Silence is so powerful, yet so rare today.
The greatest gift of silence is that it’s always accessible. Whether you’re a seasoned meditator or new to the practice, you can tap into silence to bring yourself to deeper levels of self-awareness. Below are some of the key benefits and how to access silence in your mediation practice.
In a world surrounded by noise—traffic, social media, barking dogs, cell phones, sirens, planes and helicopters, leaf blowers and lawnmowers—it can be challenging to find true quiet. Yet, the greatest gift of silence is that it’s not only always accessible, it is one of the most profound channels to access our deeper selves and connect with all of existence.
When is the last time you sat in true silence with a friend or family member, or even yourself? It’s rare to allow silence to surface when we’re with our loved ones. Some people even find it awkward. We often feel compelled by an urge to fill the silence with conversation or noise.
As a longtime student of meditation, I’ve sat for many silent retreats. Sometimes weeks of straight silence where no talking was allowed. It was a hell of a challenge. And that was the point. I’ve found that through the challenge and deep pain that can often surface in long bouts of silence, there’s always a sense of profound freedom and expansiveness. When you sit in silence long enough, a deep inner peace and sense of bliss can begin to emerge. It’s as if the silence allows space for the soul to open up, and in its own way.
Whether you’re a seasoned meditator or new to the practice, you can tap into silence to bring yourself to deeper levels of self-awareness. Below are some of the key benefits silence can bring to our meditation practice.
The Benefits of Practicing Silence
1. Through silence, we come to know ourselves at a deeper level
When we consciously choose to turn off the noise, whether external or in the mind, we access a place that’s always there and always accessible, but that we may not often visit. This calm and quiet place is a part of who we are. And, in this place we can connect with our emotional being, our physical being and the more subtle aspects of our human and spiritual nature.
2. When we sit in silence, life reveals itself to us
Because we’re not making noise we find ourselves paying close attention to what’s actually happening: to nature, the temperature, our senses and to the flow of life coursing all around us. There is always wonder and magic to tap into.
3. Silence is a portal to connection
Everyone we know can rest in silence if they so desire. In fact, people often say they know someone is a true friend if they can be quiet with them and still feel comfortable. Sitting in silence with your good friends, your romantic partner, or other loved ones can help you bond and develop deeper connections.
4. Silence is an antidote to noise pollution
Noise pollution negatively affects all living creatures, including us humans. Noise pollution includes physical noises like traffic, trucks, printers and phone calls. Today, noise also includes our technological lives, like app-notifications, emails, text messages and alarms. Choosing to take conscious moments of silence throughout our day and in our practice helps us to stave off and counteract the damaging effects of noise that constantly surrounds us.