CHAPTER XIV

POWER IN SILENCE AND REPOSE

Paradoxical tho it may seem, there is an eloquence and a power in silence which every speaker should seek to cultivate. A man who knows how and when to listen is not only open to increase his store of knowledge, but will often receive credit for wisdom he does not really possess. The habit of silence gives time for necessary meditation and for accumulating power for subsequent use. It makes one acquainted with the inner life. It is the most direct means of developing spiritual power.

A silent man is usually a thinking man. He takes time to think, to test his ideas before giving them expression, to formulate his thought into clear and logical sequence. He obeys the admonition to "Think before you speak," consequently his thoughts when exprest carry weight because of their clearness and maturity. There are far too few

of these silent men who take time to think, and too many who talk first and think afterward.

Cardinal Newman doubtless had in mind this lack of genuine thinking when he said: "What is more common than the sight of grown men, talking on political or moral or religious subjects, in that offhand, idle way, which we signify by the word unreal? That they simply do not know what they are talking about,' is the spontaneous silent remark of any man of sense who hears them. Hence such

persons have no difficulty in contradicting themselves in successive sentences without being conscious of it. Hence others, whose defect in intellectual training is more latent, have their most unfortunate crotchets, as they are called, or hobbies, which deprive them of the influence which their estimable qualities would otherwise secure. Hence others can never look straight before them, never see the point, and have no difficulties in the most difficult subjects. Others are hopelessly obstinate and prejudiced, and, after they have been driven from their opinions, return to them the next moment without even an attempt to explain why. Others are so intemperate and intractable that there is no greater calamity for a good cause than that they should get hold of it."

Too much introspection and meditation may make one morbid, but intelligent self-analysis, reasonably pursued, is necessary to the highest growth. Periods of silence and relaxation offer the best conditions for this work and study. When one thinks of the noise and nervousness of modern city life, of the "bottled-lightning quality of Americans,' it is reasonable to assume that only by carefully planned times for silence and quiet meditation can one hope to develop the highest and best in one's spiritual nature.

The knowledge gathered in these moments of silence, if properly applied, brings one into more intimate touch with the truth. A man finds out what things weaken his power, as well as what things contribute to it, and he can, if he will, change from destructive to constructive effort. With this new knowledge comes increased responsibility, but there comes, too, increased pleasure in the work of readjustment and of self-mastery.

The practise of silence brings reserve power, and poise,

by which a man trains himself to be equal to emergencies as they arise. In this listening attitude he hears whisperings from secret spiritual sources that otherwise could not be discerned. It is from these moments that he draws his deepest and most enduring inspiration. Every man has his own individual mind-world to explore. No one else can possibly do it for him. Its infinite possibilities must remain unrealized and undeveloped unless he is in some way led to do this work for himself.

Through relaxation and repose a man rests his physical and mental machinery, generates unsuspected energy, and at the moment of need is conscious of new and vastly increased power. To learn to "let go," to thoroughly relax both mind and body, usually requires patient and persistent practise. In the end it will repay the student manyfold in increased health and self-control.

Many persons waste valuable energy in unnecessary muscular contraction. They frown in reading a newspaper, sit anxiously in a car as if to help it to its destination, or at night they endeavor to hold the bed up lest it fall to pieces. Many times each hour they expend their power in such useless habits as clenching the fist, drumming with the fingers or tapping with the foot, biting the lips, rocking the body, or indulging in needless anxiety, anger or other excitement. These habits are a constant drain upon even the strongest constitutions, and eventually lead to physical and mental impoverishment and sometimes to nervous prostration.

Relaxation and repose act as a soothing influence to the nerves. They take the tension off the mental machinery, rest the body, and restore a man to his normal condition. As a man gradually forms this habit of doing his work

without tension, he finds he can accomplish more and better work than he ever did before. It is this freedom from nerve-destroying contraction and anxiety that Carlyle has in mind when he says:

"Give us, oh, give us the man who sings at his work! He will do more in the same time-he will do it better he will persevere longer. One is scarcely sensible of fatigue whilst he marches to music. The very stars are said to make harmony as they revolve in their spheres. Wondrous is the strength of cheerfulness, altogether past calculation in its powers of endurance. Efforts, to be permanently use. ful, must be uniformly joyous, a spirit all sunshine, graceful from very gladness, beautiful because bright."

Ruskin says: "All one's life is a music if one touches the notes rightly and in time-but there must be no hurry." The story of the creation-six days labor and then restis a rebuke to the ceaseless heart-breaking pace of the average American. "You wear too much expression on your faces," said Dr. Clouston, a Scottish medical man, in speaking of Americans. "You are living like an army with all its reserves engaged in action. The duller countenances of the British population betoken a better scheme of life. They suggest stores of reserved nervous force to fall back upon, if any occasion should arise that requires it. This inexcitability, this presence at all times of power not used, I regard as the great safeguard of our British people. The other thing in you gives me a sense of insecurity, and you ought somehow to tone yourselves down. You really do carry too much expression, you take too intensely the trivial moments of life.'

A mental attitude of calmness may be brought about by realizing the positive injury that is being done by contracted

muscles. The mind should be emptied as far as possible of all disturbing thoughts, such as fear, worry, resentment, and anger. The reader may experiment at once by allowing the hand and arm to relax at the side or wherever it may fall. It should be made to feel as heavy as lead-not held down, but down because of its own weight. This "limp" attitude may be gradually extended to other parts of the body, until finally one may lie down and give oneself up completely to the comfortable feeling of repose and relaxation. A wonderful power and facility will come after a little practise.

RELAXATION EXERCISES

The following exercises may be practised for a few minutes daily:

1. Lie down. Make yourself limp and passive. Lightly toss one hand in the air, and allow it to drop of its own weight where it will. Repeat with the other hand. Then do the same with the legs, one at a time. Raise the head and let it drop. Roll the body over from side to side, allowing the arms, legs and head to fall where they like. In a few minutes the entire body should become thoroughly relaxed. It will greatly assist at first to cultivate a lazy or drowsy feeling in doing this exercise.

2. Now rest the mind along with your relaxed body, still lying down. Learn to "let go" all mental strain. Gently direct the mind in turn to the feet, arms, head, back, throat, stomach, knees, abdomen, heart, and tongue. Do this very slowly and patiently. Then combine with this exercise thoughts of health, and ease, and power. You