Have you ever heard someone say that silence is steeped in wisdom, and perhaps that if you listen closely, you might hear an entirely new voice? You won’t need your mouth to respond, because this conversation takes place in silence. The power of silence is touted by those who practice meditation, yoga, perform music, and write novels. It’s a priceless tool for creators and creatresses or anyone who wants to observe and direct their personal flow of energy. In Hindu culture, people regularly partake in periods of silence, which they refer to as Maunas. Indians have been a foregoing speech in search of quiet as far back as 2000-5000 BCE. Although there are conflicting opinions on the exact timeline and origination of Hindu culture, most historians agree that this belief system is one of the most ancient and blended on the planet.
An essential component of Hindu culture is the belief in the eternal soul. Based on the karmic seeds a person plants during their lifetime, the soul continues a cyclical process of death and rebirth, repeating the lessons that were not learned in the previous life. This cycle repeats until the soul evolves and liberates itself from desire. The end of this cycle is the goal for many Hindu people and is known as Moksha. Moksha translates to “liberation,” but can be described as a condition of true enlightenment where the soul reunites with the all-knowing and all-understanding universal consciousness.
Some Hindu followers attempt to reach Moksha by giving away earthly possessions, retreating from society, and engulfing themselves in silence. But what anyone who attempts to achieve Moksha soon learns, is that the desire of anything, even Moksha itself, only grounds them to the earth. This revelation often comes to an individual during a Mauna. Through silence, a person experiences freedom from the constant distractions and overstimulation that scatter and dilute focus and energy. By conserving energy that would otherwise be spent through speaking, responding, and reacting, a person can redirect energy inward to connect with the heart. After communicating with the heart, a person is better equipped to understand how the energy they send out affects the entire web of civilization.
Many people who partake in vows of silence are reluctant to talk about the experience. Maybe they want to pique the interest of those curious about this ancient tradition, or perhaps it’s impossible to use physical descriptions to explain an experience that transcends the physical realm. One thing that we do know, is that the message shared through Mauna can only be heard by those brave enough to look within and decipher the language of silence.
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