Silence is Golden

Stop.

Close your eyes.

Take a deep breath.

Shut out the world around you.

Taking time to be engulfed in quietness is all too rare in today’s world.

It is by practicing silence, that we can find out who we really are. 

Constant noise is a companion to modern life, with television, car radios, cell phones, and other people’s conversations around us, we are rarely in silence.

Even in the most beautiful music there are some silences, which are there so we can witness the importance of silence.

Andrea Bocelli

Silence can be very powerful if we take the time to experience it. Many religious groups recognize the importance of silence and the opportunity for self-contemplation and connection to our inner being.

We need to learn how to bring this practice into our everyday lives.  By giving ourselves time every day to experience silence, we will feel calmer and an overall better sense of well-being. 

He who does not understand your silence will probably not understand your words.

Elbert Hubbard

Benefits of Silence:

1. Break from work which increases productivity 
2. Elevates awareness of other senses
3. Brings awareness back to the present time
4. Improves memory
5. Increases self-awareness
6. Aids in creativity
7. Helps release emotional tension

When we are in a social situation, silence can be an important way of communicating with those around us.  Silence can mean we agree with the statement or we disagree with it.  There are times when our meaning is misconstrued because of this.  It may come across that we are trying to conceal our true feelings with our silence.  Maybe we are doing just that.  It may be easier to be silent than to dissent with the opinions of others.  However, our silence may be taken as an agreement or acceptance of the conversation.  

“Nothing strengthens authority so much as silence.” 

Leonardo da Vinci

The ability to be silent comfortably with another person is often a sign of friendship, love, and security.  When we don’t feel the need to fill the silence with another person, we share an intimacy.  If we are uncomfortable with the silence, it may denote we are not that close with the other person.  

Many times while driving I will leave the radio off.  I resist the temptation to listen to an audio book, podcast, or music and just experience the silence.  Now it is not totally silent as I have the noise of my car and those other cars around me, but the absence of any other “noise” fills me with peace and serenity.  It allows me to process the thoughts in my head and relieve some stress.

In today’s world of this pandemic and quarantine, while we may find ourselves alone, it is extremely important to take some time and experience silence.  Turn off all devices and sit quietly with yourself every day for 10 minutes.  You will learn why “Silence is Golden.”