In an AGE OF DISTRACTION who wants silence?

This sacred space of SILENCE, in an AGE OF DISTRACTION - it's being crucified by consumerism, addicted to gimmicky gadgets.

In this New World, and Digital Age, Silence is being swallowed by Technology - eaten alive and in the belly of the highest bidder. Because Data, and our personal information, feeding the algorithms every second, minute and hour, is the NEW GOLD

"Data is the new gold. This is how it can benefit everyone – while harming no one"

-WORLD ECONOMIC FORUM

Now, that last bit "while harming no one", you can believe 'em, or take it with a grain of salt. It's entirely up to you. But this silence - to be away from the pull, demands or stresses of the world, is the very solitude and silence Ralph Emerson claimed "you can hear the whisper of gods."

Even the World Health Organization, as slimey and snaky as they've proven to be. Argue that "excessive noise" is a serious threat to human health.

This isn't just about the loud levels of traffic from cars and airplanes outside your window. But about the constant, streaming, overload of information we're neck deep in (https://www.apa.org/monitor/2022/11/strain-media-overload)

It's modern societies infrastructure (The Fourth Industrial Revolution) creating a vacuum, and able to suck the silence, and solitude from any civilian not mindful of its ploy. Our attention is being hijacked, and held hostage.

We don't even like to be alone, it's boring. It can make us feel some type of way i.e., lonely, afraid, vulnerable, insane - "Don't you have any friends?" some might ask.

Let us not forget, that a lot of the great figures from the past, reached legendary status after long stretches in solitude.

• The story of Siddhartha in his quest for enlightenment. After putting his body through all types of torment e.g. sleeping on thorns, and starving his self in fasting, it was only when years later, he found that quiet spot, and in silence, sitting underneath the Bodhi tree (the tree of enlightenment), meditating, that he found his clarity, and seen life for what it truly was and is.

• Jesus being led by the Holy Spirit, through the wilderness, tempted by the Devil. For 40 days and nights. It was in that silence, and solitude where he found his strength, and became the MESSAGE, salvation in the flesh.

• For some cultures, a journey in solitude was an important part of the right to passage. When an adolescent boy finally becomes a man. Hunting, foraging, protecting himself from beast of the jungle, and facing his fears, alone. Into the unknown and darkness he went. And those successful, we're accepted back into the community as worthy men.

There's also a healing and creative power that comes from time spent in silence. In darkness, the sound of silence, comes creation. In most stories and myths about creation, it's from out the darkness that light comes. Springing forth, forming, breathing, growing, moving, and in essence, being.

"In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters."

Genesis 1:1-2

The Hindu creation story begins with the universe in chaos and in DARKNESS.  It was from darkness, Brahma, the creator, rolled up his sleeves, and got to work. Separating the elements of the earth - wind, fire, water, spirit and ultimately, creating the cosmos.

So, there seems to be a collective understanding from our ancestors, cultures of the past, and even people of today, that solitude, to be alone, is important and necessary for growth, and health - "from out the darkness comes the light."

Considering all of this, the importance of silence. Isn't it a very curious thing, that modern society is fixated on capturing our minds, time, and energy?

Encroaching on what was once considered holy, and critical for our development as sound, healthy, confident and well balanced individuals. And that is for a proper place and time for separation, in solitude and silence.

It's not to say where you spend your time and how you should spend it. Who am I? But a man on a mission with a one way ticket' (joking)

I like to believe we call our own shots, and make our own play. This is only something to consider. The fact that there might be great things waiting for us, just 'a yonder.

Beyond the smog and hazy lines of noise pollution. Something grand yet to be had - that's potent, long lasting, and worth more than any bundle of cash or a thousand likes on the 'Gram.'

If we only allow ourselves some time, and space in solitude, and silence.

Away from the buzz, where we can settle down and like Emerson and many others have said, "hear the whisper of the gods."

'Til very soon,

PEACE.