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LunarEclipse
Enlil's Official Story


Registered: 10/31/04
Posts: 21,407
Loc: Building 7
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Silence is Golden?
#23493485 - 07/30/16 07:08 PM (7 years, 5 months ago) |
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In Belgium days of old, the monks wouldn't speak while brewing, hence the expression "brew like a monk". How creepy would it be to not speak at all for like a year? I mean go to the bank and just not respond? How uncomfortable would that be? Would you learn anything or just appear to be crazy and eventually taken to the mental hospital or never visited in your hermitage? Go back to mail and get off the internet and turn off the cell phone and just BE.
Not speak, just BE.
-------------------- Anxiety is what you make it.
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EternalCowabunga
Being of Great Significance



Registered: 04/04/05
Posts: 7,152
Loc: Time and Space
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I've been wanting to go to a silent retreat for a while now. Just realized I'm going to have some time off so maybe I can finally go soon.
I think it would be very beneficial. Everyone I know who has done one has told me that it was really beneficial and also harder than they thought it would be.
I don't totally know what to expect except I'm sure I will gain some insight into the mind. Staying silent for that long is not something we normally get to experience so I'm sure just in that respect that it is worth doing.
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laughingdog
Stranger

Registered: 03/14/04
Posts: 4,828
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LunarEclipse
Enlil's Official Story


Registered: 10/31/04
Posts: 21,407
Loc: Building 7
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Quote:
EternalCowabunga said: I've been wanting to go to a silent retreat for a while now. Just realized I'm going to have some time off so maybe I can finally go soon.
I think it would be very beneficial. Everyone I know who has done one has told me that it was really beneficial and also harder than they thought it would be.
I don't totally know what to expect except I'm sure I will gain some insight into the mind. Staying silent for that long is not something we normally get to experience so I'm sure just in that respect that it is worth doing. 
Yeah thanks so much for that response. I want to do it, but like you say it won't be easy. I've got properties and that adds to the problem of going quiet.
I agree just do do something different is worth at least considering, and that makes it more worth doing than the status quo.
-------------------- Anxiety is what you make it.
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LunarEclipse
Enlil's Official Story


Registered: 10/31/04
Posts: 21,407
Loc: Building 7
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Quote:
laughingdog said: well ... apparently it has happened
1) first search: person who didn't talk for years
http://www.npr.org/2014/11/21/364150411/how-do-years-of-silence-change-someone
https://www.ted.com/talks/john_francis_walks_the_earth?language=en
also
2nd) search
For years as a young child, Dr. Maya Angelou didn't speak.
http://www.jsonline.com/general/35623919.html
I dated a chick who didn't speak for year(s)? as a young child? Truly one OK THE most severely disturbed and controlling people EVER. Maybe I should keep talking and interacting for this reason alone.
Being in solitary confinement is considered one of the worst punishments ever, personally I call it reflection time. You're going to punish me by leaving me alone? HA HA.
It's like given the choice, would you rather be alone, and suffer, or have to listen to some idiot?
Think about it.
-------------------- Anxiety is what you make it.
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graceful dragon
omni-love



Registered: 04/20/15
Posts: 460
Loc: flight
Last seen: 6 years, 5 months
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there is something that works really well, and that is cold turkey, and i recommend it.
as an experiment, spend a month in the forest, or on a mountain or desert or s some such - to your liking.
the trick of this and the important part is that you have to separate yourself from all of it.
it works, it does wonders; within 2 days, you'll be a different person, and the growth is continual.
it's not that hard, though it may seem like a lot to a first glance... it does take a sincere determination though.
as a help, it'll just get -- very peaceful, after a couple of days... if that's what you wish for.
it did take me a lot of years before that tho.. so i recommend that too, but anyway good luck!
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graceful dragon
omni-love



