There’s a lot of chatter in the world. As I write this, we are moving through the end stages of a particularly stressful and contentious election in the United States.
I don’t know about you, but sometimes it’s hard to find myself in the midst of the chatter.
What’s most important to me? What do I value?
And – most crucially – am I living a life that prioritizes what’s most valuable and important to me?
As it turned out, the answer to the final question, prior to Covid, was No. Not completely.
There are many ways my life reflects what I value. But Covid’s Go-To-Your-Room-And-Don’t-Come-Out-Until-You’ve-Learned-Your-Lesson dictate has proved to be a major gift.
I got to see that spiritual practice and awareness, the thing I supposedly value above all else, wasn’t as prominent in my life as I wanted it to be.
So I made changes. I’m meditating more. I’m reading more enlightening books and watching more inspiring videos.
And I’m taking time for silence.
I’ve written here before about the power of an unplugged day.
In my case, my weekly unplugged day includes silence.
This silence has proved particularly effective in helping me cut through the chatter of the world – and my own mind.
A few years back, Melissa and I were out on tour. We were performing and giving talks and workshops at a variety of spiritual centers. One of the excruciatingly painful super fun things about being a performer is handling the audience’s reaction. Or, should I say, handling what my mind does with the audience’s reaction.
At this particular center, the congregation did not seem to dig us. They were not picking up what we were putting down.
After the service, our sales were a teeny fraction of what they usually are. And the workshop attendance? Let’s just say it was congruent with the rest of the day.
As we were driving away, Melissa and I did our best to find the positive aspects of the situation. We did our best to remember that we are doing what Spirit has called us to do, and we need to let go of the results.
Did we succeed in our efforts of releasing the results?
Kinda.
But then we drove to the home of a friend of ours who was putting us up that night. We shared with her about our day, and our disappointment about how it had gone. Somehow, instead of helping us feel better, this only made things worse. By the time I went to bed that night, I was a toxic ball of angst and negativity.
Whoo hooooooo!!
As it happened, the next day was our unplugged day. So I couldn’t talk about the Very Bad Day anymore. Even though the toxic, angsty thoughts were still rolling around in my head, the inability to convert them to speech allowed them to dissipate.
Did you catch that? My inability to convert my toxic thoughts to speech allowed them to dissipate.
It was like a magical cure. One that was much more effective than trying to obsessively talk through the pain.
By the end of my day of silence, I felt a thousand times better.
The lesson of that day has stayed with me ever since. I’ve brought it with me into this Covid era.
Just yesterday, I had my weekly unplugged day. I opened to silence and pressed it against my heart. As I did so, the stress of our political climate melted away. I took a breath. I relaxed into myself. I remembered why I’m here.
I remembered that my mission, in this lifetime, is to cultivate a connection with Spirit. To know Love and to share that Love with others.
Part of that mission includes living in the world. Which means noticing what’s going on in the smaller sphere of my personal life as well as the bigger sphere of the global one.
And, as I engage with the world, I get to bring what’s most precious and valuable with me. I get to bring my connection with Spirit.
For me, these days, silence is a particularly potent way of remembering this connection.
Actually, not just these days. Any days.
The more I can connect with Spirit, through silence or other means, the more I can contribute to the energy of Love that’s needed to lift us out of our current discord.
I’m also guided, through silence, to know what’s mine to do in the world.
So let’s all give a cheer for silence!
(Which is, of course, a paradox.)
(But if you get quiet enough, it will all make sense.)
What is your experience with silence? Share your comments below!
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Being in silence is one of the only ways that I can deal with my pained feelings about the anger, hate, destruction of Mother Earth that is present in this time of my journey! A very nice perspective and a real life experience that shows by example of how to deal with the chaos going on around the world. Thanks to “Z” and Melissa for the work you are doing. I am served well by this blog! I’m sitting in silence as I write this. Blessing to all people on this Thanksgiving day! In Love, Steve
Hi Steve! Happy Gratitude day to you. Melissa and I are both grateful for you! And it’s been wonderful to hear from you more lately. Big Love and Blessings to you and your family on this Thanksgiving Day – and always! XOXOZ
I am now always looking forward to my meditation. It does get me in contact with emotions and with the Source of All. It help me acknowledge what is going on internally and let it go. Connection to Spirit is always such a comfort in knowing I’m never alone.
Hi Jan, Great to hear from you. I love the way you describe this. Yes, meditation is such a wonderful way to spend time with Source. I mean, we’re always connected to Source, but meditation is a way to remember it! Thanksgiving Blessings to you and your family!!! XOXOZ
I absolutely resonate with all you shared here and I am super grateful to you, Z. I miss you. And M. But as I was reading this, I could see your face and gestures and bright energy! What is beautiful is the vibration of silence. When allowed, it is deafening. I have noticed a deep desire, particularly at dusk into evening my desire for quiet; not easy for me living with those for whom nighttime television is paramount. I LOVED what you said about the dissipation of the anger/angst in NOT incessantly speaking it out loud. Brilliant.
Hi Tina, How nice to “see” you here! We miss you too. I love the idea of silence as deafening – this is so true! Thank you for your comment. Lots of LOVE to you! XOZ
I take time every morning for journaling, reading, meditation and prayer. This is my silent time. Some day I hope that I can have a consistent day of silence every week – or even every month! For now – my morning practice holds me and reminds me of my purpose. Love you both!
Hi Rachel, We love you too!! And I love that you have a daily practice of silence and contemplation. What a wonderful way to start the day. Thank you for your comment! XOXOXOZ
When I have a “downer” I find the best thing is to write about it. If it is a REAL downer, it helps for me to say it out loud ONCE to someone I know will listen without judgment and a lot of questions, then the silence and meditation and time, time, time, really helps dissipate whatever it was. I liked reading this, Z, and I appreciate the webinar you co-hosted last week on non-binary peeps, too; I learned a lot. Thank you. xo gail
Hi Gail, Yes, talking things out with friends and loved ones is part of my process as well – it can be really helpful. And then, as you say, silence and meditation and time, time, time help as well! And thank you for letting me know you enjoyed the webinar – it was fun to do it and I’m so glad to know that it was helpful! XOXOZ
I too have enhanced, well, if I’m honest… really… begun a daily practice. I’ve dabbled previously, but now have a nearly daily morning of meditation and quiet, some reading. On days when my schedule doesn’t allow much, I listen to meditation music while I’m showering and dressing… so kind of a moving meditation if you will. It is working to help me feel more grounded and settled with less bumpiness in my mental state. I’m so grateful I have finally begun. Covid, a leadership retreat and an inspiring friend gave me the push I needed. I trifecta of help, it seems. I look forward to see how time creates expansion in the practice. Thank you for this message. Your stories always hit home with useful tools, joy and humor. Grateful, Z.
Hi Marina, Thank you! I’m always happy to hear from you. And I’m also happy to hear that Covid has opened up a space for your to have a daily practice. Yay for that! BIG Love, Z
Love this idea! Your comment “My inability to convert my toxic thoughts to speech allowed them to dissipate.” really hit home with me. I’m going to try this silence for more peace and positivity in my life! Thank you 🥰
Hi Lynn, Yay! I’m so glad to hear that it resonated with you. It’s amazing how much NOT doing something can make a difference. Thank you for your comment! XOZ
Absolutely essential for my health & daily wellbeing …a mental mouthwash!!
Hi Rebecca, OMG I love this. A mental mouthwash. Smashing! XOZ