How do you leverage silence in your journey toward personal growth? What is the positive impact you experience from silence?
The Mother of All Questions by Rebecca Solnit.
In Rebecca Solnit’s book, there are serious topics within her collection of essays. One of her pieces is on silence. Here she talks about the negative impact of silence, especially a silence that is imposed upon others, especially women. This silence shuts down a person’s value, one’s voice, and one’s right to self-determination. (p. 19) This kind of silence prevents one from speaking up and giving voice to one’s credibility. (p. 23). Harmful silence impacts one’s rights to full participation in society. (p. 25) Solnit speaks out strongly against this kind of destructive silence.
The Negative Aspects of Silence
Silence can be experienced as negative when it is:
- Oppressive
- Restrictive
- Shaming
- Violent (p. 38)
- Limiting
- Intimidating
- Repressive
- Coercive
- Controlling
- A barrier to communication (p. 18)
The Positive Impact of Silence
What about a silence that is positive? That is your choice? Solnit calls this kind of silence, “quiet.” (p. 17) Positive silence is experienced in a safe and nurturing environment. Silence can be constructive when it is about:
- Retreating from the noise and moving toward tranquility (p. 17)
- Expansive and not limiting
- Freedom
- Inner freedom
- Freely choosing to quiet your mind, heart, spirit, and soul
- Listening
- Where you feel drawn to a place of quiet or a moment of stillness
- Nourishment in the calm
- Fostering solitude that is fodder for wisdom, gratitude, and inner peace
- Blessing
- Stillness
- Introspection
- Empowerment (p.41)
- Respect
- Empathy
- Melting stress away
- Clearing your mind
- Dispelling fear
- Lifting a heavy heart
- Seeking a:
- Quiet heart
- Still mind
- Peaceful spirit
What have you learned in your experience of silence? How is silence nurturing your quest toward personal growth?
I welcome your comments.
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