Words are born from silence... movement, too, can only come out of immobility. (35)
In any human relationship two major zones of silence emerge: before and after speech. Before, when no words have been spoken, one is in a state of modesty which allows words to be born out of silence; in this state strength comes from avoiding explanatory discourse. (29)
Of late I have been sitting with what feels like extreme introversion, coupled with chronic sleeplessness and the persistent sense of not knowing (in security). In addition to being quite uncomfortable, the result is surprisingly sedative. In that it feels true; there is a sense that necessary movement will make itself clear.
Theatre teachers of mine have spoken of necessity and economy. It seems that if we honour silence and stillness, any noise or motion will come from absolute necessity. Urgency, even. It will therefore be economical - the best possible action or word. I understand this to mean that our jobs as artists - and as livers - is to be still and watch and wait. And to honour what emerges as necessary. Not passively, but actively, with the knowledge that it is the most economical thing to do.
Seems so much more sane than "solving" by "thinking," no? (But apparently much more difficult!)
To complicate things, I now feel like I need to reference another book I am reading. The parallels/echoes must be pointed at. The Way of Chuang Tzu is a translation of the writings of Chinese philosopher Chuang Tzu (or Zhuangzi) from the 4th c. BCE. He is considered a foundational contributor to Taoism. In the introduction, translator Thomas Merton offers a summary of the teaching of wu wei - to act without activity. "It is not mere passivity, but it is action that seems both effortless and spontaneous... it is completely free because there is in it no force and no violence. It is not conditioned or limited by our own individual needs and desires, or even by our own theories and ideas" (28).
Here is one of the writings in the (translated) words of Chuang Tzu:
ACTION AND NON-ACTION
The non-action of the wise man is not inaction.
It is not studied. It is not shaken by anything.
The sage is quiet because he is not moved,
Not because he wills to be quiet.
Still water is like glass.
You can look in it and see the bristles on your chin.
It is a perfect level;
A carpenter could use it.
If water is so clear, so level,
How much more the spirit of man?
The heart of the wise man is tranquil.
It is the mirror of heaven and earth
The glass of everything.
Emptiness, stillness, tranquillity, tastelessness,
Silence, non-action: this is the level of heaven and earth.
This is the perfect Tao. Wise men find here
Their resting place.
Resting, they are empty.
From emptiness comes the unconditioned.
From this, the conditioned, the individual things.
So from the sage's emptiness, stillness arises:
From stillness, action. From action, attainment.
From their stillness comes their non-action, which is also action
And is, therefore, their attainment.
For stillness is joy. Joy is free from care
Fruitful in long years.
Joy does all things without concern:
For emptiness, stillness, tranquillity, tastelessness,
Silence, and non-action
Are the root of all things.
1 comment:
Beautiful! Werner Herzog too talks about silence, and the necessity of allowing moments of silence and stillness in your work. They serve many purposes, the least of which is not providing a space from which to emerge... thanks so much, Kat!
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