Name: Quietism: Why we all need more of it in our lives | BBC Ideas
Uploaded: 2020-04-23T04:36:08.000Z
Duration: 2 min 47 s
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Quietism is a Christian philosophical concept we should all know about

and - if it is not too much of a contradiction -

Well, for something which has ancient historical roots,

favouring disconnection and contemplation over frantic action -

In fact, quietism could be regarded as one important antidote

to the age of overload we find ourselves in.

Forget worldly affairs and just, well… stop.

It's not quite the same as meditation or mindfulness,

And there are parallels with other faiths too.

History books will tell you that quietism began - no pun intended -

Back in the 4th Century, Eastern Orthodox techniques

of good old-fashioned Christian prayer started it off.

But 10 centuries later, the 14th Century Byzantine theologian

St Gregory Palamas gave quietism something of a twist,

which made it flare into widespread use -

There was no name as such for this modern mystical approach back then,

Instead of outward displays like religious chanting and prayer,

he encouraged contemplation and stillness of the mind.

The actual term “quietism” was applied later on

by the 17th Century Spanish priest Miguel de Molinos,

for suggesting that quiet internal reflection

alongside traditional outward, and vocal displays of religiousness -

He was condemned by Pope Innocent the Eleventh

The essence of quietism can also be seen within many other religions.

The Buddhist idea of Dharma has distinctly quietistic values,

with its focus on connecting a person to their being

Quietism is alive and well in modern philosophy,

thanks to the 20th Century Austrian-British giant of thought,

And its influence can be seen clearly these days

quietism is simply a state of calmness or passivity.

And who in this modern, rushing, overwhelming and overloaded world,

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