This “homework assignment” suggested by Tenzin Wangyal Rinpoche is part of the free, yearlong online program, A Year of Body, Speech & Mind

I really enjoyed being with you all during the November 17 Facebook Live broadcast as we connected with the beauty and power of silence.

We normally think of silence as a passive state. But when we rest fully in awareness of the silence within and around us, silence can give rise to many positive qualities. In that awareness, one can experience spontaneous joy, love, inner liveliness, deep healing, natural communication, and pervasive luminosity.

During the Month of Speech (November 17 – December 16, 2021), let’s discover the healing power of silence in everyday life. Instead of our normal, effortful way of connecting with others — trying to resolve a problem by arguing, making our presence known by talking a lot, or engaging in speech that is pain-based, lost, disturbed, disconnected, or unaware — we can notice what we’re doing, allow our voice to rest in the awareness of silence, and discover the power of silence to heal.

Let’s try to do this at least three times a day during the Month of Speech.

— Tenzin Wangyal Rinpoche