Life themes and the value of silence

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- strangestdude
- Ex-Muslim
- offline
Life themes and the value of silence
OP - January 10, 2012, 07:10 PM

Yo,

I was researching more into MBTI and came across a youtube channel which presented one of the most thought-provoking videos that I've seen in a long time.

The video is about introversion, the value of silence, and comfort with isolation.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bm_tTkHooZI

What's your life theme? And do you value silence?

My life theme is; meaning. My life has been a constant search for the/a meaning behind experiences, behaviour, events and ultimately existence. I'm sure many will share this theme.

And I though I've experienced the value of silence, I don't 'observe' it. Whilst I was on holiday in Malaysia I had no TV, laptop, MP3 player, etc. And I had a mobile, but I rarely even touched it. After the initial 'withdrawl' my mind became quieter, I no longer felt the constant pull to fill my consciousness with mild stimulation (music, TV, etc).

Some of my most pleasent memories are sitting on a step, eating breakfast alone in the early hours of the morning watching hens wonder around the garden, and hearing a Quran recital in the distance. I also recall fondly realizing how loud the sounds of insects were at night - they used to make a beautiful racket.

Looking back prolonged silence helped me to appreciate subtitles in my environment that I commonly overlooked. It also helped me to feel the inner tension and cognitive changes that technology can facilitate (Neil Postman brilliantly elaborates on this point).

Anyway... please share.

An alternative to religion;

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i2nfXfTg92E

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dWNW-NXEudk
- ILuvChocolate
- Member
- offline
Re: Life themes and the value of silence
Reply #1 - January 14, 2012, 11:20 PM

I am a very silent individual in my daily life, but I do talk and socialize when needed. Most people I've met think I’m an extravert, but in truth I’m very much an introvert. It’s because my second function is Fe, which may make me seem like an extravert. For example, I find it burdensome to share my opinions or say something when I know in that situation my ideas won’t make much of a difference or when I have nothing meaningful to actually say, but I still converse because I don’t want to make the other person feel like they’re being ignored. Therefore, I have to talk in order to make people around me comfortable even if I don’t feel like it because I use Fe.

I enjoy silence, and I like staying silent because I can then observe my surroundings to a better scale. Everything in my surroundings affects me to a level that I wouldn’t otherwise be able to feel or see if I hadn’t been quiet.

When I’m isolated from other humans then I feel like I’m at one with the universe. The trees, the leaves, the grass, and the animals all feel connected to me in one way or another. Isolation also helps me when it comes to finding out what my values are and setting my priorities in life straight, because when I’m surrounded by humans I’m distracted and I sometimes forget what I really stand for.

Yes, my life’s theme is meaning as well. I’m suffering from existential depression because of this, because I can’t seem to find meaning in this world. I’m feeling listless, but through love and compassion I’ve been climbing out of this dark well. I’m still reaching the top where the light shines, but I’m closer—and that brings much comfort to me.

I’m an INFJ by the way, what about you? Oh, and I've done much research into the MBTI—
about a year’s worth. So, if you've got any questions concerning the MBTI then I may be able to help you.

Only two things are infinite, the universe and human stupidity, and I'm not sure about the former.~Albert Einstein

Good people do not need laws to tell them to act responsibly, while bad people will find a way around the laws. ~Plato
- strangestdude
- Ex-Muslim
- offline
Re: Life themes and the value of silence
Reply #2 - January 17, 2012, 12:27 PM

Thanks for your response.

I enjoyed reading your appreciation for silence, like you said it helps me to appreciate subtleties.

Quote
I enjoy silence, and I like staying silent because I can then observe my surroundings to a better scale. Everything in my surroundings affects me to a level that I wouldn’t otherwise be able to feel or see if I hadn’t been quiet.

That's exactly my experience. I become more sensitive to my inclinations towards mild stimulation, and I feel how the 'energy' (metaphorically) of the environment affects me.

Quote
Yes, my life’s theme is meaning as well. I’m suffering from existential depression because of this, because I can’t seem to find meaning in this world. I’m feeling listless, but through love and compassion I’ve been climbing out of this dark well. I’m still reaching the top where the light shines, but I’m closer—and that brings much comfort to me.

Glad to read you're becoming happier.

Have you looked into religious naturalism?

The book and series; Cosmos by Carl Sagan, is the probably the best introduction to that metanarrative IMO.

I'd also recommend Philhellenes and Evid3nc3's youtube channels;

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kOK1I98wCm4

Quote
I’m an INFJ by the way, what about you? Oh, and I've done much research into the MBTI—
about a year’s worth. So, if you've got any questions concerning the MBTI then I may be able to help you.

I'm an INFP.

Do you have a good analogy to describe the difference between Si and Se?

Any advice on speed reading?

An alternative to religion;

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i2nfXfTg92E

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dWNW-NXEudk
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