Experiencing silence

[moonwolfnz]

Why is silence uncomfortable? Why does it sound so loud? Why does it seem (and here I struggle with words) large somehow, like it has a presence... Ajahn Brahm briefly mentioned that people can have difficulties adjusting to silence. Can anyone offer some insight?

[philg]

Tinnitus

[Aloka]

Why is silence uncomfortable? Why does it sound so loud? Why does it seem (and here I struggle with words) large somehow, like it has a presence... Ajahn Brahm briefly mentioned that people can have difficulties adjusting to silence. Can anyone offer some insight?

Hi Kate,

Could you please share a URL link to the text, or to the video (and the time sequence) where Ajahn Brahm mentions this?

Meanwhile, chapter 12 in Ajahn Sumedho's book "The Sound of Silence" might be of interest (as well as the rest of the book):

https://cdn.amaravati.org/wp-content...of-Silence.pdf

[Olderon]

Tinnitus

Tinnitus also. Don't think I have experienced true silence since I was ten and struck a whole roll of toy gun caps with a hammer. One of the many dopey things I did as a young boy while growing up and out!

source: https://www.bing.com/images/search?q...ns&FORM=IDINTS

[Aloka]

This is an article in which Ajahn Amaro explains how to practice listening to inner sound.

https://www.lionsroar.com/the-sound-of-silence/

[philg]

I think my tinnitus started at a 10CC concert in my youth. I couldn't hear properly for two days after that. I eventually learned how to deal with it during silent meditation so that it gradually subsides to a gentle background hiss which is no longer distracting, and means I can listen to the 'inner sound'.

[moonwolfnz]

Thank you, Aloka. I searched back through some of the videos I have watched but I was unable to find the video. I will do my best to remember to post a link next time.

[moonwolfnz]

Thank you, philg and Olderon. I hadn't considered Tinnitus. It's a very accessible explanation. Clearly though there is a great deal to learn about silence. Thank you for both the articles, Aloka. :)

[moonwolfnz]

Aloka, I have read chapter 12 and it makes so much sense to me. It's the sense of the enormity of the silence that I struggled with the most, as if it has additional depth and dimension. In fact, I filled my flat with noise to avoid hearing the silence. The chapter offers a different approach. I clearly do not understand what I have been hearing.

[Aloka]

Aloka, I have read chapter 12 and it makes so much sense to me.

I'm really glad it was helpful.