In the past, silence wasn’t considered odd.
In the past, people would sit in a room without playing any music. At a bus stop, they would wait and observe the passing cars. There was a certain calm that persisted even while we were walking home in the evening.
We now grab for something as soon as it becomes quiet. A scroll, a song, a podcast, or a video. Anything.
Sometimes we are unaware of how automatic it has become. The sound itself isn’t horrible. However, it occupies more than just the available space; it fills our thoughts, our attention, and occasionally even our feelings that we haven’t had time to recognize.
There’s Always Noise. Easy, too. Alarm clocks wake us up. Before we even say a word aloud, messages start to appear. The majority of individuals never hear silence for more than an hour. As we dine, music is playing in the background. As we walk, someone speaks in our ear.
Multitasking seems productive, so we do it. Silence, though? That doesn’t seem like it would do anything.
Perhaps that is the reason it matters.
What Takes Place Without It All, Then? Even a brief period of silence can alter how your body and mind react.
The heart rate decreases. Shoulders fall. Deeper breathing occurs. Your brain begins to function differently.
It starts processing rather than responding to everything. to think.
It isn’t always quiet. It can be uncomfortable at times. However, that discomfort is helpful because it indicates that you are hearing the things you typically avoid.
It’s possible that your mind is racing. It’s because there’s now room for them to appear, not because you’re doing something incorrectly.
This is something you can try without altering your life. It’s straightforward, but not always so. Select a time. Ten minutes, perhaps. Avoid playing music. Avoid attempting to “focus.” Not that you’re meditating.
All you’re doing is letting yourself sit. You are free to gaze at the wall. Gaze outside. When you’re not filling the space, sip water and listen to the sounds of the room. It’s likely that you’ll feel impatient. That is typical.
The majority of people do. However, if you sit with it for a little while longer, your mind naturally becomes quieter. And something beneficial usually emerges in that area. Not always large.
Not always evident. However, something tangible. Emptiness was never the issue.
Quietness isn’t meaningless. It’s just not familiar. And occasionally, it’s the only opportunity your mind has to relax. Nothing needs to be fixed by you. Stop filling every moment, please. Sometimes that’s sufficient.