“Close the eyes gently and look down within at the heart without hardening the eyeballs. This inner observation or feeling is most revealing” – B.K.S. Iyengar, Light on Pranayama
“The feeling of stillness is peace and the feeling of peace is joy. Therefore, come back to the center and feel the joy. Do this frequently throughout the day” – Erich Schiffmann, Yoga: The Spirit and Practice of Moving Into Stillness
“When all desires are in peace and the mind, withdrawing within, gathers the multitudinous straying senses into the harmony of recollection. Then, with reason armed with resolution, let the seeker quietly lead the mind into the Spirit, and let all his thoughts be silence – Bhagavad Gita
Sometimes hearing takes place without listening…
If you are a parent, you might relate. You tell your kids to brush their teeth. They say “ok”, so you know they heard you, but you have to repeat it in escalating vocal tones until you are at 10 and then they tell you “I heard you, you don’t have to yell”. So yes, their sense organs, function but this did not translate into listening. Sometimes as a Yoga teacher I give directions 3 or 4 times. I know I verbalised them, but somehow, they are not being followed. Segway to the expression “red flag” which deserves honourable mention here as well. You know, those times when your instincts are whispering/telling/screaming at you to buy those stocks, sell those stocks, fire employee x, don’t date Mr./Miss Wrong ….and what attention do you pay? Well, you don’t. Why is this? Noise surrounds us and then penetrates us until our minds are speeding faster than a tweet. Silence is a visitor when we go to sleep, unless our dreams are active, then we don’t wake up rested. We need to carve it out as a practise to reap its rewards.
Now, I am not anti-music or talking – I am just pro-silence. Here is why:
1. Silence fosters CREATIVITY. New ideas are not found in a brain juggling a gazillion thoughts. An over-worked brain just leads to thinking within the box, and confusion. When the mind is still, there is no box. Inspiration floats in this freedom..
2. Silence builds confidence. If you go mindfully and give yourself time to trust your instincts and listen to your own voice, you empower yourself. The “shoulds” of a noisy brain are distracting you from being in charge of yourself.
3. Silence rests the brain and body. Growth hormones and endorphins circulate and percolate in deep, dreamless sleep, meditation, and these are silent states. Your body does not uses words to heal from injury, DNA knows what to do. It got you this far.
4. Silence invites “being”. We are called human beings not human doings. We are active enough, let’s balance it out.
5. Silence anchors us in the present. Life is chaotic enough. Feed the stressful thoughts and that will grow. Nourish a silent inner core and you will be resilient through tough times, peace will guide your attitude.
6. Silence is your BFF. You get to know your Self, get in touch with your own emotions. You don’t have to wear a mask in silence. Pretty relaxing.
7. Silence promotes listening. A good listener, hears you and ‘sees’ you through the ears. It is a compassionate understanding that starts with the self, and then builds healthier relationships. Even if the most unhealthy relationship you have is with potato chips and you really want to break up but don’t know how.
8. Silence is your GPS. Answers to all your questions are found in the light of silence.
If you are too busy talking and thinking a mile a minute, you will only feel lost. Feel Found.
How to? I realise it is hard when you live with people. You may have to get them on board; can you start with 3 to 5 minute plan? Sit quietly, breathe softly and give your breath all your attention, do not generously follow thoughts or emotions, follow the stillness. Or, take a walk in nature with no music for the first 3-5 minutes. Do not turn on the car radio for the first 3-5 minutes. When you wake up, turn the radio off and just do your thing to the tune of your heartbeat. Try this for one week. See what grows, and let me know!
Om shanty, shanty, shanty,
Rana
Rana Waxman is a registered yoga therapist ERYT-500, with 20 years of teaching experience. Rana is a freelance writer and social media expert in addition to leading yoga workshops internationally and teaching alignment focused private and group Yoga Lessons in Hoboken and Jersey City NJ.
