Ode to Silence | A Contemplation on Ego Death

When the mind becomes unbearable, Silence is the cure.

There is nothing more precious than Silence.

No final conclusion, no ultimate insight, no peak experience. Nothing is more precious than Silence.

This Silence I speak of, does not mean the absence of sound. There may be sound, be it music or noise, but the Silence remains. Sound can only be heard in contrast to Silence.

Thinking does not mean the absence of Silence.

Thoughts appear against the backdrop of Silence. In truth, this Silence pervades everything.

Silence is where the mind emerges.

There's only Silence before there is a mind.

And this fact is known in the mind. When the inner search begins, it is the mind seeking its Source. But this search is futile as long as the mind looks outwards to the world; to the realm of experiences.

No faith in God is enough, no awakening experience, no spiritual insight.

There is no end to the search and no satisfaction, other than in Silence.

So, if the mind is searching for its Source, it must turn towards this Silence. And what this feels like, is a turn towards the heart.

When the mind turns towards the heart, you will feel the call of Silence.

It is like the ocean calling its offspring to return home.

At first you may feel it as a bit of love in your heart, a token of peace in the gap between thoughts, a moment of respite. It will start to punctuate your day, like a cool breeze flowing through your mind.

Watch for it.

Be mindful of the Silence.

Drink deep in such moments.

Once you taste the Silence, it's allure is irresistible.

It will take hold of your heart and pull you in.

Sit with this Silence then.

Sit a bit longer.

Let the Silence swallow you whole.

This will be your doom.

You will find that there is no you as such.

But that you are this Silence.

You will find that you have never spoken a word.

You have only been listening. To words come out of this mouth, to thoughts flow through this mind.

This doom is most welcome. Because it is the death of the ego; of the sense of separation from Reality.

This is what the Sufis call Fanā. The annihilation of the self, within the Self.

Thus ends the oppression of the mind, and begins the reign of Silence.

This dance of minds and matter and energy may last for eons, but the reign of Silence is eternal.

Now, despite the constant ringing in my ears, despite the chatter of the mind, despite the small joys and the disappointments of life, this Silence reigns supreme.

This is the essence of be-ing. The stability of it.

This is Bliss. Ananda.

Nirvana.

Watch for its presence in your heart. You will feel the breeze of Paradise pass through your mind. Let the mind be quiet in that moment.

Nothing is more precious than Silence.

This Silence is pure Awareness.

It is perfect Peace.

All sounds emerge from this Silence.

All movements flow from this Stillness.

All emotions are derived from this Love.

This Silence is Love.

For in the absence of any disturbance, when peace prevails, there is only love.

Nothing is more precious than Silence.

No final conclusion, no ultimate insight, and no peak experience.

Silence is the cure.