Thursday Thoughts...

“Silence is essential for deep transformation. It allows the practice of conscious breathing to become deep and effective. Like still water that reflects things as they are, the calming silence helps us to see things more clearly; to be in deeper contact with ourselves and those around us.” 

Thich Nhat Hanh

I was thinking about another one of my favourite quotes "Peace is every step" today (which is also by Thich Nhat Hanh) and then as I perused my collection of quotes for the theme of "Life" I came across this one which made me stop and ponder.

I really like quiet. I operate much better as a human when I am not caught up amongst much noise. Cacophony does not work for me. 

Silence can be different to quiet, and I love how he expresses the power of silence here.

Silence really allows you to go deep, to become more aware and for things to become clearer.  The imagery of stilled water and its reflections is perfect. Perhaps silence allows other things to fall away, perhaps it allows us to focus better because we aren't being distracted or startled.

I wondered if the silence needed to be purposeful - that we chose the silence; or would it work similarly if we were to find ourselves somewhere, surrounded by silence.  I imagine it works both ways. Pondering it all has made me think that choosing to find, and be, in moments or periods of silence is probably really, really healthy, if not perhaps essential, for some of us.

Still water reflection in the Highlands...