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Silence (Mental, Vital, & Physical)

Knowledge Base

by Roy Posner and MSS

The Spiritual Nature of Silence
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On Silence

Silence is the Stillness behind all Creation.

Out of Stillness and Silence of the Infinite consciousness came this universe of forms.

One expression of Spirit in life is Silence. Others include Truth, Goodness, Power, Love, Beauty, Delight, Timelessness, and Infinity.

Spiritual Silence is the expression of the stillness of the Being; the inner being of the individual; the Infinite being of the Supreme.

For us, Silence is stillness of the mind, the nerves, the emotions, and the mind.

In Silence there is no thought, the nerves are calm, the emotions stilled, and the body at rest.

Silence has the power to evoke the infinite potentials of life.

From a deep poise, one tends towards Silence.

Silence energizes life to no end.

In Silence, the spiritual Force has its most fertile ground of action.

Movements from non-silence to Silence evoke positive response. Examples of those methods are Silent Will, Non-thinking, Non-Reaction, and Non-Initiating, and Soft and Reduced Speech.

Silence is the foundation of all right thought, decision, and action.

Accomplishment is greatest when rooted in silence.

A mind of silence opens to deep insight, light, intuition, and direct connection with the object. Perceptions of integral Truth issues from silence.

Silence reaches its greatest power in the experience of the psychic being, the evolving soul.

Constant consecration forges higher degrees of Silence within.

Silence is Blissful and energizing.

The Power of Silence

In the silence of our heart there is always peace and joy.

In the silence of the heart you will receive the command.

Let us adore in silence and listen to the divine in a deep concentration.

Certain silences are revelations and more expressive than words.

With words one can at times understand but only in silence one knows.

It is in silence that the soul best expresses itself.

It is only in peace and calm that the divine force expresses itself and acts
with regards. (Paraphrase of The Mother)

The Nature of Silence
Silence is non-movement and stillness of the spirit.

Silence & Spirit
Silence is an aspect of the Spirit. (MSS)

Silence as One of 12 Spiritual Aspects
Silence is one of the twelve aspects of the Spirit.

Spiritual Roots of Silence
As thinking is an attribute of the mind, feeling an attribute of the emotions, SILENCE is an attribute of the Divine. Silence is one of the many attributes of the Divine including Peace, Light, Love, Delight, Power, Eternity, Infinity, Immortality, etc. (MSS)

Aspects of Spirit
As Silence is one aspect of the Spirit, Peace, Unity, Truth, Knowledge, Power, Beauty, Love, Joy, Infinity and Eternity are also aspects of Spirit. (MSS)

Action Moved by Silence
The highest desirable action is the non-action of the body or vital or Mind.
A higher action is that which is moved by that Silence.
The Divine enjoys that action in which Silence is Silent and active. (MSS)

Traits of Being Silent Witness
The Witness consciousness in the depths within observes the world silently, like the unmanifest Being of the Infinite. We can do the same through several strategies:

• by being still and not reacting to others', life's intensities

• by restraining ourselves and not initiating action

• by practicing Silent Will

• by remaining calm in the face of difficulty or what is challenging

• by accepting and embracing everything that comes our way

• by seeing that the negative is necessary in the play of life

Silence Expressing at Various Planes (Mental, Vital, Physical)
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Overview

Silence at Various Planes
Silence exists at all levels from the physical material to spiritual supramental. In any plane, Silence raises the efficiency of existence which is dynamic functioning. (MSS)

Mental Silence
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The Nature of Mental Silence
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Definition of Silence of Mind
Withdrawal from the identification of thoughts is [mental] Silence. (MSS)

Understanding in Higher Mind is through Silence
The medium for understanding in the human mind is thinking while in the Higher Mind it is silence. (MSS)

Silence & Higher Mind
Mental silence is of Higher Mind.

Moving Out of Mind
By not thinking, one gets out of mind. (MSS)

Spiritual Silence & Mind
Spiritual Silence is in the plane of the Mind. (MSS)

The Nature and Effect of Stillness

-Stillness is completely emptied mind-substance devoid of even energy or light, completely inert.

-The stillness of mind goes out as unspoken word to order the environment to give us the best (as life response), abridging time, and bringing us maximum pleasure. (Karmayogi paraphrases)

Mental Silence Attracts

Perhaps the most difficult thing for a Westerner to do is to try to practice mental silence; i.e. non-thinking. It is said that the Occidental can't be still in thought or deed for even 15 minutes. And yet not only is mental silence restful; not only does it make one more mindful of what is occurring; but it can evoke instances of sudden good fortune.

For example, the other day, I decided on a drive back home that I would stop all thinking and be mentally still. At one point several minutes later, I noticed a huge traffic jam up ahead. And yet just a moment after, I also noticed that an exit was coming up fast. Being in the correct lane, I quickly got off at that exit, and was thereby able to drive completely around the jam. In essence, because my mind was still, not only was I mindful of the situation, but life's conditions -- i.e. the conveniently available exit -- were completely favorable. It had certainly evoked the cooperation of life.

