Silence is not emptiness or nothingness. But in spiritual traditions, silence is the infinite potential, inner stillness, and freedom from mental conditioning. The seers believe that silence is the background from which thoughts, emotions, and actions emanate. Buddhism has used the word Shunyata denoting the infinite silence after the calming of the tumultuous waves of the mind. Achieving the state of silence frees one from attachment and fears. The Upanishads describe this Turiya state of consciousness as beyond words, forms , concepts, and names.

 

This Turiya is the inner silence , pure, blissful, and non dual. This is not void, but a fullness or Purnata, the source of all existence. Yoga aims at reducing the mental chatter to achieve this silent state of consciousness. The most potent method prescribed by all the traditions to achieve this silent state is meditation.

 

Through meditation the practitioner enjoys the space between two thoughts. Silence is not nihilism nor does it deny life or existence. On the other hand, it dissolves rigid identities and fixed beliefs. It opens doors to freedom, creativity, and compassion. Viewed from neuroscientific angles, silence reduces the Default Mode Network of the brain which is related to self referential thinking. Research has found that silence and calmness demonstrates increased integration of the brain and better emotional regulation.

 

As a result, stress reduces and cognitive functions become more active. Emotional resilience is enhanced and the decision making becomes sharper. The practitioner becomes more responsive rather than reactive. Silence has got great creative powers. Great discoveries, artistic insights, and intuitive solutions emerge from the silent state of the mind. Silence is the fertile ground where innovations and wisdom grow. Yogic systems have prescribed different techniques and tools to cultivate silence .

 

Mindful meditation is a very powerful tool to achieve this state of the mind. Watching the gap between two thoughts is a very easy way to achieve this silent state. The next most potent tool is breath awareness. Pranayama or breath work is the soul of Yogic practices. It has been found that the most effective tool to calm the mind is the breath work. After mastering different types of Pranayamas, the practitioner develops breath awareness. As this breath awareness deepens, the mind becomes silent and calm. Some Yoga experts are of the opinion that just sitting silently for a couple of minutes with the closed eyes and erect spine leads to inner silence. Self inquiry has been given great importance for calming down the distractions of the mind.

 

This practice of self inquiry may be compared to the Yogic practice of Swadhyaya. Swadhyaya is the basis of self awareness. A self aware person experiences deep calm at the mental and emotional levels. It has been found that spending time in nature is a very good way to connect with inner calm. In the modern age of stress and anxiety, the practice of silence has become more relevant. In the present life of ever stimulation , mental health and balance are the greatest casualty. A couple of minutes practice of silence will certainly enhance mental stability. Thus, inner silence is to be discovered, not to be created. (The writer is Former DG Police & CG, Homeguards, Maharashtra)