The Secret of Silence

I think it is fair to assume that all of us have used silence, either as a means to an end or as the end itself. At a funeral (respecting the departed), in our moments of solitude (to relax), while sitting on the beach with your loved one (to convey everything that you feel, when you don't have the right words); to convey anger by not speaking to someone; the all-powerful awkward silence; I hope you get the drift! A selection of quotes further exemplifies the profound nature of silence. It is intuitive that sound can have a variety of uses, but how can the absence of sound be so profound? How can something which is nothing be interpreted in so many ways?

At first glance, it seems that the situation determines the interpretation of silence. But there remains the question of misinterpreted silence. Remember when, to not put fuel into the fire, you remained silent during a fight, and it was mistaken as cowardice! Well, the point I am trying to make is that "silence", in reality is our thought process, evoked by the situation. And that gives the silence its quality of being angry, awkward, respectful and so on. So, what silence gives us, is that glimpse inside us, into our own mind! No wonder that we need silence when we introspect.
Remember the lines from William Wordsworth's "Daffodils",

For oft, when on my couch I lie
In vacant or in pensive mood,
They flash upon that inward eye
Which is the bliss of solitude

What is this bliss of solitude that he speaks of? Is it not what we call relaxation or being one with yourself or the sound of silence (:P) or Inner Peace? Can you see that the path to Inner Peace is via silence? Not the usual notion of silence though! Have you felt the noise of the thoughts in your brain, when there is no external sound? Is it not "real" noise? The commotion you see when you try to introspect? What if that could go away and leave behind complete silence? That, my friend, is Inner Peace.

That is precisely what meditation is all about! To learn to observe and silence one's thoughts and experience bliss. Try it! Find peace!