A similar situation occurred several years ago, one that I explained in my book 'The Miraculous Phenomenon of Life Response." I was on a crowded train, and people were uncomfortable and grumpy. Therefore, I decided to close my eyes and still my mind of all thoughts. Very soon after, the conductor announced the availability of another train that we could jump to at the next station. I took his advice, got off at the station (hardly anyone else did), and within a minute another train arrived that was completely empty. I then had a wonderful, peaceful and restful ride the rest of the way. In essence, my mental silence attracted a result that reflected my absence of thought. It too was a powerful positive response from my surroundings. 

Attracting Perfect Perfection through Inner Stillness

When you are absolutely still, life cooperates with you with micro-precision. To the degree you are still, the precision moves from perfection to perfect perfection.

Today I was standing on line at a check out area at a mega-electronics store where there are over 30 cashiers. As I approached the front of the line, I looked back on all the payment areas. I was across from #2. I decided to remain absolutely still, clearing my mind of thoughts, and most importantly my emotions of all feelings of anticipation.

After half a minute, I saw that stall #1 was opening up. Immediately, I knew that my stillness had attracted the very first cashier available amongst the 30, avoiding a walk to any of the others. However, as I was about to go to #1 cashier, I noticed that he was not quite ready. Again I did not react, and was content to go to any of the dozens of stalls available to me.

A few seconds later, the person directing traffic informed me to go to cashier #2. Well, that turned out to be the station that was directly in front of me, but four feet away! This was even better than #1, which was slightly off to my right. It was a perfect life response outcome to stillness within. It was also a little reminder that you can build on perfection and attract its more perfect form.

Non-Thinking and Knowing

As soon as we stop thinking, life responds and we start knowing.

Power of Silence and Faith to Overcome a Problem

If you are having any problem or difficulty, there is a simple solution: Silence and Faith. Silence in the Mind, i.e. non-thinking; and Faith in the Divine. As a result, conditions quickly move in your favor, attracting unforeseen opportunities, while dissolving the problem.

Problems and Stillness

The greater the problem, the greater the need for inner stillness and calm to resolve it. It is therefore a great opportunity for growth in consciousness.

Consecration + Stillness = Cooperation of Life

If you offer any activity to the spiritual Force (i.e. consecrate it), while remaining very still in thought and emotion, the very best of circumstance will present themselves. It will seem miraculous-like.

Focus on Divine Mother Instead of Thinking Attracts the Positive

When you make the small effort to think about the Divine Mother instead of indulging in haphazard,  wasteful thinking, life suddenly opens up; people smile; cooperation is everywhere.

Stillness and Presence of Divine Mother

As soon as I move to stillness, I feel the Divine Mother and Her Presence pouring in.

Complaining Fails; Silence Succeeds

The more you complain, the more the object of your complaint (e.g. spouse, workmate, or boss) will disappoint. Complaining is therefore powerlessness. Silence on the other hand is strength that attracts the intended results. It is a spiritual law of life.

Right Perception through a Calm Mind

A calm mind will tend to perceive the right things to do, and the right things to avoid, thereby overcoming the limits of space and time.

Right Condition for Perceiving Truths of Another

If you are in a quiet, calm, inner-oriented consciousness, you are more likely to perceive the truth in another's point of view.

Requirement of Perfect Unfolding of Events

There is a perfect unfolding of events if one is settled in a state of inner calm and does everything required of each and every moment.

The Benefits of Mental Silence
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Understanding, Knowledge, Mindfulness

Mental Silence Understands, Communicates, Accomplishes Better

• Silence understands better than thinking.

• Silence communicates better than speaking.

• Silence accomplishes better than doing.

• Theoretically, there is a silence behind silence. (MSS)

A Pure Mind is a Quiet One Free of Thoughts
A pure mind means a mind quiet and free from thoughts of a useless or disturbing character. (Sri Aurobindo)

Mental Peace/Silence
Mental peace is the foundation of acquiring greater knowledge. (MSS)

Silence and Greater Understanding, Knowledge
When is rooted in Silence, i.e. absent of thought, clearer expressions of understanding and knowledge come to one more readily.

Understanding in a Flash through Silence
Mind that dispenses with thinking to reach understanding, does so in a flash by Silence. (paraphrase of MSS)

Vast Understanding and Silence
Mind understands more quickly and completely when it does not think. As thinking is superior to memorisation, understanding without thinking is superior to thinking. (MSS)

Best Ideas, Genius that Come from Non-Thinking -- i.e. Silence
A singer or an athlete are at their best form when they don't plan; meaning that when they don't think, they perform better. Thinking is a process in which mind consciously coordinates facts. When a certain coordination does not work out, meaning it does not bring out the right result, it tries other coordinations. This is the basis of empiricism. Practically, this is a very long process not sure of success for a long time. Occasionally by chance, one hits upon the right answer. When a man learns not to think, sufficiently and strongly, and sleeps over that silence for a considerable time, the answer appears in his mind. That is how Einstein got his formula. The phenomenon of genius understands the world not by external observation but by refusing to observe the externals. Had Charles Darwin who spent forty years collecting data, systematising, classifying, resorted to non-thinking, he would have got the same results or better results in a few years. And the phenomenon that he is unable to explain now (the gap between two species) would have also revealed to him. In our own experience, our best ideas come when we are least thinking about them. (MSS) 

Right Perception through a Calm Mind

A calm mind will tend to perceive the right things to do, and the right things to avoid, thereby overcoming the limits of space and time.

