Gelassenheit
Gelassenheit was a German word for tranquil submission used in the Christian mystical tradition. It has continued in English in two distinct usages:
- in Heideggerian usage,
Often translated as "releasement",[27] Heidegger's concept of Gelassenheit has been explained as "the spirito of disponibilité [availability] before What-Is which permits us simply to let things be in whatever may be their uncertainty and their mystery."[28] Heidegger elaborated the idea of Gelassenheit in 1959, with a homonymous volume which includes two texts: a 1955 talk entitled simply Gelassenheit,[29] and a 'conversation' (Gespräch) entitled Zur Erörterung der Gelassenheit: Aus einem Feldweggespräch über das Denken[30] ("Towards an Explication of Gelassenheit: From a Conversation on a Country Path about Thinking",[31] or "Toward an Emplacing Discussion [Erörterung] of Releasement [Gelassenheit]: From a Country Path Conversation about Thinking").[32] An English translation of this text was published in 1966 as "Conversation on a Country Path about Thinking".[32][33] Heidegger borrowed the term from the Christian mystical tradition, proximately from Meister Eckhart.[31][34][35]
- in the Anabaptist tradition
- An important part of Amish life is Gelassenheit (pronounced [ɡəˈlasn̩haɪt] (listen)), yieldedness, letting be, or submission to the will of God (in modern German approximately: composure, tranquility, serenity). This concept derives from the Bible when Jesus said, "not my will but thine be done,"[8] thereby making individuality, selfishness, and pride, abhorrent (see humility). "He submits to Christ, loses his own will, and yields (Gelassenheit) himself in all areas."[9] Serving others and submitting to God, therefore, permeates all aspects of Amish life. A person’s personality must be modest, reserved, calm, and quiet. The values which must be apparent in a believer’s actions are submission, obedience, humility, and simplicity. Gelassenheit should be the overriding aspect for every person within the Amish community, and it must be viewable through actions and possessions.[10] Lamentations 3:26 "quietly wait," "in the Froschauer [German] Bible reads 'in Gelassenheit' (instead of quietly) – one probable Biblical reference that helped to establish this important 'Anabaptist term.'"[11]
