the sound of silence

Yogis,

After another week of chanting, singing, toning, screaming and mantra my throat feels more open, clearer and pure.  Ready to speak my truths from deep within.

But first…….I have to get very quiet to hear them.  Not to hear myself think, but to hear the flow of my breath.

Though with the throat chakra we work on our voice, the actual organ of action for Vishuddha chakra is not the tongue, but the ears.  The ability to listen within. 

Silence. 

I have been watching the debate going on right now over the new law which would allow the use of cell phones in flight.  Oh my gosh.   Can you imagine?  Settling yourself in for a 2 hour flight, reaching that 10,000 feet altitude where the seat belt light goes off, and the guy sitting next to you (which these days feels like on top of you) speed dials his new girlfriend to discuss weekend plans for the remainder of the flight.  Or the women in front of you, whose reclined seat is now in your lap, calls her business partner to go over the third quarter financials.    All talking loudly to be sure they are heard over all of the other cell phone callers. 

The airplane has remained one of the few quiet refuges we have.  Nowhere is safe any longer from loud music, advertisements or tv.  I noticed this week that even Down Dog studio has a flat screen tv hanging at the front desk.  I didn’t get a chance to ask what the plan for it was, but not sure I really want to know.

Silence. 

To hear our innermost longings, to hear the direction the heart is asking us to go……we must have quiet in our lives.   And the more of it we have, the clearer our messages will be. 

So test your day.  Often noise is a habit….not always easy to break.   But first you have to notice it.  Do you automatically turn on the radio as soon as you turn the key in the ignition.   Is the tv on at times when you aren’t actually watching a show.  Do you need sound to help you fall asleep.  When you are with another, are you able to sit with them in silence, or does that make you uncomfortable. 

And noise is not only sound, but the barrage of information.  Can you go through ½  a day without surfing the web, or checking facebook.   Is it possible for you to go 2 days without reading the newspaper or watching the news.  Notice.

Silence.   The time to be just with yourself.  To hear yourself.

Silence has a sound.  A vibration ….when you listen for it.  Silence has a feeling.  Like being wrapped in a warm blanket….when you become comfortable with it.  Silence has a personality.  Like a long lost friend with whom you can be you…….when you invite it in. 

The holiday season can be a noisy time of year.  Be sure to set aside time for silence.  And ask yourself before you speak – “will what I am about to say improve upon the silence.” 

…..and  I am pleased to see that there has been a clear message sent from the majority of Americans that cell phones should remain silent while we lie back and enjoy the flight.  Let’s hope someone is listening.

Out beyond ideas of wrongdoing and rightdoing there is a field.
I'll meet you there.
When the soul lies down in that grass
the world is too full to talk about.
               ~ Rumi

And finally….

Never miss a good chance to shut up.
          ~Will Rodgers

Speaking from the heart, which means there is a lot less of it,

SARAH