Right Condition for Perceiving Truths of Another

If you are in a quiet, calm, inner-oriented consciousness, you are more likely to perceive the truth in another's point of view.

Never Anticipate
Today I was having printer problems. A month ago, someone walked me through the solution at HP. It worked for a time. I had it again. An Indian woman helped me on live chat. She was very slow. I though I am going through this all over again, to what end. I decided to be patient. She gave me an entirely different solution that worked. The lesson; never anticipate. Every moment is its own. It was very satisfying experience.

Quietness
To remain quiet is true action, the kind of action which delivers understanding. Become aware of noise, both external and internal, and you will see how we depend upon uproars to distract us from what we hesitate to face. We don't trust quietness because it is so foreign to our everyday ways; we prefer the misery of familiarity. Any friendly steps taken toward quietness will be returned with equal friendliness. (The Daily Guru)

Stilling Mind for Greater Awareness
Human beings can develop the capacity to still the chaotic activity of mental energy, so that the mind becomes a silent, contentless field of conscious awareness with greatly enhanced powers of perception and knowledge. (MSS)

Deep Mindfulness that Brings Awareness AND Joy
"For the truth is, however admirable mindfulness may be, however much peace, grounding, stability and self-acceptance it can bring, as an experience to be shared, it's stultifyingly boring. "

People only feel alive when there is something energizing happening. When their emotions are soaring. Otherwise, life seems BORING. This boringness however a sure sign of NON-Mindfulness. It is an indicator that one is not able to go deeper and find the well-spring of deep inner joy within. True mindfulness and joy go together. They are extremely energizing.

It seems that the author in this wonderful article has not gone deep enough. She values too much the surface of life, and is afraid to go deeper where the well-spring of endless joy and delight arise.

Understanding and Knowledge through Silence
How often we have seen that when we let go of our futile attempt to understand or know something that understanding and knowledge comes to us suddenly a short time after. It is understanding and knowledge that welled up from within us when the mind fell silent. At that level of consciousness we are able to draw copiously from a hidden store of inner knowledge.

And yet we can make such occasional unconscious movements never-ending conscious ones. We can accomplish this by moving into the depths of our being, away from the surface of life, and seek Silence there. This will enable a never-ending welling up of right understanding and knowledge. To the degree we tend that Silence within, we will continually know without thinking; a more subtle and powerful way to truth; a foreshadow of our future human functioning on earth.  (Paraphrase of MSS)

Knowledge and Silence
If one lives from the poise of silence rather than that of incessant thought, then the knowledge comes into one's being without having to think it through.

Silence Overcome Confusion
When you are confused while thinking, move to silence. Rights thoughts and clarity will emerge soon thereafter.

Silence Engenders True Knowledge
Mental silence should be the foundation for bringing out the deepest aspect and truest truth of any object of inquiry.

Silence and Illuminations, Intuitions of Knowledge
Silence -- i.e. absence of thought -- enables the attraction of sudden descents of illuminations and intuitions of knowledge.

Understanding Facilitated by Silence, Not Thinking
As the running thoughts are a disturbance to thinking, thinking interferes with understanding. Understanding is facilitated by SILENCE. It is known by 'Silent contemplation.' We often get the answer when we forget the problem or sleep over it.

Subconscious and Subliminal Influence on Mind, and Effect on Our Energies

As Sri Aurobindo and Karmayogi have explained, the subconscious is filled with the inertia, pessimism, fear, carried over from thousands of generation of human life, including pain, difficulty, and death. It is also a carryover of our animal nature. I.e. survival instinct, primal fear, etc. It takes various mental forms as well, as in this need to review conditions, which is based on an inner insecurity and pessimism.

Also the subconscious is the center of our fixed, habitual nature. It has a power over the physical to repeat, which expresses through mind's tendency to continually think about things.

By the way, the subconscious also has a positive side, called the Subliminal, from which positive instincts rise to the surface. It does so because it is in touch with superconscious forces. Taking to Mother as you did in this situation can be thought of as a subliminal mental guidance rising from the depths to the conscious mind that was able to block the awareness of running thoughts.

The end result is the preservation and expansion of our mental energies.

Silence and Spiritualized Mind
Silence facilitates better thought, deeper insight, and descents of illuminations, intuitions, and revelations of knowledge. In other words, Silence brings one to experiences of Spiritualized Mind.

Silence & Inspiration
Silence is a more powerful source of inspiration than active thinking.

Knowledge from Silence, Intuition, Overmind

1) Mind that dispenses with thinking to reach understanding, doing it in a flash by Silence.

2) At the next level silence is an inferior instrument, as the thinker SEES the form of knowledge.

3) All media is unnecessary for one who can know it directly. It is intuition.

4) Overmind has the knowledge which intuition seeks. (MSS)

See Illuminations, Intuitions, and Supermental Perceptions Above Mind Proper

US's Success and It's Sources of Silence
One is opposed to the other. Where there is activity, there is no Silence; where there is Silence, there is no activity. Sri Aurobindo says Silence sustains activity. Further, He says all those who have reached a little of that inner Silence know the surging waves of energy that are welling up from that immobile reservoir of SILENCE. During a discussion of the history of the USA along the lines of the Theory of Social Evolution, the author of that study asked the group a question: 'We see America is dynamic. If Sri Aurobindo's words are true, we must discover the silence behind the ocean-like activity on that continent.'¯ An American member of the team asked the questioner to recall the physical silence of the American cities as against the noisy roads of India. Westerners, on landing in India, are aware of many things as part of a cultural shock, as anyone entering another culture feels. Of all these things, the din of noise in our towns, at home and everywhere is noticeable to them. America has no noise pollution.

