Gordon Hempton defines “silence” not as quiet, or no sound, but as the absence of man-made noise pollution. He believes that “silence just might be on the verge of extinction and that even the most remote corners of the globe are impacted by (this) pollution.
Do we even realize the prevalence of this “noise”, do we notice it in our everyday lives or is it so “normal” that it escapes our consciousness?
How does this impact our bodies, our psyches, our souls? What are we missing by being plugged in all the time or distracted (or perhaps assaulted) by sirens, traffic, jack hammers, airplanes, horns, boom boxes, motor boats, ski mobiles, ring/text tones, construction and more construction and on and on? How telling that we should need “sanctuary.”
I believe that the Earth is always speaking. I believe that other species and other beings are always speaking. Maybe in “words”, maybe in metaphor or synchronicity, dreams, callings, or in so many ways. I believe that one of the requirements of this Great Turning is to slow down and listen. Slow waaaaaaay down, step away from the “noise” and listen.
In Sanctuaries of Silence, join Hempton on an immersive listening journey into Olympic National Park, one of the quietest places in North America.” Learn how his work has been life-changing for him. The home page of this film’s web site (scroll down a ways) offers a five-step practice of listening that can get one started in slowing down and, well, listening….