Forrest, your meditation on silence had me imagining the kind of pure quiet that feels almost mythological—like discovering a desert untouched by Wi-Fi. But of course, as you eloquently reminded us, silence doesn’t exist. Even in an anechoic chamber, there’s the steady hum of life itself, as inescapable as the inner monologue that whispers, “Did I leave the oven on?”
Reading this, I couldn’t help but think of an essay I wrote recently where the smallest noise—a missing brioche bun—set my mind spiraling into chaos. What you’ve captured here feels like a counterpoint to that: the noise isn’t something to fix, but something to befriend.
I loved your line about silence being either black or white, like a blank canvas waiting to be filled or simply left alone. Do you think we ever truly want silence, or is the craving for it just another noise in disguise?
Thanks for offering this gentle challenge to embrace the gift of the moment—noise and all.
so so beautiful and what a full circle moment, to return to the acceptance of what is. I'm in the process of practicing radical acceptance of this moment, this season that I find myself in. Also, I loved reading about all the performance art pieces that used silence almost like a prop. It reminded me of Marina Abramovic's piece that she did at MOMA, The Artist is Present... and she'd sit there on a chair and anybody from the audience could come and sit across from her. It felt like such an intimate connection resulted from silence... "I have the empty chair, so everybody from the audience can come on his free time and sit in the front of me, and engage in this kind of silence, experience of the here and now, the present moment."
so so encouraging and wonderful words! I am immensely grateful for your comment, it means a lot to me and your words can only come form a heart filled with acceptance and love for life already now, that you already are 🙏
Yes yes I love the work of Marina Abramovic and her performances, for example the Great Wall walk that was originally planned to be a celebration of a marriage and ended being, after 12 years of preparation and waiting for the permissions from China, finally was a goodbye, a break-up.. After three months walking to meet in the middle, Marina and Ulay broke up and went their separate ways. I think the piece was called The Lovers... so wonderful
wonderful as you are. Your soul shines through your words 🙏 Thanks for being you, as you are ✨
This is so insightful. I always was searching for the silent mind. Unsuccessful because my mind is the opposite of silent. I pushed myself to try harder, so disappointing. Because I never got there. But accepting the permanent noise in my mind seems accessible. Sounds like deliverance.
I will need an eternity to know who I am. Each of us is a huge universe of experiences, feelings, memories, desires, beliefs...My whole life won't be enough to explore all that I am. And will never be able to know the universe within other people.
I am just grateful to have had the opportunity to have shared a few moments as an extra in the movie of the lives of precious humans, like you are.
When I've been reading too much, my mind sometimes seems to go silent. Just now, I was listening to the rain, to the sound of people upstairs. Sometimes it feels like we dissolve into our surroundings. Thanks for an interesting post, Forrest, a post that invites contemplation.
Reading your post felt like brain massage, the language soothing all the nooks & crannies, the convolutions of being human - relaxing out of thought, surrendering & gratefully receiving the words in my heart.
l loved this. I check in on myself a lot. Is this a judgement (not my way) or sound judgement/discernment (seeing things as they are) I actually think your process of asking - do we seek or allow? is sound consideration. Now if you would have said- so that guy is an idiot- that seems more like judgement. lol. but that's my perspective. I had to lay out our use of the word Judgment and see what it meant to me. its a fine line to be a seeker and allowing- sadhguru has been talking about being seeker a lot- knowing we know very little. means we are open to new ideas coming in. fricken language right? never quite hits it. Also I love you dearly.
Oh dear Megan, yes, yes words are so tricky! No matter how hard we try to leave things open to be freely interpreted, we always end up interpreting them in a certain way—it's just human nature. Let's celebrate what we all are...humans...just as all humans are: imperfect and wonderful.
Although, I know a family in Peru who is more more wonderful than one could expect...
This is beautiful, dear Forrest 💚 You’ve captured so much about silence and acceptance, not as things we have to strive for, but as something we already are, if we can just stop seeking and embrace what’s here. I love how you explore the paradox that even striving for a quiet mind creates noise. Your reflections remind me that peace isn’t about eliminating everything; it’s about listening to what’s within us and letting it be✨
I will never stop wondering how wise and wonderful you are 🙏
Truly, sincerely.
You hold the sensitivity of the essence of being. You are such a wonderful human. I wish my words could show how grateful I am that you are here with us in this planet. You shine ✨
Forrest, your meditation on silence had me imagining the kind of pure quiet that feels almost mythological—like discovering a desert untouched by Wi-Fi. But of course, as you eloquently reminded us, silence doesn’t exist. Even in an anechoic chamber, there’s the steady hum of life itself, as inescapable as the inner monologue that whispers, “Did I leave the oven on?”
Reading this, I couldn’t help but think of an essay I wrote recently where the smallest noise—a missing brioche bun—set my mind spiraling into chaos. What you’ve captured here feels like a counterpoint to that: the noise isn’t something to fix, but something to befriend.
I loved your line about silence being either black or white, like a blank canvas waiting to be filled or simply left alone. Do you think we ever truly want silence, or is the craving for it just another noise in disguise?
