On a recent trip to New York, I was acutely aware of the incessant noise and the lack of silence, amidst all the excitement and energy that is palpable, which I also love. With the constant noise, there also seemed to be a lot of craziness around, with people acting weirdly and some of them even scarily. Is it any wonder that they do so?
What happens when you never experience silence? What is that you might miss?
When you fall silent, you become aware of your own heartbeat. You can hear yourself breathing. You notice the rustling of leaves in the wind. You become aware that there are other forms of life surrounding you. The smallest cricket makes its presence known; you notice the whoop-whoop of a bird’s wings as it flies past. In silence, there is also something else to be found. Something that is indescribable, a presence, a confirmation that there is more to life than what we can hear, see and touch with our physical senses. You can feel the fluttering of your own heart in these moments of silence. A familiar longing, a soft caress, a silent nod of approval.
As you become silent, another space opens up. A space that allows for something new to enter. An inspirational thought, a new idea, a feeling of gratitude. When we allow more of these moments, we allow for magic to enter our experience. There is a sacredness in life that we cannot possible find amidst the noise. Sacred means holy or “whole”. A wholeness that is present if we make time to find it.
It is like the space between the in-breath and the out-breath. The silence between the notes that makes music possible.
Hush now, find that quiet spot.
