The Power of Silence and Reflection

myNachiketa
3 days ago
3 min read

Have you ever noticed how the world can be very noisy? Cars honking, people talking, and music playing everywhere! Sometimes, it feels like we can't think clearly at all. But what if I told you that taking a moment of silence can actually help us think better and understand ourselves more? Just like how a calm lake reflects the beauty of the sky, our minds can reflect wonderful thoughts when we embrace the power of silence and reflection. Let's dive deeper together!

myNachiketa presents The power of silence and reflection for children to discover their inner calm and wisdom.

What is Silence?

Silence is not just the absence of noise; it's about making our mind and heart peaceful. Silence means having no distractions or sounds around you. Imagine playing hide and seek. When you find that perfect hiding spot and stop moving, you can hear your friend's footsteps. Similarly, in silence, we can listen to our own heart and thoughts.

What is Reflection?

Reflection means thinking about something deeply. It's like looking into a mirror and seeing your own face but with your feelings and thoughts instead. When we reflect, we ask ourselves questions like, "What did I learn today?" Or, "How did I feel during my game?" This helps us grow and understand ourselves better.

Buy our books to explore more inspiring stories and lessons for children

Buy Now

Inner Consciousness and Knowledge

In Hinduism, the mind is often compared to a lake. When the water is still, you can see a beautiful reflection. However, if the water is disturbed, the reflection becomes unclear. Likewise, when our minds are quiet, we can understand our feelings and thoughts clearly. Inside each of us lives a soft, guiding voice—our inner consciousness. But most of the time, we are so busy talking, playing, or worrying that we can’t hear it. Silence is like a key—it opens the door to that inner voice and helps us connect with our true self.

The Bhagavad Gita, (Chapter 6, Shloka 6) teaches us this through the words of Bhagwan Krishna. He says,

बन्धुरात्मात्मनस्तस्य येनात्मैवात्मना जितः ।

अनात्मनस्तु शत्रुत्वे वर्तेतात्मैव शत्रुवत् ॥

Bandhur atmatmanas tasya yenaatmaivaatmana jitah ।

Anatmanas tu shatrutve vartetaatmaiva shatruvat ॥

For one who has conquered the mind, the mind is the best friend. But for one who has failed to do so, the mind will remain the greatest enemy

This means if we use silence and reflection to guide our mind, we become our best friend—calm, kind, and wise. But if we let our mind run wild, it can become our enemy, making us restless and unhappy.

How to Practice Silence and Reflection?

Find a Quiet Spot: Look for a place at home or in nature where you can sit quietly. It can be a corner of your room or a peaceful garden.
Close Your Eyes: When you are settled, gently close your eyes. Take a deep breath and let the air fill your lungs. Feel the coolness as you breathe in and the warmth as you breathe out.
Think of Good Things: Think about a happy moment from your day or something you are thankful for. Allow yourself to feel those good feelings.
Ask Yourself Questions: After a few minutes, open your eyes and ask yourself, "What did I learn from today? What makes me happy?" This helps your mind reflect on important things.
Before sleeping, silently thank God, your parents, friends, and nature

The Benefits of Silence and Reflection

Practicing silence and reflection gives us many wonderful gifts:

Better Focus: we can concentrate better on our tasks.
Understanding Feelings: It helps us discover our feelings and understand our reactions.
Shaping Wisdom: our understanding of life grows when we reflect on our experiences.
Teaches us patience and kindness.
Gives us strength to solve problems calmly.
Connects us to God and our higher self.

So, dear children, remember that keeping some time for silence and reflection is like having a secret power in your life. It helps you listen to your heart, understand your thoughts, and become wiser and happier. The next time everything feels noisy or confusing, just sit quietly for a while. You may find wonderful answers and peace inside yourself!