We live in a noisy world. Even if we ignore the sounds of our thoughts (which we often do), we are constantly absorbing the sounds of computers, cell phones, buzzing lights, heating or cooling systems, traffic, conversations, music, television … you get the idea.
By necessity, we attend to those things that are relevant to what we are trying to do. Parents learn ways to tune into their own child’s voice a midst other playground yells or household noises; workers in a busy office learn how to hear the instructions they are being given; we listen to a friend talking over the traffic buzzing on the street.
But even as we attend to one thing at a time, the noise continues. And these sounds still vibrate in our ears and into our being. The brain feverishly goes about sorting and letting us know what is important to hear. Whether we realize it or not, the cacophony of sounds – both external and in our heads – is bombarding our daily existence and affecting our well-being.
Take a moment now to just listen.
See what you can notice. What sounds are buzzing, humming, grating, soothing, periodic or constant in your environment? Then turn your attention inwards – what thoughts are running through your head? Is your to-do list on repeat?
The practice of mindful listening involves being present with all of these mundane sounds without judgment. You don’t try to drown out the office noises by turning up the radio – running from one and clinging to the sounds of the other.
Instead, you notice. You listen – perhaps, for the first time – to what sound and thought waves are bouncing around. Notice how certain ones make you feel – happy, relaxed, anxious, tense, neutral.
From this place of awareness, you can make conscious choices. Perhaps you can eliminate certain sounds that are getting on your nerves…sounds of which you weren’t even previously aware. Unplugging a machine that isn’t in use or moving to another room away from chatter or traffic. Perhaps you can add or increase certain sounds that you find soothing – a fountain, a type of music, or silence. Or perhaps you can practice being at peace with those sounds that exist that you cannot change, finding a sense of gratitude for even being able to hear them.
We do live in a noisy world. You can choose to focus on the noise, the silence in between, or on the dance of it all.
Where should you focus today?
Just listen…..you’ll figure it out.
….Namaste.
About Lisa Renee Wilson
I am honored to be your host for this journey! I am an Awareness Artist who shares her world work through Being Breath (www.BeingBreath.com). As a parent, artist, contemplative, meditator, yoga practitioner, introvert, runner, blogger, photographer, and iced-chai addict, I practice the art of mindful awareness throughout all of my daily activities. From playing with perspectives to playing in paint, no moments are off limits for exploration.
You can learn more about me over at BeingBreath.com, connect over on Facebook, Pinterest, or Twitter, or just stay tuned to hear insightfully honest stories right here at Bliss Habits!
I notice much more internal noise when I’m around my supervisor! She is fairly disorganised and chaotic and I pick this up when I’m around her. I’m sitting at home now with no background noise (tv, radio etc.) and I can hear my daughter singing along to her music upstairs. Suddenly I feel calm. I can let go of the ‘to do’ lists and the questions about whether or not I’ve forgotten something and relax – and this makes me more focused and able to straighten out my head. I guess I need to remember this when next I’m being bombarded with ideas, requests and tasks to do right now (if not earlier)! Thank you for bringing me some peace!
Mmm….Karen, I definitely get that. There are certain people that just make me feel jittery – as if I can pick up on all the nervous energy they are projecting. And I LOVE when my daughter sings (except I have to admit – I don’t know how many more times I can hear, “Let It Go”. It is haunting my dreams). The comparison you made and the awareness you have of what is going on inside YOU as you are hearing these things is BEAUTIFUL! May you continue to find peace and ease, whether you are hearing your daughter or your supervisor. 🙂
Even though it is not quite 6:00 a.m. here as I read this, I was astonished to hear all the sounds happening in my little space. Overload! And I’m the only one up!
Kim, isn’t it amazing?! I’ve done this exercise several times – even when I think it is quiet – and suddenly, the world seems very noisy. Right now, the dog is snoring, I can hear the sound of my typing, something hums in the background (the refrigerator?), there is a creaking in the garage, a large truck rumbling outside, a plane passing by….
It is a beautiful symphony, but I still am amazed that THIS is “quiet”. I can’t imagine all my body and mind is processing in a regular outdoor environment!
A noisy world indeed that we live in. One of my favourite things to do on a summer evening is to escape outside to watch the sunset in silence. What is typically quiet inside is suddenly more noisy than out. Hearing the air rush from the geese flying overhead is a welcomed intrusion. I can no longer drive with the radio on because the agitation feels like fingers scraping down a chalkboard.
Lorraine, sorry for the delay in response! I LOVE the idea of sitting on a summer evening, light chirps of the insects and the rustling trees in the breeze, watching as the sun slowly sinks into the horizon…and the rush of the geese flying overhead… Mmmm.
I completely understand re: the radio, too – my husband and I just did a 12-hour trip in the car (in one day)…and I didn’t want the radio on the entire time. Too much silence to enjoy. 🙂