On the roads in America, the noise of the car horn is rarely heard. On our [India's] roads, it is the opposite. In not using the horn, the American driver has to exercise a great INNER restraint. The organisation of traffic must be far more efficient than here. It is an inner efficiency, which arises from an inner calm. An audience waiting for the speaker is vociferous, is what we know. In the West, the audience waits in silence. An inner restraint makes the inner silence possible. It is a spiritual principle that silence is more efficacious than the spoken word. OM symbolises that Silence. An American judge at the trial of war criminals in Nuremberg was given a house and three servants. He felt guilty about having any servants and wanted to dispense with them. He was used to working all by himself.

That is the American tradition. In the early days of the settlers, a person travelled to a god-forsaken place and started life. He would have absolutely no help apart from his family, if he had one. Usually a family would come to someone who had already set up in a place. Security first, family next, was the rule for settlers unless they had come to some vacant place with a family. Thus, man withdraws into himself. At work, he had no companion to speak with. After work, he fell plump into his bed often filling himself with liquor. He went into a stupor to get up the next morning and work. It is not spiritual seclusion and spiritual tapas. Mother called work the best prayer of the body. He was all by himself to accomplish. Friends or family were acquired after he succeeded. The enforced silence of his being alone with no one to consult generated the Silence out of, which issued the gigantic dynamism whose work America is today. Americans who come to work directly fall into their work after a 'Hello' or a 'Hi'. That is the maximum of their speech while at work. (MSS)

Ability to Accomplish, Life Response, Skilfulness, Creativity, Harmony, Energy

Power of Withholding Thought
The power that comes from withholding a thought is greater than expressing it.

Silence Understands, Communicates, Accomplishes Better
Silence accomplishes better than doing.(MSS)

Withhold Speaking in Conversation Attracts Significant Results
When you withhold speaking what is on your mind in a conversation, you learn of things that are of immense value, making your original though seem trivial. E.g. A salesperson who was very technically knowledgeable, verbose and somewhat successful practiced the discipline of letting the customer initiate every conversation. When he did so, his sales doubled within a month. It is the power of silence and Silent Will.

Silence Accomplishes
One's Silence accelerates accomplishment, as life cooperates abundantly.

Silence and Accomplishment
Through silence, right thought arises on its own. Can there be a better condition for knowing the world around us at any moment in time, and therefore accomplishing?

Consecration + Stillness = Cooperation of Life

If you offer any activity to the spiritual Force (i.e. consecrate it), while remaining very still in thought and emotion, the very best of circumstance will present themselves. It will seem miraculous-like.

Focus on Divine Mother Instead of Thinking Attracts the Positive

When you make the small effort to think about the Divine Mother instead of indulging in haphazard,  wasteful thinking, life suddenly opens up; people smile; cooperation is everywhere.

Stillness and Presence of Divine Mother

As soon as I move to stillness, I feel the Divine Mother and Her Presence pouring in.

Never Anticipate
Today I was having printer problems. A month ago, someone walked me through the solution at HP. It worked for a time. I had it again. An Indian woman helped me on live chat. She was very slow. I though I am going through this all over again, to what end. I decided to be patient. She gave me an entirely different solution that worked. The lesson; never anticipate. Every moment is its own. It was very satisfying experience.

Finding Silence Within Enables Greater Effectivity in Life
If you can move within and perpetually find the silence, and yet still actively engage in life, you will begin to bring a greater consciousness to bear in life, and a greater power of effectivity in life. You will develop a power of inner vision and perception that will be the basis of great accomplishment and joy, the foundation of a vast oneness of perception and action, which can later be the foundation for our further journey towards our evolutionary possibility.

Silence & Inspiration
Silence is a more powerful source of inspiration than active thinking.

Observing in Silence
To know how to observe in silence is the source of skilfulness. (The Mother)

Methods of Silence that Bring Results
Restlessness can be handled by calling in Peace. Relaxation can be sought in rest. If thinking is sometimes enjoyable, we can try to compare its intensity with Silence and thinking will pale in comparison. Even though on some occasions thinking yields a skill, Silence can give the entire capacity of which that skill is only a part. He who seeks a capacity from thinking but resorts to Silence will gain a creative capacity. (MSS)

Not Asking Attracts Copious Results from Life
When man refuses to ask, life gives him what he needs more copiously.

Never Anticipate
Today I was having printer problems. A month ago, someone walked me through the solution at HP. It worked for a time. I had it again. An Indian woman helped me on live chat. She was very slow. I though I am going through this all over again, to what end. I decided to be patient. She gave me an entirely different solution that worked. The lesson; never anticipate. Every moment is its own. It was very satisfying experience.

Consciously Abridging Time
Because I had problems with Internet communication on my computer the other day, I had a little extra time on my hands. I then thought that rather than waste it, why not take care of one of the items on my long-term agenda -- upgrading the memory on my computer.

