I count myself very fortunate to be able to spend a great deal of my time in silence, if I choose it. My work situation allows for quiet, if not complete silence, and at home of course I can shut off noisy distractions such as TV, radio, iPod, etc. I sure wish the dogs next door had an off switch!! I find that the longer I live, the more I value silence and the more I detest noise pollution, which is insipid and chronic in our society. If you are walking in a neighborhood, there's all kinds of noise, from barking dogs to growling garbage trucks, screeching brakes, air conditioner units working ceaselessly to keep a cooler climate inside, boomboxes blaring and on and on...
In the aftermath of hurricane Charley, the most amazing thing I noticed as we were without power for a week, was that there was complete silence -- and also, no light pollution. It was possible to sit in the back yard at night and just hear -- nothing, while gazing at a sky full of stars, normally hidden. This was a gift, rare and beautiful. If you wanted light indoors (or out) there were candles to provide a soft glow, which actually seemed to soften life and magically slow it down. Of course it was hot, and humid, but I loved the silence. I think I would take that trade off any day!
However, after a season of hurricanes, everyone and his uncle had purchased loud, gas-guzzling, fumes emitting generators and most had them running all day until the 11 pm curfew time, when they were forced to shut them off. What a difference. People were still blasting their TV's and radios and running lights and whatever on these generators, without a single regard for either their environment or their ears! It made me very sad to have lost the silence.
Do you ever take a complete break from noise? Can you? Not everyone is comfortable with silence, because we are not, in our western culture, used to it. It is somehow threatening, and many people find they have difficulty meditating because of this void of sound. I'm wondering if it's possible to become addicted to noise?
I personally think silence is one of the most excellent gifts, and it's totally free, though not easy to find. What are your thoughts about creating a small oasis of silence in which to be able to relax? Is it something you pine for or do you feel it's totally unattainable, so you don't even bother trying? I'm really curious how others feel about silence, so please share your thoughts.
In the aftermath of hurricane Charley, the most amazing thing I noticed as we were without power for a week, was that there was complete silence -- and also, no light pollution. It was possible to sit in the back yard at night and just hear -- nothing, while gazing at a sky full of stars, normally hidden. This was a gift, rare and beautiful. If you wanted light indoors (or out) there were candles to provide a soft glow, which actually seemed to soften life and magically slow it down. Of course it was hot, and humid, but I loved the silence. I think I would take that trade off any day!
However, after a season of hurricanes, everyone and his uncle had purchased loud, gas-guzzling, fumes emitting generators and most had them running all day until the 11 pm curfew time, when they were forced to shut them off. What a difference. People were still blasting their TV's and radios and running lights and whatever on these generators, without a single regard for either their environment or their ears! It made me very sad to have lost the silence.
Do you ever take a complete break from noise? Can you? Not everyone is comfortable with silence, because we are not, in our western culture, used to it. It is somehow threatening, and many people find they have difficulty meditating because of this void of sound. I'm wondering if it's possible to become addicted to noise?
I personally think silence is one of the most excellent gifts, and it's totally free, though not easy to find. What are your thoughts about creating a small oasis of silence in which to be able to relax? Is it something you pine for or do you feel it's totally unattainable, so you don't even bother trying? I'm really curious how others feel about silence, so please share your thoughts.
