Why I prefer Silence more than Blah Blah

Silence is the language of God, and all else is a poor translation. — RUMI

Silence is a word that is most often overlooked for its effects in any situation. It holds much power and can change the direction of conversations and self-improvement journeys.

I have seen its power in many situations, and many times, though, I forget that silence holds power. Silence may seem mere a word, but those who understand the power of silence can turn the tides in their favour and conquer anything presented before them.

I have seen many quotes about silence, but one that “silence has more weight than an argument” stood with me the most.

Today, I will talk about the power of silence, as taught by the most famous and loved poet, at least for me, Rumi. He is considered the king of hearts and master of love. He talks about silence and uses the Persian word ‘Khamosh’ for silence.

In his Mathnawis, more than 500 Odes conclude with the word Khamosh. Such was the significance of silence for Rumi.

He believed that silence is essential for connecting with one’s inner self and the divine presence. He encouraged the individuals to turn off their “Tongue for a while” and engage in introspection to reflect on the teachings that they have received.

Silence had such an impact and effect on self-discovery in Mum’s life. He emphasised that embarking on the journey of self-discovery is often the most challenging part, and Silence plays a vital role in facilitating this process.

Silence needs to be learnt. It is not inherent in a person to be silent. Many times, a person is so enthusiastic to prove a point that he puts the Silence mantra on the plate and talks his guts out. Spilling all the secrets that could harm him and others in the long run.

Rumi believed external distractions and material possessions could prevent individuals from examining their needs. By embracing the silence mantra, one can clear one’s head of these distractions and focus on the essential task of self-realisation.

The urge to prove one’s point and spilling secrets is an example of giving in to external distractions and thus damaging oneself and others for the vague satisfaction of proving a point that never mattered.

One of the examples that Rumi used to make people understand the importance of silence is that of a foal who refused to drink water due to the noise created by the stable boys. Like this noise created an obstacle to the foal, external distractions can be significant obstacles to progress, and silence becomes necessary to create a space for inner reflection and peace of mind.

For growth self-reflection and self-introspection are necessary for self-growth, and both can not be achieved unless we see silence in situations that don’t require our tongues.

Silence gives us a chance to look inward and examine our thoughts, actions, and interactions, allowing us to gain a deeper understanding of their true nature.

Silence provides the necessary environment for our growth and peace of mind.

So, let us remember that silence has more power than words, where words are unnecessary.