Silence as a Creative Tool
Silence. Silence is often something we find ourselves in almost accidentally: sitting at a bus stop, walking the dog…but how often do you find your way into silence deliberately?
During my meditation teacher training in 2018, spending time in silence each day was something I had to do as a part of the course. Each day, we had to set aside a period of at least twenty minutes to spend in silence. This is referred in the yoga tradition that the course followed as Mouna and which I now like to refer to as Sacred Silence.
This had to be a period in which we could not type, or write, or speak, or listen to the radio, music or podcasts. It wasn’t meditation, just a kind of ‘silent presence’ in which I was to allow myself to become completely immersed in whatever task I was doing at that time.
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What is Mouna or Sacred Silence?
The purpose of Mouna is to shut off any external influences that may come in, any ‘noise’ that may take you away from experiencing the present moment in its most beautiful form. When we deliberately and consciously take time in the day to actually practise silence (because it takes practice!), we are teaching ourselves to detach from the thoughts that come and go. Meditation begins with concentration, and only happens when we have been able to detach from our mind and body, and this first step is made all the easier if we are already cultivating space to fully immerse ourselves in the present.
Mouna isn’t meditation as such, but by taking some time, even just fifteen minutes a day, to turn inward -, to listen to nature, to feel the breeze, to create, to move - the effect that that has on a meditation and creative practice can be profound. I notice especially when I use my phone and computer less, my eyes are able to find steadiness in visualisation; when I listen to one enriching podcast (rather than three mediocre ones) and then turn off, my mind is more settled; I can digest information more efficiently, form opinions and thoughts that come from a deeper space, my creative centre.
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But Silence can be challenging...
Our modern life doesn’t leave a lot of room for peace and quiet but Sacred Silence can be a way of finding a moment of stillness amidst the chaos. I’ve always loved my own company but I know that for many it can be a real challenge...and lockdown this year has highlight that for many who have been forced into isolation.
Many of us have been brought up surrounded by TV, gossip columns, smart phones, social media, news that serves only to separate us, not just from the present but from each other, and when we consciously decide to turn all the external chatter off it's easy to feel a bit lost, insecure or anxious. Hopefully if you feel this way, the tips below will help you to feel safe as you create this space for yourself (and your Self!).
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Creating a ‘Sacred Silence’ Practice
To begin to build Sacred Silence into your day the best thing to start with is is to turn any device off, get away from other people and set a timer for ten minutes and then just get on with your day (doing your best to remove yourself of words or 'unnatural' (probably the wrong word!) sounds i.e. recorded sound like music (however beautiful it may be) - this is about time to yourself.
This could include (but is by no means limited to):
cooking,
going for a walk around the block, by the beach or river, in a flocal orest/woodland or in a local park,
going for a run/bike ride or practising yoga/movement of some kind
gardening,
drawing or painting,
sewing or knitting,
just sitting and listening to the birds.
Then increase this time every week to the point where it can slot into your life without too much faff and notice the effects it has on your emotions, your practice if you have one (your motivation to create one if you don’t), your creativity and what you are creating, and your sense of Self in general.
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What if my mind won’t switch off?
The most important thing to realise here is that the mind can’t switch off! Our mind is what helps us to survive, to make sense of the world; issues arise when, what’s known in many spiritual traditions as, the ‘negative ego’ sneaks in and tries to hijack your practice. The ‘negative ego’ is a part of what is means to be human, as is the ‘mind chatter,’ so rather than running from it, it’s important to acknowledge it first.
The 'hindering' thoughts of this ‘negative ego’ might look or feel something like:
Self-deprecation
Comparison
Anxiety
‘People pleasing’ i.e. ‘I’m doing it wrong; I must be doing it wrong; people will think I’m rubbish if I do it wrong’
When these start to arise (which, remember, they most likely will because you are human!), try the following:
Notice these emotions.thoughts approaching,
Stay with them,
Say to yourself: 'I see you, I acknowledge your presence and I allow you to pass and go on your way.'
Come back to the breath and continue with whatever it is you're doing.
The more we can detach from our thoughts, the more we begin to see that 'I am not my thoughts'. In that moment of realisation, the question then arises, then what am I?
And this, my friend, is a moment of true creativity. What exists in that space? What is that essence that burns brightly inside of you that is truly you, your Self in all its beauty?
Do you practice Mouna or Sacred Silence? How has it helped you ad your creativity? If you don’t, have a go and let me know how you get on.
Lots of love,
Helen x
