A Little Story About Contentment

By Neil James

Through his office window, Daniel regularly notices Su in the nearby park. Calm and happy, Su sits in the same position every day, doing nothing. Daniel eventually builds courage to approach her to ask what she’s up to. He wants to know if she isn’t ever bored, sitting there without doing anything. Su responds that she could never be bored, because she is using 100% of her concentration. Daniel is puzzled when Su explains that she is concentrating on “absolutely nothing”. A friendship starts in which Daniel learns a series of simple tips about how to be happier and more contented. These lessons are shared by Su based on her experience, and they mirror the great wisdoms which have been passed down from philosophers of the ages.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Neil James
• Release date: Jan 10, 2020
• ISBN: 9780463749654

Book preview

A Little Story About Contentment

By Neil James

Text Copyright © 2014 Neil James. All Rights Reserved

Chapter One: A meeting

I noticed her there every day. Same time, same place. Casual clothes, she sat cross-legged and upright in the shade of one of those big trees in the park. She wasn’t reading or eating or listening to music. In fact, she didn’t seem to be doing anything at all. Yet she looked happy and relaxed.

I looked back at the financial report on my desk, trying to absorb figures and projected profits. But what I really wanted to know was what this woman was up to.

I had been trying to work. But, to be completely honest, I was sitting there dreaming about winning the lottery. What could I do with all that money? I could buy anything I wanted. A new car, bigger house, no more going to work, travelling, tropical beaches; free and happy at last.

But, I was intrigued by that woman in the park. Why did she seem to look so happy when she wasn’t doing anything? I had seen her there many times before.

One more glance through my office window prompted action. I pushed the report aside and shrugged on my coat. Strolling across the park I didn’t give myself time to think of an introduction, or about whether approaching a complete stranger in this way was really a very good idea.

Don’t you ever get bored sitting there doing nothing? I asked as soon as I reached her, realizing instantly its various weaknesses as a conversational opener.

To my surprise she smiled warmly. That would be completely impossible.

What an extraordinary remark. Why?

Because I was using one hundred per cent of my mind in concentration.

Concentration on what? I smiled, looking around.

Absolutely nothing, she replied.

Now this may seem odd to you dear reader and I admit that it didn’t make much sense to me at the time. This intriguing individual talked nonsense in an intelligent and welcoming fashion.

Her name was Su. "I’m practicing a technique to focus my mind on the present moment. When I can concentrate attention on the present moment to the exclusion of all else, I feel contentment and happiness. Boredom, impatience, lack of fulfillment and other forms of unhappiness arise mainly because our minds are allowed to wander off into