January 21, 2010

January 12, 2010

silence

Today I woke up at my usual 4.10 (weekdays). The temperate cold these days is enjoyable. It is dark for an hour more and so combined with the darkness, I just sat and absorbed the silence. A few years ago,as a new resident in Doha, the silence here was frightening and even claustrophobic. But now I value this.
Sounds and Noise has become part of our lives that we forget what silence is. This is one 'sense' that we can't cut off voluntarily. Plugging our ears hardly shuts off the sounds. So, we are exposed to them all the time. I am not aware of the efficiency of today's soundproof windows etc.
Yesterday I listened to a Swamiji's New Year talk on the 'Faculty of Silence'. This sure has made me more aware of the silence. I have to question 'what when I am always in a noisy place ?' Maybe I will have to search for the silence or quietude in noise. And make it mine.