Shhhh.....

1....2.....3.....4......5......

Yeah, that’s how long I can remain silent! I have always been known as a chatter box. In fact in school, most of the complaints in my school diary would be that I talk too much in class. And my mother would be trying to make me stop, but to no avail!


So, when that’s the kind of a person I am, silence is baffling to me, unless created by myself. It is most uncomfortable when you have guests who don’t talk to you unless you do. Or even some people who have you as guests, for that matter. They reply to only what you ask. It is even more awkward when you are being nice and friendly and trying to make a conversation and you seem to inadvertently probe and are given the nasty “look”. Ugh! It is the worst feeling to be subjected to that look. That does silence one for a while! And then you will just have to bear the awkward silence, eat what is given and wait to run back home (or in the former case, wait till they politely take leave).


In fact, there are some who think that it is foolish of people to waste away their energy by talking. Well, foolish or not, it definitely depends on whether one is expressive or not. I may jabber away all day. But that doesn’t mean I cannot keep a secret. It is just fun to talk, crack jokes, make people laugh, and generally converse about various things and share ideas and experiences.

On some rare occasions when I have been silent, everyone around me starts to bother me with ‘are you feeling well?’, ‘is there a problem?’, ‘did I do something wrong?’, etc. I don’t know if talking and silence is a habit or not. Maybe it is just a state of mind.

All said and done, it is unwise to undermine the power of silence. Silence is therapeutic sometimes (like talking). There are so many ashrams where you have to maintain total silence for the time of your stay. You have to convey most important and basic messages through hand signs (for a first timer, through writing). You have to keep silence to rest your voice box and mind (through meditation). You have to eat minimal and drink herbal juices or just plain water (to clean the body from within). I have heard it is an experience worth trying.



Silence helps one to understand oneself. It helps one to come to terms with the situations one is facing. It is relaxing. It calms the psyche (or maybe a peaceful mind doesn’t need words?). It brings perspective. It definitely helps one to work efficiently. Silence determines self-confidence. It speaks of respect, strength and dignity. Silence is spiritual. There are so many dimensions to silence.

And sometimes silence speaks louder than words; for example,

Person 1: Do you love me?
Person 2: Silence.

Person 1: Do you think I look fat in this outfit?
Person 2: Silence.

Person 1: Do you take me for a fool?
Person 2: Silence.

and so on… :)

Well, silence is nice for a while. If it is too long a silence, I end up writing if not talking! ;)