Thanks for offering this gentle challenge to embrace the gift of the moment—noise and all.
and thank you so much for your beautiful insights, I'm gonna read your essay now!
so so beautiful and what a full circle moment, to return to the acceptance of what is. I'm in the process of practicing radical acceptance of this moment, this season that I find myself in. Also, I loved reading about all the performance art pieces that used silence almost like a prop. It reminded me of Marina Abramovic's piece that she did at MOMA, The Artist is Present... and she'd sit there on a chair and anybody from the audience could come and sit across from her. It felt like such an intimate connection resulted from silence... "I have the empty chair, so everybody from the audience can come on his free time and sit in the front of me, and engage in this kind of silence, experience of the here and now, the present moment."
so so encouraging and wonderful words! I am immensely grateful for your comment, it means a lot to me and your words can only come form a heart filled with acceptance and love for life already now, that you already are 🙏
Yes yes I love the work of Marina Abramovic and her performances, for example the Great Wall walk that was originally planned to be a celebration of a marriage and ended being, after 12 years of preparation and waiting for the permissions from China, finally was a goodbye, a break-up.. After three months walking to meet in the middle, Marina and Ulay broke up and went their separate ways. I think the piece was called The Lovers... so wonderful
wonderful as you are. Your soul shines through your words 🙏 Thanks for being you, as you are ✨
Reminded me of Enigma's beautiful song, Silence Must Be Heard
thank you sou much Mahdi!! I didn't know that song, I am going to check it!! Thank you! 🙏 ✨
Such a beautiful rendition of silence, captured by quietly powerful words. Amazing as always!
fairies can see what others can't... your encouragement is so magic for me Jennae!!! 🙏🫶🌸
This is so insightful. I always was searching for the silent mind. Unsuccessful because my mind is the opposite of silent. I pushed myself to try harder, so disappointing. Because I never got there. But accepting the permanent noise in my mind seems accessible. Sounds like deliverance.
aww I relate so much to what you say! My thoughts are part of what I am. They are not me, but they are also not outside me...
the question is...what I am...
I have no idea... I am so ignorant that I accept and love all and everything, just in case.
And I very specially appreciate the flowers who always bring poetry and wisdom to my life 🙏
I get that. Our thoughts can’t be separated by us. I mostly know who
I am and on good days I really like that person. 😉
Thank you so much for appreciating! 🙏🫶💛
On good and bad days,
the sky is the sky
the sun is the sun
a flower is a flower
and you are always you.
Always, on good and bad days.
I will need an eternity to know who I am. Each of us is a huge universe of experiences, feelings, memories, desires, beliefs...My whole life won't be enough to explore all that I am. And will never be able to know the universe within other people.
I am just grateful to have had the opportunity to have shared a few moments as an extra in the movie of the lives of precious humans, like you are.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AkoML0_FiV4
So true. 💛
Magnificent message, Forrest!
And the orchestra was so unique. 👏🏼
I heard cars moving that I had not been aware of until you asked.
And my ears humming.
You are unique and wonderful Nature 🫶🙏
When I've been reading too much, my mind sometimes seems to go silent. Just now, I was listening to the rain, to the sound of people upstairs. Sometimes it feels like we dissolve into our surroundings. Thanks for an interesting post, Forrest, a post that invites contemplation.
thank you so so much Diana 🙏🫶
Namaste Forrest 🙏❤️☮️
Reading your post felt like brain massage, the language soothing all the nooks & crannies, the convolutions of being human - relaxing out of thought, surrendering & gratefully receiving the words in my heart.
Love & peace to you, Sally 🌺
Lots of love and hugs and admiration for you Sally, your heart is wonderfully open and precious 🙏 thank you so much for being, you are a gift ✨
Thank you Forrest for a beautiful piece. I needed that reminder of acceptance for how things are and acceptance for myself. 🙏❤️
thank you Rhianna for your wonderful presence, which is always a gift 🙏🫶
l loved this. I check in on myself a lot. Is this a judgement (not my way) or sound judgement/discernment (seeing things as they are) I actually think your process of asking - do we seek or allow? is sound consideration. Now if you would have said- so that guy is an idiot- that seems more like judgement. lol. but that's my perspective. I had to lay out our use of the word Judgment and see what it meant to me. its a fine line to be a seeker and allowing- sadhguru has been talking about being seeker a lot- knowing we know very little. means we are open to new ideas coming in. fricken language right? never quite hits it. Also I love you dearly.
Oh dear Megan, yes, yes words are so tricky! No matter how hard we try to leave things open to be freely interpreted, we always end up interpreting them in a certain way—it's just human nature. Let's celebrate what we all are...humans...just as all humans are: imperfect and wonderful.
Although, I know a family in Peru who is more more wonderful than one could expect...
This is beautiful, dear Forrest 💚 You’ve captured so much about silence and acceptance, not as things we have to strive for, but as something we already are, if we can just stop seeking and embrace what’s here. I love how you explore the paradox that even striving for a quiet mind creates noise. Your reflections remind me that peace isn’t about eliminating everything; it’s about listening to what’s within us and letting it be✨
I will never stop wondering how wise and wonderful you are 🙏
Truly, sincerely.
You hold the sensitivity of the essence of being. You are such a wonderful human. I wish my words could show how grateful I am that you are here with us in this planet. You shine ✨