Thank you for this piece, Mary! It's inspiring, intriguing and also useful in a practical sense. I find my most important quiet space in daily pre-dawn walks through the high-desert prairie around my house, where I am immersed in the community of the land. It's never silent--there is the sound of the wind, the chuckling of robins and chortling of ravens, coyotes' "singing" from distant ridges, and the human sounds as people head off in their cars to begin the work day. But those sounds are woven together in a way that helps me find my inner silence, and does not get in the way.
Susan, the way you describe your pre-dawn walks made me feel I was walking right there beside you. How you describe the sounds of the wind, birds, and even distant human activities as part of a harmonious backdrop is beautiful and inspiring. Thank you for sharing!
Thanks for the compliment! I've been writing for 30+ years, through 13 books and hundreds of magazine and newspaper articles, essays and commentaries. So I have a bit of practice with description and setting a scene. ;) Also, I love my landscape and my walking meditation walks, so that may make me even more lyrical in describing them.
In Charles Lamb's essay about the Quakers, he wrote:
"Dost thou love silence deep as that “before the winds were made?” go not out into the wilderness, descend not into the profundities of the earth; shut not up thy casements; nor pour wax into the little cells of thy ears, with little-faith’d self-mistrusting Ulysses. — Retire with me into a Quaker’s Meeting. For a man to refrain even from good words, and to hold his peace, it is commendable; but for a multitude, it is great mastery."
I find a lot of meaning in this as someone who struggles in noisy environments. What I take from Lamb is his perception that we can find silence anywhere, including in the company of others. We don't need to go to the mountaintop or desert to encounter it. As I have spent most of my life in huge cities, that's a valuable insight.
Thank you for your thoughtful comment and for sharing Charles Lamb's quote. While working on the Rosa Parks post (Feb 4) about Resisting Resistance, I learned she went to a Quaker school. I bet that is where she learned to be quiet and reflective around all that chaos she experienced. Very interesting!
Yes, you can find quietness without traveling to a mountaintop or desert. Just like Virginia Woolf, sometimes you only need a room to yourself. Here's to more quietness in your life, Jeffrey!
Driving in my car is one of the places / activities where I get to experience peace - especially late at night or early in the morning, when the roads are empty.
I'm so happy to hear that, Trinity! I understand your perspective completely. There's a special kind of relaxation that comes with being on the road at a time when most people are asleep. The peaceful sound of your car engine, the vast open road ahead of you, and the steady flow of the journey can all contribute to a feeling of tranquility. Thanks for reading!
Thank you for this piece, Mary! It's inspiring, intriguing and also useful in a practical sense. I find my most important quiet space in daily pre-dawn walks through the high-desert prairie around my house, where I am immersed in the community of the land. It's never silent--there is the sound of the wind, the chuckling of robins and chortling of ravens, coyotes' "singing" from distant ridges, and the human sounds as people head off in their cars to begin the work day. But those sounds are woven together in a way that helps me find my inner silence, and does not get in the way.
Susan, the way you describe your pre-dawn walks made me feel I was walking right there beside you. How you describe the sounds of the wind, birds, and even distant human activities as part of a harmonious backdrop is beautiful and inspiring. Thank you for sharing!
Thanks for the compliment! I've been writing for 30+ years, through 13 books and hundreds of magazine and newspaper articles, essays and commentaries. So I have a bit of practice with description and setting a scene. ;) Also, I love my landscape and my walking meditation walks, so that may make me even more lyrical in describing them.
I loved this post - a beautiful hymn to silence.
In Charles Lamb's essay about the Quakers, he wrote:
"Dost thou love silence deep as that “before the winds were made?” go not out into the wilderness, descend not into the profundities of the earth; shut not up thy casements; nor pour wax into the little cells of thy ears, with little-faith’d self-mistrusting Ulysses. — Retire with me into a Quaker’s Meeting. For a man to refrain even from good words, and to hold his peace, it is commendable; but for a multitude, it is great mastery."
I find a lot of meaning in this as someone who struggles in noisy environments. What I take from Lamb is his perception that we can find silence anywhere, including in the company of others. We don't need to go to the mountaintop or desert to encounter it. As I have spent most of my life in huge cities, that's a valuable insight.
Thank you for your thoughtful comment and for sharing Charles Lamb's quote. While working on the Rosa Parks post (Feb 4) about Resisting Resistance, I learned she went to a Quaker school. I bet that is where she learned to be quiet and reflective around all that chaos she experienced. Very interesting!
Yes, you can find quietness without traveling to a mountaintop or desert. Just like Virginia Woolf, sometimes you only need a room to yourself. Here's to more quietness in your life, Jeffrey!
Thank you, and I wish the same for you too!
Mary, thank you so much for recommending me to your readers. Your own newsletter has been a joy to read. May we all find the silence we most need.
Thank you, Jennifer. I enjoy your publication too and just subscribed!
Did the same myself. Thanks, and I look forward to reading more.
Thank you for the shout-out. I love the artwork with these inspiring quotations. Your home page looks beautiful!
You are welcome, Tara. And thank you for the compliments! It's so nice to hear. I look forward to your publication too!
Just reading this was relaxing!
Driving in my car is one of the places / activities where I get to experience peace - especially late at night or early in the morning, when the roads are empty.
I'm so happy to hear that, Trinity! I understand your perspective completely. There's a special kind of relaxation that comes with being on the road at a time when most people are asleep. The peaceful sound of your car engine, the vast open road ahead of you, and the steady flow of the journey can all contribute to a feeling of tranquility. Thanks for reading!