Let me guess what your picturing… calm as a tranquil lake, a soothing sunset, a still forest, a relaxing daybreak etc. Webster defines calm as (1) a period free from storms (2) the complete absence of disturbance (3) free from agitation. But what if this is wrong?
True calm is not peace – not even close. Calm is a skill to be learned, a destination to arrive at and yes, calm is a feeling, but one many people will never feel in their lifetime. Calm is arguably the most important emotion – some call it a superpower, others nirvana, and it is most definitely our bodies’ cure for the trauma we consistently absorb.
While calm embodies a type of quietness, it is an active stillness and composure that exists in the middle of a storm. Perhaps the sentiment that captures it most closely is the infamous (but also very misunderstood) “Keep Calm and Carry On” slogan, borne out of a terrified England during WWII. Biblically, it is the picture of Jesus asleep in the boat during a furious squall (Mark 4). From this place of quiet authority Jesus then tells the waves to “calm down” and they do!
So, how do we achieve this exceptional emotional state? Unlike the other words we’ve delved into there aren’t many resources to point you to. It’s not something you can necessarily read or learn about – it’s something to practice (and even then, it’s elusive). What I can tell you is that I’ve been there (for very short periods of time) and it is not like any other emotion I’ve ever felt. So, I’ll pass along (in their entirety) the vague directions given to me from someone who was quite familiar with the sensation:
1. Sit in one spot (am and pm for 5 minutes), become relaxed with your breathing and mindful with your thoughts,
2. Rather than push away the difficulties and agitations you are dealing with, face them head on,
3. Work on remaining present in the moment while not being moved,
4. Don’t try to remain calm but rather let it find you.
I love a challenge, so I practiced. Daily… for a year. And one day I arrived, only for a couple seconds at first, but it was such a remarkable experience I wanted more.
What about you? I assure you the destination is worth the journey – and the landscape much more exciting and invigorating than a relaxing body of water (although that’s nice too 
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