I resonate with this a lot, especially the way silence feels uncomfortable at first, almost like restlessness. I often hike alone to force myself into that quiet space, letting the trail do the talking while I just listen. Glad you found a moment to sit with it; thanks for the reminder that silence isn't empty, just patient.
Oh how I can relate to this! Being of the same generation, 50'something myself, I fully understand the 24/7 brain whurl, the exhaustion of having company and disruption of routine. My silence is sitting in an anchored boat on Cache River. It realigns the soul.
Everything about this is exquisite, but the committee in MY head can't stop giggling about the toddler not from Walmart, though there are lots of random toddlers there to pick from.
Silence is always scary for me. Never have lived alone and have always needed a radio or tv on when I was younger. Totally get it. I’ve also been exploring loneliness vs solitude lately. Seems to be kissing cousins with silence. Both can occur. But when I get solitude instead of loneliness, or sit with silence, it’s life changing. Here’s to you continuing to explore your monastery.
I enjoy quiet reflection. I usually find it in the outdoors when hunting and fishing. I listen for the sounds of nature that soothe my mind and soul. Luckily, ( or not so lucky ) I can remove my hearing aids and being deaf as a post I can escape the harsh noise of life whenever I want to. Being deaf can be frustrating at times but I am learning it can also be welcoming. Deafness is teaching me to listen intently to good music, the voices of friends and loved ones, and to God.
Reminds me of deer hunting from a stand. It’s usually 2 days before the noise in my head starts to dissipate. Then, I can ‘hear’ the silence, feel at peace again and just be.
SAME! I’ve long held the opinion that hunting blinds are our adult versions of forts we used to build as kids, where we go now to restore our sanity we’ve misplaced at work (or at home sometimes, lol, not gonna lie). My mother, in her seventies now, will call or text to see if I’m hunting and if I reply yes then she’s kind enough to know to leave me alone, God bless her. She knows it might be 10 hours before I come out of a deer or turkey blind. If only the rest of the world could understand the way she does, haha. Im not just in there to hunt, I'm there because it’s just the most satisfying place to relax and think and marvel at everything in the natural world around you. Blinds are the best forts of solitude and sanity in the world!
Nice. I am reminded of me pretend-turkey-hunting in the spring, wherein I go early to the woods and climb my ridge, plunk down beside my favorite burr oak, and wait for the birdsong to begin as I watch the light come up in the forest. If I am lucky, and have timed it right, and the catkins are full of insects, and the oak leaves are starting to unfurl, I may find myself in sea of warblers making their way north, moving everywhere from ground level to tree crown. I don't tell many turkey hunting friends that my most memorable hunt involved no gobblers at all (though I do occasionally harvest one), but I instead found myself in an explosion of American Redstarts that lasted most of an hour. They flitted through the trees and low brush, rummaged through leaf litter for bugs, perched next to my ears, hopped across my outstretched legs. It was mostly silent, and completely magical.
I often go fishing from my kayak as a means of quieting my mind. I believe it must have the same effect as meditation has for others. The other day I had finished fishing in the middle of the day and while returning to the boat ramp, I stopped and was just enjoying the situation and existing. I then noticed that there was absolutely no wind, that the water surface was completely smooth and not visible. What was visible was a perfect reflection of the sky filled with cumulus clouds. I was no longer floating on the water but suspended thousands of feet in the air looking down on the clouds. What a great experience, which resulted from a quiet mind and a motionless boat.
Thanks for the ear-worm. The last part of this post reminded me of a quote: “happiness is like a butterfly: chase it and it will always be just out of reach, but sit quietly and it might just land on you”.
Be assured Hank, you're not the only one who struggles with voices in your head. Mine often remind me of the tiny angel and devil in the toga-party scene of Animal House. I find solice sitting silently with my dogs, (who of course already know what I'm thinking), watching the sunset, and smoking a good cigar.
I found that in silence is when my brain works best, I am one of those who thrives in quiet places. Doesn’t mean I don’t love company, or people. But my brain works overtime and I have so many ideas, projects, observations that I guess I keep my self constantly entertained. I feel I think better when away from crowds.
I resonate with this a lot, especially the way silence feels uncomfortable at first, almost like restlessness. I often hike alone to force myself into that quiet space, letting the trail do the talking while I just listen. Glad you found a moment to sit with it; thanks for the reminder that silence isn't empty, just patient.
