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Anthony Quintiliani, Ph.D, LADC

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October 11, 2020 By Admin

Personal Experiences When in Longer-Term Silence

Personal Experiences When in Longer-Term Silence

The luxury (or horror depending on your perspective and psychological structure) of being in long-term silence is a rare thing in today’s noisy, super-active and reactive world. The experience is difficult to describe verbally. The best we can do is count on our own experiences and the writings of others with similar quietudes. I have noted that conveying such an experience may be indescribable, so we’ll look at what others have noted.  I may add my own experiences.

  1. There is often an intensification of both physical and psychological sensations – mind-body effects.
  2. Sometimes one experiences disinhibition and a sense of total freedom.
  3. There may be a sense of being given a special connection to nature, the world, higher powers, and the gods.
  4. In rare cases, one may experience auditory hallucinations – often voices. Other psychosis-like experiences are relatively rare. Much of this depends on baseline mental health status.
  5. It is common to notice boundary confusion.
  6. In the best situations, one may experience exhilarating awareness and joyfulness.
  7. Sometimes the nature of the silent environment may produce feeling of being at risk, possible danger.
  8. An ultimate outcome would be the experience of deep bliss and safety.
  9. Being at one with it all – all the aspects of the experience – is a unique outcome.

I am certain there are more such experiences to convey. However, here we do have a good set of outcomes.

For more information refer to Maitland, S. (2008). A Book of Silence. Berkeley, CA: Counterpoint, pp. 43-79.

Anthony R. Quintiliani, PhD., LADC  

From the Eleanor R. Liebman Center for Secular Meditation in Monkton, Vermont and the Home of The Monkton SanghaChiYinYang_EleanorRLiebmanCenter

Author of Mindful Happiness  

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