Beyond The Wall

Contented Beings

by Charles “Tom” Brown

Copyright 2006

A favorite quote from Helen Keller is, “Everything has its wonders, even darkness and silence, and I learn whatever state I may be in, therein to be content.”

Contentment is, without exception, no matter what is going on, the highest attainment. It’s a total and final acceptance of who we are in this life. Then there is no yearning and nothing is missing. When we experience contentment, we experience that aspect of ourselves which is eternal. It is like our inner Self acknowledging and experiencing the truth of itself.

It does not mean inaction or passivity, and it does not mean not caring about people and things. From a contented space, we can be far more effective in walking the delicate balance between fully accepting “what is”, while at the same time, seeing “what could be” and working for change.

This state does not depend on outer conditions or circumstances, and it has been experienced in the face of abject poverty, misfortune, confinement, and even torture. One of the most contented beings I have ever met is a fellow prisoner who will spend the rest of his life in prison. When I asked him how he manages to have such a cheerful outlook, he replied, “I choose to live my life in here one day at a time and to always look for the things to be thankful for in each day.” It’s so simple and yet, how often we forget this.

Just as the presence of light removes all traces of darkness, the presence of contentment removes sorrow, fear, or suffering of any nature. Without light there is no way to get rid of the darkness. Darkness is only the absence of light. In the same way contentment is the light that removes the darkness of negativity and limitation. In the presence of this light, all the baser emotions are dissolved and dispelled.

It’s such a freeing feeling to realize that we can be content simply be deciding to be. Then we become supremely independent, for we know our contentment is not dependent on anything or anyone. Then we can relax with a secret smile.

6-2-2006

Writing continues to be my escape from the reality of this noisy, overcrowded prison dormitory. When I am writing, I am transported to other world, other dimensions, and I am reminded that my spirit is eternally free. There are times when my pen moves across the page, the words pouring forth from me, but they seem empty, meaningless. But as I keep my hand moving across the page, something inside of me loosens, and I am aware once again of my inner resources. It may take some time, but it is enough to help me go on.

This pen that I am writing with frees me from the pen that imprisons my body. The system may have my body right now, but they can’t keep my words. My words are already out there. They dance on the page like free beings.

As I look back over my life, I think of how many times I heard – and even taught – the same basic truths that I am writing about now. I knew them in my head, but did not internalize them until coming to prison.

As I finally quieted my mind and went within, I began to realize that to see anything NOW, I have to see it NEW as I have never seen it before. My perception has become more refined, my understanding has deepened, and I am lighter now, fresher, newer, more flowing in the harmony of all things and more aware of the unity of all things.

I don’t mean to sound like I have “arrived.” I am very human, a flawed one, and a work in progress. I do feel good about where I am today, though, and it has taken all of my past life experiences to bring me to this point. Almost in spite of myself, I am most richly blessed.

I am content…and this brings me to the thoughts that are in an essay that I’m enclosing for you. It’s called “Contented Beings”.

I read a story that tells what contentment is all about…

The rich industrialist from the north was horrified to find the southern fisherman lying lazily beside his boat.

“Why aren’t you out fishing?” asked the industrialist.

“Because I have caught enough fish for the day,” said the fisherman.

“Why don’t you catch some more?”

“What would I do with them?”

“You could earn more money. With that you could have a motor fixed to your boat and go into deeper waters and catch more fish. Then you would make enough to buy nylon nets. These would bring you more fish and more money. Soon you would have enough money to own two boats – maybe even a fleet of boats. Then you would be a rich man like me.”

“What would I do then?” asked the fisherman.

“Then you could really enjoy life.”

The fisherman said, “What do you think I am doing right now?”

…and what I am doing now is sitting here writing to you and feeling blessed…feeling centered.