When I arrived at the service area at the local electronics superstore, I was greeted by four individuals in line ahead of me. Though that might not seem so bad, consider the fact that they were there to have their laptop computers serviced, and at the time, there were only two technicians on duty. Since each customer took ~15-20 minutes to service, I was looking at a half hour or more wait. I had been on this slow moving service department line before, and I had seen the look on the faces of the people 'patiently'¯ waiting. Well this time it was no different, as the person in front of me had that same silent, but frustrated look.

Because I had lost landline DSL connection to the Internet, I was forced on that day to use a wireless Wi-Fi connection at McDonald's and Starbucks. Now as I stood in this slow moving line, I thought that rather than stand around nervously for half hour waiting for my turn, I could make use of the wireless service that might be available in the store. And so I pulled out my computer from its case, and awakened it from sleep mode. I then discovered that a free Internet connection was indeed available in the store. However, when I tried to connect to that Wi-Fi service, it did not work. And yet when I put the computer back in its case and looked around, I noticed that the line in front of me had suddenly moved two spaces. That normally would have occurred over 15 minutes, but instead it happened in fewer than 5. I then understood that because I shifted my attention away from the 'problem'¯ of the line, life responded and moved it along overcoming the duration of time.

Now I sensed I was in one of those moments where I had the presence of mind to overcome and master life's conditions. Taking that cue, a moment later I made the conscious decision to give up all concern about the lengthy wait. As a result, the line moved again two places in less than 5 minutes. When I was then called to be serviced, I had in essence been served in less than 10 minutes, when it would ordinarily take 30 or more.

When I first explained my need to the technician, he said that the added memory could be installed within two or three hours. I thought that was too long, and asked him if it could be done sooner. Sensing my time constraints, he then said his tech people could do it in 45 minutes. I thought that was fine. I could after all go out to get something to eat and return in the allotted time.

He then told me it would cost around $140 for 1GB of memory, which was the maximum additional amount my computer could hold. After filling out the paperwork, I was prepared to leave, but then stopped myself from assuming that our communication was over. As a result, I held my ground and waited for him to speak. He then proceeded to tell me that if a technician didn't return within the next ten minutes, he would install the memory himself. I naturally accepted this new course of action.

Now sensing that time was disappearing before my very eyes, I again held myself back from rushing off. He then said he wanted to check the memory configuration in my computer before he did the work. After a quick check, he told me that the computer would only take a 2gb chip, not a 1gb one, though either way it would only add 1gb of usable memory to the system. For a moment, I thought that would mean that the price would now double, but he surprised me by saying that it would cost less for the 2gb chip because it was on sale! Thus, my bill now went down by nearly $50, despite the fact that I used a bigger chip. In the back of my mind, I thought that small wonders were rapidly accumulating through my conscious effort.

When I then finally went off for the allotted 10-minute period, I came upon and watched a beautiful video on one of the flat-panel TVs called 'Above California.' When I arrived, the film was just showing my favorite spot in the state -- Mt. Shasta, the 13,000-foot snow-capped cylindrical peak in the north. I saw that as a good omen now, even as I have often thought of Shasta peak as a symbol of ultimate aspiration in life, including my own. Feeling light, lilting, and joyous because of all these events, I then returned to the technician who was in the process of completing the installation for me. At that point, I did not want to force the conclusion of the transaction, for I knew that right inner attitude could attract additional small miracles.

A few minutes later, the transaction was completed and I got the additional memory that would speed up my computer. In addition, I was equally happy because a potential half hour or more wait in line had been cut by over 75%; that an originally proposed 2 to 3 hour installation was reduced to a mere 10 minutes; and that my bill was substantially reduced from the original quote. I clearly perceived that it had all happened because I made conscious use of time through efforts of inner detachment, calm, and patience at various points along the way. It was a powerful reminder that if we make use of our inner power, time will shift from being an obstacle and adversary to becoming an ultimate instrument and ally.

Quietly in Tune with the Universe
There is a rhythm to the universe. When we are able to get quiet enough, we experience how we are a part of that perfect rhythm. (The Daily Guru)

Silence Energizes
Sri Aurobindo says Silence sustains activity. Further, He says all those who have reached a little of that inner Silence know the surging waves of energy that are welling up from that immobile reservoir of SILENCE. (MSS)

Overcoming Fatigue through Silence
When you are tired, move to silence. Energy will regenerate.

Energy Conserved of Silence Gets to Work
The energy conserved by Silence gets to work immediately.

Spiritual Attainment

Silence and Spiritual Attainment
Silence is so difficult to attain through discipline that traditionally it is considered highly valuable and is equated with the Divine itself. Spiritually, when the soul in man comes to recognise the presence of the Divine, the resulting realisation is Silence. When the realisation is total, man merges in the Divine. But if it is partial, it is felt as Silence. Just as success, when it touches man is felt as happiness or excitement, when man comes into contact initially with the Divine, the result is Silence. (MSS)

Structureless Inner Peace of the Spirit
Our lives are structured and there is no Peace as long as the structure remains. By structure, I mean codes of life or values of life. Values are valuable. The peace offered by a life of values or moral codes is not attainable by all. It is great. But when all the structures are dissolved, one is free from the society as well as one's own psychology.

One whose house is full of expensive furniture and consumer durables is proud of possessing them. In truth, they are possessed by these chattels. It is much more so with money. Owners of considerable money are always possessed by it, making the owner an Asura. Possessions can give you comfort and pride, not freedom. There is no real Peace as long as you are possessed by material things.

