Since I have moved into my new place, I’ve been in a desperate search for the sound of silence. I have been terribly annoyed by the almost constant humming of the traffic outside. It has been particularly disturbing and frustrating during my yoga practice. While I found a solution when doing my Asanas (physical postures) and Pranayama (breathing) – I simply play some beautiful and gentle music – I have been really struggling with my meditation. Note: you don’t meditate with music; although music is very relaxing and procure pleasant feelings, music is also likely to distract you from what you are trying to achieve in meditation: alertness, focus, reach a deeper level within yourself and attain your own source of happiness. So yes I have been struggling with the noise around me during my meditation practice to the point that it became an excuse to shorten my practice! At least, until I came across this…
“Silence is something that comes from your heart, not from outside. Silence doesn’t mean not talking and not doing things; it means that you are not disturbed inside. If you’re truly silent, then no matter what situation you find yourself in you can enjoy the silence.
There are moments when you think you’re silent and all around is silent, but talking is going on all the time inside your head. That’s not silence. The practice is how to find silence in all the activities you do.”
Thich Nhat Hanh
Aren’t they annoying these monks with their plethora of wise words? ;-) Well, for me, not at all. I find them highly inspiring. They allow me to look more deeply into myself so I can reflect on the bigger picture. Noises will always be there surrounding us, and believe me they don’t all produce a sound. Noises will always make it harder for us to focus and find peace, if we keep fighting them. After reading Thich Nhat Hanh, I took a step back and endeavored to embrace the traffic buzz from outside and appreciate it. As I slowly became more accepting of the noise, it started not to interfere with my practice but it became part of the experience. Meditation creates a positive and harmonious energy around us, but trying to shut down our inner noise is a long journey. While I keep enjoying the ride, why don’t you contemplate what noise you are fighting against? And how you could try to minimise it, or stop being in conflict with it? That way you too can find your own piece of inner silence.