Registered: 04/20/15
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Last seen: 6 years, 5 months
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ah, what i meant to say is, when you spend your days waiting for the sun to rise, rather than waiting for the 15 minute mark on the game or whatever, your concentration will either develop - your mind will grow quiet - or , i don't know what, whatever you want to have happen.
the quiet mind, and the lengthened / deepened concentration is very valuable... i guess i learn more every day --
ok, anyway, before i ramble, tty
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graceful dragon
omni-love



Registered: 04/20/15
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Last seen: 6 years, 5 months
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so anyway obviously since i am writing this third post, i need to meditate more and have more of a quiet mind,..
which is true! anyway...
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LunarEclipse
Enlil's Official Story


Registered: 10/31/04
Posts: 21,407
Loc: Building 7
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Quote:
graceful dragon said: there is something that works really well, and that is cold turkey, and i recommend it.
as an experiment, spend a month in the forest, or on a mountain or desert or s some such - to your liking.
the trick of this and the important part is that you have to separate yourself from all of it.
it works, it does wonders; within 2 days, you'll be a different person, and the growth is continual.
it's not that hard, though it may seem like a lot to a first glance... it does take a sincere determination though.
as a help, it'll just get -- very peaceful, after a couple of days... if that's what you wish for.
it did take me a lot of years before that tho.. so i recommend that too, but anyway good luck!
Yeah I'd like to go "cold turkey" but have to close some real estate deals first and keep up on finances. Frankly getting fucked by leaving the world doesn't sound too appealing right now. Maybe next year as they say. Peaceful? I can't wait, I'm lined up just not dialed in.
Sounds like you are on this path for a while, don't wish me luck, tell me a fucking story! God damnit!
-------------------- Anxiety is what you make it.
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Viol
sassy frassy lassie


Registered: 10/16/13
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Last seen: 7 years, 5 months
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Well, isn't most communication non-verbal? I would love to try this for an extended period of time, but when you have ties to the "real world" such as a job, it doesn't seem very practical. Would writing be allowed? Frankly, that's my preferred method of communicating anyway.
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Lucis
Nutritional Yeast

Registered: 03/28/15
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Last seen: 1 month, 30 days
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I don't speak a whole lot, seems like most people are obsessed with always having to say something, but they don't think about what they're trying to say, it's like they're just wanting to be heard. I would rather wait in silence, then say something worthwhile.
People act like that's strange, but it's just how I am. There are no rules written on how much to speak in this life, but when someone does, it's best to have thought about what you are going to say, before saying it.
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LRG
Supernaut

Registered: 04/04/16
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Re: Silence is Golden? [Re: Lucis]
#23497906 - 08/01/16 09:14 AM (7 years, 5 months ago) |
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I don't think so.
I believe if you say something out loud it means you really believe. It's like praying silently vs praying out loud. Your prayers are stronger when said out loud. I believe that to be fact. Do I believe in prayer for myself and others? Yes. Something beyond my understanding? Yes. That my prayers are answered by that something? No, I think prayers make us stronger and put faith in ourselves. For the record, I don't practice prayer.
I actually think, thinking out loud and talking to yourself is more comforting and mind blowing than pure meditation sometimes, which is also a rarity for me.
How could you tell someone you love them without actually telling them? There are other ways that can be confused. Nothing is more pure than saying I love you and meaning it. I guarantee you, you will never find love without telling them you love them out loud many, many, many times.
"For millions of years mankind lived just like the animals Then something happened which unleashed the power of our imagination We learned to talk."
It is what separates us from the animals. Through talking we have learned and discovered things like mathematics, biology... it is our "evolution." Sound itself is an amazing thing. An animal can't tell it's mate he loves her. He can only hump her, and likely never see her again. Monogamy might not be for the animals but I think it is for us.
Obviously, some animals do mate for life and some animals do have the capability to talk/ to each other. However, I think you get my point.
Let nothing be left unsaid I always say, though, you may want to avoid 100% honesty all the time. Took a few turns but it's all about talking haha.
Despite my view on this. I'm a very quiet guy. I'm much more of an observer than a talker. I'm perfectly content not saying anything to anyone if they have nothing to say to me. I don't like small talk, things you barely remember about people. If you're genuinely interested in a conversation with me and I'm genuinely interested in a conversation with you, we can talk. People are often surprised when they see me able to spark conversations with strangers and my ability to lead a conversation and take over a room.
I remember a couple kids I worked with last year who had just graduated college we're subtlety hinting I was dumber than them for not going to college at all, I am enrolled now. Me being 26, their supervisor, and sharp as a tac, I let em have it. Tried to play all dumb, but I immediately called them out on their shit and they immediately regretted it. They learned that day I was nobody's fool. I could have held my tongue, as is my nature, but I humiliated them in front of their friends and put his highlight reel of a degree up for display.
-------------------- "I found it is the small everyday deeds of ordinary folk that keep the darkness at bay… small acts of kindness and love.” - Gandalf The Grey. "It is the mark of an educated mind to entertain a thought without accepting it." - Aristotle "I like to think of Jesus like with giant eagle's wings, and singin' lead vocals for Lynyrd Skynyrd with like an angel band and I'm in the front row and I'm HAMMERED DRUNK!" - Cal Naughton Jr. AKA The Magic Man. Abracadabra homes! "Each tear is a drop of poison released." - Anonymous "Could it be you're afraid of what your friends might say if they knew you believe in God above? They should realize before they criticize that God is the only way to Love."
Edited by LRG (08/01/16 09:38 AM)
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Thecollective
Resistence is futile.


