What do you make of silence? The experience of extreme quiet, away from all the mechanized din that takes up every moment of life on the wheel (you know what a hamster wheel is, don't you?). What does it take to stop, to examine, to breath, and to revel in nothingness? To let thoughts flow unremittingly and without restraint or consequence, to let go of plans and desires, wants and needs, ambitions and goals. What would it take, even for a moment?
And then, I pause to look up at those marvellous, tall trees that tower into eternity, uttering not so much as even a whimper about the prominence of their timeless existence, the wind that carries along, all-permeating, and yet subtle, the birds and the beasts, their calls never out of place or unsuitable in the world they are a part of, the elements and their natural accordance, all in perfect symmetry and synchrony. How much there is to celebrate in awe the wonder of the natural world. How magical it seems to revel in the perfection and yet the elementary, everyday occurrences of nature. How proverbial, poetic, and romantic it is to be able to partake in this marvel.
Why is it that the noises we make are so damningly difficult to live with? Why don't we fit into the natural world with the same ease and adeptness that all other beings possess? The answer is perhaps in the understanding that we do not belong in such soulful sanctuaries. And, suddenly this realization, momentary as it is, allows me to contend with the miseries that grip my life - the senseless chatter emanating from the television, the odious ringing and beeps of the cellphone, the inconsiderate, distasteful, and uncharitable garble of people around and about, the nauseating pandemonium of vehicles and everything artificial, the commotion and racket of all farcical, clownish religious establishments (and their equally appalling proponents). I could write endlessly about this.
But, silence or just the thought of it - it is meditatively calming and soulful. In silence, I could live on, forever.
And then, I pause to look up at those marvellous, tall trees that tower into eternity, uttering not so much as even a whimper about the prominence of their timeless existence, the wind that carries along, all-permeating, and yet subtle, the birds and the beasts, their calls never out of place or unsuitable in the world they are a part of, the elements and their natural accordance, all in perfect symmetry and synchrony. How much there is to celebrate in awe the wonder of the natural world. How magical it seems to revel in the perfection and yet the elementary, everyday occurrences of nature. How proverbial, poetic, and romantic it is to be able to partake in this marvel.
Why is it that the noises we make are so damningly difficult to live with? Why don't we fit into the natural world with the same ease and adeptness that all other beings possess? The answer is perhaps in the understanding that we do not belong in such soulful sanctuaries. And, suddenly this realization, momentary as it is, allows me to contend with the miseries that grip my life - the senseless chatter emanating from the television, the odious ringing and beeps of the cellphone, the inconsiderate, distasteful, and uncharitable garble of people around and about, the nauseating pandemonium of vehicles and everything artificial, the commotion and racket of all farcical, clownish religious establishments (and their equally appalling proponents). I could write endlessly about this.
But, silence or just the thought of it - it is meditatively calming and soulful. In silence, I could live on, forever.
That's a great post!
ReplyDeleteI love my solitude late at night into the early morning hours when much has quieted down! There are even times I can't stand when someone talks to me, for it interrupts my state of mind I'm in.
Gosh, this feels so much like myself. How I love the solitude and yearn for some quiet, especially that of the dawn. I can so very well relate to what you have said, especially about the part when people talking could interrupt the state of mind. So true.
DeleteThank you very much for your visit and comments. Delighted!
When a moment equals eternity
ReplyDeleteSo beautifully put! Thank you, Sir
Deletei agree--a little bit of personal quiet each day goes a long way :))
ReplyDeleteIndeed, and I cannot seem to have enough of the quiet :-)
DeleteTotally agree...
ReplyDeleteGlad to know!
DeleteSounds are as natural as silence. I feel, we are unable to take too much of either. If we are exposed to too much silence, for instance, we might long for noise! :)
ReplyDeleteDestination Infinity
I guess I'm some kinda exception, for the more I am exposed to silence, the more I love it :-)
Delete