Spending nine days at a Buddhist retreat where the only speech allowed is when we question the lamas and teachers. Otherwise, we are spending the time in what is called Noble Silence.
This is what I hear:
The humming of fans
Kids' shouting and laughter from the nearby park
The gurgle/splash of tea/coffee filling a mug
A bullfrog at the pond
Cicadas
Crickets
The scrape of a chair against the floor
Gunfire -- target practice across the river at West Point?
Rain
Wind in the trees
A lawnmower
The scrape of the greenhouse door against the slate doorstep
The thunk of a softball landing in my mitt (What is the sound of one glove snapping?)
The beep-beep-beep of a delivery truck
Someone tapping stone
The ribbit-ribbit-ribbit of frogs in the dark
An occasional airplane
The shushing of a riverside waterfall on the opposite bank
The flapping of flip-flops
The sweetie's breathing in the bed next to me
The rustle of foliage as a bad bunny eats the garden's lettuce
The echoing horn of a freight train on the opposite shore
The commuter train thundering up and down the valley
The buzzing of motor boats on the Hudson River below
The whine of mosquitoes
Birdsong
Bees buzzing in the lavender beds
The pealing of the hand bell used to signal prayers, meditations, teachings and meals
The clinking of cutlery against china at mealtime
The whoosh of the dishwasher's hose
The ringing of the gong to start meditation
The clicking of mala beads
Om Mane Padme Hung and other Buddhist chants
TIP:
Enter the amount, and click "Tip" to submit!
Stephanie Phoenix
emma peel 2
greenheron
Leeandra Nolting
Little Forrest in the Big City
Marianne Spellman
Salon.com
Comments
What an extraordinary time for you to have been away from the world, as it exploded into terror. It's interesting to remove oneself and not remember what day it is. Not that it matters right now.
intended to be
hilarious? Yes?
`
This was great.
I heard horsefly.
The gnat said`
`
Sunday tours include
volunteer` silent vow
and`
`
tours of hells from heaven.
A 'Alice' in wonderland say?
`
"We can hear a rocking creak.
Horse fly fall off rocking horse.
And red ambulance siren scream.
`
Great read. Visit Vegas. Play slots.
Drink Scotch. Gamble at Black Jack.
sink
into the situation at hand.
let it settle out.
from this,
be like
one crossing wintery icy river.
be alert.
well done
sink
into the situation at hand.
let it settle out.
from this,
be like
one crossing wintery icy river.
be alert.
well done
I think anyone can do it and enjoy it. I think you have to be able to amuse yourself with reading, writing, photography, long walks, painting...You quickly realize how tiring it is listening to people all day long, as we normally do.
Thanks for this.
We are now home after 8 days of silence. Can't remember ever having been so calm either.