PRACTICE SILENCE FROM FORMATIVE AGE TO IMPROVE EFFICIENCY & ELEVATE LIFE – By N.S.Venkataraman
Religious scriptures and deep thinkers have stressed the importance of practicing silence ,as it would lead to an internal exercise for betterment of mindset and realization of Truth ( God consciousness). This practice of silence is elegantly described as meditation. Prayers ,long trek to places of worship and fasting have been advocated as appropriate methods to lead the individual to have mental concentration by observing silence and focusing on specific targets. When the mind wanders out of the silence state , the prayers help it to come back .
While it is generally understood that meditation is advocated in religious scriptures for realization of God, there are several other associated attributes to it.
Several scholars and achievers , who have excelled themselves in different fields and activities ,are known to have developed this practice of observing silence and involving themselves in meditation for short or long duration from time to time as a normal routine.
In our recent memory , it is known and have been observed that Sri. Bhagwan Ramana Maharshi, Kanchi Paramacharya who are highly respected Indian saints, have observed silence for several days at times. Mahatma Gandhi is known to have observed one day silence in a week to indulge in deep introspection. Very recently, Indian Prime Minister Modi is also known to have observed meditation exercise whenever possible amongst his very busy schedule, to introspect on the larger purpose of life and duty.
The question is whether the period of silence should be a thoughtful condition or thoughtless condition. Can the silence practice enable individual to empty the mind?. On the other hand , the silence period should involve a focused thought process , as thoughtless process is unimaginable or perhaps, inconceivable. In other words, the practice of silence would pave the way for enabling concentration on any idea in the thought process or enabling concentration while listening to the teachers or speakers or musicians, to get clear understanding .
Such capability for mental concentration attained by practice of silence, apart from strengthening the memory power , is the basic requirement to excel in any activity, whether one would be involved in scientific research work or in sports activities and so on.
Further, the attainment of capability to observe silence for short or long duration would certainly enable the individual to view the life content in a holistic manner and understand the limitations of human life and existence and, perhaps, view life beyond. It would enable the individual to appreciate the fact that whatever one would do in life should be with a purpose, time frame , efficiency and determination and with detachment with ill will for none and goodwill for all. Even as the life activity would continue , there would be clear realization that such activity need not be the be all and end all of human life. In other words , the soul should be nourished.
Practicing and observing silence has the potential to enable one to evolve in harmony with the universe.
The vibrations that would happen due to thought process in silence would calm the mind by sorting out the inner moorings.
Finally, it can be conclusively said that the state of silence enable one to have an elegant mix of outer life and inner harmony , which will ultimately pave way to a state of detachment to material affluence . When such a state is reached, it is described as Bliss (Ananda). Perhaps, this is all the condition that a human can aspire in human life
The practice of silence need to be begun from the formative age and childhood, that would elevate individual as one would grow in age. Perhaps, it is appropriate to consider the suggestion to train the children to practice silence from school level onwards as part of curriculum.
