The Art of Stillness: Adventures in Going Nowhere (TED Books)

by Pico Iyer

Sitting still as a way of falling in love with the world and everything in it;

Going nowhere as a way of cutting through the noise and finding fresh time and energy to share with others;

“The greatest weapon against stress is our ability to choose one thought over another.”

as soon as I was in one place, undistracted, the world lit up and I was as happy as when I forgot about myself.

And it’s only by going nowhere—by sitting still or letting my mind relax—that I find that the thoughts that come to me unbidden are far fresher and more imaginative than the ones I consciously seek out.

In an age of speed, I began to think, nothing could be more invigorating than going slow. In an age of distraction, nothing can feel more luxurious than paying attention. And in an age of constant movement, nothing is more urgent than sitting still.

But if you want to come back feeling new—alive and full of fresh hope and in love with the world—I think the place to visit may be Nowhere.