One enjoys the affection of many people, particularly the one whom he loves. It is elevating. Elevation and exultation may be true, but they are not Peace.

Spiritual Peace is non-possessive, and it is structureless. Sri Aurobindo speaks of the Silence behind Silence. It is the Silence of Brahman. External peace gives a peaceful outer life. Inner Peace that is without structure includes the external peace. It is of great power. Its power issues from the fact that it is not supported by structure. (MSS, extracted)

Other

Responding in Silence to Blows
There are two main ways of fighting the opposition. One is to organise your strength and deliver a blow in return for each blow as it is aimed at you. This is a physical, mental method man normally chooses. The other is to refuse to receive the darts and be SILENT. This is more difficult, but more powerful. At its acme, it can turn the blows aimed at you against those who released them. It is the power of Silence. (MSS)

Silence as Foundation of World Peace
It is from a status of Silence that we can elicit peace and harmony among the nations of the world.

How to Establish Mental Silence

Establishing Silence
Extraneous thoughts, going over the threshold of necessary thinking, outward speech, a movement within are minimal approaches to establishing silence within.

Invoking Silence
When you want to invoke the Spirit, sit down, close your eyes - it may not be necessary stop moving the body, don't talk, DON'T THINK. A stillness descends on the mind. The stillness grows into a QUIET, a calm, and finally becomes SILENCE. Silence is an aspect of the Spirit.

Spiritual Silence
By living within and not giving voice to expression of our thoughts eventually can lead to a kind of descent of Silence within, where it wells up within one's self of its own. That welling up of silence is a spiritual experience. Also Silence is the preferred state from which to do express knowledge. If one lives from the poise of silence rather than that of incessant thought, then the knowledge comes into one's being without having to think it through. At that point you are functioning not from the normal mind, but in a state of a Higher Mind from which knowledge descends into the being. Such an experience and state is an indication of an evolving consciousness beyond the normal mental level of functioning. 

Finding Silence Within
If you can move within and perpetually find the silence, and yet still actively engage in life, you will begin to bring a greater consciousness to bear in life, and a greater power of effectivity in life. You will develop a power of inner vision and perception that will be the basis of great accomplishment and joy, the foundation of a vast oneness of perception and action, which can later be the foundation for our further journey towards our evolutionary possibility.

Silence and Speech
Silence issues when the gaze is turned inward. Speech wells up when the eye looks outward. (MSS)

Silence in the Depths
The first movement within into the depths is to know silence.

Not Identifying with Thought by Its Consecration
Thought comes from outside. We accept the thought and think, thus we identify ourselves with the thought and become THE THOUGHT and cease to be ourselves. We have to shift from the thought not even to the mind, but to our being. We can enable this this by consecrating the thought. (Paraphrase of MSS)

The Mind, Thinking and Silence
The mind is noisy, invaded by constant thoughts. The yogi by an effort of his will can push these running thoughts away or let them pass. When the current of thoughts stops, another part of the mind which is endowed with the ability of converting knowledge into practically usable thoughts becomes active. That part too can be quieted. Above that is the human reason which constructs conceptions that build up into ideas. Silence enters the mind as and when these activities recede. Current thoughts, conversion of knowledge into useful ideas and abstract thinking must all stop for the Silence to enter the mind. Beneath all these high faculties lies the chattering physical mind that never stops running, and uses the mouth to express itself.

Accepting and Inner Peace
When you accept everything, you will endlessly experience a stillness and quietude that is inner peace.

Structureless Inner Peace of the Spirit
Our lives are structured and there is no Peace as long as the structure remains. By structure, I mean codes of life or values of life. Values are valuable. The peace offered by a life of values or moral codes is not attainable by all. It is great. But when all the structures are dissolved, one is free from the society as well as one's own psychology.

One whose house is full of expensive furniture and consumer durables is proud of possessing them. In truth, they are possessed by these chattels. It is much more so with money. Owners of considerable money are always possessed by it, making the owner an Asura. Possessions can give you comfort and pride, not freedom. There is no real Peace as long as you are possessed by material things.

One enjoys the affection of many people, particularly the one whom he loves. It is elevating. Elevation and exultation may be true, but they are not Peace.

Spiritual Peace is non-possessive, and it is structureless. Sri Aurobindo speaks of the Silence behind Silence. It is the Silence of Brahman. External peace gives a peaceful outer life. Inner Peace that is without structure includes the external peace. It is of great power. Its power issues from the fact that it is not supported by structure. (MSS, extracted)

Three Forms of Wasteful Thinking

Momentum Thinking
One unnecessary area of mental activity involves what I call 'momentum thinking.'¯ For example, let's say that you have been deeply engrossed in work matters during the morning. However, when you go on your lunch break, instead of relaxing, you mull over every issue you just left behind. As a result, not only have you failed to relax your nerves, but the thoughts that arise in your mind are now scattered and confused. If instead you had stopped all thought, not only would the nerves be settled, but when you resumed thinking later on, it would of a higher order. Just as you are refreshed when waking up from a dreamless sleep, stilling one's thoughts refreshes the mind so that when it reactivates, it produce far better results.

