The thunder of silence

The thunder of silence

The turmoil within you is a reflection of the turmoil outside; and the vice versa can also be equally valid. When we fail to analyse and understand the disturbances around us, we fail to appreciate the reality of the situation and have to face the consequences. Eckhart Tolle, spiritual teacher, says external noise can be neutralised only with your inner silence. What does it mean? That you have to realise the importance of being quiet and composed; only then you can think of taking a correct and just stand on any issue raised because of an external happening that threatens your peace of mind.

In his widely-read book, Stillness Speaks, Tolle writes whenever there is some silence around you, listen to it. “Listening to silence awakens the dimensions of stillness within yourself, because it is only through stillness that you can be aware of the silence.”

One should realise silence is a tool of power and not ignorance. It is the speech of love, understanding, maturity and kindness. That is why Leonardo da Vinci said that nothing strengthens authority as much as silence.

There are times when you are worried, confused and angry or a victim of any other negative feeling. Try to look within and go out and be in the company of nature.

Look at the beauty of all that exist so gracefully around you ---the stillness of the elegant trees, the buzzing bees, the chirping birds, and a myriad of other wonders of nature. Not only you will learn to be in “stillness”, you will also learn a lot in terms of mutual coexistence, growth and harmony.

Nature is the greatest doctor and its healing touch will do wonders if you can be in a position to love it and live with it harmoniously.

And don’t forget to take this pledge in Rumi’s words, “Out beyond the ideas of wrongdoing and rightdoing, there is a field. I will meet you there.” In the words of Woody Allen, “never miss a good chance to shut up.”

3 responses
Gazing at the enchanting tapestry of the night stars, I can only fall in awe noticing the infinitely dark canvas. Majesty and reverence are the domain of silence.
Only Breath

Not Christian or Jew or Muslim, not Hindu,
Buddhist, sufi, or zen. Not any religion

Or cultural system. I am not from the East
or the West, not out of the ocean or up

From the ground, not natural or ethereal, not
composed of elements at all. I do not exist,

Am not an entity in this world or the next,
did not descend from Adam and Eve or any

Origin story. My place is placeless, a trace
of the traceless. Neither body nor soul.

I belong to the beloved, have seen the two worlds
as one and that one call to and know

first, last, outer, inner, only that
breath breathing human being

There is a way between voice and presence
where information flows.

In disciplined silence it opens.
With wandering talk it closes.

-Rumi
(English rendition by Coleman Barks)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IZqAnIp5dMQ

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