The Importance of Silence

 

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The Importance of Silence

From Compulsiveness to Consciousness - Most human experience is trapped in compulsiveness. We are either pulled into the past - bound by memory and regret - or pushed into the future - driven by logic, intellect, and anticipation. This duality, described in yogic sciences as the lunar and solar meridians, keeps us reacting rather than responding.

Silence is not merely the absence of sound. It is the doorway to the central meridian - the state of thoughtlessness where conscious attention rests. In silence, energy that is otherwise drained by mental chatter is conserved. This is why silence is the means to move from compulsiveness to consciousness. Regular meditation helps establish this state, quietening the mind and reducing stress.

Beyond Creation and Creator - Silence is the Big Zero - the stillness that precedes creation. While humans give the Divine (Paramatma) many forms according to belief, silence reveals the formless essence. Paramatma is imperishable energy; the body and its created forms are mortal.

In silence, one goes beyond both the created forms and the concept of the Creator, touching the unmanifest essence of Universal Consciousness. This realisation dissolves boundaries, showing that silence is not emptiness but the womb of existence itself.

Transcending Life and Death - The cycle of birth and death is linked to body-consciousness. When silence deepens, body-consciousness recedes and soul-consciousness expands. In silence, the chitta (attention) turns inward, allowing us to break free from karmic patterns that perpetuate rebirth.

Silence becomes the vehicle of Self-realisation. As Ram Dass beautifully said: “Be still, the quieter you become, the more you hear.” This hearing is not of external sound but of the inner voice - the wisdom of the soul guiding us toward liberation. Silence is thus the gateway to freedom, beyond the process of life and death.

Guidance for Embracing Silence - Morning Meditation: Sit in silence early in the morning when thought pollution is minimal.

Minimise Distractions: Wear loose, light clothing and avoid knotted objects to keep the subtle body sensitive.

Prayerful Surrender: Begin and end the day with an offering to Guru-energies, inviting inner transformation.

Consistent Practice: Though solitude may feel uncomfortable at first, persistence leads to inner joy. Silence often reveals itself as a subtle hum, like the buzzing of a bumblebee - the sound of emptiness alive.

Meditation under the guidance of a realised Himalayan Master like Shivkrupanand Swamiji helps us embrace silence fully. In this silence, one experiences the brahma-naad - the cosmic sound reverberating within. This inner resonance fills the sadhak with divine bliss and unconditional love.

Silence is not a void. It is the essence of consciousness, the bridge from compulsiveness to freedom, the source of creation, and the path to liberation. To embrace silence is to embrace the soul itself.