Silence...What is it?
Absence of sound. Is it? NO...quite the opposite...
It is Stillness in YOUR mind (and your heart of course) .
It is observation of your surroundings.
It is listening, not hearing.
Even silence has a sound...we just don't listen to it.
It is a controlled response and action, not a reaction.
It is slowing down TIME and LIFE as we know it.
Why Silence?
Compulsiveness to consciousness
Everything has a sound – pain, joy, life or death
The entire cosmos has a sound.
Life is an amalgamation of reverberations and sounds.
Sound causes different levels of intent, compulsiveness, and entanglement.
Silence is moving from compulsiveness to consciousness - Sadhguru.
Silence Can Heal
Silence leads to stillness.
Stillness has the ability to heal by joining you with the Universe.
Reconnects you with inner peace.
Provides fortitude.
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Improves Creativity
Silence boosts imagination.
The monotony and solitude of a quiet life stimulates the creative mind – Albert Einstein.
The world’s best creators work in silence. Uninterrupted, unhindered, they unleash pure creative genius.
Out of silence comes the greatest creativity. Not when we are rushing or panicking. – James Altucher
Improves Effective Listening
You listen better, more effectively. You learn more.
You identify opportunities better.
You have a better chance of success in whatever you do.
You are more open to feedback. Improves you and your work.
Makes you aware of your shortcomings.
Widens Perspectives
Silence opens doors to new insights.
Only in silence you can properly listen to own feelings, thoughts, reflections and introspection.
True silence is the rest of the mind; it is to the spirit what sleep is to the body, nourishment and refreshment. – William Penn
Silence Transcends Limitations of Words and Comprehension
Silence is language of gods. All else is a poor translation. - Rumi
In silence, you hear more, comprehend more.
Moments of shared silence conveys more than words.
Promotes Attention Of Others For You
The smarter you get, the less you speak.
The less you speak, the more valuable your words are.
Wise men speak because they have something to say, fools because they have to say something.
Silence makes people listen to you.
Improves Awareness
You improve awareness of your surroundings by increased observation.
You pick up what others miss.
Awareness creates revelation, deeper understanding.
You are solidified silence, awareness. A thousand hours of speech cannot equal one glance; a hundred glances cannot equal a minute of silence.- Sri Sri Ravi Shankar.
Respond Not React
Silence teaches you to respond and not to react.
Between stimulus and response there is –Choice. Silence makes you realize this Choice.
Before you respond to external situations, take a pause. Give yourself time to decide whether it is worth responding to.
Sometimes, silence is the best response.
Better Articulation
Silence helps you choose and articulate your words.
Better to keep silent and be thought as a fool than to speak and remove all doubt.
Silent people have only IMPORTANT things to say.
Quality beats quantity here.
Better Social Circle
Silence makes you a better listener.
Motivates others to open up without judgement.
Helps you earn trust. Silence preferred over verbosity.
Connect better with people, even introverts, who need more understanding.
Silence Makes You Polite
You let others speak and be heard.
You do not react to their frivolous comments.
You do not react and point out obvious flaws in others.
You become a kind person and do not hurt other people through your words.
It shows people that they are important to you and they matter.
You don’t become judgemental.
Decreases Stress
Practiced moments of silence calms the mind and the heart.
Reduces blood pressure and improves blood circulation.
This decreases cortisol, thereby decreasing stress.
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Better Leader- Directive Style
You listen to subordinates and value their ideas.
If the ideas are implement them, it provide real empowerment.
Promotes inclusivity, adds motivation.
Improves productivity through better ideas.
Effective time management through added efficiency.
Prevents Over-Sharing
Your personal life, its facets and secrets are your own.
Oversharing has great demerits.
People tend to use it against you and hurt you.
Always say less than necessary – Robert Greene
Become a Great Planner
Process plans better with deliberation and patience.
Visualize all aspects which you would otherwise miss.
Incorporate all contingencies.
Plan for life’s unpredictability.
Appreciate all scenarios.
Plan all the way to the end – Robert Greene.
You Sound and Become Intelligent
Even a fool who keeps silent is considered wise.
When a fool closes his lips, he is deemed intelligent.
Think before you speak.
A wise old owl lived in an oak,
The more he saw, the less he spoke,
The less he spoke, the more he heard
Why aren’t we all like the wise old bird?
Rise Above Common Masses
The more you say, the more you appear common.
Silence creates respect and fear.
You always have a upper hand. You are always in control.
You do not get agitated. You become objective.
Anger is strategically counter-productive – Robert Greene
Improves Memory
Increases focus.
Stimulates brain growth.
Observation increases neural connections.
Heightens sensitivity of senses, better immersive experience.
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How To Be Silent – Practicing Silence
Focused Articulation
Imagine that you speak 5000 words per day (it actually goes beyond).
Every time you now speak, think of saying all that you mean in 50% less words.
Convey the same meaning, but in half the words.
You have to think about what you speak.
You have to weigh each word.
It’s difficult initially, but over time, can be achieved.
Vow Of Silence
Practiced by monks, sages and hermits.
Requires absolute devotion and purposefulness.
Take a vow of silence. Do not speak.
Initially, for an hour, then graduate to a few more. Eventually, to a day or if possible even further.
Requires extreme dedication and discipline. Not for the faint hearted.
Effective Listening
Let others speak first.
Listen to understand and not to reply.
Be patient. Don’t get judgmental.
Don’t interrupt people.
Think before you speak or reply.
Embrace Silence
Select any time of the day.
Find a relatively quiet place if possible.
Just sit down, anyway you want. On the floor or in the chair.
Keep your spine straight yet comfortable.
Close your eyes, breathe.
Be observant of your surroundings, their sounds and the silence between the sounds.
Subsequently, as you get comfortable, try and observe (just observe, don’t focus) your breath. It is life in itself.
Sounds like meditation? It is. It is the way to connect with Universe.
Silence is meditation.
Bibliography
Discourses of Sadhguru
48 Laws of Power – Robert Greene
Daily Stoic – Ryan Holiday
The Psychology of Money – Morgan Housel
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