Ajahn Sumedho has often taught about the sound of silence, by which he means a high-pitched buzzing sound that can be heard when we quieten the mind. This sound never departs, but it appears to because awareness of it is not constant. In meditation, this sound can get pretty loud, or at least appear to do so, again dependent on the level of concentration present. Being awake to the present moment can release the mind from its usual views of the world, and of the apparent self that it mistakes itself to be, allowing it the space – the Buddha Space – to see things as they really are (the Dharma).
It is time to quieten this mind, and to do so extraneous endeavors such as writing this blog need to be curtailed, at least for the time being. So, this post will be the last one for a time, perhaps a long time; we will see. It is a joy to share the Buddhadharma, and I would like to thank all my readers who have given me the opportunity to do so, and also to thank you for sharing your understanding of the Path with me in the wonderful comments that have been left on this site. As the links feature on the right of this page attests, and indeed the links that they contain, there are many great Buddhist blogs out there, and it is to these that I refer any new wayfarers coming here.
Please feel free to continue leaving comments as I will still check in here from time to time as well as surf the Net to see how things are going in the virtual world of Modern Buddhism, something that has much to offer the suffering beings of this planet. But I can hear the silence calling, whispering in between the myriad thoughts that stir in response to this whirlwind world. And it is time to listen more intently to that silence, to focus in on it, and see where it leads to. (Ultimately, to nowhere, of course!) Once again, a big thanks to all of you. Oh, and enjoy seeing your ‘Buddha Space’ on Buddha Day/Wesak!
Be well in the Dharma,
G.
20 comments:
Thank you for the great effort you have poured into Buddha Space, Gary.
And, more importantly, thank you for your commitment to the great work of awakening.
May we all do it together!
Thanks, Barry.
May we all awaken together, indeed!
Be well in the Dharma,
G.
I have enjoyed Buddhaspace and forest Wisdom immensely. I wish you the best in your life and your practice even if you never write again.
Hi Gary,
I've really enjoyed reading your blog posts. Thank you for sharing your perspective on the path.
Take care,
Jackson
Justin,
I will keep an eye on 'Dhamma Reflections' and your own progress in the Dharma. We have shared some good Dharma discussions over the past couple of years or so, and I value your ideas.
Jackson, thank you for your kind words. It's been a pleasure to share the Buddhadharma on the Net, and in some form or another I will continue to do so.
May all beings be happy!
G
May all beings be happy and free from suffering
Indeed, Neurobi, for true happiness (as defined by the Buddha) IS freedom from suffering.
Be happy in the Dharma, G.
I have very much enjoyed reading your blog, and hope to see you back soon! Your writing is excellent and you have a lot of good stuff to say.
Take care!
Thanks for that, Kyle. :-)
Be well,
G.
I came to your blog by the link of Dhamma Reflections. I really can understand your retreat and wish you all peace and calm. After taking a quick look to your blog, I find it of high quality and so I decided to explore the archives. Perhaps you will come back some time?! Your friends will welcome you!
All the best wishes! Renée (Germany)
Very nice of you to write the above comments, Renee. I hope the archives supply you with some interesting articles & comments. The readership of 'Buddha Space' produce reflections of a very quality, so their comments often outshine the articles themselves!
No doubt more articles will come out of this space with the correct inspiration...
Be happy,
G.
A belated note of gratitude to you as well, Gary. Your insights and now your reminder of the call of silence are deeply appreciated. Bowing deeply.
Thank you, Justin.
It's been a joy to write 'Buddha Space,' as it is to read great Buddhist blogs such as your 'American Buddhist Perspective.'
Be well in the Dharma,
G.
Silence is a high pitched buzzing sound?
This appears to be yet another example of human beings having problems putting two and two together.
While it is possible to hear such a sound it is not silence, but simply attachment to the sense of hearing.
While it may not be popular to disagree with the words of a well-repected monk, people should be able to think for themselves and use their common sense.
Thanks for the comment, 'Common sense.'
Yes, perhaps a better name for this inner noise would be 'the sound of near-silence,' or 'the sound that appears in (near-)silence' might be even more accurate. It has been called 'the primordial sound' amongst other things, being well known in some meditative traditions.
True silence is, of course, well...silent. Nuff said.
Be well,
G.
2 and 2? 22!
Ah, now I follow. Anyway, silence is what happens when the mind is not at the ear, but interestingly you cannot experience it as there is nothing to experience.
They say that only two types of people can observe or notice silence: Those who at one time could hear but later lost their hearing (and can remember sound), and for a short time at least, those who enter 4th jhana, supressing the senses, and then observe the silence (which, in doing so, breaks their concentration and they come out of jhana).
Hi,
I enjoy the blog. I work a lot with sound (and silence) and the high pitched sound is the sound your nervous system. If you enter an anechoic chamber (which is completely insulated from sound), you'll still hear it.
Hi Dave.
Glad to read that you enjoy the blog. The sound of the nervous system? Fascinating and illuminating! Thanks for the info, Dave.
Be well,
G.
All this silence is... thundering! :)
sarva mangalam!
;-)
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