Over the years, I have found that some of the best realizations I have had occurred after I stopped all thinking about a particular matter; or stopped thinking completely. Invariably after taking to mental silence, not only does a relaxing calm and stillness take hold, but bursts of intuitive-like insight take hold. Keep in mind that such revelatory experiences are also forms of life response -- as they seem to come out of nowhere in response to our effort to still our minds.

The point to keep in mind here is that just because we have been thinking about a matter, doesn't mean we have to persist in that mental effort. At a certain point, we can shut down any momentum thinking, which will sooth the nerves, and attract clear thinking as well as revelatory insight.

Sense-Driven Thinking
A second way we can cut down on thinking is by reducing 'sense-driven'¯ thought -- the type of wasteful mind activity that comes from sense overload. The truth is that we are normally over-stimulated by the visual and auditory phenomena that is unfolding before us. The sense data that comes streaming into our mind though our five senses -- whether a colorful TV image, or the bright color of someone's dress, or shape of a tree, or the sound of a alluring music -- tends to overwhelm our rational thought processes, preventing us from perceiving the multiplicity of truths unfolding before us. Through these preoccupations with the surface bubblings of life, we lose track of the big picture, as well as where our intentions should lie -- resulting in limited understanding of what avenue to pursue next.

On the other hand, when we withdraw from our preoccupation with the surface -- the visual, the auditory, and other sense input -- and instead focus our concentration inward into the depths of our being, we tend to come in alignment with the essential truths unfolding before us. Through this mindful poise, we are able to make the right decisions that lead to successful outcomes. Included in these are right crossroad decisions that tend to attract good fortune.

If, for example, I had an inner orientation at the checkout counter, which enabled an automatic stilling of thoughts, I would be in a restful, mindful state that would either automatically trigger a positive response, or would lead to right actions that would do so. In either case by living in the depths rather than the surface, we reduce sense-driven thinking that soothes the nerves, still the mind, and attracts positive conditions in its wake.

Mechanical Thinking
The third way we waste our mental capital is by engaging in 'mechanical thinking,'¯ which is the mind's tendency to think uncontrollably about every conceivable matter under the sun. It is the undercurrent of ceaseless chatter that the mind unconsciously engages in out of pure habit. It is the runaway train of the mind that 'has a mind of its own'¯ -- seeking to overwhelm us with a continuous blitz of innocuous and unimportant thoughts. [ep]

For example, when I arrive at the subway station, instead of a still and quiet mind, I think about everything that comes to its attention -- whether I will slip on the stairs, or whether I could fall onto the tracks, or why the subway sign is painted a bright orange. Likewise, when I exit the station, I wonder if my ticket will workin the reader, or whether I am even in the right station, or whether there are criminal elements lurking about. After I emerge from the underground, I see several trees, which recalls a dream I had of being lost in the metro, which triggers a childhood memory where I could not find my way home.  Finally, a moment later, I wonder if I have lost my wallet, or whether I am going to catch a cold because it has gotten chilly, or whether the approaching crosswalk light is going to change in my favor. Throughout our day, we are engaged in a perpetual inner chatter that not only blocks out the essentials, but drains our energies to no end.

Such uncontrolled thinking is an inheritance of the lower, unevolved part of nature -- part of the subconscious part of our being that lives in fear; that seeks to protect itself from harm. Like a wary bird that constantly scans the horizon for danger, our mind is perpetually at work to remind us of potential dangers in the environment. It is an overly protective element that is afraid of the freedom of chance and possibility.

In fact, much of this ceaseless chatter consists of an acute pessimism -- a mental inheritance from the holocaust of suffering, disease, and death of a thousand previous generations. Such uncontrollable, darkly shaded thoughts -- e.g. 'we will never make the opening,' the bridge will be backed up,'¯ 'it never works out,'¯ etc. etc. -- not only drains us of our energies, but releases unseen negative force that tends to attract negative circumstance. However, if we learn to turn off the off this spigot of doubt and gloom, not only will we see through to the truths of the moment, to what really demands our attention at that moment in time, but we will tend to attract positive conditions from the world around us.


Other

Reconstituted Wondrous Thoughts Emerging
Sometimes ideas emerge from the mind in thought-less wonder, reconstituting previous insights inter newer revelations.

Withdrawal of Thought that Generates Thought
A certain type of trust or faith is involved when one withdraws thought with the gentle expectation that new, dynamic creative, understanding will rise on its own.

Thought Forgotten to Work Is Enhanced
When one moves away from thought a bit to work in the field (e.g. one is busy with a client), i.e. leaves reason, even spiritual-based reason behind, the thought comes back on its own at the opportune moment, reformulated with much greater clarity, freshness, and power. It's kind of like a life response to itself. It's truly a wonder.

On Speech
-Speech generates a powerful vibration that can pass from one to another.

-Speech can be a negative force that acts in life, though not necessarily in the direction or manner intended by the speaker.

-Speech can be a premature act that dissipates energy and cancels or postpones results.

-If we say an act carries a force, and speaking expresses an energy or a force, the refusal to speak restrains the energy or force. It is an act that builds up the energy and increases its power and force for accomplishment.  (MSS)

Untitled
To help one's self or another in pain or illness you can send light from the heart or call down showers of peace from the Force.

