I love Mooji’s views on silence. He speaks in words which I swear I can taste!
To better understand his thoughts on silence, I’m going to divide them into two categories – what is beautiful poetry and what is really practical advice:
The beautiful:
“There is a mystery within all beings bursting to reveal itself, in the ones who become quiet enough to discover it. In this discovery a benevolent force shines spontaneously from your presence towards all beings, and this light cannot help but illuminate the world.” – Mooji
“There is a presence, a silence, a stillness which is here by itself. There is no doer of it, no creator of this stillness. It is simply here in you, with you. It is the fragrance of your own self. There is nothing to do about this, it is naturally present. This fragrance of peace, this spaciousness, it is the fragrance of your own being.” – Mooji
But in practice this can be really difficult to experience because we have such busy brains! And a brain WILL produce a constant stream of thought just like your sweat glands produce perspiration and your heart continues to beat on autopilot.
What to do if I’m trying to find silence amid this constant mind chatter?
The practical:
“The emptiness I speak about is not the emptiness the mind imagines. It is not blank. Your body can continue expressing in a natural way. Intelligence is there. Emotions can come. Everything can play, but inside there is total serenity and peace. No planning, no strategizing, no personal identity is there. Just the space of pure being. It is what we are, but we dream and believe we are not.” – Mooji
“Let the mind come as it wants; just you don’t go with it. The greatest salesman in the world cannot sell you, if you don’t buy.” – Mooji
Don’t try and hit the stop button on your brain, this is a futile exercise…
“The mind is like the wind. You’re trying to stop the wind, dressed as a kite. How are you going to do it?” – Mooji
Let the mind wander as it will, but don’t get carried away by its currents. It’s like a skilled salesperson; it may pitch its wares relentlessly, but the ultimate decision to buy lies with us. By refusing to engage with the mind’s chatter, we create a space for silence to emerge.
It’s essential to remember that silence isn’t about emptying the mind. It’s about creating a spacious awareness where thoughts come and go without clinging to them. It’s about finding peace amidst the storm, rather than trying to fight the storm and force it to stop.
And two more thoughts from Mooji that I had to include as well:
“Just as you wash your hands before eating, clear your mind before engaging with the world.” – Mooji
And the ultimate conclusion…
“When you can bear your own silence, you are free.” – Mooji
Ultimately, the journey to silence is a personal one. There is no one-size-fits-all approach. But by consistently making time for stillness, even for a few moments each day, we can begin to unravel the layers of noise that obscure the fragrance of our true nature.
When we are able to find peace in our own silence, we unlock a freedom that is beyond measure. It is a freedom from the tyranny of the mind, a freedom to be fully present, and a freedom to connect with the deeper essence of who we are. And in this space we always sense our connection to something larger than ourselves.
As you explore this path, keep these mantras in mind:
- Silence is not the absence of sound but the presence of peace.
- The mind is a powerful tool, but it is not the master.
- Let go of the need to control everything, including your thoughts.
- Discover the mystery within, by turning inward.
- Embrace the silence as a path to freedom and fulfillment.
May you find peace and freedom in the depths of your own silence.
– pierre –
Today’s LIVE meditation is: Finding silence.