Touching Silence--A Meditation

Allow me to lead you through a meditation that will allow you to directly explore the silence within you. Whether you are beginning to listen into yourself consciously for the first time or you have been doing this stuff for years, you can know this silence directly and profoundly through a simple practice that I call, Touching Silence.

The early morning hours are a natural time each day for meditation, peace, and silence. A great time to experience and experiment with this particular meditation is in the hours just before sunrise--say 3:00AM to 6:00AM depending on where you live and the time of year. It is during these hours that the city is quieter and the ears of the soul can better hear nature's voice.

In the early morning, get out of bed and find a cozy place in your home where you can go to be in solitude. Seek to share this time with nature. Do this by sitting near a window and looking out at the neighborhood, or at the backyard, as it "sleeps". Or consider the weather and the temperature outside and, if you're comfortable with the idea, go sit outside.

If you're outside, sit with your eyes closed and begin listening to the breeze as it flows through the trees. Let yourself become aware of the sounds in the wind. Let yourself become aware of the feeling of moving air around your body. When thoughts or emotions arise spontaneously in your awareness acknowledge them for a moment then gently let them go. Get back to listening to the breeze. Enjoy this meditation for as long as you feel comfortable.

If you are sitting inside, close your eyes and begin listening to your breathing. Breathe in a natural and unforced way. Let yourself become aware of the sounds of your home. Let yourself become aware of the feeling and energy of peace and stillness that exists in your home as you sit in meditation. Realize that this energy always exists. It exists everyday when no one is home. It exists everyday when your household is full of activity. This energy exists in the spaces between actions, words, and thoughts. It is an energy of peace and stillness that you can become aware of whenever you wish. As you meditate, acknowledge each thought that arises in your awareness, let each thought go, then get back to listening to the breath. Enjoy this meditation for as long as you feel comfortable.

Experiencing life between 3:00AM and 6:00AM is a meditation in itself. The whole neighborhood seems quiet and at peace. Nature seems more vibrant and buzzing with energy. As the sun's light begins to illuminate the city, you can be sure that changes are about to take place. Things will be created today and, today, some things will end. You sense deep inside yourself that you can experience this morning energy at any time throughout your day. It is always there. It is a silence that exists beneath all the surface activity and daily schedules. And as you drive passed your neighbors as they themselves head off to work, you might find yourself wondering how many of them have also really experienced the silent, moving stillness of the early day.