Spectrum

RAJGOPAL NIDAMBOOR

There is a time of speaking and a time of being still.

                                                  -- William Caxton

Silence is the element in which great things fashion themselves.

                               -- Thomas Carlyle

We all know much about noise, because noise has become a part of our very being. Not silence -- as our consciousness, or philosophy, would want us to know, observe, and also, if possible, practice. In today's mad rush for instant materialistic nirvana, silence has practically ceased to exist. Or, so it'd seem. Which is quite true -- the distinction being of scale, if not rationale.

There's now more noise than ever before inside our homes and us. It'd be most surprising for one not to see a TV set gabble away somewhere, even if you aren't actually watching it. Besides, you've the radio, CD player, computer and video games etc., -- all noisy elements, when not "consciously" used. In fact, the only sound that is largely extinct from our homes today is our own voice -- engaged in communication with one another.

As noted scholar-historian Felipe Fernandez-Armesto, puts it, in context, "Everyone is familiar with the idea that your language determines the way you think -- although all our perceptions may not be imprisoned by language alone." There are limitations, all right. But, language has always had wider dimensions. It is an almost physical thing. It is something that cleaves the air with gestures, booms in the chest and belly, makes ganglions tremble and lips twitch. It is an instinct, as Fernandez-Armesto underscores, that we all share with some other animals -- an innate power of the mind, like that of the limbs to run, or reach, and hands to craft and hold.

Words, according to Fernandez-Armesto, are part of the mind, generated by neural activity, and by the electricity and chemistry of a physical brain. He elaborates: "Words which relate to other words call a whole world into being… a guarantee of the world of which it is part." This includes, says Fernandez-Armesto, silence. How? Silence implies sound. Silence is also a part of speech -- of gaps without which no communication works. Not only that. Even the void of mystical experience, avers Fernandez-Armesto, is lapped by language. What's more, we all express language for ourselves, and for others. Hence, it is always evolving, and always a-changin' -- even in the silence of our expression and/or being.

Noise is essentially disturbing. Even annoying. It isn't like the chirping of birds, or the zephyr caressing us softly -- to soothe our thoughts and souls. Yes, mechanical noise hits us most with its "rip-tide" of agitation. It's stress-causing, not relieving. Which explains why lack of quietness has made us quite unused to silence… Besides, we're also awfully scared -- of silence. It brings us a peculiar feeling -- a feeling of almost being alone… Isn't it a disgrace -- because, in reality, silence is one of our best friends; more so, because, it can also have a powerfully beneficial outcome on us, thanks to its therapeutic effects?

Besides, we also ought to blame our present agitation in life to the "inner noise" within us -- the most serious consequence of our inner gibberish, and the noise and activity of the modern world, which separates us from our true selves. It isn't a good thing at all. However, experiencing silence, or the "consciousness-in-itself" within us, can have a huge relaxing effect... It brings a sense of being firmly rooted in ourselves -- of being truly who we are. It also brings us the divine inside everything else, just as well, since pure consciousness inside us is the same pure consciousness inside everything else, and the pure consciousness of our universe itself.

It is silence that holds the key to the attainment of knowledge. To remain physically silent is no great hardship to most of us; but, to attain silence in the metaphysical sense calls for something more than merely refraining from making a noise. It means the absolute stilling of all thought processes in our wakeful state. Sleep is a fascinating analogy to this kind of silence: as we all know, nature stills the mind to sense impressions periodically, by putting us to sleep. Silence, therefore, is as vital to our well-being as sleep.

We need to get in touch with this part of ourselves, right now, if we haven't got a "feel" of it, so far -- and, much more than anytime before. How? Simple. Through meditation: of being one with the cosmos. Reason? Meditation is a relatively slow-paced and stress-free experience…

Meditation is one of the primal, major steps in attaining silence. It provides us with the energy to turn our mind inwards upon the self; to hold it as still as a placid lake. When you begin, there will be difficulties: little thought-ripples intrude upon your silence. Have patience: you'll overcome their hold on your mind when you find the rhythms of soundlessness.

The best way to intercede is to meditate upon the Universal Mind, initially; in whatever familiar mode you construe it. The next step is visualisation: to visualise a force at work, and realise that the energy of the Universe is a warm, co-operative energy, if only you understand the laws of the cosmos. For this, you must be receptive, just as you would be receptive to the laws of computer hardware in order to be a good computer technician.

There's yet another credo you'd use. Think of meditation as the mode by which you tap into the currents along which the Absolute transmits creative vibrations. This leads you to the conclusion, naturally enough, that the laws of the Absolute always operate in the same way; that they allow us to attain our fullest perfection, once we understand them and flow with them.

Language today seems to have brought a profound balance, a wonderful analogy between Descartes and Einstein -- and, also in its subtle metaphor, silence. What's more, our language at present, does not, in anyway, reduce anything. Instead, it now includes everything -- scientific or not. Besides, we have got to accept that there is a very peculiar dualism at work here, with its profound analogy being quite obvious. We are also now talking of concepts. We are talking of ideas. We are also talking of experiences, behaviours, sensations, intentions, feelings etc.,

Most importantly, we are also communicating ideas through our experiences, and stories. And, the idea -- language as likeness of both mind and the body -- is, beyond a shadow of a doubt, critical to us all... It's, in other words, our own mind-body lexicon, with its very own monumental feat of virtuosity, or vitality -- a magical carpet of the narrative.

For example: take a look at ancient societies, in spite of turbulence by way of war, or conquest; and/or how our philosophers, thinkers, and even the common man, went about their day-to-day activities, and it'd all make sense. There was a "palpable" sense of contentment. Which may, perhaps, explain why native people still seem to possess a natural "fulfilment" we modern city residents don't have, or seek… Furthermore, it may also be one reason why so many people today seem to live in a state of apathy -- because, they have lost contact with the natural happiness inside themselves. Of natural happiness that has been put away beneath a gale of external stimuli, or what maybe best described as the tempest of inward thought.

It's high time for us to go all out to cultivate silence within ourselves, and figure it out -- now. Because, we need silence and stillness to become our true selves. More so, to be truly happy, and find our very own veritable self -- or, the God in ourselves -- in the endless rush and agitation of city life.