Practicing a day of silence

Practicing a Day of Silence
For me the mechanics of practicing silence is easy, as I live alone and nobody visits me on a regular basis, expect a servant lady. I do not get many phone calls either. I am able to easily resist picking up the phone when it rings occasionally. I am completely isolated.

But it is quite obvious that the silence of ‘non-thinking’ and quieting of the chattering mind is an entirely different process all together unconnected with not talking.

Not talking, and being in the habit of having my morning - evening walks up in the terrace gives me lot of time to live with myself and follow my thoughts. That has really brought some awareness about my unique way of thinking. I have discovered the answers to some of the dilemma I have been perplexed with. Listening silently to my own heart, my mind has quitened down and I am comfortable with my thoughts!!

As I have been out of the habit of cooking for a number of years, on the days of being by myself, I am able to get by (actually I enjoy) eating fruits, milk and bread (sometimes with cheese). This gives rest to my digestive system too. Avoiding watching TV or reading anything heavy gives me plenty of time to do nothing. Even though I can sleep for as long as I like, the sleeping pattern developed over the years doesn’t change. Not doing anything I am not tired. Not having a full meal I don’t get that drowsy feeling I get on the Sunday after lunch. So the time drags. The day seems too long.

But I have learnt to just be. I am not feeling I have to do something. Not pressed for time I am able to meditate in a relaxed way. I have started enjoying the process and look forward to it each time. After the morning meditation, when I go up to the terrace with a cup of coffee, when it is just getting a little light in the east, I feel so happy and contented, as if there is nothing more to be had in life.

Though I have always enjoyed talking, after practicing silence for 5 Saturdays, I feel very comfortable not talking; now I understand I do not have to talk so much. I need to extend this awareness to other times when I am with people!!

As the next step, I plan to be consciously silent for a while each day, while everyone else around me carries on with their conversation.