The Power of Silence: Elevating Listening and Self-Discovery
By Terre Short
Stop. Close your eyes and listen. Be silent. Don’t read another word for 30 seconds. Seriously.
Did you find that painful, hard to maintain, scary, distracting, or peaceful? Were you waiting for what comes next? We are eager to fill any silence. We often observe and feel it as “something is wrong.”
In our frenetic, hyper-connected world, true silence has become a rare commodity. We are constantly bombarded with noise – the blare of traffic, the chime of notification alerts, the endless stream of music, podcasts, and YouTube videos. Even when the external environment is quiet, our minds are a buzz with internal chatter – making plans, ruminating on the past, worrying about the future.
This constant noise, both external and internal, robs us of the ability to be truly present. It fractures our attention into a thousand pieces, leaving us scattered and frazzled. It’s no wonder we feel exhausted, overwhelmed, and detached.
I find the way to foster presence, focus, and centeredness, is to relearn the lost art of silence. Cultivating stillness, both externally and internally, opens the door to a richer, deeper way of being and engaging with the world around us.
The External Silence
Enforcing periods of external silence, whether for an hour, an afternoon, or even multiple days, has profound effects. When we remove the constant auditory stimulation, our overstrained attention muscles can finally relax. The mind begins to disconnect from its constant reactivity. We become more aware of the infinite details of the present moment that the noisy clamor of modern life tunes out.
In silence, we notice specific birdsong that was previously mere background noise. We perceive the play of light through the trees, the subtle dance of shadows and shapes. We tune into our own physiology in a heightened way – the rhythmic swell of the breath, the faint thrum of the pulse. This intensified presence acts like a reset for our frazzled senses.
But the benefits of external silence go even deeper. With the auditory veil lifted, we can finally hear the more subtle signals emanating from other beings. We pick up on nuances of vocal intonation, facial micro-expressions, and body language that is normally drowned out. We become more attuned to the emotions being expressed by those around us. In doing so, we become better listeners and more emotionally intelligent communicators.
The Internal Silence
If the cultivation of external silence is powerful, the practice of internal silence is utterly transformative. Most of us are plagued by a near-constant stream of internal chatter, what I call your “Personal Podcast” that typically plays 24/7. This inner dialogue, while valuable for many processes, easily slips into a harsh feedback loop of judgment, anxiety, and compulsive thought patterns.
Creating periods of internal silence, whether through meditation, journaling, or mindful contemplation in nature, allows the churning waters of the mind to finally still. Simply focusing on your breath: in/out, in/out for several minutes will create the space for silence. As the waves of thought subside, we can glimpse the depths below the surface. We see ourselves with more clarity, perspective, and self-compassion.
We experience enhanced quality of attention and presence. No longer fractured by juggling a dozen thought threads, we can bring our whole mind to bear with laser-like focus. From this resonant stillness, creativity and insight blossom.
Listening Within the Silence
One of the greatest gifts of both external and internal silence is the flowering of our capacity for deep listening. We become attuned to voices, signals, and layers of truth that may have been muffled. We pick up on subtleties and harmonics beyond the surface.
When we grow still within, we tune into the muted whispers of our intuition, those guiding insights from our unconscious depths. When our reactivity is suspended, we can hear the soft hum of our deepest values and intentions. We shed layers of conditioning and rediscover the vibrant essence of who we are.
In such stillness, we become more receptive listeners towards others. Rather ruminating on our own thoughts, and what we might interject, we are poised to truly hear the thoughts and emotions shared by the other person.
How can you intentionally practice silence each day? What will prompt you to silence your own internal dialogue so you can be fully present and in service to someone else? Might I suggest breathwork, for yourself each day in mindfulness practice, and before each interaction you have with someone else.
Embrace the “crickets” and invite the goodness that will bloom from the quiet.
Terre Short is a best-selling author, executive leadership coach, dynamic speaker and learning experience creator who connects from her heart. To explore more content, check out the THRIVING LEADER COLLABORATIVE APP.