Registered: 06/23/14
Posts: 83
Loc: The void
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Re: Silence is Golden? [Re: LRG]
#23519032 - 08/07/16 01:53 PM (7 years, 5 months ago) |
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Quote:
I don't speak a whole lot, seems like most people are obsessed with always having to say something, but they don't think about what they're trying to say, it's like they're just wanting to be heard. I would rather wait in silence, then say something worthwhile.
People act like that's strange, but it's just how I am. There are no rules written on how much to speak in this life, but when someone does, it's best to have thought about what you are going to say, before saying it.
I can relate.
Sometimes conversation is more about listening/meaningful connections then filling up space, or worse, trying to fill that empty hole in one's soul but never filling it up, since nothing outside of one's self will fill that vacuumous space.
I have been on silent retreats, and it's not that big of a deal...though I did get criticized for being "too silent" during group convos. Silence isn't that silent. And it's not till those moments of quiet do those inner stirrings being to rise, enabling one to really get to know what you're made of kinda thing.
That being said, on the silent retreats, I did notice some people clearly crack. So hey, if you can't handle it no biggie, but if you can, there isn't something wrong with that either. Different strokes.
-------------------- Oh, God! The stupid! It burns!-Abraham Lincoln
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LunarEclipse
Enlil's Official Story


Registered: 10/31/04
Posts: 21,407
Loc: Building 7
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Quote:
Thecollective said:
Quote:
I don't speak a whole lot, seems like most people are obsessed with always having to say something, but they don't think about what they're trying to say, it's like they're just wanting to be heard. I would rather wait in silence, then say something worthwhile.
People act like that's strange, but it's just how I am. There are no rules written on how much to speak in this life, but when someone does, it's best to have thought about what you are going to say, before saying it.
I can relate.
Sometimes conversation is more about listening/meaningful connections then filling up space, or worse, trying to fill that empty hole in one's soul but never filling it up, since nothing outside of one's self will fill that vacuumous space.
I have been on silent retreats, and it's not that big of a deal...though I did get criticized for being "too silent" during group convos. Silence isn't that silent. And it's not till those moments of quiet do those inner stirrings being to rise, enabling one to really get to know what you're made of kinda thing.
That being said, on the silent retreats, I did notice some people clearly crack. So hey, if you can't handle it no biggie, but if you can, there isn't something wrong with that either. Different strokes.
"If you can't handle it, no biggie"
-------------------- Anxiety is what you make it.
Edited by LunarEclipse (08/08/16 04:51 PM)
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RJ Tubs 202


