METAPHYSICAL CORNER with Elizabeth Joyce
January 2007The Sound of Silence (Reprinted from "Philly Fit Magazine")

The Sound of Silence

By: Elizabeth Joyce

'Be still, and know that I am God.' 'God is in His Holy Temple; let all the earth keep silence before Him.' This is an old medieval message, and it has but one thought, and it is this; whatever God you believe in or pray too is waiting in the depths of your being to talk to you if you would only get still enough to hear your inner voice.

Where in the United States, excluding Alaska, does a place exist that is completely silent? Some place so remote that is free from human sound such as motors, airplanes, amplified music, chain saws, radio, TV, the refrigerator hum, or gunfire? Perhaps in Maine, upper New Hampshire, Michigan, Minnesota or Oregon? Even in the depths of winter many snow-covered regions are disturbed by the earsplitting whine of snowmobiles and constant motor boats on the lakes in summertime.

In this new millennium the mechanical cries of the Industrial Revolution and the constant electronic bleep of the Information Revolution work together to obliterate the soothing calmness of nature's silence. Not only has devised human sound invaded every public space, but we seem compelled to allow it to invaded the inner-sanctum of our homes as well. You awaken to a clock radio alarm, the TV goes on immediately, or the Ipod earphone is constantly in our ears. Even such times when we are walking for health or jogging, some kind of sound apparatus is usually carried along with us to "stop us from becoming bored." Noise seems to be the byproduct of rampant consumerism and has become the habitual behavior of modern America, as well as elsewhere in the world.

As soon as we walk in the door from our busy day, the TV or computer is flipped on, or radios and CD players. Then we play back our answering machines, check our e-mail and instruct our children to amuse themselves with video games, Ipods or by watching a video. We are very content with pushing buttons or using remotes on electronic gadgets installed everywhere throughout the house. As if this were not enough, we seem to have the need to talk constantly with our spouses, kids, relatives, friends and electronic pen pals. The cell phone or wireless home phone is constantly in someone's ear at home. Lost in space is the ability to sit down, meditate, and abide peacefully within our Self. It seems we simply do not give this enough time, nor do we find it of any importance. Yes this inner space is where we can touch the fullness of our infinite possibilities, while awakening the cause and effect principle in our lives. It now has been medically proven that the sanctuary of silence can restore our peace of mind while reducing stress, expanding our insight, and promoting happiness. Throughout history, especially spiritual history, "alone time," "prayer time," or "meditation time" has been a proven technique for maintaining psychological equilibrium and for gaining self-knowledge.

I thought this would be a very easy matter, and so I began to get still. Then confusion and noise continued, but this time from within. I had no sooner begun than a pandemonium of voices reached my ears, a thousand clamoring notes came flying through my mind from without and within, until I could hear nothing but their noise and blare. Some of them were my own voice, some of them were my own questions, some of them were my own cares, some of them were my very prayers. Others were the suggestions of the tempter and the voices of the world's turmoil. Never before did there seem so many things to be done, to be said, to be thought of; and coming from every direction I was pushed and pulled, and greeted with noisy acclamations of unspeakable unrest. It seemed necessary for me to listen to some of them, and to answer some of them. Then came the conflict of thoughts for tomorrow, with its duties and cares; but I remembered the saying, 'Be still.' And as I listened, slowed my body down, and slowly learned to clear my mind, with great difficulty and patience, and shut my ears to every sound, I found after awhile, perhaps about twenty minutes, that when the other voices ceased, or I ceased to hear them. There was a still, small voice in the depths of my being that began to speak with an inexpressible tenderness, power, and comfort. As I listened, it became to me this voice of prayer, this voice of wisdom, and this voice of duty, allowing me to know that I did not need to think so hard, or pray so hard, or trust so hard, but that 'still, small voice' of my Blessed Higher Self in my heart was Spirit's prayer in my secret soul, was the Universe's answer to all my questions, was the Infinite's life and strength for my soul and body, and became the substance of all knowledge, and all prayer, and all blessing; for my being was merging with the universal energies, and they enveloped my life and my all.

This is our spirit's deepest need. It is how that we learn to know our Blessed Higher Self; to listen to our inner voice and it is how we receive spiritual refreshment and nutriment; it is how our heart is nourished and fed. Meditation is how we receive the higher knowledge; it is how our very bodies are healed, and our spirit drinks in new energies for strength, how we go forth to life's conflicts and duties like the flower that has drunk in, through the shades of night, the cool and crystal drops of refreshing dew. But, as the dew never falls on a stormy night, so the dews of spiritual grace never come to the restless soul. The value of this on-going practice is that the inner resources that we develop on a daily basis can be directed toward whatever personal crisis is at hand. In this way, we acquire the tools, skills, imagination and resilience of handling all of life's ups and downs. We are so busy trying to make our way in society, whose insatiable appetite for socializing, consuming, and external stimulation places no value on being quiet and alone. As a result, we spend so little time quietly alone that we rarely have time to reflect on what we are doing with our lives, with our decisions, or why.

Would you rather believethat circumstances and other people are responsible for the way you feel or that you are responsible for the way you feel? Which belief gives you more control over your own feelings and emotions? Which belief makes you feel empowered enough to create a change? Which do you choose to believe in? Ultimately, how we feel is a matter of choice. My friend, Helen, chose not to feel happy because she felt she did not deserve to. Because she was made to feel guilty for leaving her first husband, she unwittingly created situations in her second marriage that brought her unhappiness. As long as she carried the guilt, she was comfortable with the unhappiness. Makes sense?

