Inner silence: An Enduring Romance With the Self

By TUNISHA MEHROTRA

I am often asked: ÒWhat do you do with yourself all day?Ó I never quite know how to answer this question. Henry David Thoreau would say: ÒThe true harvest of my daily life is somewhat as intangible and indescribable as the tints of morning and evening. It is a little stardust caught, a segment of the rainbow which I have clutchedÓ.

A seeker who leads an interior life of silence and solitude, often fails to find appropriate words which can describe his enduring romance with the self. To the outward eye there is no material occupation, no gainful employment, and maybe no apparent service to society.

But in truth, all of life becomes an epiphany for silence and solitude deepens our awareness of life. ÒTo a mind that is still, the whole universe surrendersÓ, wrote Chuang Tzu. Silence and solitude lead to more expanded and elevated states of consciousness. In ancient times, rishis would wend their way to the lofty Himalayas, looking for silence and solitude, pre- requisites for creating the right environment to get acquainted with our real self. The outer world demands our attention, and it is our dharma to attend to our duties in life. But beyond that, a true seeker tries to keep the world at armÕs length in order to better embrace the self. There is nothing that exists outside; nothing that one can rely upon or hold on to. Everything is subject to change.

The outer world is maya Ñ a moving picture screen of events, people and things that come and go. But it appears so fascinating that one gets ensnared easily.

The self is real Ñ Atman; all else is the play of consciousness Ñ Maya. One is true and eternal, the other false and ephemeral. ÒAll manÕs miseries derive from not being able to sit quiet in a room aloneÓ, said Blaise Pascal. Stillness and solitude give birth to Creativity. Solitude nurtures imagination. All that we see in the material world was once an idea in someoneÕs head. Each time I feel I just cannot take another step forward in life, I seek refuge in silence and solitude Ñ and, sure enough, I get inspired by a fresh dose of faith, infusing hope and confidence. I am convinced that faith, belief, hope, imagination Ñ all of these flourish in peace and quiet. As Nietzsche said: ÒOur greatest experiences are our quietest momentsÓ.

The outer is always a reflection of the inner. In silence and solitude the seeker makes a concerted effort to fill himself with the highest and most positive of energies Ñ and then carries that holy space around him wherever he goes. In spreading serene and tranquil vibrations a seeker is serving the world. Sathya Sai Baba says: ÒThere are many ways to serve the world. You can serve, if not actively, then at least by your serenity. Everyone need not do all things. Only a small minority can delight in serenity and remain still. God has ruled it so; otherwise how could the world function? If stillness be your destiny, dare to be so...Ó

So here I am, still, silent and filled with an exquisite joy. A sense of peace and serenity is stealing upon me; a feeling that all is right with the world. It feels entirely good, Òthis gift of privacy; this jewel of lonelinessÓ. My heart echoes the sentiments of Fray Luis De Leon, who wrote in the 16th century: ÒAnd so while others miserably pledge themselves to the pursuit of ambition and brief power Ñ I will be stretched out in the shade, singing.Ó