The Power of Silence

Last September, I was fortunate to have the opportunity to participate in a meditation retreat for a total of 10 days. It was a silent meditation retreat. We were not to speak or even have eye contact with anyone  for first 9 days. The exception being, if we had a question for the teacher, we were allowed a 10 minute to interview with the teacher, or if we had a problem with our living quarters we can contact the manager (but we had to get right to the point. No unwanted discussions allowed).

In the first two days I found it difficult not to acknowledge others. In contrast, after the two days,  I felt almost violated when/if anyone would whisper something or ask me a question when they were not supposed to.


I was fortunate that it took me only about a day to become aware of  and to quiet my mind…almost completely. I think I owe it to my previous meditation practice.

 I loved the silence both of my inner self and my environment. It was so comforting. Like a nice warm blanket on a cold winter’s night. I was just content  its to be in its warmth. Nothing else mattered. Accept the present. And once I am in the present- fully and completely, when I went for my quiet walks on the serene grounds of the meditation centre, nature seem to do a dance for me… or rather with me.. she dances and I respond to her moves with my appreciation and love of her performance (As I’m writing this, I just saw  a swift and an hawk circling the sky on opposite directions {apart from each other, of course} from my balcony… Love the synchronicity!).

I would see a few birds sitting on straws of long grasses making beautiful curves like the waves of the ocean. I would hear the different melodies the songs of birds, and their intricately, synchronized choreographed dance in the sky.

The squirrels played with each other like children do, having so much fun hiding and seeking.

On the eighth day of the retreat, I left the meditation hall for a water break after the first hour. It was about 5:30 in the morning. I went outside and gazed in awe at the star studded sky. I was amazed at the beauty of the jeweled sky. A few moments passed and I saw a bright shooting star… followed by another!! That was not a common sight for a city girl…

On that same day just about noon, I was walking past a huge, tall tree and just before me a feather floated to the ground, as if to say, this is your gift from the heavens, take it!

I noticed that when I am present in silence, the universe reveals its beauty to me. And my heart expands to infinity. There is no thought. There is only joy, appreciation and love for what is. And all I saw in that state was beauty. At that moment joy, love, beauty and peace is all one and all present.