Ibonio D’Souza
Though we speak, or write about silence, it is really something more to be experienced. When we experience silence, we discover deep spiritual truths and come to know our spiritual self. Silence grows within us, helping us to progress and develop in a very subtle way, just like a seed: the flower is hidden in the seed, and the seed is also hidden in the earth. Sunlight touches the earth that warms the seed and the flower beings to grow. Like a seed, we too are full of a great deal of potential.
What truly develops our potential is not knowledge or discussion. They do help of course, but it is the light of silence that penetrates very deeply and awakens the potential within, inspiring it to burst into flower. Silence is also a space that gives the mind oxygen, allowing the creation of something new, filling life with power and strength. Everyone’s religion today is one of being busy; rushing around, doing something, proving something, and so on. In that rush to be someone, we tend to forget the great power and miracle found in stillness.
Stillness takes us to that point where we are able to find perspective and insight. In a deep state of introspection, we clearly observe our thoughts, seeing our true motives; when we understand that our intentions are perhaps not quite right, and then we are in a position to say to ourselves, ‘Hold on a minute!’. A lot of precious energy is lost, both mentally and emotionally, on wasteful and negative thinking. Ninety-five percent of our time is wasted on thinking about others; we go on and on with a string of expectations, which becomes like a hammer of demand on other people’s heads.
When we learn to become silent and to reflect on our inner self, we start feeling satisfied with what we find inside and there is a deep sense of contentment. We become more compassionate in our outlook and start accepting others for who they are. The more we are able to accept, the sooner we find that there is harmony in our relationships.
Silence teaches us the art of living. Silence can be misused to isolate oneself, but true, positive silence gives us a balance between our inner and outer worlds. Having explored our inner self, we collect our positive energy, become aware of our qualities, and then very naturally these are expressed externally. We move our concentration to the inner self and then to the external world. Then we go inwards again. It is a circular movement. As we go into silence, we recharge our inner energies, become one with the self, heal our self, relax and release our self from negativity. There are so many benefits by simply stepping inside to meet our true self. As we draw out these riches and resources, what do we do with them? We share them and give them out and in doing this we receive and learn.
Journeying inside, discovering the inner self and our true power is the beginning of the healing process, in which we are able to put back all the broken pieces with a lot of love. Do I like, respect and love myself? In meditation, I reconcile myself to myself, I accept myself, and I discover the uniqueness of my own being at this particular point in time. I also tune into those original resources of my spirit, which are simply love, peace, joy and happiness, to name but a few.
On a daily basis, the mind needs to go into a quiet space for refreshment and reflection, in much the same way as the body needs regular breaks for rest and nourishment. Refreshment occurs when the mind able to recharge itself, that is, to reenergize and to have the strength to remain positive, light and creative. Reflection is the time we give ourselves to refine our understanding so that our interaction with others is of the highest quality. Through reflection, we can change the way we think, feel and interact. We change the way we are voluntarily and without pain.
