Meaning Of SILENCE

_Four Monks Decided to Meditate Silently Without Speaking for Two Weeks._

_They began with enthusiasm and no one said a word the whole day. By nightfall of the first day, the candle began to flicker and then went out._

*The First Monk* _Blurted out,  "Oh, No! The Candle Is Out."_

*The Second Monk* _Said, "Hey! We are Not Supposed to Speak!"_

*The Third Monk said in an Irritated Voice,* _"What Is This? Why Did You Two Break the Silence?"_

*The Fourth Monk* Smiled and said, _"Wow! I'm the Only One Who Hasn't Spoken."_

~~~

*Reflections:*

*Each Monk Broke the Silence for a Different Reason, Each Of Which is a Common Stumbling Block in our Inner Journey: Distraction, Judgement, Anger and Pride.*

_*The First Monk* Got Distracted by One Aspect of his Experience (the Candle) and Forgot what was more Important - *The Practice of Witnessing Without Reacting*._

_*The Second Monk* was more Worried About Others Following the Rules than in Actually Practicing Himself_. _He was Quick to Judge Without Noticing that he Himself was Guilty of What he was Criticizing_.

_*The Third Monk* let his Anger Towards the First Two Monks Affect Him. The Singular Burst of Anger Ruined the Effort of the day._

*The Fourth Monk* _Lost his Way Because of Pride. He Was Convinced he was Superior to the Others, Proving his Ignorance._

*Why Did the Fourth Monk Speak At All?*

_He Could have Simply Maintained his Silence and he would have been Successful in his Endeavor. But if he had, Chances are, the Other Three Might have Continued to Argue and Not Even Noticed his Silence._

Some people are like this. Their motto is *"If I'm doing something good, but no one notices, I might as well not be doing it at all.*" _They Believe that the Reward is Not in the Effort, But in the Recognition._

There is a beautiful quote, *"It Is The Provence of Knowledge to Speak; it is the Privilege of Wisdom to Listen."*

_As we Learn to Truly Listen, Witness and Observe Without Impulsively Reacting with Distraction, Judgement, Anger and Pride, Then We Understand the True_

*Meaning Of SILENCE*