Yesterday I was writing about the importance of silence in my life. Silence is really like a treasure for me and I always like to be in silence, no matter where I am, abroad or in the Ashram. The meaning of silence is for me not anymore that hard and strict discipline of silence which I have done before, in which you strictly don’t talk at all.
When I was doing that, I never liked the use of sign language very much. Many people use sign language during their silent time which actually costs more energy than talking. Then the silence doesn’t give you anything back. The purpose is to save energy but only in trying to make somebody understand, you will spend four times more time than saying a simple sentence. So you actually spend even more energy than while talking. I preferred to be fully in silence.
Now I overall don’t make this kind of hard rule but generally like to talk less. I really love and prefer if I can say what I want to say in a minimum of words. In this way I can be in silence in a normal, natural way.
Related posts
Giving unpleasant answers can be avoided by not answering at all – 21 Mar 13
Listening to Silence – Being Tired of Noise – 2 Jul 10
Required for Being in Silence: a Calm Mind – 7 Nov 09
Silence Therapy and why People Like to Talk in the West – 6 Nov 09
Do not Be Disappointed if I prefer being in Silence – 5 Nov 09
Avoid Problems with Silence – 3 Nov 09
One Hour of Free Advice? No Thank You! – 8 Oct 09
Importance of Silence – Save your Energy! – 7 Oct 08
Habit of Talking and Difficulties with Silence – 25 Jan 08
of course! its the silence of the mind not the voice
My friend, Swami Ji, do you refer to the simple silence of merely refraining from speaking? or do you refer to the Silence, wherein there is much to be heard? or both? It occurs to me that, since communication requires a two-way effort (both conveying a message and being receptive to messages), never observing the Silence, is like having a one-way conversation with God! Nobody likes to chat with someone who does ALL the talking!
Of course! Makes sense, but as a deaf person, who doesn’t sign, I lipread very well, which means people don’t actually have to use their voice with me if not desired! Silence is sometimes preferred, especially with meditation, but silence for one who doesn’t hear isn’t a good option usually. Is something one can’t do anything about, has to be accepted…….
Dear Colleen, I think the answer to your question is in the sequence of this topic in my diary. My dear silent Joanna, of course I was talking about the silence of the mind. I love your silent love and the way you express it.