Registered: 09/20/08
Posts: 6,016
Loc: USA
Last seen: 17 hours, 12 minutes
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Quote:
EternalCowabunga said: Staying silent for that long is not something we normally get to experience so I'm sure just in that respect that it is worth doing. 
Although silence is a significant aspect of a retreat, the lack of incoming stimulation plays a big role. No computers, phones, books, or eye-contact with others.
Some call a silent retreat a "stimulus detox"
Defiantly something to check out if it interests you.
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Eclipse3130
Servant of the Fungi



Registered: 10/06/13
Posts: 6,221
Loc: PNW
Last seen: 2 hours, 47 minutes
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I don't speak much, I prefer to just be. To feel. Talking takes quite a bit of energy and distracting! It's not uncomfortable at all, you can feel and hear thoughts.. emotions etc, you can communicate without using words it's pretty easy, I think to myself why do all these people talk so much? Well sadly most of the population isn't as "evovled" Apparently it would be uncomfortable or "crazy" that's beyond me
A state of beautiful silence(Nirvana), where there is nothing to think, as all the answers are already known, there is nothing to do rather than just be, and nothing to ponder rather than the experience you are currently engulfed in.
To just experience - the meaning of life
It's not any form of intensity, it's a mind state, a dimension. It was shown to me in this mind state that it could potentially be tapped into consciously in meditation, this perspective, this state of being was like a mirror on your entire perspective of life, you could see through, around, and every angle of the 360 degrees of which is your perception of awareness - "I" became aware of my own awareness - it became a singular moment of which you could be and perceive it ALL at once; everything in existence. Time ceases to exist, a very humbling experience.
-------------------- "In The Material World One seeks retirement and grows Old In The Magical World One seeks Enlightenment and grows Wiser In The Miraculous World One seeks nothing and grows Lighter As we all tread the Homeward Path we will explore many Realms And one day... we will all Realize that all experiences are Simply Different ways in which The All-That Is Perceives Itself"
Edited by Eclipse3130 (08/08/16 07:37 PM)
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LunarEclipse
Enlil's Official Story


Registered: 10/31/04
Posts: 21,407
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Wonderful post. I have a spot where I pretty much do what you say here, it's a total power spot from many angles and perspectives. The big pine tree in particular, well there are many trees, I feel their presence and energy. I am a tree guy, they are so amazing in so many ways and I try to reward them with water in these times of drought.
Time Stand Still
-------------------- Anxiety is what you make it.
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Thecollective
Resistence is futile.


Registered: 06/23/14
Posts: 83
Loc: The void
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Quote:
tremelos silence is golden
Lol, like the video. Thanks
-------------------- Oh, God! The stupid! It burns!-Abraham Lincoln
Edited by Thecollective (08/09/16 10:24 AM)
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somethingsomeonejr


Registered: 02/01/13
Posts: 84
Loc: Rootless
Last seen: 6 years, 9 months
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I love silence and solitude. If I spend two days hanging out with people, I need at least four days too recharge. Even though it's friends, we have a good time and all of them very dear to me, human interaction mostly drains me of my energy, with a few exceptions;
Me and my "best friend" can sit for hours without anyone saying anything. Same goes with me and my sisters; we can just vibe on that silent energy.
It might be that I've been in retail for a decade and consumption turns people into needy piles of shit.
I went on a vacation alone for the first time a few years ago. Krakow. Five days with practically no speaking to anyone except "a rum and coke please", "a beer please", "medium-rare, please". Best vacation I ever had. Since then I've been to Amsterdam a few times by myself and being alone is simply wonderful.
I would like to go out in a cabin alone for a month or so; I'm saving up money to go to New Zealand or Canada or visit the great Red Woods in California in january. This too, will be a solo trip.
As a fellow countryman once said;
-------------------- "We are here to unlearn the teachings of the church, state, and our educational system. We are here to drink beer. We are here to kill war. We are here to laugh at the odds and live our lives so well that Death will tremble to take us."
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pachoo
Witchakookoo



