By: BK Sister Jenna 
Source: The Daily Guardian 
Dated: October 26, 2024

If we take time to watch a newly born child, we will notice that they are absorbed in silence. The outside noises, rarely disturb and appear to be like a gentle murmur – the child is not concerned about all the details. Silence is innate. After a while, as the baby grows, they begin to see things, hear music, listen to family conversations, depending on the culture into which they are born. Their five senses absorb it all and a story is created. From innocence and purity, the gentle murmur changes. Everything that is experienced through the senses; the school playground, the teacher’s words, the family relationships the friends and discussions, all become a noise, rather than a gentle murmur. We do not know how to compartmentalise, and we reach the point where we do not even remember what that silence is like. All of this shapes us. There are positive experiences and not so positive, even traumatic ones. Many experiences are filled with love, dignity and honour, but our minds return over and over again to the negative, the traumatic, and so over time and through many lifetimes the soul becomes peaceless. 

Now, we have to learn how to access the power of inner silence, and practice as often as we can.  In silence we experience our truth. There is no fear in silence. In silence there is a sense of intimacy between I, the soul, and God. Spiritual silence protects us, creates such an aura that no-one and nothing can penetrate that field of energy. When we are in silence, we can see ourselves clearly. It is the silent pauses between notes that carry the weight of a song. Raja Yoga teachings inspire us to pause in every hour on the hour, to spend just three minutes in silence for world peace. To pause and remember who we are; peaceful, loving souls and then connect to God, the ocean of peace and wisdom. We trust that the vibrations are spreading far and wide, and are contributing to world peace. Imagine, if every school, office, hospital, prison adopted this practice – what would their lives become? People would be able to cultivate a true perception of who they really are. Silence will refuse no-one because it is connected to God, and God refuses no-one.

When we start to practice this kind of silence it can seem a little daunting. As we turn inwards to the conscious space behind the eyes, where the soul is, it may be that we feel nothing or we feel empty. So then is the time for a loving, gentle conversations with the self – promising the self to take this time to nurture the self, to take care of the spirit, and remember the purity of the soul. When those feelings begin to emerge, we will find the silence, because it is truth and pure. When we talk peacefully to God, in the early morning or the evening before sleep, we increase our silence. When we extend pure feelings and good wishes to others, our silence power increases. When we apply wisdom to situations in life, we are free. Our inner silence is precious. We can still run our corporations and take care of our families, but from our silence, we do so with love in our hearts and in peace. 

The hardest effort is to start to experience this silence. The noise outside has become too loud, the trauma too much and to heal it all, requires the gentle conversations with the self. 

As that happens, a little confidence begins to grow and then we can call on God to be with us. It is in silence that we can hear God. Silence is who we are and it is our greatest power. Silence is home. Silence is in the heart. Silence is the absence of waste and negative thought. Until the journey begins, you will not understand. Once you have experienced and returned to that spiritual silence, you will not want to let go. 

Sister Jenna is the Director of 
the Brahma Kumaris Meditation Museums 
and is based in Maryland, USA.