As we move swiftly and surely into the digital age, we are increasingly confronted with distractions. Indeed, it has become common to see people whipping out their phones when out with friends or loved ones when real life conversations slow momentarily. The quiet moments between friends are shattered by the constant need to fill the void by checking emails and social media, or typing texts to distant bodies. Why can't we just sit in each other's presence?
In my pursuit of a change in careers, I've signed up and attended night classes in subject matters that are related to my areas of interest. My final class was in counselling where we explored the value of silence in therapy. It seems counter-intuitive to use silence in a session that clients pay to attend. Yet I have learnt that the strategic use of silence can be immensely powerful.
Silence is not a void but a space for consolidation, reflection and growth. It allows for deep reflection, and when afforded to someone in crisis, communicates understanding, consideration, and patience - a treasure in our ongoing race for time.
Recently, I've also came across a post about why God is silent. A friend opined that this silence could be for us to reflect and come up with our own solutions. I have moved on from being religious but can definitely see the value in such an opinion. It is like in person-centred therapy where the counsellor provides a therapeutic relationship and believes in the client's potential for growth and transformation. Isn't finding solutions when one is stuck a sign of maturity?
As an introvert, I greatly appreciate such moments of solitude and silence. How can you know what to do and where to go, when you haven't taken time to be still and really think?
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