Aspirants Guide

Author(s): Atmanandji Maharaj
Publisher: Shrimad Rajchandra Sadhna Kendra Koba

Page 54

SILENCE
the next day. During these hours, the exceptions could be made for prayers, uttering a hymn of praise for adoration of God or some urgent work. The vow of continuous silence for three to seven days is very helpful during the course of intensive meditation and scripture-writing. Thus is practiced the vow of silence by different aspirants, according to their circumstances and the various stages of their spiritual advancements.
Only through deep contemplation and the practice of silence, is it possible to become a genuine ascetic (Monk). Spiritual progress (Samadhi) is attained only by right restraint on speech and breaking through the chain of indecision and doubts. Advanced aspirants should therefore, constantly praise self-steadiness (Atma-sthirata) together with silence during meditation.
Lord Mahavira, after the renunciation of the worldly life, observed silence for twelve and a half years. Mahatma Gandhi used to observe silence on every Monday. Yogi Shri Maharshi
Aurbindo observed silence for seventeen years. Ramana Maharshi • very often inspired those desirous of self-knowledge, to search
after "Who am I ?" in a state of silence. He too passed much of his time in a state of silence. The immense utility of the practice of silence is thus witnessed in the lives of all these great men.
In the present days, many monks resort to the practice of silence from evening to sunrise.
CONCLUSION On the basis of factual evidence mentioned above, now the aspirant who has essentially understood the rarity, utility, and excellence of good speech will certainly embark upon the genuine practice of silence or only the scrupulous use of his speech. Through the medium of this practice, energy of the soul that was so far being externally wasted, is now fruitfully utilized in accomplishing control of the senses and the mind. This self-control will substantially contribute towards success in various stages of concentration of the mind by making it introvert and steady and eventually culminating in the highest transcendental meditation or an equanimous state (Nirvikalpa Samadhi).
The practice of silence is thus of invaluable assistance in the experiment of internal conversation of the self with one's true
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