The Power of Silence

I just finished leading five exquisite days of silent retreat for a group here in Nevada City.  I am bursting with excitement to share with you the fruits of this adventure, and, at the same time, at a loss for words to talk about five days where there were no words.

Silence has always been, for me personally, the greatest teacher.  Sounds paradoxical, doesn’t it?  You think of a teacher as giving you messages, insights, guidance…how can silence do that?  When I look back on my life, it was from discreet periods of silence that the greatest creative flow emerged.  It was from discreet periods of silence that the greatest blessings flowed, synchronicity just happened, and things fell together in the outer world.  It was following silence that opportunities flowed into my life most easily.

 

Stop

This is a practice from my latest book: “Leap Before You Look.” This practice is chosen from the section “Meditation Practices.”

In the midst of your busy day, when there seem to be so many things to do,
Stop.
Stop moving, stop talking,
Stop what you are doing, and feel.
Hold your body in the same position.
Feel this moment just as it is. Hear the sounds.
Notice the sensations in the body.
Notice the speed and texture of your thoughts.
Remain like this for sixty seconds.
See? The world around you continues, even without your involvement.
Who are you now, outside of the game?
Now continue with your day.