Silence:The Final Frontier? [HINT] - this is not a science article....

Silence is the place you can find new ideas, different viewpoints and fresh frames of reference. It is what creates the true conversation, much like the void makes possible the existence of structured matter.

Until recently (past 100 years or so), we all believed the reality is what we can perceive through our 5 senses. Nevertheless, scientists are discovering that there's a lot more to our universe beyond the limits of our natural perception field.

One example is this: it seems that the exotic element called 'dark matter' is a lot more abundant in the universe that 'regular' matter (that we can perceive, measure, etc.) Note: this is not a science article, just a small intro to make a point, so keep reading.

Source: Wikipedia

Dark matter is a kind of matter hypothesized in astronomy and cosmology to account for gravitational effects that appear to be the result of invisible mass. Dark matter cannot be seen directly with telescopes; evidently it neither emits nor absorbs light or other electromagnetic radiation at any significant level. It is otherwise hypothesized to simply be matter that is not reactant to light.[1] Instead, the existence and properties of dark matter are inferred from its gravitational effects on visible matter, radiation, and the large-scale structure of the universe. According to the Planck mission team, and based on the standard model of cosmology, the total mass–energy of the known universe contains 4.9% ordinary matter, 26.8% dark matter and 68.3% dark energy.[2][3] Thus, dark matter is estimated to constitute 84.5% of the total matter in the universe, while dark energy plus dark matter constitute 95.1% of the total content of the universe.

Even more interesting is that it seems the very existence of dark matter and its enormous gravity makes possible the creation of normal matter, the one we are made of.

So, my point (hopefully) is that there is a very important element, both in terms of quantity and effect on our lives that we can't actually see, hear, taste, smell or touch. Nevertheless, it seems that this element makes possible the very existence of everything we do perceive.

Just like Silence.

We tend to believe that the more we talk, or generally speaking fill the space/time we've got, the more relevant, powerful, appreciated we are. And yet, very often, the opposite proves to be a lot more effective.

Many of the nature's creative and most powerful events take place in absolute silence. Gravity is silent, the force that's keeping the atoms together is silent, photosynthesis is silent, the Earth is spinning in silence, our very cells divide in total silence. In fact, silence is the greatest resource for creation.

In the speeches of great leaders in history, you may notice that silence is the key element used to make the audible content very powerful. When, where, how the pauses are inserted makes the speech more or less remarkable.

Silence is not the absence of communication, but one of the most profound forms of communicating. “Nothing strengthens authority so much as silence.”
― Leonardo da Vinci.

In my coaching practice, every single approach with my clients has a single common goal: to help bring silence to my client. Creation of new ideas, options, solutions, viewpoints can only occur in a new, fresh space made possible by silence. Much of the rest is just storytelling.

Silence means sometimes to empty your mind of the thoughts, prejudice, labels, judgments and other self-torture forms you've accumulated over time and make room for receiving fresh angles, frames of reference.

The quality and quantity of our sleep determines the efficiency of our next day. The breaks between tasks makes them more effective. The pausing in our speeches determines the value of the content. The spacing between paragraphs of an article makes it more of less easy to read.

The time and space you allow yourself could make an impact on your productivity, focus, reaching targets and deadlines and most importantly, on your results.

“Without great solitude, no serious work is possible.” Pablo Picasso.

Please, do share your experiences regarding how moments or periods of silence have helped you become more productive.

Also, I look forward to your silence at [email protected]