Noble Silence ~ Meditation & Yoga Retreat

 Learn to be quiet enough to hear the sound of the genuine within yourself so that you can hear it in others ~ Marian Wright Edelman

 

In this sense, the word noble takes it's derivation from the Greek gno (as in gnosis), meaning wisdom or inner illumination. Noble Silence is the practice of intentional silence in the Buddhist tradition. No radio, phone or television, no reading, writing or talking, no communication with anyone in the group by gestures, eye contact or sign language. Yet, the silence was about presence, not absence. A day to focus on all five senses; sight, sound, taste, smell and touch, cultivating higher levels of perception and sensory awareness.  Encountering silence, listening to your inner voice. 
Photo obtained under creative commons license http://www.flickr.com/photos/h-k-d/