"Silence is something that comes from your heart, not from outside. Silence doesn’t mean not talking and not doing things; it means that you are not disturbed inside. If you’re truly silent, then no matter what situation you find yourself in you can enjoy the silence".
Thich Nhat Hanh
Every now and again I get besotted with the notion of silence. I read loads about it; I buy books where people explore their experiences of it; I imagine a silent life; I contemplate how my life would be should I choose to be silent...I wonder how being silent differs from living in silence and so on.
This quote offers me a slightly different take on silence. I think he is suggesting that silence isn't necessarily environmental; nor is it a deliberate action or lack of action (speech).
I think where this is headed is into the realm mindfulness, awareness and calmness. It seems to be possible for silence to be an attitude; a culmination of internal experiences which enable you to have a quiet stillness about you, and about your mind and your spirit.
I think that Thich Nhat Than is suggesting that a sense of internal quiet, stillness and calm is what we seek when we are seeking silence...
Thich Nhat Hanh
Every now and again I get besotted with the notion of silence. I read loads about it; I buy books where people explore their experiences of it; I imagine a silent life; I contemplate how my life would be should I choose to be silent...I wonder how being silent differs from living in silence and so on.
This quote offers me a slightly different take on silence. I think he is suggesting that silence isn't necessarily environmental; nor is it a deliberate action or lack of action (speech).
I think where this is headed is into the realm mindfulness, awareness and calmness. It seems to be possible for silence to be an attitude; a culmination of internal experiences which enable you to have a quiet stillness about you, and about your mind and your spirit.
I think that Thich Nhat Than is suggesting that a sense of internal quiet, stillness and calm is what we seek when we are seeking silence...
your post has me singing that Simon and Garfunkel song 'The Sound of Silence' from so long ago!
ReplyDeleteHi Mo - I always love the connections and associations that we discover - and music is potent isn't it? Go well.
DeleteHow the movement of letters and their subtle lightening gives a sense of sinking down into a quiet place ... so very meditative
ReplyDeleteThank you Liz - this was a practice piece on handmade paper that never went anywhere...but looking back I like it still and the quietness it drifts into...go well.
DeleteAnother golden Thursday thought, thank you. Internal quiet, stillness and calm is something to search for and welcome in.
ReplyDeleteThanksLouise! Sometimes the words that select themselves have much to offer, and I enjoy the practice of pondering upon them. Silence is a fascination to me, and definitely something I seek and aspire to in this way. Go well - I love the notion of welcoming silence...
Delete...silence has such a different meaning for me..in he now..the past year..as my husband..who is ill..this brilliant man ..whose words have filled the past 50 years of my life ..our lives with so many thoughts ..shared observations..words of importance..silliness..that they become increasingly rare ..this is a silence so deep so impenetrable ..so unimaginable...this is a depth of silence that is unreal..and reality...i looked at your work..and its graceful presence here on my screen in such a still and silent house and realize i am crying..it apparently is touching me in a way so unexpected..gentle day fiona
ReplyDeleteDear Cyn - thank you for your words. I sat with them for a long time this morning, recognising how many different silences there are. The silence of which you speak is a much harder and tougher and sadder silence than one that is sought willingly or mindfully. To lose the words and all they have conveyed; the backdrop to your life, creates a dark silence, if silence can be or have a colour. In that sort of silence only your thoughts get echoed - there is no call and response. I hope you had a gentle day also - go gently...
Delete