What Is The Silence Within Us?
Emma M.
Silence gives us the power to control ourselves and our reactions to the environment around us. Moments of silence can be unprecedented in the wake of a constantly noiseful world. They can be very strange and unwanted or a breath of fresh air. We need to learn to use silence, not as a form of rebellion or oppression, but as a tool to find ourselves. Silence in the Age of Noise, written by Erling Kagge, gives a summary and guide to finding true silence with ourselves in the hustle-bustle lifestyle of society today.
First, let me mention a few things about the author, Erling Kagge. He is a Norwegian author, publisher, lawyer, and explorer (plus a few other things). His identification as an explorer intrigues me most because we are all explorers in life in one way or another. However, Kagge is a true explorer and takes exploration to another level. In the book, Kagge describes his trip to the Arctic, alone and far away from civilization without a phone, finding the value of true silence. While on the adventure, he discovered a taste of what it was like to find inner silence. Kagge states that after his time alone, upon his return to civilization, the hardest thing to do was speak to another human being again.
Silence is suppressed in the outside world. There is a constant ping on a phone or music blasting from another room. Humans are relentlessly stuffing their brains with unnecessary knowledge and fluff. There seems to be no escape from the confinement of noise. An example Kagge provides in his text is that almost everyone seems to have earbuds or headphones, so it seems like one who is using them is tuning out the world. However, they are doing the exact opposite. Instead, they are just filling their brains with more noise. In order to find true silence, you must start by finding silence in the environment. Begin by finding a quiet room/place to simply BE or EXIST.
Many people, at least at my age, think that to find silence within themselves, they simply need to turn off the television and tell their sibling to stop being annoying. However, that is far from what one needs to do to find true silence within. Kagge provides a great example in his text that the simple act of sitting in a quiet room just won’t do the trick. To find true inner silence, you must also rid your mind of all thoughts. Blocking your mind of all thoughts is the best way to find inner silence, a vacation for the mind.
Just as Kagge states in Silence in the Age of Noise, silence within one person may mean something completely different to another person who found their inner silence. To see what might work for you, finish reading the rest of this paragraph, shut down your computer, find a quiet space, and clear your mind of all thoughts for a couple of moments. Now go find YOUR silence!
Silence gives us the power to control ourselves and our reactions to the environment around us. Moments of silence can be unprecedented in the wake of a constantly noiseful world. They can be very strange and unwanted or a breath of fresh air. We need to learn to use silence, not as a form of rebellion or oppression, but as a tool to find ourselves. Silence in the Age of Noise, written by Erling Kagge, gives a summary and guide to finding true silence with ourselves in the hustle-bustle lifestyle of society today.
First, let me mention a few things about the author, Erling Kagge. He is a Norwegian author, publisher, lawyer, and explorer (plus a few other things). His identification as an explorer intrigues me most because we are all explorers in life in one way or another. However, Kagge is a true explorer and takes exploration to another level. In the book, Kagge describes his trip to the Arctic, alone and far away from civilization without a phone, finding the value of true silence. While on the adventure, he discovered a taste of what it was like to find inner silence. Kagge states that after his time alone, upon his return to civilization, the hardest thing to do was speak to another human being again.
Silence is suppressed in the outside world. There is a constant ping on a phone or music blasting from another room. Humans are relentlessly stuffing their brains with unnecessary knowledge and fluff. There seems to be no escape from the confinement of noise. An example Kagge provides in his text is that almost everyone seems to have earbuds or headphones, so it seems like one who is using them is tuning out the world. However, they are doing the exact opposite. Instead, they are just filling their brains with more noise. In order to find true silence, you must start by finding silence in the environment. Begin by finding a quiet room/place to simply BE or EXIST.
Many people, at least at my age, think that to find silence within themselves, they simply need to turn off the television and tell their sibling to stop being annoying. However, that is far from what one needs to do to find true silence within. Kagge provides a great example in his text that the simple act of sitting in a quiet room just won’t do the trick. To find true inner silence, you must also rid your mind of all thoughts. Blocking your mind of all thoughts is the best way to find inner silence, a vacation for the mind.
Just as Kagge states in Silence in the Age of Noise, silence within one person may mean something completely different to another person who found their inner silence. To see what might work for you, finish reading the rest of this paragraph, shut down your computer, find a quiet space, and clear your mind of all thoughts for a couple of moments. Now go find YOUR silence!
This books sounds really interesting! The point you brought up that we never are really in true silence is super fascinating because it's true! You also mentioned that after his trip to the Arctic, Erling Kagge's biggest problem was talking to other people, which I found somewhat sad. I would say that complete outer and inner silence is a healthy thing, when "used" in moderation, to simply clear your own mind. I'm not usually a person to read non-fiction, but I do like philosophical books and this sounds like the book has some really good points in it! Thanks for your review!
ReplyDeleteThis book definitely seems like one to take a look at. I like how you thoroughly explained the book and its concepts. The hook that you put in the first paragraph definitely made me want to read on, so good job on that!
ReplyDeleteI do like this review- I am not usually interested in non-fictional books like this one, and I haven't seen a non-fictional review on any one else's blog post as of yet. I think the concept of silence is a really interesting concept to delve into in the form of literature, and I'm very curious about this book and very eager to read it.
ReplyDeleteI really like the concept of this book and I agree that with how much technology there is surrounding us, it can sometimes feel like there's never silence. It is good to take time to not be busy and to simply be. I think you gave an interesting and concise summary and I might check this book out.
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