The Meaning of Silence

Four Monks Decided to Meditate Silently without speaking for two weeks.

They began with enthusiasm, and no one said a word the whole day. By nightfall of the first day, the candle began to flicker and then went out.

The First Monk blurted out, "Oh, No! The candle is out!"

The Second Monk said, "Hey! We are not supposed to speak!"

The Third Monk said in an irritated voice, "What is this? Why did you two break the Silence?"

The Fourth Monk smiled and said, "Wow! I'm the only one who hasn't spoken."

The reason why each monk broke the silence, is a common stumbling block in our inner journey.

Distraction led the first monk to forget the practice of witnessing without reacting. Judgement led the second to forget he was guilty himself.  Emotional Intelligence (anger) did the third one in.  Pride made the fourth lose his way.

Reward is in the effort, not in the recognition.

It is the privilege of knowledge to speak; it is the privilege of Wisdom to Listen.

[Excerpted from Akhyayikas I: https://amzn.to/2MwZkiL ]