One thing I love about being in the country, is the silence. We live in a world of so much noise that people no longer remember what true silence is. In fact, many of our younger generation have never even experienced silence. Why is that? Let us look at the circumstances in which we currently live, for that answer.
In today’s world we are constantly bombarded by the sound of voices. In most homes it has become normal for the TV or the radio to be continually on; or to be talking on the land-line or cell phone. When not doing those things, people are on the computer listening to music, or watching a video, or playing games. And of course there is all the communication that goes on at work or at school. Is all this noise necessary?
Even at home with the TV off, the computer hums if it is on; the refrigerator hums; you can hear traffic outside, or someone’s dog barking, or people talking. The heater runs, or the air-conditioner runs. There is always noise.
When trying to go to sleep at night, often the mind takes over and makes more noise. It talks and talks, keeping one awake.
This constant clatter produces stress on the body and the mind. Unfortunately many people do not notice the effect on their bodies because they haven’t experienced anything else. Frayed nerves may feel normal to them – until they get away from it all. A trip to the country, or someplace quiet, can produce an immediate relaxing response.
On the other hand, some people are so used to noise, that emotionally they become very uncomfortable in quiet. They become bored, or the mind plaques them all the more, telling them that this quiet is unnatural to what they are used to, and that they need to phone someone or turn on the TV. If such is the case, I suggest one simply be aware of that reaction, and remain in the quiet a while longer, weaning oneself away from the noise and allowing peace to emerge.
Overall, we live in a noisy, hectic, nerve-wracking world, which constantly produces stress on the physical system. Turning off the noise whenever possible, or taking trips to the quiet country, can be a method of bringing the body into a state of calm and peace.
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