‘Keeping Quiet’, Pablo Neruda (ca. 1950)

Now we will count to twelve
and we will all keep still
for once on the face of the earth,
let’s not speak in any language;
let’s stop for a second,
and not move our arms so much.

It would be an exotic moment
without rush, without engines;
we would all be together
in a sudden strangeness.

Fishermen in the cold sea
would not harm whales
and the man gathering salt
would look at his hurt hands.

Those who prepare green wars,
wars with gas, wars with fire,
victories with no survivors,
would put on clean clothes
and walk about with their brothers
in the shade, doing nothing.

What I want should not be confused
with total inactivity.
Life is what it is about;
I want no truck with death.

If we were not so single-minded
about keeping our lives moving,
and for once could do nothing,
perhaps a huge silence
might interrupt this sadness
of never understanding ourselves
and of threatening ourselves with death.
Perhaps the earth can teach us
as when everything seems dead
and later proves to be alive.

Now I’ll count up to twelve
and you keep quiet and I will go.

Papaji:

The purpose of all practice is Silence, your real nature. Without Silence you cannot be in peace so strive only for this.

Even while active remain in Silence as Silence and be conscious of Silence always. Ramana’s main teaching is Silence and it is this Silence that silently answers all questions and removes all doubts.

Train your mind to go to Silence. As Kabir said: “Keep your body, your mind, your intellect, and your prana, quiet and wisdom will follow behind you searching for you!”

Be Silent by directing your mind toward its Source. Mind directed toward object of senses is suffering.