"Stillness is an undisturbed state of the intellect,
the calm of a free and joyful soul, . . . light,
an unsleeping watchfulness, . . .
untroubled repose in the midst of great hardship,
and, finally, solidarity and union with God."97
(Nikitas Stithatos, Philokalia: The Eastern Christian Spiritual Texts — Selections Annotated & Explained)

"There are three virtues connected with stillness: . . .
self-control,98 silence,99 and self-reproach,
which is the same thing as humility."100
(Saint Gregory of Sinai, Philokalia: The Eastern Christian Spiritual Texts — Selections Annotated & Explained)

97 "Ultimately you want to achieve an active stillness, a state of being that allows you the capacity to do all that needs doing without unnecessary effort, without coercion, and without the delusion of controlling results. In the meantime, be content with making time each day to cultivate stillness. Practice watching the mind and its madness and observing the heart and its passions without attachment or judgment."

98 "Self-control is the control of behavior rather than thought and feelings. By the time you know you have thought a negative thought, the negative thought has already been thought, so what can you do about it? By the time you know you are feeling a negative emotion, the emotion has already been felt, so what can you do about it? Thoughts are only known after they are thought; feelings are only known after they are felt. This is not a failure on your part, but simply the nature of things. But this is not true of actions. Actions most often are chosen. Actions most often are based on and excused by thoughts and feelings. Watching thoughts and feelings without attachment allows you to choose to act without compulsion."

99 "Silence is the state of quiet, nonjudgmental watching of mind and heart."

100 "Humility is the natural result of accepting the fact that your thoughts and feelings are beyond your control."