The significance of speech is well known in our everyday life but speaking superfluously or needlessly cannot be held logical. To achieve success in practical life, it becomes essential to decide when to speak and when not to speak. This quality inherent in someone becomes more important while aspiring for spiritual merits where reticence and silence are
strictly adhered to.
Irrelevantly speaking is not fair in any way and talking too much always yields adverse repercussions. This is a well- known fact that our expressions are exhibited by the power of our vitality and intensity. Hence, continuous speaking depletes our stored energy. Possibilities of errors and omissions also cannot be ruled out because of meaningless talks. Incongruous or irrelevant speaking leaves behind only regrets for past conduct, which again requires needless efforts to replenish it.
Indiscreetly using redundant words creates complications in our routine life, impairment in relations, and mutual misunderstanding. The utterance of damaging remarks against family members or friends creates a rift among relations. If not efficiently tackled, this can result in prolonged violence, disharmony, and even grievous conflicts. The tragedy of Mahabharata was the aftermath of a slight slip of the tongue when Draupadi had pranked derogatory remarks for Duryodhana.
Inappropriate silly talks only exhibit immaturity in personality. Backbiting, whispering not only deteriorates own personality but reflects imperfection in character. Such exceedingly shameful conduct also causes anyone to sink to a level below one’s dignity. Such a person is unlikely to be called social and successful.
In this background, practicing reticence and quiescence becomes indispensable for overall development in personality. Mahatma Gandhi has written in his autobiography that talking less had benefitted him in two ways. First – whatever he spoke was well thought, and second – quiescence refrained his weaknesses from coming out. Like this, quiescence also works as a veil to hide one’s ignorance. That is why intelligent persons have advised speaking only when oral communication is inevitably required; otherwise, it is better to remain silent.
Sages have, therefore, highlighted the significance of reticence and insisted on communicating politely and cordially with mellifluence in a blissful voice. Effectively concise speaking safeguards from irrelevant flaws which protect from unnecessary decay of energy. It makes way for the man to be serious and trustworthy and provides minimum chances to commit any further mistakes. The economy of expression offers ample opportunity to ponder and makes it possible to speak concisely. Such practice improves association with others and prepares the ground for a successful and happy life.
In specific situations, if needed, silence should be opted if people in your surrounding are not ready to come to the terms of your version or you confront a stupid heretic person. In such a situation, pacifying the confronting person is not of much use, and the situation tends to end in controversy or quarrel, and condescending seems imminent. In such cases, keeping silent is the most appropriate method to maintain mental peace. Furthermore, it is advisable to ignore the opponent rather than inviting humiliating situations; this principle always helps avoid unhappy incidents.
We must, therefore, avoid speaking unpleasantly coarse words even in extreme situations and stay clear of any aspersions. Let others misbehave in a rowdy or unruly fashion to any extent. We must refrain from backbiting or any provocative act. Such conduct is very precious to augment creativity and spiritual merits because it helps maintain peace and stability of mind.
This is a well-known fact that all creations of human endeavor have been able to bloom from the depth of blissful tranquility. All research and intellectual works become possible only because of that serenity. All the creative works from Einstein to revered Gurudev are the result of the coherence of their isolated moments embellished in tranquility. The specific purpose of the Himalayan journeys of Gurudev was to observe the reticence and practice austerity and virtuous traits in this very solitude. Gurudev had completed the profound task of translating ancient scriptures in such a short time by appropriately utilizing these precious moments.
Quiescence also crops up inner strength in man. This inactivity makes it possible to listen to the voice of supra- consciousness, augments receptivity to catch messages from ether world, and enables to communicate with Supreme Consciousness. For this reason, serious aspirants stick to quiescence in pursuit of self-refinement and spiritual contemplation to achieve internal ascent. This is how creative aspirants continue to proceed on the path of inner peace and happiness.
Source: Akhand Jyoti Magazine Sept-Oct 2021