Autumn is a season of beauty and reflection, especially for those of us from New England. October brings cloudless skies, cooler temperatures, and stunning foliage, making it a favorite time of year. However, for academics, October also marks the beginning of a busy semester, filled with grading and deadlines, yet it offers a momentary pause with Indigenous Peoples Day, allowing for reflection and a chance to breathe.
As the leaves change color and fall, they symbolize the inevitable cycles of life and death. The beauty of autumn reminds us of our own mortality, a truth that can be unsettling yet profound. In the autumn of our lives, we can still find joy and productivity, but we must confront the reality that everything has an end.
In my later sixties, I have learned to cultivate a space of peace amidst the chaos of daily life. Despite the stressors of current events and personal challenges, I have discovered that we possess the tools to create a sense of respite within ourselves. This realization was reinforced during a recent seminar I taught on the philosopher Michel de Montaigne, whose radical skepticism encourages us to question our certainties and embrace contentment.
Montaigne's insights resonate with the teachings of Paul in the New Testament, who, from his prison cell, expressed the importance of being content in all circumstances. Both Montaigne and Paul highlight that peace and contentment are choices we can make, not random occurrences. They remind us of the power of gentleness, the importance of focusing on virtuous thoughts, and the need to guard our hearts and minds against turmoil.
Ultimately, the shared wisdom of Montaigne and Paul encourages us to seek our truest selves in moments of quiet. In that stillness, we can find God and the peace that surpasses all understanding.