Originally published Thursday, January 15, 2009
<picture: “The Tower of Babel, Banff Natl Park” >
It was a perfect day – slanting golden rays of sunshine with a few high, faintly pink clouds, no wind. On that late afternoon, when I climbed up the flat-topped “Tower of Babel” on Moraine Lake in Banff National Park, Canada, I had one of the most profound experiences of silence I have ever had. The silence was so intense that the blood coursing through my veins and the sound of my heart beating were deafening.
When was the last time you heard your heart? When was the last time you listened for it?
We live in a time of sensory overload, especially if we live in major urban centers. The constant stream of noise – cars, televisions, radios, video games, cell phones – even people talking – makes it very hard to hear the silence. The silence you need for equilibrium and intuition. It seems as though people can be afraid of silence, even though they long for at least some – always filling up “awkward” silences with idle conversation, keeping the TV or radio on to make it seem like a full and vibrant home. One of the best ways to rejuvenate after a day of sensory and information overload is to enter into silence. I have found that as I become more aware and conscious in my spiritual and intuitive practices, the more silence I need. I thrive on it. To do this, wake up several minutes early – before the rest of the household arises and simply BE. Don’t jump up and turn on the lights and the coffeemaker! Don’t think about all the stuff you have to do today! Just STOP and listen. Listen to the wee, soft sounds of morning. The hum of the refrigerator, the nearly silent padding of cat paws in the hallway, the soft breathing of the person (and/or pet) beside you. Feel the silence to the center of your being. Feel your heart beating. Feel the energy of life in your body. Pay attention to your breath. Just BE.
You can also do this at night once everyone else has gone to bed. During the day, you can also take a “silence break”. Just stop and listen to the silence between the noises. It’s there. You may have to try a bit to hear it – but it’s there. Between the clacking of your neighbour’s keyboard and the distant chatter of the coffee-breakers. Winter is the perfect time to commune with silence in nature. Get out for a walk in the park and listen. All sounds arise out of silence and return to silence. Tune into it and you will feel refreshed and more connected to the Universe.
Blessings,
Keena
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