in sich ruhen

17:28 Feb 16, 2016 

I think in this particular case all options were valid!

16:25 Feb 16, 2016 

That was actually a mistake on my part. I wanted to put ALL suggestions in the kudoz open glossary, and actually give the points to Danik - NOT because I think Edwin's answer is weniger valid, but simply because Danik was here first (which does NOT detract from her suggestion!!) There's no possible way to exit gracefully from this dilemma, so I'll just thank you all most kindly for your excellent and enlightening suggestions, ALL of which will find their way into my current project. Muito obrigada!

22:08 Feb 15, 2016 

...totally focused and self-absorbed.

20:34 Feb 15, 2016 

...with oneself' by itself, I might go with. But not "...and the world", because an "Insichruhender" can very well be quite oblivious to the world.

17:45 Feb 15, 2016 

of a piece, all there? Nah! too colloquial

17:22 Feb 15, 2016 

I also like 'being at one with oneself (and the world)'. My aim is to get this in the KOG. Equable, balanced, centered all make sense to me, as I am familiar with the condition ;-). But what if you want to relatte an image that many people have not experienced? Hence...

17:12 Feb 15, 2016 

http://dict.leo.org/ende/index_de.html#/search=in sich ruhen...
My spontaneous idea: to be at one with oneself (the world wide web does not like this translation but I see that Edwin Miles makes a similiar suggestion)
Langenscheidts Handwörterbuch offers:
ein in sich ruhender Mensch = an equable person
Pons Collins Großwörterbuch doesn't want to know

17:03 Feb 15, 2016 

has been my ultimate choice thus far, but I also feel that it loses its power when used too often. Other options I have (over) used are tranquil, placid, quietude. Ergo, this question....

16:45 Feb 15, 2016 

"at one with himself and the world" might also do the job.

16:36 Feb 15, 2016 

...you weren't. And yes, that is also quite true.

16:32 Feb 15, 2016 

... that you should be wordy for the sake of it, but simply saying that sometimes you need more than one word to convey the full flavour of the German.

16:24 Feb 15, 2016 

No there's not, but I like to keep things as concise as possible. It's one of my trademarks. Unless the text iself is flowery, which is one isn't, I'm hesitant to add to it.

16:19 Feb 15, 2016 

... there is nothing to stop you using a combination of terms, such as "calm and self-possessed", or even "serene and self-possessed" if you want to be more flowery.

16:00 Feb 15, 2016 

is narrative (duh). The author is sharing an experience that touched her deeply, but it is not a single event, it is person. The idiom can be used in many contexts, but it's major atmosphere is one of composure, serenity, peacefulness, connectedness...

15:57 Feb 15, 2016 

It's not much help, as the sentences are often fragmented:
wie gesagt - herr xxx ruht in sich
man konnte herrn xxx bei der arbeit zusehen. tief konzentriert
und in sich ruhend.

15:50 Feb 15, 2016 

At least the complete sentence, please!