It might sound contradictory but this indeed is a paradox. Mind is needed to make itself silent. Mind is the trigger and also the object. I guess a silent mind is one which is not stuffed with thoughts, plans and agendas. It’s probably a calmer state of the mind which many also describe as a state when living in present. In my experience, those are rare moments. Humans are considered capable of attaining a silent mind. It requires a ton of self awareness and observation. Since observer is the observed, a tooth must bite itself. Then, reaching the state of silence is possible for everyone.
There are dozens of holy men who have claims of reaching a silent state. They even have procedures and paths defined for others to follow. They have a busy schedule. They have followers who believe in their claims. I could believe them too, if they didn’t talk about it. If they don’t talk about it, then how could others know about it? If others didn’t know about it then how could they attract followers and sell the claim. Well, that’s the point. Why would a silent mind invite commotion?Anyhow, many humans have claims of reaching there and they also claim that there is a realm beyond that state which for them is difficult to describe. One has to experience it by themselves. Maybe someday science could help humanity to understand what emerges from the doings of the mind and what actually means harmony with universe.
Coming back to the tooth
To make the mind silent one must work with the compulsive aspect of desire and pleasure. After all, nature has embedded tools of perception within human organism which are experienced through the five senses. Pleasurable experiences are enjoyable but I think when the seeking of pleasure becomes an insatiable desire, it could become a distraction on the path to silence. Pleasurable indulgence often encourages desire, and fulfilling that desire often becomes a goal. To reach such a goal, mind creates tools of manipulation that eventually disturbs the harmony within self which disturbs the silence of mind. Is all this true? Maybe.
A drink of cool water for a thirsty throat is pleasurable. Exotic multi-fruit juice cocktail is also pleasurable and so is morning coffee which might have come from far far away. Most modern businesses are fueled by human pleasure and laziness. As an experienced designer, I understand that most modern technologies have been designed purely to enable physical comfort and pleasure. Most digital technologies are for comfort and pleasurable entertainment. To make them stay relevant, minds can also be manipulated through advertisements. Technologies are great achievements of humanity but I believe, human mind gets consumed in fulfilling desires and that can become a hinderance on the path to silence.
Although it’s a nice experience, I might not be searching for absolute silence. Pleasures have their place. To me the experience of silence is when I experience closeness with nature or when I use things that are more natural. Things that are pleasurable but do not emerge from a deep commercial plan. Then, I enjoy the nature even more. Just like I enjoy brushing my teeth with an ordinary brush instead of an electric one with bluetooth and camera, which can also be controlled from my phone.
It’s worth asking – Are we only in pursuit of comfort and pleasure? I should start by asking myself.
And then I lit my cigarette.
