Forgotten Roots

by Karol Kolbusz

  One reason why so many individuals fail to set realistic priorities and carry out duties is because they pay too much attention to what others think or say. In the age of mindless conformity, the shape of our dreams and goals is strongly influenced by peer pressure and dominant trends and fashions. People are afraid to think outside the box. Their desires and aspirations fluctuate with each passing season. Grounding our lives in an authentic spiritual tradition is the best remedy against the chaos within us.

  In order to improve our concentration and achieve a sense of inner peace, we should get into a habit of daily meditation. There are many benefits of this ancient practice. From a biological point of view, the sympathetic nervous system, which is responsible for the body’s reactions to stress, shuts down during meditation. In our current high-stress civilization, many people live in a state of chronic anxiety that eventually leads to serious problems such as physical and mental exhaustion, lowered immunity, and insomnia. Meditation pacifies the sympathetic nervous system, aiding rest, relaxation, and digestion, which are in turn responsibilities of the parasympathetic nervous system. Scientific studies also indicate that meditative practices lead to a reduction in the activity of the default mode network, a large-scale brain network associated with daydreaming and ruminations (which are not good in excess). Finally, empirical research proves that meditation can increase one’s attention span and other cognitive abilities[60].

  From a secular point of view, meditation consists of breathing exercises and, in some cases, repetitive affirmations. As was proven above, these activities are beneficial to our physical and mental well-being. However, the benefits can be maximized if our practice is taken to a higher, religious level by repeating mantras. Mantras are sacred words, discovered by the ancient seers who experienced the divine directly, that produce vibrations at certain frequencies and ranges. They are not just mere mental focus points, but reflections of universal energies. Chanting a mantra strengthens the union with our eternal self (atman) and liberates us from the hypnotic glamour (maya) of the material world. The sound vibrations are transmitted throughout the body, bestowing their healing properties upon us. At the end of the book I explain how to practice meditation properly.

  Although meditation techniques and mantras are now almost exclusively preserved in the scriptures of Sanatana Dharma (Hinduism) and Buddhism, there is nothing to suggest that similar methods didn’t exist in other pre-Abrahamic, Indo-European cultures. Many ancient Greek philosophers stressed the importance of self-examination. Some of them were taught and initiated by Egyptian sages and Persian magi who might have been familiar with these techniques. In his work On Nature, the pre-Socratic philosopher Parmenides described a mystical inner vision that he had experienced himself[61]. The report of his vision is not very dissimilar from what yogis of India experience in their meditative states. Plotinus, a 3rd-century Neoplatonic mystic, argued that henosis (a state of oneness with the divine) can be achieved by turning wholly within, purifying one’s consciousness from external sensations and dualistic patterns of thinking. The Celtic deity Cernunnos, depicted on the Gundestrup Cauldron (comparable to the representation of the Vedic god Shiva on the Pashupati Seal) and on the Reims Altar, is seated in the lotus position (padmasana), possibly indicating a meditative state. Since the late eighteenth century, scholars have highlighted the close similarities between the Celtic druids and the Vedic brahmanas. This view was supported by the Hellenistic writers of the Alexandrian School, who considered druids to be sages parallel to those known to us from Greek, Egyptian, Persian, and Vedic traditions. It is also possible that various meditative techniques could have developed in ancient Europe independently from Oriental influence. After all, the yearning for self-analysis and inner stillness is something universal, not exclusive to the peoples of India or Tibet.

  Meditation is not the only way to effectively improve our concentration. The effects of regular exercise on emotional and mental well-being have been studied scientifically. Participation in sport stimulates the production of serotonin and endorphins in brain, which enhance mood, alleviate symptoms of anxiety and depression, and boost our attention span. Indeed, exercise forces us to be present in the moment and focus fully on the movement of our body. Athletes and sport coaches often stress the importance of proper focus during sport competition. Just like in every other area of life, being distracted undermines our chances of achieving success.

  According to the attention restoration theory (formulated by Rachel and Stephen Kaplan in the 1980s[62]), the ability to concentrate is improved after spending time in natural environments. Thus, we should consider working out in nature (at least two or three times a month). For example, we can combine hiking with calisthenics or forest walking with cross country running. Logs, tree branches or rocks can serve as natural training equipment, while obstacles like gnarled roots, slippery stones, and treacherous ditches require our constant attention. After completing the workout, it is essential to slow down and just admire the beauty of our surroundings. Examples of passive activities that can potentially boost our attention span include meditating by the riverside, admiring the majestic beauty of distant mountain peaks or listening to enchanting birdsong. The rejuvenative power of nature cannot be underestimated.

  On Patience

  Beware the fury of a patient man.

  – John Dryden[63]

  A young artist called Vicky was slowly walking among the ruins of an old church, situated on a windswept clifftop. The sea-dampened walls of the medieval building provided no shelter from the trickling rain. Vicky was a renowned painter, known for her magical depictions of northern landscapes. Since the early afternoon, she had been waiting for the Sun to be roused from the arms of Morpheus. Although no signs of life could be seen anywhere in this tenebrific, godforsaken realm of perpetual fog and everlasting rain, something was beginning to clear up in the sky. As time went by, low clouds gradually began to dissolve. Here and there, clearances appeared, revealing the pale azure tint of the sky. Vicky's patience had finally been rewarded, and she could joyously begin her plein air session.

