By Victor Pachin
Quiet . . . silence . . . tranquility . . . These are qualities of life seldom enjoyed in modern times. Modern life does not leave us much room for silence. Radios blare, phones ring incessantly and television news is a staple during evening meals. Couples raising children express concern they often go weeks without sharing a peaceful, quiet, silent moment together. More than a century ago, Irish author Oscar Wilde labeled us "the noisiest country that ever existed."
Yet, incorporating silence into daily living is both possible and desirable. In order to make silence a presence rather than an absence, you have to earn it and work for it. The effort is worthwhile because it results in greater introspection, sensitivity, and creativity.
Bernie S. Siegel, MD, author of several best-selling books including Love, Medicine and Miracles says "we're all so accustomed to the hustle-bustle of modern life that it's easy to forget the beauty and importance of being still and quiet…when the intellectual mind is replaced by the inner voices of your body and spirit that life's toughest problems can be solved - and healing and peace can be achieved." Introducing even a little bit of quiet time reduces the tension.
Think before you speak. Try to observe, analyze and restructure your speech habits. Before you speak, rapidly and routinely ask yourself these four important questions:
Are my words necessary?
Are my words true?
Are my words kind?
Are my words useful?
If every word you speak must first pass your test, you may find yourself speaking less frequently.
While much about the hectic, noisy pace of life is beyond our control, there are some areas over which we do have control. Rather than fill in the natural silences of life with noise, simply turn it off. Try turning off the car radio while driving, or set aside one hour a week or a day when no one in your family will turn on the television.
Learn Meditation
Practicing silent meditation not only deepens our link to a higher power but also to ourselves. Sit quietly with your eyes closed. Pay attention to your breathing feeling the air go in and out. When your mind drifts, go with the flow. Assess what is transpiring.
Establish a regular time each day for personal silence. At first glance this may seem impossible, yet most people can easily accommodate a few minutes of quiet each day.
No matter how busy your workload, demand 15 minutes for your silence and yourself. Employers give breaks—make sure to take yours.
Go outdoors, sit silently and observe a sunset or sunrise. Listen to the wind in the trees or enjoy the scent of a flower. Spending quiet time with nature is invigorating and inspiring. Annie Dillard, winner of a Pulitzer Prize for her book, Pilgrim at Tinker Creek, had to be absolutely still in order to study muskrats. She not only learned about the little creatures but about herself during those quiet times. "My own self-awareness disappeared . . . I have often noticed that even a few minutes of this self-forgetfulness is tremendously invigorating. I wonder if we do not waste most of our energy just by spending every waking minute saying hello to ourselves."
Many groups offer spiritual retreats lasting anywhere from an evening to a weekend and even longer. Look over some of their literature and be sure that some space for silence is built into the program. Begin with something which feels comfortable for your own spiritual style. A weeklong silent retreat may be much more than you can deal with but perhaps an evening or daylong retreat would be a good start.
Finally, when incorporating more silence into your life, be inspired by these words from nineteenth century writer William Arthur Ward: "The greatest ideas, the most profound thoughts, and the most beautiful poetry are born from the womb of silence."
Victor Parachin is a freelance writer and a frequent contributor to RWM.
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September/October 2007 - Time Out
Give Yourself the Silent Treatment: Ways to Cultivate Peace and Quiet
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