The Seven Stages of Silence - The Paths of Wisdom

The Seven Stages of Silence - The Paths of Wisdom

Silence

We all know what sound is. We are always hearing many sounds around us. We are also talking about many things unnecessarily.

Silence means we should stop talking aimlessly. Our ancestors have showed fasting of silence as the way of keeping silent. However, this is only the first step in silence.

Nitchalanam

Silence is the first state of silence, and the next level of silence is Nitchalanam. Movement means being unstable.

The mind is always in motion within us. Even keeping quiet is a bit easier. But to keep the mind calm is to take some effort.

Meditation helps us to stabilize the movement of the mind a little. In the Buddha's meditation technique of Anapana Sati meditation, the activity of the mind ceases altogether.

Nikalam

Even if we reduce the activity of the mind at the secondary level, the mind is likely to become contaminated in many ways during our activity in material existence.

Nikalam is the presence of mental functions but untainted in them. Mental states that form dirt in the mind should be avoided.

Jealousy, anger, pride, worry, arrogance and gossip are some of the unnecessary qualities that become the dirt of the mind. Removing them is called Nikalam.

Niramayam

It is impermanent not to be dependent on anything at the centre. Not being possessed by any emotions such as Siva Maya, Pleasure Maya, Atmamaya Maya and Anger Maya.

The intensity of devotion and soul-searching also makes us feel a dependence on it. Buddha also attained enlightenment when he had given up everything in search of his knowledge and had nothing to do anymore.

Nirmalam

Nirmalam is the absence of the trinity of Ego, Kanmam and Maya. These three are known as the feces of the mind.

Arrogance breeds the ego of 'I'. Kanmam refers to the actions we do through that ego. Maya is the futility of those actions without understanding.

Nishkamyam

Staying away from the happenings around us in the world. We cannot remain active in our material existence.

It is also a state of silence when we act and are not involved in those actions. To do one's duty, as it is said in the Gītā, is the silence of actions. 

Nishkamya is not to get entangled in the pleasure or pain that comes from those activities.

Nirguna

 The three modes of Tamas, Rajoguna and Sattvik are the modes through which all souls transcend.

The final state that transcends these qualities is Nirguna.