“All the wonders of life are already here. They’re calling you. If you can listen to them, you will be able to stop running. What you need, what we all need, is silence. Stop the noise in your mind in order for the wondrous sounds of life to be heard. Then you can begin to live your life authentically and deeply.”

― Thích Nhất Hạnh, Silence: The Power of Quiet in a World Full of Noise

What a wonderful statement Thieh Nhat Hanh said and what a wonderful book he wrote. I often wonder why people are so afraid of silence.

I spent the weekend in “the mountains”, as I call them, a small mountain range in south western Oklahoma called the Wichita Mountains (many would refer to them as hills rather than mountains). The area is protected as a National Wildlife Refuge with Bison, Elk and Long Horn cattle free roaming the area. The wildlife refuge offers miles upon miles of trails, it’s a truly remote area when you get out on the trails.

I was hiking the Charon’s Garden Trail, a 2.4 mile trail that follows a river bed for some distance then heads toward the base of Elk Mountain where you find giant granite boulders littering the terrain. The trial is relatively remote from civilization, however on weekends when the weather is nice many people come to hike the Wichita’s.

I started early in the morning around 8:00 a.m. when there were only two other cars in the parking lot. I didn’t see any other people for some time and was able to enjoy the quietness of nature. About an hour into my trek I made it to Post Oak Falls where a photographer was taking pictures of a couple in front of the falls. I sat patiently waiting my turn, as I didn’t want to disturb them. To get to the falls you have to walk along a narrow rocky edge only big enough for one person at a time. As you round the corner there is a flat area about five feet by five feet in front of the falls just big enough for about two people to stand and enjoy the falls.

When they had finished in the falls area I took my camera, made my way along the edge and sat in front of the falls hoping to get some video footage, however I began to notice the peaceful silence of the area was now interrupted by people talking. The photographer and and his subjects were constantly chattering. Then other groups of people began to come, A group of 5 younger boys, probably in their early twenties could not seem to stop talking. and yelling back and forth to each other as they spread out along the area. Confronted with the fact that I was not going to get the silence I was seeking I collected my camera and relinquished the area to the boys.

As I continued my hike the journey took on a different feel. No longer was there the uninterrupted sounds of nature, birds chirping, water flowing and the breeze caressing through the prairie grasses. Now the natural sounds were being cut through with the sound of voices. I must have encountered at least 10 different groups of people throughout the day, all of them constantly talking.

I’ve never understood how people are able to talk constantly when there is nothing to be said. If you haven’t noticed, most people are in a state of constant chatter. The next time your in a public place with people present try to pay attention, see if you can find anyone not constantly talking. It’s quite fascinating how rare an occurrence silence truly is. Even when we are alone we are constantly chattering to ourselves with our thoughts.

When you are constantly consumed by this noise you miss the natural symphony of the earth. You miss the beauty of sound, or the beauty of silence!