Two Days of Silence

Ah, the fine art of doing nothing.

In my ongoing ''read more real, actual books'' challenge, I have moved on to the Coleman Barks translation Rumi: The Book of Love, Poems of Ecstacy and Longing.

This excerpt from Rumi’s poem Two Days of Silence spoke to me. It says something about the importance of prioritizing and valuing self-knowledge and personal improvement, not to mention staying sane in troubled times.

Which is worth more, a crowd of thousands,

or your own genuine solitude?

 

Freedom, or power over an entire nation?

 

A little while alone in your room

will prove more valuable than anything else

that could ever be given you. 

 

- Rumi

This excerpt reflects on the profound value of solitude and introspection compared to more culturally approved external achievements or the influence one might have over others. 

Rumi suggests that true worth lies not in the numbers of people around us or in the power we wield, but in the deep, personal experience of being alone with oneself.

In a world focused on social status and power, Rumi's words remind us that moments of solitude can lead to greater self-awareness, peace, and fulfillment.

The idea is that genuine freedom and understanding of oneself can outweigh any material or social gains. It is a ringing endorsement of simplicity.

This perspective encourages us to seek inner peace and clarity, emphasizing the importance of taking time for reflection and self-discovery. 

It used to be snidely called ''navel gazing'', but it is more like a survival technique today in our noisy hyperlinked connected world of instant and constant communication and endless loud entertainments.

So what do we really value - more power and status or more peace and clarity? The mainstream is prioritizing all the wrong things, I am afraid.

In our supersaturated information situation filled with endless activity, it is hard getting even a moment of solitude and silence.

Can you imagine two whole days of silence? 

First I am going to see if I can do two minutes. Then two hours. Then one day. Then, if I am successful in these baby steps, go for the whole two glorious days of time away from the noise.

How might that change me? My life? Is it practical in my situation with a partner that I care for full time? Can it even be done?

Sounds like a new simple living challenge.