Knowing and understanding ourselves is key to optimum health and fitness. This gives our life depth, wholeness, and meaning, as well as pleasure and strength. As Simon an Garfunkel put it, "Hello darkness my old friend, I've come to talk with you againŠHear my words that I might reach youŠecho in the wells of silence."

Silence allows us to open the door to our unconscious mind, to feel and understand the yearnings of our heart, to follow the wisdom of our intuition, to know and accept our aversions, and to understand the truth of our experiences. When we enter into the GAP, as Dr. Deepak Chopra calls it, we at last get in touch with our deepest secrets, passions, fondest wishes, and happiest memories. We also have the opportunity to visualize exactly what we would like to bring into our future life experience. Whatever you can visualize, will actualize. This is one of the laws of manifestation. The possibilities that come from this transformational journey are both challenging and wonderful. Here, in this quiet space, you can transcend the Ego. I call this place "the state of being," which requires nothing of you; no therapist, guru, class, diet pill, special technique or equipment. Silence and solitude are inherent in every human being and to get there costs us nothing but time. They are as easy to find as your hairline or big toe. They are as soothing as a facial or a massage, as illuminating as a bright light, and as thrilling as a new romance.

If you are like most people I know, your life is already filled to overflowing. It may feel like you don't have the time to do the many things you have to do, let alone want to do. However, if we become motivated, we can always create a change. It is a matter of restructuring priorities and using the discretionary moments of our lives in new ways, like when we are taking a shower, waiting in a doctor's office, standing in line, driving slowly through a toll booth, or even during our lunch break. The first awareness is to unlearn the concept that we have to schedule out huge blocks of time in our busy life to practice meditation. Five minutes in the morning, either upon awakening, or in the shower, is a good start and can make a surprising difference. The second awareness is learning that making a place for silence or solitude is not escaping from reality or wasting time. In fact, just the opposite is true. To embrace the silence has the power to heighten our sensitivity and awareness, reduce stress and inner turmoil, helps the blood flow, digestion, as well as bring us some surprising knowledge. Another pay off is that embracing silence can help to make us more efficient in how we spend our time.

It is important to understand that experiencing solitude does not necessarily mean being physically alone, sitting quietly for a length of time, or closing our eyes in meditation. There are infinite ways to embrace this state of being. We may be driving a car, taking a walk, waiting on line, walking in a park, cooking food, planting a garden, swimming laps, walking the dog, on hold on the phone or exercising. Of course we could be doing absolutely nothing at all, which is simply ideal. These quiet moments are waiting for you to incorporate into your lifestyle. They are already in your busy schedule and just need to be realigned. If you set an intention to embrace the silence, you will soon discover how readily it can become available to you within your personal daily routine. The fact is silence and solitude can coexist with our impossible schedules and innumerable obligations.

Having explained all this, you must accept that it is not enough to simply be at the edge of silence if positive and meaningful change is to occur. You must fully inhabit or in some way be transformed by or do something when we are in the state of being. While we are in the gap of silence we are given the chance to observe ourselves, especially our aggressive behavior, or chattering minds, our upsets and fears, from a completely neutral and detached place. Once we gain access to this higher state, and develop a means for cultivating, nurturing and maintaining it, we can return to this busy, vibrating world with a new perspective. When we come from this higher perspective we have the possibility of changing a great deal in our lives, perhaps everything. Over time, we may be willing to let go of some of the noise, the busy behavior and overbooked lifestyle that brought us the stress and strain in the first place. We may discover that less is truly more, that a simpler life may be the richer choice for us, and that releasing old, unproductive habits can create a space where new, helpful and nurturing ones can take root and grow.

Some things you can do to bring silence into your lifestyle is: a) turn off the phone. If you are not dealing with something urgent, a call can always wait. Don't allow the telephone to become a tyrant. b) Take a walk in the park. Take time to experience the natural quiet of nature. c) Turn off the Radio, TV, CD, VCR and DVD players. News is not generally good. Do you really want to hear about the latest robberies, murders, and mayhem? Give yourself a treat by going without this for at least twenty-four hours. This habit may be easier to break than you imagine. Louise Hay, author of You Can Heal Your Life says, "Never go to bed just after listening to the late evening news. This can lower your blood pressure and give you a better night's sleep." d) Take a warm, comfortable bath. Light a candle, use some scented oils, stretch out along the tub, close your eyes and float in this steamy, relaxing dream world. e) Find the quietest time and place you can be in. The great yogi's teach us that 4:00 am is the quietest time on the planet in the new millennium. The world just before and at dawn is special, and most often, the most tranquil hours of the day. A secluded corner in your home or garden may inspire serenity.

< We cannot go through life strong and fresh on constant express trains; because we must have quiet hours, secret places of the silence, times of waiting upon the messages from our Blessed Higher Self, when we renew our strength, and learn to listen and grow, and then come back to run and not be weary, and to walk and not faint.

Watch for Elizabeth Joyce on "The Psychic Detectives"on the Court-TV Cable in the segment "More Than A Dream.

Watch for Elizabeth Joyce on Unsolved Mysteries. Reruns are aired on the Lifetime Channel.

Elizabeth Joyce appeared on the Georgia Shakti-Hill Show, on PBS, all over Florida in July, 2000. The show discussed the Gift of Knowledge. This show is syndicated on the Wisdom Channel as well. Watch for the reruns.

If you have any questions:

Elizabeth and she will be happy to respond.