One of those Polish words that doesn't click into place with a one-for-one translation into English is zastanawiać się. A reflexive verb in Polish, it translates (roughly) as 'to wonder (about)', 'to reflect (upon)', 'to think (of)', 'to ponder', 'to contemplate', 'to puzzle (over)' something. A Polish synonym would be skłaniać do refleksji, which Google Translate renders as 'to provoke reflection'
So. Człowiek, który nie zastanawia się is 'the person who doesn't wonder (about something); doesn't reflect (on something); doesn't contemplate (something). The English equivalents are non-reflexive. But then an English reflexive verb denotes that the subject and object are the same person ('I wash myself'). Note too: Stanowić (without any prefix) means 'to constitute' or 'to determine'. Ustanowić means to establish, to enact, to legislate, to appoint. Postanowić means 'to decide'
This, by way of introduction to a thought I jotted down a while ago:
The person who contemplates not? The non-pondering person? What is it that they do not ponder? Well - everything and anything - contemplation is not their thing; it's not what they do. Reflection - self-reflection; "I just get on with it. If I spent all my time contemplating, I'd never get anything done". "You never achieve anything by philosophising about life, the Universe, everything." "I consider myself to be a practical person, not a theorist".
The self-described 'practical person' rarely has time for consideration of the great questions of existence - why are we here, what's the point of it all, why is there something rather than nothing. By not contemplating such existential issues, all that's left with is matter. Materialism. Ownership and status. What I have is who I am [relative to others] - a vain existence devoid of the rich inner world of the observant and curious person whose mind is restless in its zastanowienie.
Contemplation, over time, honing one's own worldview in light of experience and argument, does lead to a greater peace of mind, a happier and more joyous life. But is this a matter of choice or birth? Nature or nurture?
The feeling of being grateful is essential to living the contemplative life. Whatever you have - spiritual ease, peace of mind, health - be grateful for it and don't lapse into complacency.
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2 comments:
I can't help thinking that some would find the seeking of meaning altogether too distracting. Just take the money and buy stuff without asking why one does that particular job. Don't open a Pandora's box of contemplation that might lead to a disruptive change of career or even life direction.
@WHP
I wonder whether the current splurge of Big Pharma R&D cash on psychedelic drugs/remedies isn't a bit like this... curing mental illnesses where a one-track way of thinking needs to be disrupted for new (presumably) healthier thoughts to emerge. Only problem that the corporates face is how to monetise this effect - I'm reading that two doses normally does the trick, it's not something you need to take for a lifetime = low profits.
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