Change Your Thoughts-Change Your Life Part 15 of 20: Living by Silent Knowing
April 17, 2009 by dr. lam
The 56th Verse:
Those who know do not talk.
Those who talk do now know.
Block all the passages!
Close your mouth,
cordon off your senses,
blunt your sharpness,
untie your knots,
soften your glare,
settle your dust.
This is the primal union or the secret embrace.
One who knows this secret is not moved by attachment or aversion,
swayed by profit or loss,
nor touched by honor or disgrace.
He is far beyond the cares of men
yet comes to hold the dearest place in their hearts.
This, therefore, is the highest state of man.
The first two lines of this verse are the most famous of the entire Tao Te Ching and have been oft quoted to the point of banality: ”Those who know do not talk. Those who talk do now know.” Perhaps hackneyed to death, we can still extrapolate profound wisdom by seeing the truth in their words. We very much become soothed by the loudest and clearest voice. I certainly do not want to be viewed as a brash or overly emphatic ringleader to a contrived community. Rather than being in love with me as a person, look at me as a vehicle for your personal growth. Take me entirely out of this equation as a person, as someone to be spoken highly of, to be adored. I would like for me, Sam Lam, to be part of this community rather than only be viewed as an exceptional mouthpiece. As I have repeatedly stated, these blogs are letters written to myself to improve me first. You are just reading my open letters to myself. Seeing things that way I hope you will ride on this journey with me rather than follow me in any perverse cultish way. There are too many vocal ringleaders out there. Please take me off that pedestal, and let’s make this journey as colleagues toward a wonderful present and a beautiful future.
Let’s be silent today and let our inner voice shine rather than our loud obnoxious one. Usually the loudest voice in the room is the one we should not listen to. It is one that projects his own insecurities to everyone around himself. It is a voice that tries to own your opinions and your mind. It is there to assume power and reign over you, and no one should do that. Be silent and listen to the silence of those around you. The most silent individual in your proximity may actually bear the most wisdom.
Comments
8 Responses to “Change Your Thoughts-Change Your Life Part 15 of 20: Living by Silent Knowing”
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hey guys, i know this one is about silence, but you know how much i love your comments. don’t be too silent here!
Thanks for saying that, as I probably would’ve stared this one out.
This is VERY IMPORTANT TOPIC for each and everyone to consider. I’ve worked on being more quiet for a LONG time. I was talking at birth, describing the experience, so they kid me. My kindergarten teacher said, “NORD, you are TOO TALKATIVE!!”
I tell you now, I LOVE to listen. It’s the BALANCE thing, yet again, no?
I just read your blog for the first time today after stumbling across it. I find these topics quite meaningful. As a psychiatrist, I particularly like today’s discussion of the importance of silence. One can learn so much by listening and observing the subtle nuances of nonverbal behavior. We are a society that gives more value to “talkers”, viewing them as more dynamic/active/socially skilled. Let’s face it, medical schools have to teach student physicians the skill of “active listening”, and research has shown that many physicians find it quite difficult not to quickly interrupt patients, missing some of the most important cues/opportunities for empathy and understanding.
I also found meaning in your words today because I find that many people are very uncomfortable with silence, needing to fill every moment of the day with stimulating noise, whether it is their own voice, TV, music, etc. I am often surprised at how astounded people seem when I encourage them to take time to simply be still and silent with their thoughts, or to read a book and let their mind imagine the characters and flow with the story rather than needing the stimulation of watching the story acted out with sound.
I need to work on being more silent with family and friends.
Thanks for sharing your blog
thanks jen, and welcome to our fun and exciting community (there is my shameless plug). i now do daily meditation to quiet my mind and will be doing a “Monday Meditation” series coming up. whoops, spilled the beans on what is coming up. lol. welcome again.
This is SO profound! SO profound! I’m going to bring this up in my discussion group tomorrow! If I have anything intelligent to add, I’ll write something more over the weekend.
Jen, that is a very good point!! I totally love your points! Hey, welcome to this awesome and fun community!
Haha, Dr. Lam, you spilled the beans.
yes, the beans are on the loose!
I really appreciate you talking about taking this journey together! I think everyone has much to contribute, because we all draw from our own individual experiences and sharing our thoughts, knowledge and experience will help all of us to grow.
However, this community would not exist without your initiative, Dr. L., and I do want to let you know that I truly appreciate you taking the time to write these blogs and to respond to each and every comment!
namaste
you’re welcome. your healing allows me to heal. namaste.