Silence as a sacred practice - My perspective from the path of yoga and druidry

The Silence Beneath the Noise

There’s a kind of silence that isn’t just the absence of sound—it’s a presence in itself. A space where the mind settles, the heart listens, and something deeper speaks.

As someone who walks the path of both Yoga and Druidry, silence is woven into my spiritual practice in a way that feels both ancient and deeply personal. In yoga, silence is a discipline—a way to still the restless mind. In Druidry, it’s a way of listening—to the land, the trees, the whispers of something greater.

But in modern life, silence is rare. We rush to fill it, fearing the discomfort of sitting with ourselves. Yet across many traditions, silence is not a void—it’s a gateway to something deeper.

Silence in Yogic Traditions (Hinduism & Buddhism)

Mauna – The Power of Yogic Silence

In yogic philosophy, there is a practice called Mauna—a commitment to silence, not just in speech but in thought.

Silence as discipline – Yogis observe silence to direct energy inward, conserve prana (life force), and still the fluctuations of the mind.

Silence as awareness – By stepping away from words, we begin to notice what usually goes unnoticed—our habits, emotions, and deeper truths.

Silence as transformation – Some spiritual seekers take lifelong vows of silence, not as an escape from the world, but as a way to truly be in it, without distraction.

Even in daily life, practicing small moments of Mauna—whether in meditation, before speaking, or in nature—creates a profound shift in awareness.

Buddhism – Silence as a Path to Awakening

In Buddhist traditions, silence is not emptiness—it is full attention.

Vipassana meditation – A practice of deep silence, observing the mind without reaction, often for 10 days or more.

Monastic silence – Buddhist monks and nuns observe silence to cultivate wisdom and inner clarity.

The “Noble Silence” – The Buddha taught that silence is not just the absence of speech, but the space where truth can arise.

In my own practice, I’ve found that silence isn’t passive—it’s alive. It reveals things we might otherwise miss. It teaches us how to listen—not just to others, but to ourselves.

Silence in Druidry & Indigenous Traditions

The Silence of the Land

As a Druid, silence is not about retreating from the world—it’s about listening to it.

The silence of the forest – Sitting among the trees, you begin to hear the world differently. The wind, the birds, the distant river. There is a language in nature that can only be heard in quiet.

The silence of ceremony – In ritual, silence is a way of honoring the unseen—whether it’s ancestors, spirits, or simply the deep stillness of the moment.

The silence of deep listening – Many Indigenous traditions speak of listening as a sacred act—listening to the land, to elders, to the wisdom beyond words.

This kind of silence is not isolation—it is belonging. It reminds us that we are part of something vast, something ancient, something profoundly alive.

Reclaiming Silence in a Noisy World

We live in a world that teaches us to fear silence. It tells us that every moment must be filled—with words, with noise, with distraction. But when we lose silence, we lose something vital.

What happens when we step into silence?

We reconnect with ourselves.

We listen—not just to sounds, but to what’s beneath them.

We find clarity, not by thinking more, but by allowing space for truth to emerge.

Silence is not something to avoid. It’s something to trust.

This week, I invite you to explore silence in your own way:

• Set aside 5-10 minutes of quiet each day—just to sit, just to listen.

• Walk in nature without your phone, tuning into the world around you.

• Pause before speaking, allowing space for deeper awareness.

An Invitation to Shared Silence

If you’d like to experience silence in a deeper way, I invite you to join me for a Silent Retreat Day or Shared Silent Community Gatherings—a space to step away from the noise and explore the power of silence through movement, quiet ritual, and simple presence.

Visit my upcoming events page to view our next silent experiences.