Embracing Silence as a Reflection of Self
How do the fleeting moments of silence and stillness in our lives reflect the inner nature of our thoughts and emotions, and what might happen if we allowed ourselves to fully inhabit that silence without the impulse to fill it with distraction or judgment?
@nocturnalraven good question. I think when I approach silence I see how much the thoughts and feelings arise momentarily and then cease unless I chase them and end up far away from observing my mind.
If I do not react in a knee jerk manner, I can choose wisely how to respond to thoughts and what others say.
What is your experience?
@soulsings I think I’ve experienced different types of silence, but they often connect for me. A peaceful moment might lead to reflection, which sometimes feels heavy because I don’t often make time to sit and think deeply. But by the end of the day, when the space is quiet, I revisit what I’ve reflected on, and it feels more sacred, like a sense of closure. I’ll admit I’m not a fan of awkward silences, though those can feel so uncomfortable! Do you have a favourite kind of silence?
@nocturnalraven I like the silence after meditation or doing mindful movement.
Do you record these moments in a journal or a poem?
@nocturnalraven I think we would all go to a very dark place. Humans are social beings, we need interaction and distraction. I've been stuck in hospital since the start of November, and I'm getting quite depressed, thank God I have this site. Cups has been my life line ❤❤
What about you? Are you doing ok?
@Tinywhisper11 I’m so sorry to hear about your hospital stay. That sounds incredibly tough, but I admire your resilience and how you’re finding strength through this space. It’s hard, but I’m managing too—thriving because I have to, even when it feels overwhelming. I hope things get a little brighter for you soon. If you ever need someone to talk to, I’m here. ❤️
@nocturnalraven ❤❤❤
@nocturnalraven
You shouldn't ignore the judgment or distraction. It's already a situation you feel bad about. Allow those in as well. Take it fully. The judgment, any distractions, they're NOT YOU. And don't let them become part of you. You savor the calming, quiet moments because after this, it won't be. You couldn't seek to be within and only comfortable in moments (they are just moments) where it's quiet and accommodating and peaceful. Should there, and there will always be, the hard and dark times. No one can escape those. You shouldn't try to avoid them because they'll find you no matter what.
The quiet and relaxing moments, where you can take a moment to introspect and think and just be? They'll fade and be gone, just like dark, hard times, however if all you seek are those EASY times, every hard time is worse than it really should be, because all you seek are comfort and easiness, which no one else. DOn't be afraid of difficulty. It's where you learn and grow. Every storm builds you, not tear you apart, unless you only think you exist within the easy, quiet, calming moments. *again only MOMENTS* then any degree of difficulty will feel many times worse.
What do I do with the moments of easy and quiet? Simply enjoy them. They won't last, just like every storm doesn't last. And I'll find moments of peace and quiet again. I just enjoy them while they're here, appreciate them after they've passed and do my best to recognize them again when they return. In order to do so, I have to embrace and endure the dark storms. Without them, I won't get stronger, better, improve and grow as a person. Nothing can grow in quiet, easy times, especially a person.
Without the growth gained from storms, you cannot really or fully appreciate the sunny, bright, quiet moments of levity. They are a symbiotic thing one must accept. You'd never know the light without the dark. Without the light, what is there to endure the darkness for?
I enjoy the moments of levity as much as I (no joke) enjoy the storms that comes along and passes.
@CreativeAltruism Thank you for such a profound and honest response. I appreciate how you’ve framed the storms and quiet moments as interconnected, almost symbiotic forces that shape us. It’s true without the darkness, the light wouldn’t feel as vivid or precious.
I find your point about not ignoring judgment or distraction particularly striking. Allowing those elements in without letting them define us feels like an act of courage and acceptance. It’s a powerful reminder that growth often lies in sitting with discomfort, not escaping it.
Your perspective on savoring the easy moments while understanding they’re fleeting resonates deeply. It feels like a call to embrace impermanence, to find meaning and strength in both the levity and the struggle.
Thank you for sharing this. It’s given me a lot to think about, especially the idea of storms not tearing us apart, but building us. That’s a perspective I want to carry forward.
@nocturnalraven As I turn the pages of life, sometimes words emerge that uncover the stories hidden deep inside me. These are the stories that are not shared with anyone, nor do they find their way to my lips. But inside, in some corner of my heart, these stories shout, cry out, and demand answers.
@nocturnalraven
what might happen if we allowed ourselves to fully inhabit that silence without the impulse to fill it with distraction or judgment?
I would have to confront myself. Because that silence would only be inhabited by me. I'm afraid of confronting myself and frequently use distraction to avoid it. It's what I was taught to do.
But I love love love the comment by @CreativeAltruism. And your response so perfectly expressed what I was thinking, that I have no desire to repeat it.
That acceptance of my fear, self judgement, tendency to distract is something to aspire to. In this moment I think I might be able to love myself. And I thank you both for that.
@Clio9876 Your honesty is so powerful—it takes courage to admit the fear of confronting oneself, and even more to aspire toward self-acceptance. I think many of us are taught to avoid that silence, filling it with distractions as a way to cope, but your willingness to reflect on it is already a step toward something beautiful.
I’m so glad you found resonance in the responses. That realization—that fear, self-judgment, and distraction don’t have to define us—feels like a small but profound act of self-love. Even just acknowledging that you might be able to love yourself in this moment is a victory worth celebrating.
Thank you for sharing your truth here. It’s a reminder that we’re all navigating these inner battles together, and even the smallest steps toward embracing ourselves are meaningful. You’ve inspired me to sit with my own silence a little more today. 💙
We might hear our voice from deep within, the voice we try to silence. The feelings we try and stifle.
within silence we feel and hear the things from within that we try and shut out through being addicted to busyness
@Stormythecat Your words really resonate—it’s so true how often we silence the voice within by drowning it out with busyness. It’s almost as if we’re afraid of what we might uncover if we truly listened. But I think there’s something deeply empowering about leaning into that silence and allowing ourselves to hear those feelings, even if they’re uncomfortable.
Thank you for reminding me of this. Sometimes it’s in those quiet moments, when the distractions fade, that we find the truths we’ve been avoiding—and maybe even the strength to face them. 💙
