Listening Practice To Silence The Mind

Have you ever noticed that the words Listen and Silent are spelled with the same letters? In this listening practice, all of the sounds happening from the closest to your body, to the furthest distance, are observed and welcomed. As the practice deepens, all of the sounds become a symphony, and the hum of silence reveals itself beyond all perceived sound. In this sound of silence, peace and truth speak to you.

This is a relaxing and mental chatter releasing practice that was recorded in the Makawao Forest in Maui, Hawaii.
The sound of natural birdsong in the forest is gently resonating in the background.

Transcript

Have you ever noticed that the words listen and silent? Are spelled with the same letters. There is a profound relationship between listening and being silent. And what is revealed to us. As we listen, To all of the sounds. And allow the silence behind all of the sounds. To reveal itself to us. That silence behind all the sounds. Also has a sound of its own. So let's begin. Either sitting up nice and tall or laying down. Allowing yourself to become comfortable so that you can just listen. Take an inhale through your nose. And when you exhale, Let it out the mouth with the sound of ha. Big breath out. Again, Inhale through the nose. Taking a big exhale, Opening the mouth and saying the word HA. One more time, Just like that. Big inhale through the nose, Filling up. Belly, Ribs, Chest, All the way to the top of the head. Hold the breath for a moment. Big exhale like you're letting the air out of a balloon. And allow yourself. To relax where you are. Becoming consciously aware. Of the sound that is closest to your body. What can you hear? This practice is about inviting in all of the sounds that we can hear. So that one by one we can let go of our attachment to each sound. Sitting in the silence. Of all the sounds. So let that closest sound reveal itself to you now. Noticing all the qualities of that sound. And how that sound might make you feel. And then notice the next sound. There's another sound. And that sound might be from nature. That sound might be. The Hum. Of an appliance, That sound might be unwanted or uninvited outside of the room you're in. Inside of the room you're in, There might be an abrupt sound that comes into all of this listening practice. Becoming aware of the next sound. Further away. And the next sound. Further away. Keep listening. Into the range of listening. Reaches far beyond. The Room or the area that you're in. There is a difference between listening and hearing. So you're not just hearing these sounds. You're tuning in to the frequency. Of each sound. The vibration. Of each sound. Really tuning in. As you really actively listen to all of these sounds. Allowing these sounds to become a symphony. There's a symphony of sound happening in the background. Of wherever you are. And noticing how you shift from having. An emotion arise from hearing a sound, Maybe even a judgment. To an allowance, An acceptance, A surrender. To that sound. To all of the sounds. In the symphony. Of sound that's humming around you. Now see if you can arrive. On the other side. Of all of those sounds. What exists on the other side of all of the sounds, Of the symphony of sound happening around you? What is the sound of silence? And when you sit. In that sound of silence. What reveals itself to you. Can you hear? That when you listen. Beyond all of the sounds. That there is a universal hum. A vibration. So alive. Of silence. And in that silence. Is the power of clarity. Is the power of truth. Is the power of nature. There is the power of life force. And that life force is moving through you. Connected. To all living beings. What else lives in the power of that silence for you? What can you see? Or know, Or receive, Or hear. When you listen. To the silence beyond all of the sounds. Allowing yourself to return to the rhythm of your breath. Listen. To that sound. Of the breath. What does the breath sound like as it moves back in? And up. Down and out. What is that sound of life force as it moves through your body, Your vessel? Your miracle 35 trillion cells all vibrating with life force. Starting to take some breaths as you return. To where you are sitting or lying down at this time. Give a small, Gentle movement of the fingers and the toes. Start to bring the chin side to side, Stretching the neck. And when you're ready, Start to stretch out, Rolling the wrists and the ankles. Coming back to a few of those ha breath that we took at the beginning of this practice. Inhale through the nose, Filling up belly, Ribs, Chest. Let that breath go all the way to the top of the head and beyond. And a big sigh out the mouth with a ha. Sigh of relief. The sound of life force moving through you. And gently returning. With slow awareness. Coming back to listening now. And noticing how open. Your ears are, How clear your mind is. How relaxed your body is. And how ready you are for whatever is next. Thank you for practicing with me. And have a beautiful day. Namaste.