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Meditation
Support
Being Quiet
By Bharat Cornell
Paramhansa
Yogananda was once asked why his most advanced disciple, Rajarsi
Janakananda, made such rapid spiritual progress. Yogananda
replied, “He
knows how to listen.”
Our minds are
like short-wave radios: when the switch is set to “broadcast,” all
we can hear is our own voice talking. A busy, chattering mind is
always in “sending mode,” which prevents us from experiencing
anything new. We only begin to hear when the switch is
turned to “receive.” Similarly, true inspiration comes
when the mind is calm and listening. Talking less is a marvelous
practice for deepening one’s receptivity in meditation.
Paramhansa
Yogananda said that most people use only one-tenth of their ability
to concentrate. When you restrain your speech and practice silence,
the mind becomes less impulsive. It is not always possible, or
appropriate, to be completely silent, but we can practice
being quiet. It is estimated that only a tiny part of
our speech—some say 1%—is due to the demands of our
outer environment. The rest of the time the urge to talk comes
from the desire to relate to others. The admonishment given in
monasteries, "Do not speak unless you can improve on the silence," is
a helpful guideline for appropriate speech and staying inwardly
receptive.
How to practice the art of being quiet:
- Concentrate more on listening to life. Avoid the sense that
you have to direct it.
- Remain centered in yourself.
- When you
feel the urge to talk, restrain your first impulse to do so.
Ask yourself, “Will
my words contribute to the situation? Improve on the silence?
Bless others?”
- When you
break your silence, speak as long as you feel inspiration but
no longer; then return to the silence.
- Enjoy the tranquility. Express a sense of inner calmness in
everything you do.
Practice regularly the technique of being quiet.
The more you do, the more you will experience its benefits: increased
energy, deep concentration in meditation and outward activity,
and inner serenity.
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