Day 2: Becoming Aware of Your Surroundings
On Day 2 of the workshop, many of us who observed silence on Day 1 might have noticed that the constant flow of thoughts we had on Day 1 started to settle down. You might have wondered, Where do all these thoughts go? These thoughts don’t disappear; instead, they are tucked away in our minds, like putting papers in different folders. Once these thoughts calm down, we start becoming more present in the current moment. And when we’re present, there’s no busy thinking—just stillness.
On Day 2, we naturally became more aware of our surroundings—our bodies, the room we were in, the city around us, and the space we were sitting in. This awareness didn’t require us to try; it just happened on its own. We were no longer lost in thoughts, and gradually, we moved into a state of being where we didn’t have to do anything to be aware. It just flowed naturally.
At first, observing silence feels very calming, and it brings a sense of peace. But as the day goes on, we may start to feel a bit uncomfortable. Many of us noticed that, in the beginning, it felt great, but after some time, we started to feel uneasy or restless. This feeling of discomfort is like a small obstacle you need to get past in order to move forward.
Why Do We Feel Uneasy or Restless?
Living in the world takes effort. We put effort into everything we do: understanding who we are, what we’ve done, what we eat, where we live, and how we talk to others. We’re always busy doing something. But when we observe silence, we shift from always doing things to a state of no effort. We begin to realize that we don’t need to do anything to simply exist.
However, this shift can feel strange. It can be uncomfortable because we are so used to always being active. We start to wonder: Should I open my eyes? Should I move? Should I adjust my posture? These thoughts arise because our minds and bodies are used to constantly doing something.
The restlessness we feel comes from the energy we have built up by staying silent. When we stop the usual flow of thoughts and actions, the energy we are using starts to build up inside. We might feel like we need to do something with that energy—like moving or adjusting our position. But it’s important to remember that this energy is just a result of the silence. The goal of this workshop is to help us reduce unnecessary effort and move into a more natural, relaxed state of being.
On Day 2, the session was extended to 1 hour and 15 minutes, a little longer than Day 1. This extra time helped us go deeper into the silence and allowed us to become more comfortable with the process.
What We Experienced After the Session:
- It took a few minutes to feel completely relaxed and comfortable in our sitting position. At first, it wasn’t easy to let go of small discomforts, but slowly we were able to settle into it.
- The energy in our bodies became noticeable. It was like a quiet, steady presence inside us.
- We could feel the sensations in our bodies more clearly and notice different emotions or reactions happening inside.
- Slowly, everything around us faded into deep silence. Even the busy world outside seemed to soften and become less distracting.
- Sounds from the environment, like birds chirping or planes flying, became much clearer and more noticeable.
- Sometimes, we started wondering whether we should adjust our posture, change our facial expressions, or open our eyes. We began to question if we were doing it “right.”
- Surprisingly, the time passed faster than expected. The session didn’t feel as long as 1.5 hours—it actually felt much shorter.
Recommendations for Day 3:
- Sit comfortably in whatever position feels natural to you. Over time, try to stop making small adjustments, like shifting your position or controlling your facial expressions. When you stop relying on these small changes, you’ll realize how much effort you were putting into them. You might even be surprised to find that you can sit perfectly still without the need to adjust.
- Sit up straight, and try to avoid slumping or lying down. By Day 3, you’ll notice you’re not feeling as restless. You’ll be able to conserve the energy you’ve built up after your thoughts have calmed down.
Important Note:
Everyone moves at their own pace. Some people may take longer to quiet their thoughts and feel comfortable in silence. It’s important to remember that your journey is unique, and comparing yourself to others won’t help. Focus on your own experience and celebrate how far you’ve come. Each step forward is progress, and every moment of stillness is a victory.