  ***

  The German philosopher Arthur Schopenhauer once expressed his annoyance at impatient individuals who drum their fingers on the table when they are waiting for someone. If Schopenhauer were alive today, what would he say about the technology addicts of our times? What would he say about the millions of people desperately yearning for bits and pieces of instant gratification? Those who have carefully read all the previous essays presented in this book know that the world has embarked on a downward spiral in many different ways. The last negative trait of the modern world that needs to be addressed is the growing culture of impatience. Most of us probably fail to realize how the desire to seek short-term pleasure and to avoid pain (associated here with delay and anticipation) has become the basis of consumerism in the digital age.

  Let us take the popularity of pre-orders as an illustration of my point. The idea behind this marketing strategy is that due to technological progress, people are becoming more and more accustomed to convenience and the immediate gratification of their needs. Video game, music, and movie producers cleverly exploit such psychological tendencies and dupe customers into ordering a product that has not yet been released. A few months before the release date, an atmosphere of keen anticipation is established by the means of promotional trailers and teasers. Some producers include additional physical items in the pre-order deliveries. This makes fans ready and willing to pay more for faster access to the product. From an ethical point of view, pre-orders are fundamentally dishonest, and I would encourage my readers to become vigilant of the temptation to purchase something earlier for the sake of instant gratification.

  Nowadays, we are constantly told that patience and slowness need to be avoided at all costs, for – according to modern standards – they get in the way of earning money. A fast-paced lifestyle, money-making ad infinitum, career advancement, the acquirement of latest gadgets – these ar
e the loftiest ideals of our current age. Multitasking, meeting deadlines, and producing immediate, quantitative results are preferred over slow and diligent work focused on long-term goals. Laziness and lack of drive are spreading like a plague, petrifying our minds. The aforementioned attitude is incompatible with the traditional world, however. How can the inorganic men of modern cities fully appreciate the hard work of a farmer, when all they have ever seen is the finished product, a loaf of bread ready to be purchased in a giant supermarket? When you are disconnected from traditional life, you are oblivious to the fact that every important task requires patience, diligence, and concentration. A highly specialized medieval artisan such as a goldsmith could have never been successful without them. Modern technology creates the illusion that spectacular results can be achieved with very little effort in a short time. Nothing could be further from the truth.

  In my opinion, waiting for someone to arrive is a golden opportunity to exercise the virtue of patience and to reflect upon the complexity of life. Sit on a bench or a stone and just let your thoughts roam free. Your innermost universe is rich enough to provide you with numerous issues to ponder on. If anticipation often makes you feel anxious, you must realize that the amount of time you will have to wait is usually beyond your control. What is beyond our control should not disturb us at all. Do we get upset when apple trees do not bear fruit in winter? Of course not, since Mature Nature, a force beyond our power and control, decided otherwise. Why are you nervous about protracted waiting for a latecomer or a train, then? Have you considered the possible influence of external factors, such as illness, an accident or bad weather? When you realize that what is on the outside should not concern you at all, you will finally find peace of mind.

  On Anger

  Mankind is born for mutual assistance, anger for mutual ruin: the former loves society, the latter estrangement. The one loves to do good, the other to do harm; the one to help even strangers, the other to attack even its dearest friends. The one is ready even to sacrifice itself for the good of others, the other to plunge into peril provided it drags others with it. Who, then, can be more ignorant of nature than he who classes this cruel and hurtful vice as belonging to her best and most polished work?

  – Seneca[64]

  As the light darkened at dusk one November day, a wayfarer called Feardorcha was standing among the majestic ruins of Dún Aonghasa. The harsh wind was driving the rain horizontally, straight into the strider's face. He stood there motionless, gazing silently at the vast abode of Manannán mac Lir. It seemed as if the ocean’s roars were being caused by a mirage of the wave-sweeping chariot drawn by Manannán’s magical horse. The seething rage in the water and in the air had no effect on Feardorcha’s calm countenance, however. His unwavering stature resembled the slabs of jagged limestone which stood upright outside the middle wall guarding the fortress against the unknown terrors coming from the ocean[65].

  ***

  Whenever someone criticizes you, you should nip your initial, impulsive angry reaction in the bud and consider the nature of the one judging you. Find out whether they are a person of virtue and honour. Many people are constantly deceived by their own false reasoning, for they are driven by strong emotions and wishes; whereas calm, well-balanced individuals are perfectly capable of judging matters from a neutral point of view. The former often live as if the world revolves around them, blaming everybody else for their own suffering. It should come to you as no surprise that people whose lives lack spiritual depth cannot handle any form of criticism. These types of people will attack you viciously, even if you begin talking about moral attitudes and virtues in general, without targeting them or being accusative. They cannot stand their own mediocrity; therefore, they hide their guilt behind a wall of wrath and hatred towards those who are above them, both morally and intellectually.

