Solace in Silence

How beautiful silence is, and how unattainable we believe it is. The power of silence is as strong as it is powerful. In this ever-noisy world of ours, silence is almost non-existent... almost. Most wonder about the mystery and power that silence holds -  mystery that solves itself and power, the power of being, the power of rediscovering one's soul. Indeed, silence brings us closer to our true selves, our true nature and in effect closer to God.

I am a silence fan; I like beginning my day in quiet contemplation. The search for inner-peace, self-discipline and mind-control led me to doing a Vipassana course in November, 2008. Vipassana is one of India's most ancient forms of meditation that was rediscovered by Gotama Buddha over 2,500 years ago. Vipassana literally means, to see things as they are. It's a way of seeing one's inner-being, leading to one's self-transformation. This form of meditation requires dedication and constant practice. I began by attending the mandatory 10-day course at Igatpuri in Maharashtra. Before the course begins, all practitioners take a 10-day vow of silence that prevents us from talking to one another, even avoiding eye-contact with another person. The only person we can communicate with is our Guruji, during an appointed question time. Vipassana focuses on the inter-connection between the mind and body, seeing oneself for who we truly are, accepting ourselves and in effect practicing change to overcome mental and spiritual impurities.

Indeed, those 10-days brought me closer to myself in a way that's difficult to describe. As I prepare for my second course in another month, my soul and mind crave the peace and serenity that meditation can bring. See, when we begin seeings things as they truly are, we begin to realise that the life we find ourselves bothered with ever so often, are problems we can overcome with ease. It's really not so much the situation, as  much as how each of us choose to deal with it. Vipassana helps us realise that our 'ego' is our greatest enemy. Our ego and pride are partners in crime and they want us to believe that everything revolves around us. If we continue on a path such as this, selfishness increases and we change our very nature for the worse. I've found that Vipassana meditation helps puts things in perspective and helps me see things as they are.

Here are a few of the many discoveries my meditation helped me make:

Gem 1: Anger and hatred are weak and unnecessary - every situation no matter how complicated is better dealt with love, understanding and putting another person before oneself (my nana always told me to live in love. She often said, "Nish darling, there is so little time for love, how can people find time for anger and hate.";
Gem 2: People will have their own perceptions, don't try and change them if they're unwilling to listen - assumption and perception are what they believe; while it's fair that you present your side of the situation, don't try and force someone to change their perception. The truth always has a way of surfacing and in time, people with assumptions and perceptions will realise;
Gem 3: Take a breather, it's good for your soul - we live in an ever-rushing world, that leaves little or no time for ourselves. However, each of us owe it to our souls to stop, just stop ever so often and breath, sit, contemplate, introspect, embrace ourselves and everyone else. No one is going to give you this time, you will have to make some for yourself;
Gem 4: Most alleged problems are self-made - this too stems from our devious friend, the ego. Most like to believe that they're right, no matter what. But remember, we aren't always right and we're not expected to be. However, we are expected to accept our wrongs and be humble enough to admit to them.
Gem 5: Conquer fear because it is nothing - fear, one of our greatest self-made obstacles usually spring from our minds. In fact, fear is a great cancer that prevents us from doing things that could lead to self-discovery at various levels. Meditation helps us reign-in our minds and find God, in effect conquering fear to live holistic lives at a spiritual level.
Gem 6: The truth begins with love - truth and love are great partners. The truth finds itself in love and love is eternal. Truth isn't what we want it to be or what we make it out to be. The truth is the truth in love - in its purest, eternal form.

I believe each of us see in others what we see in ourselves. Yes all of us make mistakes, but we must accept and forgive a mistake, just like we'd like our own accepted and forgiven.

Accept, love, forgive, live, give, care, share - all without expectation. Live life like this because this is how God intended us to live. This is what God is teaching us all through - simple little lessons that we turn into complex problems.

It's time to uncomplicate and we must begin with ourselves. Come, let's discover who we truly are, it's a long journey but with every step, we come that much closer to ourselves and our God.

So the next time you see another, smile and do unto him/her as you'd like to be done unto you. :) Let's rediscover our souls in quiet contemplation.

"In the attitude of silence, the soul finds a path in the clearer light, and what is elusive and deceptive resolves itself into crystal clearness. Our life is a long and arduous quest after the truth." ~ Mahatma Gandhi 

Have a fabulously blessed day everyone. :)

P.S: Vipassana is form of meditation, not a religious sect. Please go to the Vipassana website for all details: http://www.dhamma.org/