The Art of Silence

Hello

Welcome to U.O.U

My husband gains full credit in me restarting U.O.U- whilst he was reading a book and journally his thoughts I looked over and saw him reading my blog.

He requested me to read one of my posts. And well...I felt inspired to restart this blog.

I stopped publicly writing because I was not sure what my intention was anymore. I had to stay true to what U.O.U was set up for- to be authentic and share ideas/views that lead to a wealthy mindset.

So.

I want to share a perspective on The Art of Silence.

With no particular reason other than curiosity, I signed myself up to a 1 day silent retreat in Banjur Mongan, Bali, Indonesia. I paid money to an American (the non vacant owner of the business) to be in a place of silence. What did I do... Did I really need to be here?

I started the day at 5.30am where a lovely balinese gentleman Eka picked me up and took me to the destination. It started with everything BUT silence. We spoke the whole hour about Bali, Sumatra, Island life, a balinese perspective of tourists, travel and fishing.

Did I need to be silent in that moment of time?

My interactions with him were pleasant and meaningful. So I decided no. The balinese love connecting with one another just as much as they love connecting with nature so I mirrored his energy.

I arrived at the place and did some paperwork and then it was time to start my retreat. Between 9am till 8pm I was in complete silence. No talking, no online social connections and the voice in my head was so loud.

You know the voice in your head that is part angel part devil. It says the most stupidest, most evil and most angelic things?

9AM: 'What am I doing here... No one is looking at me. No one is talking. How am I going to spend this many hours in silence. Should I leave now?'

8PM: *silence in my head*

In between this time what did I do?

• 90 minute Yoga

• Silent Meditation facing a river

• Read a 312 page book

• Napped

• Some breathing exercises

• Allowed myself to be in my own head

I did not hug a tree, I did not throw 'I am sorry for...' notes into a fire pit (yes this was one of the exercises of the retreat) and I did not go to the 2nd guided Yoga class. (this is all true)

The silent retreat taught me a few things. Being silent means connection with one self but never forget to connect with others around you (humans, animal and nature). No one acknowledged my existence at this retreat I smile or try to gain eye contact but everyone was avoiding one another. To me, that was strange. Having connection with one self in silence can still occur whilst connecting with others around you in silence. But then again, I was not here for them. I was there for myself.

The next day, my mind wandered I was no longer in silence and the noise of people talking did not bother me in the slightest.

So what I guess I am trying to explain is that it is SO important to be comfortable with silence.

Silence at a dinner table, silence on your own or silence in a room full of people.

It is so powerful and do not run away from your own head. Face what you are feeling, thinking and soak yourself into it. Otherwise, your worst enemy will always be you.

Your reflection is what you should focus on

Thank you for reading

Lots of love and prayers,

Hajera xoxo