The way to see what looks good and understand the reasons it looks good, and to be at one with this goodness as the work proceeds, is to cultivate an inner quietness, a peace of mind so that goodness can shine through.
Robert M. PirsigRead
This inner peace of mind occurs on three levels of understanding. Physical quietness seems the easiest to achieve, although there are levels and levels of this too, as attested by the ability of Hindu mystics to live buried alive for many days. Mental quietness, in which one has no wandering thoughts at all, seems more difficult, but can be achieved. But value quietness, in which one has no wandering desires at all but simply performs the acts of his life without desire, that seems the hardest.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Inner peace is a multi-layered concept involving physical, mental, and value quietness.
In this quote, Robert M. Pirsig describes the journey toward achieving inner peace, which unfolds across three levels: physical quietness, mental quietness, and value quietness. He suggests that while physical quietness may be the simplest to attain, true inner peace involves deeper and more challenging levels where one must quiet not only their surroundings and thoughts but also their desires, ultimately leading to a state of action without craving.
Themes
Inner PeaceQuietnessMental ClarityDesireMindfulness
In practice
Example use cases
During a meditation retreat, I reminded participants of the importance of inner peace.
More from Robert M. Pirsig
All quotes →When analytic thought, the knife, is applied to experience, something is always killed in the process.
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The Buddha resides as comfortably in the circuits of a digital computer or the gears of a cycle transmission as he does at the top of a mountain.
Robert M. PirsigRead
It's better not to see than to see wrongly.
Robert M. PirsigRead
The truth knocks on the door and you say, go away, I'm looking for the truth, and it goes away. Puzzling.
Robert M. PirsigRead
You want to know how to paint a perfect painting? It's easy. Make yourself perfect and then just paint naturally.
Robert M. PirsigRead
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