The Power of Silence!
Mauni Amawasya/ Maghi Amawasya is considered to be one of the most auspicious days in the Hindu calendar and among all the twelve new moons of the year, the new moon of Magh month is considered to be the most sacred.
On Mauni Amavasya, devotees believe in practicing silence or observing mauna/silence for the entire day and take a dip in the holy river. It is also a time to perform rituals for the Pitr/ancestors and seek peace.
In the Sanskrit language “Maun” and “nishabd” are two significant words.
The body and mind are not an end in themselves as they are only the doorway.
To experience that which is beyond this doorway, the practice of silence is referred to as maun.
“Maun” means silence as we generally know it – you don’t speak; With a simple practice of maintaining maun/silence, one might realise how much of what one speaks is non-essential and simply a waste of energy. One might also realize, upon observing one’s thoughts, that most of the content of one’s mind is conditioned by one’s past and by the social contact and environment that has influenced us. With continued practice,
gradually the mind becomes clearer and with clarity the unnecessary chatter of the mind ceases and tranquility takes over.
The peaceful mind becomes more creative and intuitive.
Maun is an attempt to create nishabd.
“Nishabd” means “that which is not sound” - beyond body, mind and all creation.
Beyond sound does not mean the absence of sound, but transcending sound to reach the core.
All vibrations in human experience translate into sound. Every form in the creation has a corresponding vibration. This complex amalgamation of sounds is the basis of our existence. The fulcrum of all sound is nishabd which essentially means beyond space and time. Sound is of the surface, silence is of the core. Silence is that substratum which encompasses both sound and the lack of sound.
During the three months of Uttarayan, from solstice to Mahashivratri, especially in latitudes ranging from 0º to 33ºN, the impact of both full moon and new moon is enhanced.
Cycles of the solar and lunar systems are the guides to our concept of time in the human experience.
The choice of either riding the cycles of time or being trapped in endless cycles of time is the choice one has to make.
Yogis and sanyasis observe 'maun vrat' as part of their meditation. Consciously aspiring for silence, there is a possibility of becoming silent. Being in silence takes patience. Allowing silence in your life is not something that happens overnight, it is a consistent practice.
In Sanskrit, "amā" means "together" and "vásya" means "to dwell" or "cohabit". The physical body and the mind together make up the human being.
The coming together of the Sun with the Moon every month in Amavasya makes it a potent time to practice silence and reach within; this culminates during Mauni Amavasya where the powerful planetary alignment is most beneficial. It is said that even the waters of the holy Ganga turn into nectar.
On Mauni Amavasya the focus is on steadying the wavering mind to achieve peace, tranquility and harmony in our lives.
