The Art of Silence

koan · Post by **koan** » Sat Mar 08, 2008 8:13 am

I'm reading a book right now about silence, both inner and outer. The author, a spiritual master with an unpronouncable name, claims that the amount of noise people make is a sign of their need for attention and disquiet in their soul.

Wonder how he feels about high heeled shoes? Torture devices that they are...

How noisy are you? Do you laugh exceptionally loud? Do you clatter your knife and fork on the table when you eat? Have you ever thought of it or paid attention? I notice. I cringe when I drop something, wear soft soled shoes, I even gave my daughter a pair of my jeans that make too much noise when the legs brush together. She doesn't mind. :p

chonsigirl · Post by **chonsigirl** » Sat Mar 08, 2008 8:20 am

Well, young ones make more noise, and it is a natural part of growing up to need attention. As adults, I think we are atuned to what is around us, and bring our noise level up or down, whatever is appropriate. I have learned to be very quiet for me, since I can not talk alot at home, my husband has a few sentence tolerance for talking and understanding. I must make alot of noise at school.....

koan · Post by **koan** » Sat Mar 08, 2008 8:24 am

I talk a lot once I get started.

It's the little noises that I've noticed I have aversion to. I place pens down softly on the tables etc.

chonsigirl · Post by **chonsigirl** » Sat Mar 08, 2008 8:36 am

Some little noises are bothersome, and you have to filter out the background white noise all the time. I am one who like a quiet house, and prefer background noises off. I no longer even listen to the radio in the car, I prefer what quiet there is inside, until going into the roar of a busy school.

koan · Post by **koan** » Sat Mar 08, 2008 8:42 am

The book mentions that some people, even when they talk, have a silence about them. Do you know someone like that? When is the last time you spoke to someone that had a sense of silence and quiet around them?

chonsigirl · Post by **chonsigirl** » Sat Mar 08, 2008 9:09 am

Yes, I do. They have this serene quality to their presence, it is audible in their speaking which is never loud. What does the book say about things like music-an audible manifestation, but very soothing at times to people?

koan · Post by **koan** » Sat Mar 08, 2008 9:12 am

He promotes singing, which they do before every meditation as it creates vibrations in the body that increase spiritual awareness and attunement.

chonsigirl · Post by **chonsigirl** » Sat Mar 08, 2008 9:15 am

So positive reinforcement of specific noise, which is beneficial. But how do you block out negative noises, when you have no choice? It would be hard to be atuned to a specific level at all times, and function in a real world.

koan · Post by **koan** » Sat Mar 08, 2008 9:34 am

gotta go to work. I just started the book. I'm noticing noise more keenly though.

CARLA · Post by **CARLA** » Sat Mar 08, 2008 10:00 am

I have very acute hearing some noises aren't my friend. I love quite and strive for it in my own environment at home. I could go for days without uttering a word if people would let me.

Now at work its a totally different world every piece of equipment I work with makes noise and lots of it. The servers make noise, the APC makes noise, the PC's make noise, Our Phone system makes noise, Scanner, Printers, faxes all make noise. I make noise you name it in my world it makes noise. That is one reason I buy Dell Computers and Laptops for the offices I'm in charge of. They are QUITE machines and I love that.

In my office at work I have soothing music on in the background to quite the noise of the machines. After a fashion I just can't take it and have to go outside and find quite for a bit.

I find most people are noise makers, they laugh loud, talk loud, walk loud. I can tell you who is coming down the hall by their walks.

QUITE IS A BLESSING FOR ME AND I LOVE IT...

along-for-the-ride · Post by **along-for-the-ride** » Sat Mar 08, 2008 11:47 am

Does absolute silence in the natural world exist?

In a man-made sound proof booth, perhaps.

Absolute silence is unnatural..........and a little foreboding.

IMO

911 · Post by **911** » Sat Mar 08, 2008 12:21 pm

koan;796952 wrote: I'm reading a book right now about silence, both inner and outer. The author, a spiritual master with an unpronouncable name, claims that the amount of noise people make is a sign of their need for attention and disquiet in their soul.

Wonder how he feels about high heeled shoes? Torture devices that they are...

How noisy are you? Do you laugh exceptionally loud? Do you clatter your knife and fork on the table when you eat? Have you ever thought of it or paid attention? I notice. I cringe when I drop something, wear soft soled shoes, I even gave my daughter a pair of my jeans that make too much noise when the legs brush together. She doesn't mind. :p

I am so glad to hear that, Koan. It's nice to know I'm not crazy. I work with a girl who, when coughs, can be heard down the hall. Imagie how I feel 10 feet away from her and she doesn't cover. Then there's the straw in the ice thing. Up and down, up and down. Or she is chewing ice and trys to talk with her mouth full. Wears a new outfit everyday, her house is bigger than your house, her dog is better than your dog. LOOK AT ME!!

Anything and everything to keep the attention on herself. If I am talking to someone, she'll yell OUCH if she does something small to herself.

Yeah, it gets old real fast

I think it's called narcisistic personality disorder.

:-5