Conversation/Silence

Late night reading this jumped out at me to share with this group also: from Anam Cara by John O'Donohue.

Perception is most powerful when it engages both memory and experience. This empowers conversation to become real exploration. Real conversation has an unpredictability, danger, and resonance; it can take a turn anywhere and constantly borders on the unexpected and on the unknown. Real conversation is not a construct of the solitary ego; it creates community.

So much of our modern talk is like a spider weaving a web of language maniacally outside itself. Our parallel monologues with their staccato stutter only reinforce our isolation.

There is so little patience for the silence from which words emerge or for the silence that is between words and within them. When we forget or neglect this silence, we empty our world of its secret and subtle presences. We can no longer converse with the dead or the absent.

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Permalink Reply by Jeanne on June 21, 2008 at 1:38pm: When we forget or neglect this silence, we empty our world of its secret and subtle presences. We can no longer converse with the dead or the absent"
I really liked those last two sentences, Michael. One of the things that kinda annoys me is the insistent verbal demands of the guys on "Ghosthunters" to get an audible response from unseen presences. yeah, I know if you don't ask they probably won't respond, but it sometimes seems just rude.
Is that crazy? I guess because we're talking staged for TV they want an immediate response, but of course they edit material for the show.
Anyway, as a writer, I appreciate those silent moments.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Michael on June 21, 2008 at 3:51pm: Jeanne, hi.

Yes, I know what you mean about the show. We had an investigation last weekend and some people can't be quiet for more than a minute. I could go all night.

In a master class for piano which my teacher held weekly, one of the students played a piece that she had been working on for a while. This time because of her playing and/or my listening I had the experience of standing at the "threshold of silence." (That's the only way I could explain it) It was awesome and inspiring as the sound, the music had taken me back to where it "came from" in a way. Deeper than the sound, deeper than the emotion and thoughts and physical "appearance."

Is this where we "are" when they tuned in, when we honor the silence? Perhaps.!!; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Jeanne on June 21, 2008 at 4:17pm: Reading your profile we actually have quite a few interests and skills in common. I hurried through the profile because I was scheduled to chat, but I'm actually a trained singer. One of those moments that always thrills is that second of silence before applause begins.
The thing I love about music is how ephemeral it is. It exists for as long as we hear it and then it's gone!
I'm sure you've experienced the amazing effect music has on us.
There are some pieces which I'm sure had to be inspired by some higher presence.; ▶ Reply to This