try talking less

Most of us talk a lot, sometimes about things of significance and often about rather inconsequential things. All of this is chatter. It keeps the mind busy. And also, it gives us a sense of importance or relevance. Just by communicating with other people, it gives us a feeling of having some meaning in life.

But why do we need such feelings? What do we need to prove to ourself about our existence, our right to exist? And why do we always want to keep the mind so busy, chattering away? All of this is a way of avoiding a silent space within us. So with this simple thing to try, I'm inviting you to try talking less.

Have some times of day when you're not talking at all. Perhaps get less involved with mundane chitchat. Try dropping some of the conversations which you don't feel to be nourishing anyway. Through this means there is a chance that the mind can become more settled.

And also, our spiritual search is primarily a search within oneself. And when we're talking, we're focussing a lot of energy outwards, towards others. So take some of that energy back inside yourself, for your own inner exploration. And see how it feels. How does it feel to have silent moments during the day? How does it feel not to be communicating all the time? If you are someone who is used to talking a lot – nonstop more or less – then this will be very difficult, but actually also very important for your spiritual journey.

So try it and persevere. Soon you will probably come to find that you are enjoying silent time without talk. In any case, try it: try talking less.