
The ten days of silence were quite productive. Excruciating at times. Wonderful at times. But productive, which is what we are going for here. I felt moved to share an insight for today’s post. Not anything we don’t already know. But I got it on a much deeper level.
I was able to observe my energy and how it reaches out and tries to wrap itself around another’s “dysfunction”, for lack of a better word, and fix it, change it. Or it could be something someone is talking about which is absolutely false. Or it could be someone excruciatingly overanalyzing a situation. I tend(ed) to take it on as my own burden to try and correct, fix. And it takes an immense amount of energy to do so. And usually it doesn’t feel good to me. Upon really close observation I see that it is my ego’s way of trying to correct things to fit my world view. To make it right. But we don’t all wear rose-colored glasses. In fact, I would venture to say that all of our glasses are slightly different shades of many different colors.
When appropriate, it is far simpler just to observe whatever reaction I might be having to what someone is saying or doing, than to step in and try and alter things in any way. It feels better. There is almost a sense of relief that comes with not needing to defend anything. Even though I still have the urge to do so. In silence there is immense freedom.
February 9, 2009 at 8:54 am
Starting 12th. , Iwill be attending a retreat. We will be observing silence for 10 days, wonder what the experience will be like.
February 9, 2009 at 9:10 am
definitely ! though the word meditation looks much heavier. It is better to call the meditation a simple, innocent silence and existence opens all its beauties to us .
February 9, 2009 at 9:23 am
Welcome back!
I think we all have our differences and it is an incredible gift to be allowed to just be one’s own quirky, sometimes-annoying self. Because we are all at times, aren’t we? Or maybe that’s just me
February 9, 2009 at 9:26 am
Serendipity—Best wishes to you in your silence. May your work be fruitful.
Dr P– I could not agree more.
Laura–No, I am sure I am seen as annoying sometimes to. But really, it is not me being annoying. It is me being me and someone else’s reaction/response is that I am annoying.
February 9, 2009 at 10:49 am
Stepping back often clears the mind of the “me” clutter I find. It sure gets in the way of my responses to people sometimes. I wouldn’t survive without my (self) retreat times.
February 9, 2009 at 1:35 pm
My friend did this meditation in silence in Auckland. Eventhough I am a quiet person by nature I would find it difficult. I love connection within and outside Great if you are able to do that
February 9, 2009 at 2:40 pm
Welcome back to our online community, Molly. And thank you for your great effort!
I find it very hard to stay within my own skin.
My natural tendency is to (a) judge and then (b) “fix” what I’ve just judged.
One time my wife was crying. My first words were, “What’s wrong?” That was the beginning of the movement toward “fixing” the “unpleasant” situation – and it was not very helpful.
Can we just be with ourselves?
February 9, 2009 at 7:22 pm
So glad your days of silence were productive.
I’m going to read and reread what you have written here. This is something we need to continually remind ourSelves to do (or not do…).
By the way, 100 Days = 100 walks. It might not seem like much but it’s a pretty big challenge for me.
February 10, 2009 at 12:03 am
Hey there.. Welcome back.. I’ve missed you..
February 10, 2009 at 5:50 am
Aggie–the self retreat is essential, huh?
Marja–it is difficult, but so worth it. I actually want to get to the New Zealand Center sometime.
Barry–Great question!
Val–100 days, 100 walks. Good going!
Fibi–Thanks! My mind did wander more than once to my blogger community during my days of silence
February 10, 2009 at 10:10 am
Molly,
welcome back and thank you very much for your efforts!
Great post! Freedom is balance and balance is freedom.
With palms together,
Uku
February 10, 2009 at 11:17 pm
Welcome back!
“In silence there is immense freedom.”
Oh, that is so true I can feel it!
Only if my wife would feel the same
February 11, 2009 at 9:10 am
Buddha of Hollywood–lead by example. Maybe she’ll get it from you
February 11, 2009 at 11:34 am
Welcome back Molly!
February 11, 2009 at 11:54 am
Jordan, Thanks for the well-wishes
March 19, 2009 at 4:20 am
Wow! In silence lies the freedom! Bravo!
I reached your blog sometime after I came back from my retreat (Nov’08) and somehow did not think of returnign here till this moment – happy to land now though and happy to read!
March 29, 2009 at 3:12 pm
this is my first time here..and would love to explore more on your thoughts on vipassana, and probably if you have written about what went through your mind on each of those 10 days..how your treatment of silence changed over days..