Embracing The Power of Silence
Sitting with silence
Just notice…silence. Notice if your mind can be silent. Notice if you can tolerate silence. Notice if you can embrace silence.
Silence is an energy that therapists are invited to practice with clients. When present in a conversation, it is an energy that can stir up feelings of discomfort and what many describe as “awkwardness.” And yet, it is a powerful energy to master and embrace.
Think of it this way…
Only power can come from embracing and befriending silence. Awkwardness can no longer take hold. Instead, a powerful opportunity to hold space opens up, which creates room for others to express, share, and experience the power of silence for themselves.
The energy of silence is a gift. It is calm, peaceful, and powerful. Think of the Simon & Garfunkel song, “The Sound of Silence,” which beautifully suggests that silence itself can be a sound. How does thinking of silence as a sound challenge your existing feelings about silence?
Interesting…
Even I, a therapist with 35+ years in practice, still have moments of discomfort with silence, and I am frequently reminded of the power it holds.
Recently, on a journey with a group of high-vibrational beings, I noticed how loud the sound of silence can feel. In each moment of silence, I felt a continuous urge to fill the space. I noticed how challenging it was to just be in silence - to resist filling the empty space with conversation, music, and noise.
Then, at a recent workshop at Soul Vision, I was (again) faced with the teachings of silence. We practiced the healing exercise of soul gazing - a meditative practice that invites participants to sit silently in front of a partner and hold steady eye contact for a period of time. It is a profound exercise that challenges participants to embrace the deep discomfort that often arises from such an intense and heartfelt experience.
During this exercise, I was reminded of my introduction to soul gazing in 2016 while studying and training in the art of Tantra. This was the first time I experienced the discomfort that arises from gazing into a “stranger’s” eyes, without saying a word, and the impressive array of feelings that this simple yet powerful exercise can trigger.
Within minutes, I was flooded with shame, guilt, desire, longing, love, fear, ego, embarrassment, curiosity, and appreciation. The feelings were so strong that I broke down in tears. They were tears that connected to every emotion I felt - tears of joy AND tears of sadness. Good, bad, and ugly, I was able to feel it all. The silence provided a safe container to experience all emotions freely - a space where strangers could become warriors of love and acceptance.
“The silence provided a safe container to experience all emotions freely - a space where strangers could become warriors of love and acceptance.”
Powerful moments like these remind me why I created Soul Vision Healing Center. I envisioned a safe space where seekers and healers could come together to feel deeply, express freely, and release lovingly. A place where profound moments of silence and emotional breakthroughs could exist simultaneously. 11 years later, I am grateful to say we’ve done just that.
A Space for Silence
At Soul Vision, we hold space for you to practice those powerful, transformative, and deeply healing exercises like soul gazing and embracing silence. We invite you to sit with the difficult feelings that those experiences can trigger while offering a presence of loving support.
community
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community 〰️ silence 〰️ sound 〰️ love 〰️ breath 〰️ consciousness 〰️
It is rare to find these spaces in our Western society today - where individuals can come to feel, heal, and experience all emotions safely and freely. Where community can gather and feel encouraged and empowered to dive into the parts of themselves that we have long been taught to keep hidden. Where we can unpack those challenging emotions, experiences, and traumas that we all hold within us, and bring them to light so we can ultimately begin to let go and heal.
Ancient Healing Wisdom
These healing practices are revolutionary - but they are not new. Evidence of soul gazing, for example, traces back as far as ancient India, with roots in Hinduism, Buddhism, Sufism, and Tantra. In the introduction to his book, The Spiritual Practices of Rumi, Will Johnson refers to the power of eye [soul] gazing, as described by the 13th-century Sufi master and poet, Rumi. He writes,
“When eye contact between two people is initiated and maintained, an invisible energetic circuit is established between the two participants, dissolving the barriers that ordinarily separate them from each other, drawing them ever closer into a shared awareness of union.”
- Will Johnson, The Spiritual Practices of Rumi
By sharing this ancient wisdom from Rumi, the author reminds us that real energetic shifts can come from the simple act of vulnerable human connection - something that spiritual teachers have known and taught for hundreds and thousands of years.
At Soul Vision, we honor and respect the lineage of the healing practices we offer. We are not here to reinvent the wheel - our goal is to reconnect ourselves and others with the ancient healing wisdom that already lies within us all. Our practitioners and event facilitators are well-studied, versed, and trained in a wide range of indigenous practices passed down from their own lineage of teachers. We feel honored and grateful to be able to share these practices with you and the greater community - to continue the traditions of mind, body, and soul healing as both students and teachers.
Put It Into Practice
So, after some reflection, I will ask you again, how does thinking of silence as a sound challenge your existing feelings about silence? Can you see the potential for immense personal and spiritual growth that this simple practice holds?
As you begin to explore this powerful practice and others on your path to healing, I invite you to pay attention, notice what comes up, and embrace the energetic medicine that lies within the discomfort.
Healing is better with friends.
If you find yourself feeling alone on the path to mind, body, and soul healing, we’re here to support you. Join us at our next workshop, ceremony, or event to connect with like-minded individuals and community, or explore our range of holistic services and connect with our team of gifted practitioners.
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