Registered: 09/10/10
Posts: 7,135
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More and more this silence thing keeps popping up for me.
I often didn't talk as a child and teenager. And I do know for a fact I am controlling and stubborn. Really trying to work on those things. I really don't talk much sometimes unless I feel very comfortable with someone. I am bad at communication so I think as an adult I would force myself to speak and say whatever it is on my mind. But most speaking for me felt forced and I didn't really have much to talk about as most of my interests were slightly shunned from my peers.
Saying that I would love to be quiet again. Hard to do with a child though but I think being quiet enough with exception of routine social interactions with loved ones would be fine. Luckily I don't have a job anymore so it would be easier. Plastering a happy face on every day and reacting optimistically to my customers was very exhausting as my stress grew. I can be extremely outgoing at times and am naturally friendly. But I would keep up appearance even on a bad days.
I think I'm already beginning a quiet type solitude for a month right now. I've been feeling very confused about numerous things. Naturally going thru and quieting my mind would be very beneficial with this. Also communicating my emotions with art. I've been putting that on the back burner a long time now.
Time to enjoy the silence.
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graceful dragon
omni-love



Registered: 04/20/15
Posts: 460
Loc: flight
Last seen: 6 years, 5 months
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Quote:
LunarEclipse said:
Quote:
graceful dragon said: there is something that works really well, and that is cold turkey, and i recommend it.
as an experiment, spend a month in the forest, or on a mountain or desert or s some such - to your liking.
the trick of this and the important part is that you have to separate yourself from all of it.
it works, it does wonders; within 2 days, you'll be a different person, and the growth is continual.
it's not that hard, though it may seem like a lot to a first glance... it does take a sincere determination though.
as a help, it'll just get -- very peaceful, after a couple of days... if that's what you wish for.
it did take me a lot of years before that tho.. so i recommend that too, but anyway good luck!
Yeah I'd like to go "cold turkey" but have to close some real estate deals first and keep up on finances. Frankly getting fucked by leaving the world doesn't sound too appealing right now. Maybe next year as they say. Peaceful? I can't wait, I'm lined up just not dialed in.
Sounds like you are on this path for a while, don't wish me luck, tell me a fucking story! God damnit!
replying by Pm
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life is good
Sun and sky and trees



Registered: 07/03/18
Posts: 1,205
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Re: Silence is Golden? [Re: pachoo]
#25890859 - 03/22/19 07:00 PM (4 years, 10 months ago) |
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Quote:
pachoo said: More and more this silence thing keeps popping up for me.
I often didn't talk as a child and teenager. And I do know for a fact I am controlling and stubborn. Really trying to work on those things. I really don't talk much sometimes unless I feel very comfortable with someone. I am bad at communication so I think as an adult I would force myself to speak and say whatever it is on my mind. But most speaking for me felt forced and I didn't really have much to talk about as most of my interests were slightly shunned from my peers.
Saying that I would love to be quiet again. Hard to do with a child though but I think being quiet enough with exception of routine social interactions with loved ones would be fine. Luckily I don't have a job anymore so it would be easier. Plastering a happy face on every day and reacting optimistically to my customers was very exhausting as my stress grew. I can be extremely outgoing at times and am naturally friendly. But I would keep up appearance even on a bad days.
I think I'm already beginning a quiet type solitude for a month right now. I've been feeling very confused about numerous things. Naturally going thru and quieting my mind would be very beneficial with this. Also communicating my emotions with art. I've been putting that on the back burner a long time now.
Time to enjoy the silence.
come back guys
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I didn't draw this. "Hope your day is as wonderful, loving, and kind as you are."
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HappySloth



Registered: 01/24/19
Posts: 280
Last seen: 3 years, 5 months
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Well a monk wouldn't go to a bank they beg!
But yes being is some thing.
Quite something after we get older and lost in thought and ego and forget how to just be.
The essence that you are.
Awareness.
-------------------- Learn to love all the things that you think are bad and then your life will start to be good.
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