The Riddle of Rest - More To That

The Riddle of Rest - More To That

Neuroscientists are now finding evidence for what the Daoists have known for millennia: that in any given moment, the mind is engaged in a tug-of-war along two fronts. The first front is the mind’s tendency to aimlessly wander. To let thought bounce around from one point to the next, and to do so in an uninhibited manner. The second front is the mind’s tendency to fixate on one specific thing. It has the keen ability to ignore the innumerable sensory inputs that are competing for attention, and to instead direct it toward an identifiable object of focus. And as this happens, all the thoughts about what you need to get done and what you need to accomplish take center stage again.

In essence, this is simply how the mind works. In the same way that darkness cannot be identified without the knowledge of light, wandering cannot be understood without the ability to focus. We all know that rest is important, but what is it exactly? Interestingly, the answers to all those questions can be “yes,” even if they contradict one another. And the reason is that ultimately, rest is when you’re not associating your self-worth with what you have to do next. There’s this stark reminder of something that snaps you out of the moment, and pivots your mind to the future.

Whenever you’re thinking of something you have to do next, you are no longer resting. And chances are, whatever you have to do next is either to fulfill a responsibility to another or to prove to yourself that you’re competent. There is a subtle notion of self-worth being smuggled into the picture, knowing that you what you have to do next occupies the domain of interacting with others. That’s why rest is ultimately about doing things that have nothing to do with the furthering of your place in society.

The reason why a still lake is the archetype for a still mind is because it flows without any intention. The currents softly rise without breaking, and in the instances where it does, it happens without aggression. Rest is to take those moments to understand that you’re not defined by what you produce, and to be okay with whatever you are. It’s to allow that emptiness of mind to prolong whenever you see something beautiful, and to understand that this is not an anomaly, but a glimpse into the reality of what truly is.

Learning is a Lifelong Process

Although learning patterns vary from person to person, no one will ever learn anything by themselves. Even if you’re studying alone in your room at midnight, you’re still reading or listening to something that was previously learned, and then curated by someone else for teaching purposes. Collective learning is how humans got smarter across generations. That’s how you know someone has learned something: when they can explain it simply.

“The deepest ‘aha's’ spring from an encounter and then a return”. “Every day, it gets a little easier. But you gotta do it every day. That’s the hard part.” Read articles, and as you read them, highlight important passages and take notes. Revisit those notes whenever you feel it’s necessary. Little by little, you’ll be feeding your brain with brand new ideas that will be useful throughout your life.

Learning Means “Borrowing” Ideas From Different Sources, and Making Connections With Your Own

Glasp is a Web Highlighter with a deeper purpose: allowing users to leave a digital legacy by making the insights they’ve collected available to others. The most exciting part is: your highlights and notes could also become fodder for someone else’s learning process. With Glasp, we’re all borrowing one another’s notes to be increasingly productive, organized, and above all, smart.

Learning is About Finding Comfort in Discomfort

The more purposefully you live, the more you’ll learn. Most importantly, leave a legacy. You have no idea how many people could get smarter because of you.

Incorporating the ideas from both the riddle of rest and the concept of lifelong learning, we can see that there are common points between them. Rest is not just about physical relaxation, but also about freeing the mind from the constant need to prove one's worth through productivity. It is about finding stillness and embracing the beauty of the present moment. Similarly, learning is not a solitary activity, but a collective effort that involves borrowing ideas from others and making connections with our own experiences.

To apply these insights in our daily lives, here are three actionable pieces of advice:

1. Practice mindfulness and meditation to cultivate a state of rest in your mind. Take moments throughout the day to observe your thoughts and let them pass without judgment. Allow yourself to detach from the need to constantly be doing and achieving.

2. Embrace the concept of lifelong learning by actively seeking out new knowledge and perspectives. Engage in reading, listening, and learning from various sources. Take notes and revisit them to reinforce your understanding and make connections with your own experiences.

3. Share your insights and knowledge with others through platforms like Glasp. By leaving a digital legacy, you can contribute to the collective learning of humanity and help others become smarter.

In conclusion, rest and learning are interconnected aspects of our human experience. By understanding the riddle of rest and embracing the concept of lifelong learning, we can find balance and fulfillment in our lives. Remember to prioritize moments of rest, engage in continuous learning, and leave a legacy for others to benefit from.