Silence Practice - Mauni Amavasya (Silence Day)
Silence is such a profound and deep experience of human existence that only when we have understood silence can we understand the inspiration that has ever flowed to humanity from the minds and mouths of the great rishis, sages and prophets. – Swami Veda Bharati
Silence is one of the primary practices prescribed in the Himalayan tradition to help sadhakas purify mind and emotions and to progress towards states of inner peace and intuitive wisdom.
Silence can be defined as practicing the independence of the mind. It is non-dependence on external objects of identification, non-dependence on worldly experiences and their objects. Then wisdom flows naturally. Knowledge is dropped, wisdom begins.
We long for that silence. We go for excursions in the woods. We sit by flowing streams. When you sit down by that quiet flowing stream and do not wish to get up, it is so peaceful and quiet here. We forget that it is our inner silence that is calling us. That which is our origin. That which is our end.
Practice of silence is a very refined art. Practice of silence is a very intricate science. It is not simply closing your mouth and not wagging your gossiping, back biting tongue. In the traditions of yoga there is a word, tapas. It is used very commonly. An intense endeavor, ascetic endeavor till you sweat. Not necessarily from the pores of your body but your mind sweats and frees itself of all its impurities. We are all afraid of this tapas. We are all afraid of intense endeavor. We are afraid of long-term commitments but if you make a long-term commitment to discover the secrets of the depths of silence there is nothing else that is left to achieve. I assure you of that.
Silence programmes and retreats are also organised every year in SRSG. Visiting sadhakas are offered one, two, three, four weeks or even more of guided practice led by a spiritual guide well versed in the practice of silence.
Sadhakas are given the choice to join for short retreat or long retreat depending on their experience.
Retreat in Silence – 3/5/7/10 days
After having completed basic courses in the methods for correct sitting, breathing and beginning meditation, and with the approval of the faculty, a sadhaka may decide to undertake a period of guided silence. Those without prior experience are advised to begin with a practice of a short duration, between three and ten days to firm up their resolve and begin to establish a more tranquil mind field.
Immersion in Silence – 21/40 Days
After having completed introductory level silence retreats of durations between three and ten days, and with the approval of the silence guide/and or the Ashram Pramukh, a sadhaka may deepen his/her silence practice with a retreat between 21 and 40 days.
These longer and deeper guided silent sadhana practices may be contingent upon prior systematic and thorough experience in the basic practices of the Himalayan Tradition.
Surrender in Silence – 90 Days
After having deepened one's level of inner quietude and stillness through the completion of shorter silence periods up to 40 days, often more than once, and having worked on one's own emotional purification, sadhakas who wish to continue to be nurtured through their silence may request for undertaking a supervised observance for a period of 90 days or even a longer under the guidance of a spiritual guide and or the Ashram Pramukha.
Such an intense silence practice is often planned and prepared for years ahead of the actual retreat.
Silence day in the traditions of India
Mauni Amavasya (Silence Day) is an annual observance. The observation of Silence Day is a practice that Swami Veda Bharati invited us to practice.
In 2023, Mauni Amavasya is 21st January.
Swami Veda has said, "…there is also an annual silence day in the traditions of India. It is called Mauni Amavasya. Mauni means 'of or for silence', and amavasya means 'no-moon day.'
It occurs on the no-moon day of the Maagha month in the Hindu calendar when sun and moon are both supposed to enter the sign of Capricorn (makara rashi).
It is held in the tradition as the day when Manu, the Archetypal Man first appeared on earth; he wedded Shata-roopa (She of a Hundred Beautiful Forms) and generated humankind."
He has further explained that the practice of silence is not limited to Indian spiritual traditions only – "On the other hand, if you prefer to be true to some western tradition you may research if there was a day sacred to Harpokrates, the Greek god of silence whose statues have been found as far away as the Gandhara country (present day Afghanistan). Harpokrates was derived from the Egyptian god Harpa-khruti, the child Horus, representing the daily new born sun, the source of light.
Of course, there is an amplitude of Christian saints who have taught silence and there are numerous monasteries of various orders dedicated to silence."
He further has shared that – "…I would like many of my friends to set aside at least one day to share the silence with me just as you have shared the full moon day for an hour each month for more than a decade now.
…If you plan from now, you can arrange your worldly affairs in such a way that they do not interfere with your one-day vow of silence.
On that day, no driving (except for emergencies), no TV, no conversation, just self-observation, contemplation, japa and learning (1) to give love in silence while (2) learning to love silence.
May I ask all our swamis, initiators, spiritual advisers, teachers, centre leaders to kindly popularize this concept and take this year to prepare the people to undertake this one-day vow of silence."
This sacred day is celebrated at SRSG by all ashramites and visiting sadhakas as well as globally by the AHYMSIN community.
Motto for All Future Silence Days
Published: 8 January 2015 | Written by Swami Veda Bharati
Motto for all future silence days (from some old lecture of mine):
Eat only when you are fasting
Be still while running
Speak only when in silence.
उपोषन्नेव भुञ्जीयात्
ब्रह्मचर्यमनुतिष्ठन्तावेव सङ्गच्छेताम्
तीव्रं धावन् स्थिर-शान्तस्तिष्ठेत्
मौनस्थ एव भाषेत
The second Sanskrit sutra here is left untranslated to keep it secret. Those who are true practitioners will find out and learn.
Many sadhakas say : I am anyway silent most of the day.
However, it is not silence if you are silent because you just happen to be alone!
Silence is silence when you have the intention, make the sankalpa, to keep a spiritual silence and then your mind is filled with spiritual contemplation and mantra, whether sitting, eating, bathing, lying down or running.