THE POWER OF SILENCE
Our noise-saturated outer world contrasts sharply with our
inner world of silence. We are inundated daily not only by human noise (i.e.,
conversations, laughter, crying, singing, yelling, etc.) at home, the
workplace, and everywhere else; but also, by the constant, relentless,
attention-getter technology of today (i.e., phones, tablets, computers, etc.
with their rings and notifications) and by the seemingly endless roar of
machines, tools, and toys. The problem is that although we are surrounded by
it, we don’t really notice it because we have gotten accustomed to it. But when this world feels overwhelming and
chaos seems to be getting the best of us, we always have a place of refuge and
a powerful antidote, our inner-self and silence.
Silence can be defined as the complete absence of sound.
Although this generic definition is very comprehensive, in the personal
development or spirituality realm, we are more interested in the human-created
sound because most would consider a walk in the woods, in which the sounds of
nature are present, to still be a time of “silence.” When we talk about sound
or noise, we are talking not only about the noise created by others (people,
machines, etc.) but also the noise created by ourselves especially with our
thoughts and words. True silence is not just about the cessation of
consuming or producing noise but about an inner state of being.
Noise, on the other hand, can be defined as the vibrations
that travel through the air or another medium and can be heard when they reach
a person's or animal's ear; or a sound, especially one that is loud or
unpleasant or that causes disturbance. In the personal development or
spirituality realm, noise is a synonym of ignorance and confusion. It is an
indication that the mind is still preoccupied with the trials and tribulations
of the world. Noise denotes egoism and attraction and aversion to the material
world. It is the source of the modifications of the mind and the afflictions.
Noise is suffering, which the mind fails to contain when it is driven by
passions and desires. Only silence can lead us to our true potential.
Silence can be awkward for many, and even scary. Dead air time
on the radio or TV makes us anxious. When a discussion, conference, or lecture
lulls at the beginning or during the meeting, we become uneasy. We want
somebody to say something! We turn on the TV, listen to music, or play with our
phones to hear the voice of another human being or to entertain ourselves, to
fend off the loneliness and the silence around. Basically, we are not
accustomed to silence and have not been taught the value of it. So, when it is
quiet, we feel we must make noise. Learning to exercise after a sedentary life takes
patience, tenacity, courage, and the willingness to tolerate setbacks. So
is learning to be silent!
This single word “Silence” holds the key to all the
mysteries of humankind. Inner silence has nothing to do with speaking or
not speaking, it is beyond both. It is about something deeper, about quieting
the mind, not being busy inside. Inner silence also carries the idea of
refraining from judgment, staying away from being anchored in the past and the
future, and being at once absent from the world of busy-ness and at the same
time present in the moment. It can only be experienced, when you are completely
relaxed and reach a state of “thoughtlessness” which is the highest state of
consciousness. “Silence or Mauna (in Sanskrit) is deeper than merely
refraining from talking―it is the peaceful, unmoving, always present silent
state of the Self, beyond all constructs of “noise.” - Ramana Maharshi
Most people usually remain lost in words, and thus forget to
embrace silence. They are at the stage of life, where words mean more than
silence. But silence has a great significance for those who have undertaken the
personal development or spiritual path. Without silence, you cannot progress
far on this path. You will not become receptive to other dimensions different
than this physical dimension in which we live. It is in the silence of your
mind that the divine pours wisdom and works its wonders. In Hindu spiritual
tradition, the practice of silence is exemplified by the tradition of Munis,
the silent ones. It is through total silence of their minds and bodies, they
cross all barriers to reach the doors of Brahman.
What happens when one is silent for a long period?
Eventually, those who are ripe for liberation have to end their egoistic
struggle and enter the realm of silence where their minds become silent and the
veil of their ignorance becomes dissolved in the light of wisdom. The outer
noise goes first, and then the inner noise starts to evaporate. Soon, quiet
reigns everywhere, it seems. Time slows to a crawl. Sound becomes a
curiosity—natural sounds, especially like the flow of water, the singing of the
birds, or the rustle and sway of tall grass or trees, become occasions for
deeper listening and lead to the most profound inner calm.
The preferred tool: meditation. Anybody who can walk the path
of meditation persistently and with patience can manage to rediscover the inner
kingdom, which is currently lost in the cyclone of mundanity (ego). True
silence is essential to prepare the mind and body for the journey of
liberation. Practicing the spiritual discipline of silence helps to restore
the peace and clarity that eludes the soul.
This practice increases our capacity for contemplation. It enables us to
focus our attention on deep matters of the heart and soul. It is where we can
commune with things greater than the cacophony all around us and where we can
explore dimensions out of the reach of materiality.
This happens, when your “I” is not present and when your
desires, ambitions, expectations, aversions, fears... are dissolved completely,
and you reach a state of nothingness. The unknown will start to manifest. You
become like an empty vessel, and then the divine starts to play its dance
through you. The objective of all meditations is to quiet the mind so that your
real state of joy can be revived. Once you experience your being, you will be
intoxicated with peace and bliss.
A few final
words about silence. Silence is the expression of emptiness, of an empty
mind; the unequivocal answer to anything and everything; and the careful
articulation of thoughts that never rose up. It is the language of the soul,
emptiness, words of wisdom. It is the
beginning, the space between, and the end of words. The quality of words
depends on the inner silence. Real wisdom does not come from books or
knowledge. It comes from inner silence, from experience, from knowing. To
listen, you must learn to be silent. A silent mind is a receptive mind. It is
passively active to assimilate and process whatever comes in any way that it
comes. Silence is our true nature, a divine, infinite nature!
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Author: Maurice Correa
Website: pathtoone.com
Blog: p2oblog.blogspot.com
This is wonderful, thank you Maurice
ReplyDeleteI was talking about silence and the art of listening with someone today. Listen and Silent use the same six letters!
Thank you Wendy. I am glad you enjoyed it.
ReplyDelete