“The long silences need to be loved, perhaps
more than the words
which arrive
to describe them
in time.”
Franz Wright
Silence can take so many forms can't it? The silence as you sit by yourself; the awkward silence; the silence at the end of the phone when you have to share bad news...but I do think the good silences are the special ones. The silence of companionship; the silence of your own world simply taking place without the rest of the world interrupting.
I like the silence of early mornings - altho of course they are also accompanied by bird chatter and calls; but they are still and silent to my ear. As a student, I liked the city silence after lights were out, trains and buses had stopped running and most had gone to bed and you could wander along the harbour and it was quiet...
Spending time with silence can be hard; but I think it is good if you can learn to spend some time there each day; a few minutes or a few moments, and to be mindful of them. Silence helps me centre myself, and to listen to the quiet inner voice that guides me. So hard to do when there is chatter, noise and distraction.
The eloquence of silence.
Franz Wright
Silence can take so many forms can't it? The silence as you sit by yourself; the awkward silence; the silence at the end of the phone when you have to share bad news...but I do think the good silences are the special ones. The silence of companionship; the silence of your own world simply taking place without the rest of the world interrupting.
I like the silence of early mornings - altho of course they are also accompanied by bird chatter and calls; but they are still and silent to my ear. As a student, I liked the city silence after lights were out, trains and buses had stopped running and most had gone to bed and you could wander along the harbour and it was quiet...
Spending time with silence can be hard; but I think it is good if you can learn to spend some time there each day; a few minutes or a few moments, and to be mindful of them. Silence helps me centre myself, and to listen to the quiet inner voice that guides me. So hard to do when there is chatter, noise and distraction.
The eloquence of silence.
yes, silence. a place i'm comfortable in and sometimes don't want to leave!
ReplyDeleteI agree V - am very happy to stay there sometimes!
DeleteI need "silence" to bring balance to a noisy day. Early morning is my favourite time. I don't mind sharing it with the birds and monkeys :-)
ReplyDeleteI like your inverted commas Robyn - sometimes I just need quiet in my head and that will do it. I imagine your monkeys add a certain something to early morning silence - but so special. Go well.
DeleteHow I love that sentence - the silence of your own world simply taking place without the rest of the world interrupting. Puts the thought in a way I hadn't considered before.
ReplyDeleteCalm and peace and solitude are so important to me and part of my thoughts of silence - but they're so hard to find.
Thanks Charlton, I think silence is important to many of us and takes many forms. Sometimes it is just out of reach, but we love it when we find it. Go well.
DeleteOh yes.
ReplyDeleteIndeed! From one hermit to another...
DeleteHave you read the book 'Silence' by Sarah Maitland? It's fascinating, as she explores the different qualities of silences found in different places, and environments. She also investigates the spiritual and religious interpretations of silence. I have tinnitus, so my world is never completely silent.
ReplyDeleteThanks Jan - I haven't read the book but have just added it to my wish list. I like the way some people can investigate and explore an issue and open up new ways of thinking about it for you. Thanks for sharing. I imagine tinnitus is a constant 'companion'; and one you have to learn to accommodate. Go well.
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