Oh how I can relate to this! Being of the same generation, 50'something myself, I fully understand the 24/7 brain whurl, the exhaustion of having company and disruption of routine. My silence is sitting in an anchored boat on Cache River. It realigns the soul.
‘Crotch Goblin’ 😆
Please continue! The ending left me with a thud. Surely there's more? And when are you going to put these musings in a book?
Excellent meditation on our great fear of and need for silence, internal and external. Worthy of restacking, Hank! 👏
Everything about this is exquisite, but the committee in MY head can't stop giggling about the toddler not from Walmart, though there are lots of random toddlers there to pick from.
Silence is always scary for me. Never have lived alone and have always needed a radio or tv on when I was younger. Totally get it. I’ve also been exploring loneliness vs solitude lately. Seems to be kissing cousins with silence. Both can occur. But when I get solitude instead of loneliness, or sit with silence, it’s life changing. Here’s to you continuing to explore your monastery.
I come for the recipes, I leave with a life lesson.
I enjoy quiet reflection. I usually find it in the outdoors when hunting and fishing. I listen for the sounds of nature that soothe my mind and soul. Luckily, ( or not so lucky ) I can remove my hearing aids and being deaf as a post I can escape the harsh noise of life whenever I want to. Being deaf can be frustrating at times but I am learning it can also be welcoming. Deafness is teaching me to listen intently to good music, the voices of friends and loved ones, and to God.
There's a silver lining!
Reminds me of deer hunting from a stand. It’s usually 2 days before the noise in my head starts to dissipate. Then, I can ‘hear’ the silence, feel at peace again and just be.
SAME! I’ve long held the opinion that hunting blinds are our adult versions of forts we used to build as kids, where we go now to restore our sanity we’ve misplaced at work (or at home sometimes, lol, not gonna lie). My mother, in her seventies now, will call or text to see if I’m hunting and if I reply yes then she’s kind enough to know to leave me alone, God bless her. She knows it might be 10 hours before I come out of a deer or turkey blind. If only the rest of the world could understand the way she does, haha. Im not just in there to hunt, I'm there because it’s just the most satisfying place to relax and think and marvel at everything in the natural world around you. Blinds are the best forts of solitude and sanity in the world!
Nice. I am reminded of me pretend-turkey-hunting in the spring, wherein I go early to the woods and climb my ridge, plunk down beside my favorite burr oak, and wait for the birdsong to begin as I watch the light come up in the forest. If I am lucky, and have timed it right, and the catkins are full of insects, and the oak leaves are starting to unfurl, I may find myself in sea of warblers making their way north, moving everywhere from ground level to tree crown. I don't tell many turkey hunting friends that my most memorable hunt involved no gobblers at all (though I do occasionally harvest one), but I instead found myself in an explosion of American Redstarts that lasted most of an hour. They flitted through the trees and low brush, rummaged through leaf litter for bugs, perched next to my ears, hopped across my outstretched legs. It was mostly silent, and completely magical.
I often go fishing from my kayak as a means of quieting my mind. I believe it must have the same effect as meditation has for others. The other day I had finished fishing in the middle of the day and while returning to the boat ramp, I stopped and was just enjoying the situation and existing. I then noticed that there was absolutely no wind, that the water surface was completely smooth and not visible. What was visible was a perfect reflection of the sky filled with cumulus clouds. I was no longer floating on the water but suspended thousands of feet in the air looking down on the clouds. What a great experience, which resulted from a quiet mind and a motionless boat.
So perfect. We all need those moments.
Thanks for the ear-worm. The last part of this post reminded me of a quote: “happiness is like a butterfly: chase it and it will always be just out of reach, but sit quietly and it might just land on you”.
Love that.
Be assured Hank, you're not the only one who struggles with voices in your head. Mine often remind me of the tiny angel and devil in the toga-party scene of Animal House. I find solice sitting silently with my dogs, (who of course already know what I'm thinking), watching the sunset, and smoking a good cigar.
I found that in silence is when my brain works best, I am one of those who thrives in quiet places. Doesn’t mean I don’t love company, or people. But my brain works overtime and I have so many ideas, projects, observations that I guess I keep my self constantly entertained. I feel I think better when away from crowds.
Our lives are parallel in this moment. Shhh…