Against the Time in the Land of Silence

Summary

The concluding article reflects on the value of silence (*mauna*) as a spiritual discipline in Jainism and other traditions. The author defines silence as the deliberate abandonment of speech to conserve physical and mental energy and direct it toward self‑study and meditationhttps://www.hermitary.com/solitude/mauna.html#:~:text=Silence%20is%20abandonment%20of%20speech%2C,be%20useful%20to%20the%20aspirant. By controlling speech, practitioners can control thought and action; silence curbs the restless mind and restrains impulses like anger, pride and greedhttps://www.hermitary.com/solitude/mauna.html#:~:text=Silence%20is%20abandonment%20of%20speech%2C,be%20useful%20to%20the%20aspirant. The article notes that great spiritual figures used silence as a vehicle for enlightenment: Lord Mahavira is said to have observed twelve and a half years of silence during his spiritual quest, while Mahatma Gandhi practised a day of silence each week to maintain clarity and conserve strength, and Ramana Maharshi communicated profound teachings through silencehttps://www.hermitary.com/solitude/mauna.html#:~:text=Since%20ancient%20time%2C%20silence%20is,praise%20for%20adoration%20of%20God. The author discusses the psychological benefits of silence, such as heightened concentration, reduced stress and improved empathy, and links it to the Jain ethical precept of **right speech**. In a world overwhelmed by noise and constant communication, cultivating silence becomes an act of resistance and a means to reconnect with one’s conscience. The article encourages readers to integrate daily periods of silence, to use those moments for introspection and forgiveness, and to observe collective silence during religious festivals as a reminder of the power of quiet reflection. By portraying silence as an active practice rather than a void, the author invites readers to reclaim their time and recognise the wisdom that emerges from stillness.