"To summarize, this book is about the idea that what's at the core of a good life, a flourishing human existence, is something that Rosa calls "resonance." "resonance" is just some kind of vibration or harmonization between the individual and the rest of the world. You could use lots of other metaphors, but it's basically about being "in tune" in a certain way."
"Like his New York Times best-selling "Four Thousand Weeks," "Meditations" aims to help readers who feel overwhelmed by the self-perpetuating demands of modern times-the growing lists of e-mails to address, books to read, places to go, and projects of self-improvement to begin-by accepting that life is finite and that so, too, is what we can do in it. Indeed, accepting its finitude is a crucial step toward sanity, freedom, and happiness."
"Rosa points out that the whole movement of modern civilization has been toward more control over the world, and he contends that the reason modern life feels dead and empty for so many of us is because, actually, we need more non-control than modern life allows. The book is absolutely full of quite mundane examples where you're just, like, "Oh, yes, that is exactly right!""
Life is finite, and accepting its limits reduces overwhelm created by endless tasks, unread emails, unread books, and continual self-improvement projects. Embracing finitude enables clearer priorities and a greater capacity for joy, sanity, and freedom. The concept of resonance describes a harmonizing relationship with the world that feels like being "in tune" and relies on receptivity rather than exerting control. Modern civilization’s push for increased control can deaden experience by crowding out non-control and spontaneous connection. Mundane examples reveal how moments of wonder arise from lack of control. Prioritizing limited attention and embracing non-control supports flourishing and well-being.
Read at The New Yorker
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