The Quieter You Become

Mindfulness for a stressful world.

A brief guided meditation

"The quieter you become, the more you are able to hear."― Rumi.

Here are some quotations from famous people known for mindfulness:

"Mindfulness is about love and loving life. When you cultivate this love, it gives you clarity and compassion for life, and your actions happen in accordance with that."-Jon Kabat-Zinn.

"With mindfulness, you can establish yourself in the present in order to touch the wonders of life that are available in that moment."- Thich Nhat Hanh.

You can be still and still moving. Content even in your discontent.- Ram Dass

We are surviving in a suffering world and nation. All around us in our communities exist mass murders and suicides, with the added effects of drug abuse on individuals, increased domestic violence, and shootings either outside or within school premises. On the national and international spectrum, there is conflict to be found by all, expressed in violent or non-violent forms. More specifically, nuclear weapons and climate alteration further threaten and burden our survival on planet Earth, adding to quite a lot of noise for people worldwide. What seems to be missing, however, is communication among people.

All of this stirs anxiety, causes stress and worry, and adds to anger. However, it is important to know that we do not have to endure these unhappy and unhealthy emotions. We can find inner peace by reading about mindfulness from leading scholars and psychologists. Then, mindful meditation becomes essential.

If we stopped, listened, and read the words of great teachers like Rumi, we could bring peace within ourselves and, perhaps, to people worldwide.

Rumi's words, "The quieter you become, the more you are able to hear," speak volumes about the beauty of quiet and attentive moments in our lives. In an increasingly noisy and fast-paced world, we are often overwhelmed by the constant bombardment of information, opinions, and distractions. This quote reminds us that true understanding and connection are often found not in speaking or doing but in listening and being present.

When we quiet our minds, we open space to hear. That goes beyond listening to words or sounds; rather, it's about tuning into the subtlety of our environment, the feelings of others, and the whispers of our inner voice. We can better understand those around us—what they may feel or need—in the quiet. We can appreciate the beauty of nature, wisdom in silence, and the truths that often get lost in the hustle and bustle of everyday life.

Self-awareness is also important. So many of us are bombarded with external noise that we lose touch with what is happening inside us. Inner quiet allows us to tune into our deeper selves. We can hear our fears, desires, and intuition more clearly. This clarity can guide us to make wiser choices, resolve inner conflicts, and lead more authentic lives.

The quieter you become, the more you seem to hear. That speaks volumes about mindfulness practice. By quieting the mind and focusing on the present moment, mindfulness teaches us to fully appreciate life and respond to challenges with greater calm and wisdom. When we are quiet, we can hear what life is trying to teach us. This way, we become receptive to perspectives and insights that our busyness and mental chatter might otherwise drown out.

Silence is one of the most powerful tools in relationships. When we stop trying to fill the space with our words, we allow others to share more of themselves, fostering deeper connections and mutual understanding. It also shows respect and value for what the other person says.

Quiet is not the absence of sound but the presence of awareness. It involves an active process of paying attention and being receptive. Through quietness, we discover what others and the world are trying to convey and hear from within ourselves. In this space of quiet receptivity, true listening begins, and understanding grows through true listening.