Noble Silence

Noble Silence originates from the time of the Buddha during which he would remain silent when asked questions he deemed irrelevant or unanswerable. It is believed to be a lesson on not speaking when it is not necessary. Today noble silence is often used at monasteries and during meditation retreats. There can be variance in how it is used but the idea is to honor silence when not in a working meditation or discussion to encourage the process of turning inward.  It can be seen as part of the practice of wise speech. It is to help cultivate the conditions to experience contemplation and freedom.

Rooted in Mindfulness facilitates day long meditation retreats which include noble silence. When I went to my first one I found it challenging to not engage in the causal conversations I am so use to having. I found that the break from the chatter was refreshing. It did help me experience a more contemplative state. I was a bit self conscious during the silent lunch eating at a table with strangers but I also found that I really enjoyed my meal.

I now try to carve out little bits of silence in my day. Often when driving in the car, I’m not as quick to turn on the radio. I’ve come to appreciate the beauty of the peace and quiet through a practice of finding moments for noble silence in my daily life.  

I recently experienced my second silent retreat day and was amazed at how much easier it was the second time and how much I enjoyed it. One of the meditations was to ask yourself how are you, how are you really and what do you need? I try to do this meditation periodically to check in with myself and have found it very helpful. During this meditation on the retreat day it was clear to me that the noble silence of the day helped me look deeper, turn more inward and truly see myself. And the magic of it was I gained a great insight that gives me clarity on how I want to move forward in my life. When I asked myself how am I really I often would admit to this underlying agitation. And I would feel bad because I have so much to be grateful for. I did not know the root of this agitation. And then during this meditation I realized that it is from clutter in my life; from being just too busy, from feeling rushed. I need to simplify. I need to declutter. By simplifying it will be easier to be organized and to be truly present and do the things I love which is being in nature, being with my family and friends and writing. Thank you noble silence for making it crystal clear and yes this is why I meditate for wisdom and clarity. Simplifying sounds simple but it truly requires purposeful action to actually do it. I am now ready to take the actions to truly physically declutter the stuff but also to declutter my to do list so I can better manage the momentum of my life. Our society has glorified being busy and I have fallen into that way of being. Not anymore, I am ready to make a change. I am replacing the clutter with simplicity and the busy with being present. Who wants to join me and simplify?

I highly recommend hitting pause on life and enjoying a bit of noble silence; great insight can come when we are quiet.