Question & Answer sessions with HH Sri Datta Vijayananda Teertha Swamiji – 2015
Importance of silence
Question : Why do noble souls practice silence? How does silence benefit the common man? What is the scientific reason behind benefits offered by silence?
Answer : Good question. Just yesterday we were commenting that the ashram has everything, except silence. Silence is not being maintained. Right after the bhajan session, people talk without control, and even gossip. The place sounds like a village marketplace. Swamiji gets angry and scolds us. We become quiet then. He then makes us laugh. We forget his instruction. We resume our noise. We have become accustomed to it. It should not be so. At least in the Prayer Hall, we must maintain pin-drop silence.
Many people come here with problems and serious questions seeking answers. It is not always possible for Sadguru to give verbal answers individually, face to face. Often from the silent vibrations given by Swamiji, our questions get answered. Swamiji will be just sitting quietly, either silently doing japa, or lost in contemplation. He could suddenly decide to come amidst us and give darshan. Or, he may send for the devotee who is suffering, to give him solace. When silence is absent here, he does not feel like coming here. Or, he himself begins to speak about things, since everyone else is talking. The persons seeking answers will be the losers. They will not receive the answers.
For ten years now, I have not got an answer, the devotee says. Why? Swamiji’s vibrations are in the air giving the answers. But it is like a radio that has not been tuned and so the messages are not received. Sometimes atmospheric disturbances make radio transmissions distorted. Sometimes, the relay itself may be discontinued. These are the three reasons. We have to tune ourselves. Then Sadguru’s messages will be received in the form of vibrations which provide the answers we seek.
What is great about silence? Why do people appreciate silence? Why is silence recommended?
Silence gives peace of mind. Talking disturbs the mind. Speech destroys silence. Silence preserves peace. That is why we maintain silence.
While trying to sleep, we tell others to be quiet. We find peace in sleep. To sleep, we need quiet. If it is not quiet, sleep is disturbed. Some people claim that only with some background sounds they can sleep. It is how they have accustomed themselves. It is not right.
Everyday we see that silence induces peace. That is why silence is required.
We do various types of penance, as prayer, to earn Guru’s grace, or to find peace. There is no greater penance than to observe silence. What is Japa or Tapa? It is to chant a mantra. To remove the rust from the mind, we need to cleanse the mind which is like a vessel, with penance. If a pan is not clean, and you pour milk into it, the milk will spoil. Silence cleanses the mind. We must make a habit of remaining silent daily for at least 5-10 minutes.
Even if the eyes are closed, we get thoughts. Thoughts come in the form of sounds. It is with words that we express ourselves. Words get generated from within, carrying different feelings and ideas with them. Mind is like the earth. Thoughts are like water that flows. If the flow is blocked, the river overflows. In some cities, they have constructed buildings on old riverbeds. What happens when a flood occurs? The city gets flooded because the water has nowhere to flow.
Sometimes sounds dominate feelings. Sometimes feelings are louder than sounds. The two always go together. It is easier to control sounds rather than feelings. Thoughts turn into words. One can control words by controlling the thoughts generated by the mind. Mind is the source for words. If words or speech is kept under control, then gradually the mind also will come under control. When the mind comes under control, peace is experienced. It is the tired and restless mind which causes disturbance. When the mind is calm and still, peace is experienced. That is why, silence is important for peace. Words are not simply spilled out. They get out and gather up disturbances to fill our minds.
It is impossible not to speak at all. Therefore, speak only good things. Even those who talk only good things, should maintain silence for at least ten minutes every day. Even those who only chant or speak about the Ramayana, Bhagavata, or the Vedas, should still remain silent for at least ten minutes daily. That is how important silence is. When we open the mouth, all the contaminants from the outside will go inside. It is a doorway. It should be kept locked with silence. Then thieves will be barred access. Who are the thieves? Not mosquitoes and insects. It is bad feelings by way of bad words.
Spiritual seekers must practice silence. There is no greater penance than that. The moment one opens the mouth to speak, the non-dual concept of Advaita Vedanta gets nullified. All spiritual seekers have to practice silence. If it is not possible to do so at home, at lease when visiting an ashram, a temple, or some holy place, they must practice silence there.
Listening to sacred words, listening to the glories of God or to devotional music, or even singing devotional songs counts as silence, because no one is disturbed by that activity. Along with Japa and Tapa, if one also practices absolute silence, the siddhi called Karna Bandhana, ‘control of hearing’ is also attained. What is its benefit? It enables us to listen to our inner voice, the words of God who resides inside our hearts. His words then become audible. When the mind is completely silenced, the words of our conscience are heard.
Mouni Amavasya is observed. On a certain New Moon day, the vow of silence is observed. At least once a year, one should do the Ekadasi Vrata. Similarly, at least once a year, the vow of silence must be observed. What is gained by it? Don’t ask me. You have to experience it by yourselves. Mysore Pak is sweet. But only if you taste it, you will know the actual taste. The sweetness of silence far exceeds the sweetness of all edible sweets. It has to be experienced.
To explain silence, so many words had to be spoken. That is very strange. To tell you that you should be quiet, I had to speak so much.
Jaya Guru Datta
Sri Guru Datta