The Self-Reliant Entrepreneur

December 28The Most Harmless Thing

All profound things, and emotions of things are preceded and attended by Silence … Silence is the general consecration of the universe. Silence is the invisible laying on of the Divine Pontiff's hands upon the world. Silence is at once the most harmless and the most awful thing in all nature. It speaks of the Reserved Forces of Fate. Silence is the only Voice of our God … Like the air, Silence permeates all things, and produces its magical power, as well during that peculiar mood which prevails at a solitary traveler's first setting forth on a journey, as at the unimaginable time when before the world was, Silence brooded on the face of the waters.

Herman Melville—Pierre; or, The Ambiguities (1852)

Noise may be the fastest-growing threat to human health and creativity. And not just audible noise, but data noise as well.

It's nonstop—and it's kicking our creative butts whether we know it or not.

And yet Melville's description of silence accurately portrays an element of today's relationship with the absence of noise: “Silence is at once the most harmless and the most awful thing in all nature.”

When we go into silence, such as during mediation, there's an element of dread that often shows up first. Our brains are so addicted to noise that they immediately revolt. (That's why meditation is so hard for some.)

We need more silence in our lives if we are to accomplish our best work.

Today, try this: take a couple silence breaks. Turn off everything, ...