MSS Article on Silence

Vital Silence
(top)

Nervous and Emotional Silence
nervous calm makes for greater effectivity of the nerves, emotional stability helps one handle people better. (MSS)

Vital Silence
I often write about Spiritual Silence. Silence has other versions. The silence on the mountaintop or the desert is the silence of the physical plane.

Spiritual Silence is in the plane of the Mind. Our talk is from the stomach, the solar plexus, called 'vital' in the language of yoga. When a speaker is eloquent on the platform, it is the stomach that is pleased, not the Mind that thinks. Non-stop talkers are vital people.

They are men of action, usually with a strong dose of falsehood. They can never be silent at all. Silence can come to them too. It comes as a condition that makes them speechless.

A few young men heard of a money spinner. They harnessed their savings and pooled them into the new venture, and worked themselves to death. Having met success after success, they became thick friends and close partners. Their success far exceeded their wildest expectations. One of them had education and an organised mind.

The others laboured. As the bounty grew in great dimensions, the fair-mindedness of the educated partner was perceived as a weakness. The others colluded to deprive him of a part of his due. Being educated and having inherited a rich culture, the victim taught himself patience and behaved as if he was unaware of the crude tricks of the others.

The success of greed forces it to be blatant. Those who rob have a way of believing that the victim is incapable of knowing what is going on behind the screen.

Once the subject surfaced. The victim expressed that each should get his due. It was too much for the others. It came as a surprise to them. He even said that they could part company, if the due was denied.

A silence descended on the meeting. It was like a blanket. Everyone was speechless. They could neither speak nor move. Sitting still for three hours, they found themselves as statues. When the motive of action is questioned, the human volition dissolves and movement is impossible.

If Spiritual Silence ushers the yogi into the stillness of the Spirit, Vital Silence robs men of action of the capacity to move and throws them into a mental coma. This too is another version of the great SILENCE. Between lovers comes a moment of intense intimate communion which deprives them of the need to speak or move.

Such Silence is positive vital Silence when hours pass as minutes. Silence can come into us even in action, e.g. while active in a game. Should silence descend on one while he is playing, his shots will gain in accuracy as never before and the sound of silence will be heard with each shot.

Silence exists at all levels from the physical material to spiritual supramental. In any plane, Silence raises the efficiency of existence which is dynamic functioning. (MSS)

True Inner Silence
I have heard from many devotees that though they want harmony with others their efforts end in failure with the other persons provoking quarrels and picking fights even when the devotee keeps silent. The other person could be the spouse, another colleague at work spot or another devotee they meet at the center or even a neighbour.

Very often the failure comes because the physical silence that the devotee practices is not backed by true inner silence. The devotee though not openly quarrelling will be criticizing the other person in his or her mind all the time. This silent criticism sends out vibrations of disharmony all the time which the other person responds to and provokes what the devotee thinks is an uncalled for quarrel. But it is the vibration coming from the devotee that is causing the mischief. We may take rotten food away from the dining table so that others do not see them and put them away in the kitchen. But the smell of rotting food floats from the kitchen and enters the dining hall and disturbs people. Silent criticism is like rotten fruits and disturbs the other person just as effectively as open quarrelling. Life is far more subtle than we think. What we do not speak out is sensed by life as vibrations and they are just as real to life as spoken words.

In P&P Elizabeth has silently criticized Darcy so many times throughout the story. Suddenly out of the blue she finds Lady Catherine visiting her and showering a rain of abuse on her leaving her bewildered. How will she ever know this is what she gets as life response for the incessant silent criticism of Darcy that has been going on her head for so many months. She may never see the connection. But at least we devotees should know this connection and see that we do not commit this mistake when we strive for harmony with others.

Let any devotee who wants true harmony with others stop this silent criticism and then he or she will see the results. (N. Asokan, MSS)

Vital Silence
Vital silence expresses as inner calm and equality, detachment, and peace.

Never Anticipate
Today I was having printer problems. A month ago, someone walked me through the solution at HP. It worked for a time. I had it again. An Indian woman helped me on live chat. She was very slow. I though I am going through this all over again, to what end. I decided to be patient. She gave me an entirely different solution that worked. The lesson; never anticipate. Every moment is its own. It was very satisfying experience.

Also See Thoughts on Calm and Equality of Being

Also See Thoughts on Soft and Reduced Speech

Silence and Energy
(top)

Silence & Energy
Silence is energy at rest.

Silence Energizes
Sri Aurobindo says Silence sustains activity. Further, He says all those who have reached a little of that inner Silence know the surging waves of energy that are welling up from that immobile reservoir of SILENCE. (MSS)

Overcoming Fatigue through Silence
When you are tired, move to silence. Energy will regenerate.

Energy Conserved of Silence Gets to Work
The energy conserved by Silence gets to work immediately.

Silence and Accomplishment
(top)

Mental Silence Understands, Communicates, Accomplishes Better

• Silence understands better than thinking.

• Silence communicates better than speaking.

• Silence accomplishes better than doing.

• Theoretically, there is a silence behind silence. (MSS)

Quietness, Peace, and Knowing the Right Thing to Do
It is only in quietness and peace that one can know what is the best thing to do. (The Mother)

Other
(top)

Untitled
Silence is what one experience when one has not quite connected to the personal evolving soul. It is the first step to be established within on that road.

MSS Article on Silence

Thoughts on Peace

Thoughts On Inner Calm & Equality

Thoughts on Detachment