Proverbs 15:1
Into His hand I shall entrust my spirit, when I go to sleep – and I shall awaken. With my spirit shall my body remain. Hashem is with me, I shall not fear. – Siddur, Morning Blessings
For G-d alone, wait silently, my soul, because my hope is from Him. He alone is my Rock and my Salvation; my Stronghold, I shall not falter. --Psalms 62: 6-7
Hashem is my shepherd, I shall not lack. In lush meadows He lays me down, beside tranquil waters He leads me. He restores my soul...Though I walk in the valley overshadowed by death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me. --Psalm 23:1-3
Hashem is my light and my salvation, who shall I fear? Hashem is my life's strength, whom shall I dread? --Psalm 27:1
From the straits did I call upon G-d; G-d answered me with expansiveness. Hashem is with me, I have no fear; how can man affect me? --Psalm 118:5-6
Hashem will protect you from every evil; He will guard your soul. Hashem will guard your departure and your arrival, from this time and forever. --Psalms 121:7-8
There are four temperaments among men: Easy to provoke and easy to appease--his loss is canceled by his gain. Hard to provoke and hard to appease--his gain is canceled by his loss. Hard to provoke and easy to appease--he is a saintly man. Easy to provoke and hard to appease--he is a wicked man. --Avot 5:14
The Hebrew word for calmness is nichutah. Nichutah translates to ease, serenity, tranquility, or gentleness.
Out here in Seattle, we live in an earthquake zone. For those of us whose homes are on bedrock, we live with a little more peace of mind knowing that there is some buffering that we experience due to being on solid rock.