Finding Divinity In A World Addicted To Noise

Festivities are on and with festivity comes noise, which can be a nuisance to all sane and noetic people. The question is: Why do we like noise so much?

People these days are nervous about being in solitude. They want noise, chatter, and meaningless conversation, which are so often banal, inane and vapid. That is why you often see people in airports and railway stations pulling out their mobiles and making meaningless conversations instead of reading a book or being in silence. In the inane act of living, a man afraid of mortality seeks company, inane conversations, and groupings. Man fears lest he should face the unavoidable truth that he came into this world alone. This is his singular journey. It's on him to make or mar it. Often, we need silence and solitude to sort out our inner moorings and steer the ship of life along its true journey. It is a journey of courage and conviction, far from the machinations of the madding crowd, to listen to that inner voice that we have quelled in pursuit of fun.

Everyone needs solitude to comprehend that he is the captain of the ship of life and the master of his destiny. Persian mystic Hakim Sanai says that every individual's inner self is naturally drawn to solitude. Still, living in this boisterous world, we get accustomed to chaos and start 'liking' noise as an ineluctable option. Our inner voice doesn't gel with shorish-e-kainaat, noise of the world.

Our true self and inner rhythm militate against all that's shambolic and vociferous. Nobody but the individual is responsible for the onward journey. For this individualistic sojourn, we need serene solitude. 'Door tak jaati hai aawaaz khamoshi mein/Shor mein khud ko apni aawaaz sunai nahin deti'- the sound travels afar in solitude/One cannot even listen to one's voice in the noise.

There is no need for fear or favour in a soulful, sole journey in solitude. It calls for solitary onward rowing. Sooner we take the first step, the better. The cosmic dance begins today, nay at this very moment. But petty details impede the grand view. God talks to us through nature and its opulence. He speaks to us through insinuations. 'Karta tha Ishaaron se baat woh/Ishare samajhne mein gayee umra saari'- He talked through subtleties/Alas, I wasted my whole life to fathom them. Mignon McLaughlin aptly said, "Here's god from every tree/His leafy fingers beckon me."

Subtleties are god's words; to understand them, we need to sharpen our senses. Kabir said, "Cheenti ke payal baaje, so bhi sahab sunta hai"- God can hear the sound of an ant's seemingly imperceptible movements. Concentrate on the silence and it'll become eloquent to you.

Remember, solitude is beatitude, and where there's a state of perfect serenity, divinity resides. At the same time, a state of perfect solitude evokes a deep sense of gratitude. English poet William Blake expressed it as praying in gratitude.

Festive spirit requires serenity. Noise distorts and dilutes it. Divinity is not in the decibels; it's in the harmony of celestial silence.

Authored by: Sumit Paul

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Understand Krishna's Divine Activities To Clear Karma: Bhagavad Gita, Chapter 4, Verse 14