  Contrarily, a man of wisdom is always open to justifiable criticism, for he sees it as the key to the gate of self-improvement. His feelings of guilt are immediately nipped in the bud, as he decides to change his ways and moral attitudes for the better. The suppression of unnecessary anger is one of the many virtues we should learn on our journey to perfection. Nature can or even should be our inspiration in this task. Sit by a quiet rivulet and look at the current. The water flows peacefully, undisturbed by stones and pieces of wood that may block its way. We should always strive for such calmness. From classical sources, we know that Celtic warriors would taunt and provoke their enemies before engaging in combat. Moreover, there were special units of Celtic mercenaries called gaesatae, which were comprised of berserkers who went into battle naked. Their nudity was supposed to intimidate and unnerve enemies. However, you should rather be like an exemplary Roman legionary who dispassionately enters the fight and only takes orders from reason. Do not let anything external break through the mighty walls of your tranquil and equanimous mind. For anger, even during war, opens the path to weakness, just like every notion caused by strong emotions. Disdain for mindless, petty persecutors and resolving to enact revenge upon them, is a sign of a great soul and noble spirit.

  The sage is never angry at those who have gone astray. If possible, he shows them their errors and points out that they have strayed from the virtuous path. However, when he sees a solid wall of ignorance and battlements swarming with hosts of false notions, he turns back and leaves. Similarly, every sensible army commander would resign from besieging a heavily defended stronghold, if the assault would only cause the slaughter of his own troops. People are often mistaken in their opinions and actions, for they live contrary to nature and reason. Your impact on others' lives is not unlimited. However, it is perfectly possible for you to become an example to follow, by leading a virtuous life that is devoid of unnecessary anger and unreasonable notions.

  Finally, I would like to clarify by adding that in some situations and circumstances, anger can, in fact, lead to positive outcomes. Rage can drive people who have been (often dangerously) inactive to action. They seek revenge or bare their teeth as a display of fierce and threatening aggression. Anger, just like fear, can manifest itself as a primitive mechanism for physical survival. Moreover, the prolonged suppression of emotions, including wrath, has a detrimental effect on one's mental health. Considering the evidence, it is unreasonable to completely ignore the emotion in question and perceive it as black or white. However, just because angry behaviour may occasionally produce a good outcome, it does not mean that we should deliberately evoke such emotions. Only a man of Stoic self-mastery is able to combine rage and calmness, and still emerge victorious over himself.

  Julius Caesar, in his Gallic War, wrote the following about the chariots of the ancient Britons:

  In chariot fighting the Britons begin by driving all over the field hurling javelins, and generally the terror inspired by the horses and the noise of the wheels are sufficient to throw their opponents' ranks into disorder. Then, after making their way between the squadrons of their own cavalry, they jump down from the chariot and engage on foot. In the meantime their charioteers retire a short distance from the battle and place the chariots in such a position that their masters, if hard pressed by numbers, have an easy means of retreat to their own lines. They combine the mobility of cavalry with the staying power of infantry; and by daily training and practice they attain such proficiency that even on a steep incline they are able to control the horses at full gallop, and to check and turn them in a moment. They can run along the chariot pole, stand on the yoke, and get back into the chariot as quick as lightning.[66]

  Isn't this a powerful image of self-control? In a figurative sense, the horses are our emotions, and the chariot is our reason. Without moderation and control, emotions are like restless horses running free. A skilful charioteer holds the reins of reason and is able to forge his wrath into a mighty weapon. Even on a steep slope where the danger of crashing into self-destruction looms, he remains remarkably calm in his anger. Enemy armies tremble and flee in terror when the thundering sound of h
is chariot fills the air. The real battle is fought within the mind, and the inner victory manifests itself externally through the divine-like manner of heroic deeds.

  On indifference

  It is not our part to master all the tides of the world, but to do what is in us for the succour of those years wherein we are set, uprooting the evil in the fields that we know, so that those who live after may have clean earth to till.

  – J.R.R. Tolkien[67]

  The average citizens of the Western world are taught to have compassion for animals, for starving children in economically underdeveloped countries, and for victims of wars in remote places all over the world. Yet, at the same time, they adopt an attitude of uttermost indifference to many problems that occur in their own countries. Such persons, despite outwardly projecting an image of themselves as an empathetic activist, are often very selfish in their daily conduct. Nowadays, it’s simply fashionable and politically correct to be an advocate for global peace and prosperity. Those who do not hold such views, and instead prefer to focus on protecting and improving the well-being of their closest kinsmen and compatriots, are labelled as insensitive, selfish or even hateful persons. Although many naïve people who are manipulated by politicians and the mainstream media may think otherwise, it is not possible to care about the entire world. Likewise, it is impossible to love everyone. A friend to all is a friend to none. If we want to make a positive change, we need to start by changing ourselves and helping our close friends realize their full potential. Moreover, there is nothing wrong with choosing to care about those who look like us and think like us. We should never feel guilty for prioritizing local issues. Aiming for the self-preservation of the group we belong to is the opposite of selfishness. Any argument to the contrary is totally invalid.