Friday, October 10, 2008

The power of silence-Part 8.

The practice of silence helps us create an inner sense of equilibrium which encourages genuine wellbeing. Such feelings attract fulfillment and a strong faith that the universe is beneficent. We are constantly encouraged to engage in an ongoing search for satisfaction … without ever finding it. It keeps us striving.

Mauna, rendered in English as "silence," was the chief characteristic of the life of Buddha. The word mauna is one of the few terms used commonly by all language and religious groups in India. Mauna, from which the noun muni, meaning "sage" or "hermit" is derived, has a meaning exorbitantly wealthier than its English counterpart "silence." Mauna means blissful calmness, joyous recollection, tranquil quietude, and peaceful stillness.

A philosopher once visited Buddha and asked him: "Without words, without the wordless, will you tell me the truth?" Buddha kept silence. After a while the philosopher rose up gently, made a solemn bow and thanked Buddha saying: "With your loving kindness, I have cleared away all my delusions and entered the true path."

When the philosopher had left, Ananda, a senior disciple of Buddha, enquired: "O, Blessed one, what hath this philosopher attained?"

Buddha replied: "A good horse runs even at the shadow of the whip!"

This is the eighth part of a series of articles on the power of silence written by Pramod K Uday. He is a leading news paper columnist in India.

Read the earlier parts here:

Power of silence-part 1.

Power of silence-part 2.

Power of Silence-part 3.

Power of Silence-part 4

Power of Silence-part 5

Power of Silence-part 6

Power of Silence-part 7

You can reach him at pramoduday@yahoo.com

His other credentials are:

24 / 7 Inspirational Radio Station: http://www.live365.com/stations/pramoduday

Online Bookstore: http://www.lulu.com/pramod

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