Solitude is an attitude. A man
who adopts an attitude of detachment towards the external environment is always
in solitude. It is possible that despite being involved in all sorts of worldly
activity, a person may maintain perfect
equanimity. That’s solitude.
Another may stay on a hilltop, away from the hustle and bustle of city life,
yet he may not be able to experience serenity of mind. Therefore, even though this person is much
better placed to experience peace of mind, solitude deludes him.
The state that transcends speech
and thought is mouna; it is meditation, the total absence of mental activity.
Overcoming the mind is meditation; but deep meditation is eternal speech. Silence is the perennial flow of ‘language’.
It is interrupted by speaking; for words obstruct this mute language. It is
quite possible that lecturers may keep the audience involved and amused for
hours without transforming them. Silence, on the other hand, is permanent and
benefits entire humanity in a subtle manner. One may therefore conclude that
true silence is unceasing eloquence -- it is a state when words cease and
powerful thoughts of the sage begin to penetrate the depths of the seeker,
bringing about a change in his thought patterns.
Thought moves with tremendous
velocity. Those who entertain sublime and pious thoughts help others who are in
the vicinity and at a distance also. A saint who has overpowered his mind
through meditation sends out into the world thoughts of harmony and peace. They
travel with lightening speed in all directions and enter the minds of persons
and produce in them also similar thoughts of harmony and peace. Whereas a
worldly man who harbours thoughts of jealousy, revenge and hatred sends out
discordant thoughts which are like wireless messages broadcast in ether, and
are received by those whose minds respond to such negative vibrations.
Preaching is simple communication
of language; it can really be done in silence only. A man, who after listening
to a religious sermon for an hour, might go away without being even marginally
influenced; he has wasted his time. In
comparison, a man who sits in a holy presence and goes away after some time
with his outlook on life radically changed, is much better off. Which is
better, to preach loudly without effect or to sit silently sending out positive
vibrations?
Again, how does speech
arise? From abstract knowledge emanates the ego; this, in turn,
gives rise to thought, and thought gives rise to the spoken word. So it
would not be wrong to say that the word is the descendant of the original
source. If the word can produce effect, consider how much more powerful must be
preaching through silence? But most
people do not understand this simple truth -- the truth of their everyday
experience. Rather, they are eager to know what lies beyond, about heaven, hell
and reincarnation.
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