An Unexpected Vow of Silence
Well, if you remember my post on taking a vow of silence, you would not believe what has happened to me. I have been forced into a vow of silence, even though I did not expect to at this time. It is not for spiritual or ethical reasons, the fact of the matter is I have completely lost my voice. Now I’ll get to experience the vow of silence in the way that someone would use a trial size of toothpaste to see if it tastes good. It will most likely last for maybe two to three days, but after I am done this trial-sized vow of silence, I can move forth to see if it is something I would ever do. Silence is golden, at least sometimes.
Well, I’ll let you know how it goes and hopefully I can get rid of this cold/flu/sore throat that has been bugging me for the last week. At least I have my books and websites to keep me occupied, and I may go for a long walk later, I just hope that I don’t see people who might want to strike up a conversation with me, because I simply will not be able to speak. Either way, I guess seeing the positive side in this situation will not hurt. I have the next two days off from any obligations, except maybe one, so this will give me the time to get over this flu and experience silence once again, listen to the birds and the wind, and not be so prone to opening up my mouth. Have a nice day.
March 15th, 2007 at 11:55 pm
I recall a stay in a spiritual retreat where monks, nuns and other guests were silent throughout meal and dishwashing times. Instead of talking, we listened to nature through the open windows and classic Pachabel Canon with ocean sounds that echoed the nearby Mediterranean surf. This experience taught me to value silence. I also learned to listen closer to details right around me that I hadn’t had the pleasure of hearing before.
June 5th, 2007 at 12:42 am
Occasionally I notice the unneccessary NOISE in the world around me. Its at that time that I stop talking and just listen to the sounds I was drowning-out. I decide that those sounds are better music to my ears than the clutter I was creating in my mind with my own speech. This new silence often lasts for a few days, until my mind is captured by a phone call from someone who wants to hang out for a while. That leads to more speach and that leads me right back to running my mouth, when nothing of value is coming out. The cycle keeps repeating itself. Each time I hope to last a little longer.