This week I went skiing for the first time in years. Taking
a new delight in nature, I breathed in the fragrant
mountain air, and listened to the sound of a brook and wind
whispering through the trees. Suddenly, I was brutally
interrupted by blaring rock music. To my surprise the
source of the invasion to my pristine mountain experience
was large speakers strapped to the chair lift poles. Later,
on an outdoor patio, I was resting and taking in the
beautiful mountains, the sunshine and the rare blue sky. I
shut my eyes to completely soak it in, only to have the
obnoxious music return. It has become a rare occasion when
we can listen to the sounds of the natural world
unhindered.

Have you noticed how polluted with noise our society has
become? Restaurants, airports, the gym, even at home the
T.V. is always on, and the music is constantly blaring.
Many of us are so uncomfortable with silence that we fill
every pause with idle chatter, we turn on more noise, or we
plug into a walkman for increased saturation. I know of
people who can’t sleep unless the T.V. or radio are
blasting. For some, noise of any kind has become
comforting. They have gone without silence for so long that
chaos has become their natural state.

Having taught meditation for years, I have come to the
conclusion that silence is the essence of meditation. The
great traditions have always counseled us to retreat into
the natural world in order to grow in inner strength and
wisdom. By instinct, many of us are drawn to the ocean for
a rejuvenating vacation. For me the ultimate experience of
silence comes from walking through an old growth forest or
sitting by a babbling brook. In these places I’m nourished
by absorbing the natural sounds of wind, water, or singing
birds.

Silence is vital to our psychological and physical health.
To discover the inner transformation that it brings, take a
mini-vacation from noise. Try sitting outdoors, walking
alone, or consuming a meal in silence. When you return to
your everyday activities the tranquility will follow. Just
as in meditation you will find yourself with increased
mental capacities, energy, and clarity. Your stress level,
blood pressure and heart rate will also be lower. This will
bring you more creativity, intuition and solutions to your
problems. Then, no matter how rudely your pristine
experience is interrupted, you will always see the
incredible good that life has to offer.

Lori Chandler R.Y.T. is a registered yoga instructor who
teaches at C.W.U. and throughout Kittitas County.