yikes! and here i always thought the golden rule was an ethic of reciprocity. you know. do unto others as you would have them do unto you. but the cookie has a point. after all, silence is the loudest scream. even mother theresa told us that "we need silence to be able to touch souls" and lao tzu told us that "silence is a source of great strength."
it is in silence, with the mouth shut, that i meditate each morning, though i strive to carry that meditation out into my daily activities...including into my speech. if jeremy taylor is correct in that "meditation is the tongue of the soul and the language of our spirit," then keeping one's mouth shut and speeking with silence during meditation, one can truly touch souls as mother theresa admonished.
there are countless thinkers and great spiritual leaders who have imparted the wisdom of silence. confucious told us that "silence is the true friend that never betrays.” emily dickinson wrote that "saying nothing...sometimes says the most.” mahatma gandhi told us that "in the attitude of silence the soul finds the path in an clearer light, and what is elusive and deceptive resolves itself into crystal clearness.” even helen keller shared with us her ideas on silence: "everything has its wonders, even darkness and silence, and I learn, whatever state I may be in, therein to be content.”
sometimes our lives are too full of words. spoken words. written words. thought words. is it any wonder i find the silence of meditation so refreshing and edifying? don't get me wrong...there is definitely a place for words and noise and buzz of daily life...but i think i shall focus a little more on silence. or at least on being silent and allowing the buzz to hum around me. open my ears and eyes. drink it all in. allow it all to simply be.
namaste'
Hello Joe...that is what I love so much about doing hand-work...the feeling of silence...even in the midst of hubbub...thank you...
ReplyDeleteI too love silence. I used to have noise all the time, but now, no radio, no tv just quiet. It calms and refreshes. xoxo
ReplyDeleteso true, suzanna. the silence that wraps ones shoulders with its gentle warmth whilst stitching, or doing other hand work, is so comforting...
ReplyDeleteoh, annie, i am not there yet. i ditched the tv (except when i'm running a movie on it) but haven't managed to 86 the radio yet. marcel marceau once said "music and silence combine strongly because music is done with silence, and silence is full of music." and this has always haunted my thoughts in silence. so, too, has music. it feeds my soul and inspires my mind. but perhaps this is because i don't randomly listen to whatever noise is being passed off as music on the radio any more...but have an extensive collection of music from around the world that i listen to?
ReplyDeleteJoe, like Annie, I have mostly shut down the sounds in my house during the day when I work on my art. It lets me connect better to the part of me that doesn't think in language. I always used to be inspired by music, but lately only when I am cleaning or cooking for company, to put me in a party mood! If there are any particular musicians you find inspirational for creative times, I would be most appreciative of your suggestions.
ReplyDeleteTwyla Tharp comments on silence being a reminder of "the difference between what's worth saying and what isn't". How true - thank you for a good morning thought.
ReplyDeleteI am a great fan of silence...although there is really no such thing. During the day while I am working on my various projects I have no radio, music or television on...however, there are a lot of sounds from inside and outside of the house.
ReplyDeleteI am silent myself, although my mind is active and not silent.
At the same time I feel peaceful...as most of the time the sounds and thoughts that come to me are peaceful.
that is so true, mo'ar. even after over 20 years of meditation practice, and finding relative peace in mind, mind is still active. one can only sit and observe the thoughts as they pass through mind. not engage in them. then, one can truly find peace.
ReplyDeletepeaceful thoughts, unrestful thoughts. all cause longing or aversion and seed distress when they are engaged...
namaste'
LOL - I like that!
ReplyDeleteIndeed I love silence. I crave silence. I just wish I could meditate... the harder I try, the harder it is. I can keep my mouth quite, but not my mind!