Mauna Practice

There once was an ancient time when man had no need for speech as we know it. Communication and life was less complex. As we advanced as a race, so did our technology and our communications. We developed our own complex languages and eventually came into the digital age where we communicate by computers, cell phones, and all sorts of devices. We go to big universities and get doctorates in language itself, communication, and speaking itself is a requirement no matter what career path you choose. Our communication skills are rated and judged as how well we integrate and contribute to society. But what about non-communication?

We hear of monks taking vows of silence, people being born mute, without the ability to speak, people who are the shy, quiet type who avoid speaking when possible, but what if we all took a moment each day to practice this act of being mindfully non-verbal as a way of healing? Taking it one step further, beyond the silence of meditation, beyond the silence of prayer, beyond the silence of rest? 

Silence is practiced across many cultures from Native American, Japanese, Indian, Scandinavian, Greek and many more across the globe. We will use the practice of Mauna as an umbrella example to delve deeper into what this silence practice is. Mauna is simply, the practice of silence. But not just the silence of speech, but also the silence of mind. While taking the speaking out of the process, it brings awareness more to the random thoughts that enter our mind, that can no longer be released thru words. We must become mindful in our thoughts and practice quieting our mind as well. To me, quieting the mind is much easier when we remove the exit avenue for our thoughts. We remove these random thoughts and just be....be in the moment, be in the stillness of our mind.

Practicing silence is a great conservator of energy. It reminds me of what we do when we are tired - we get quiet. Why? To conserve our energy because we become too tired to speak. The less time we spend voicing our thoughts, the more our thoughts can slow, our brainwaves slow and change, and the less we externalize our energy, the more we gain energy to put toward positive rejuvenation. Silence also helps us to be mindful of our thoughts and participate less in judgements of others, arguments, and negativity. It brings our mind into a higher sense of peace and tranquility and is a wonderful way to grow spiritually and heal. 

Some people practice silence to inspire healing of an illness. by calming the inner and outward conversations, the brain and nervous system can enter a state of greater health and well-being, affecting any illness and suffering in a positive way. People also practice silence to provide balance from their lives that must be spent communicating alot with others thru jobs, family, and recreation. Practicing Mauna also brings about a strength, will, peace, balance, inner wisdom, joy, stages of awareness and happiness that cannot be achieved by any other practice.

My personal practice with Mauna was a couple of weeks ago. I was searching for an answer to deal with a difficult family member who was visiting after the holidays. After years of trying other positive methods of coping, the method of silence was an extreme answer but one well received. Sometimes we come across people that can create undue stress thru exchange of conversation and words, tone, and intent. By practicing Mauna, the pressure of giving that exchange of words power, was nonexistent.

I fasted for several days prior to our visit, spent extended periods each day in Mauna practice to get my body, mind, and spirit used to the extent that I was going to be in practice for a period of 60 hours for my first exended session. I educated my husband and children on the practice, “voiced” the terms of which I would be practicing which were to not speak by mouth but would reply to a text if absolutely necessary, nod yes or no to questions, and mime any necessary direct communication then proceeded to begin my first extended Mauna practice. But, for the most part, I would stay as close to center as possible. My husband was my spokesperson when we had to travel out in public which was also an interesting discovery. I found that any time I was requested to communicate a needed answer, my children and husband slowed their own brainwaves, came to a different level of understanding, and no words or magnificent guestures were even necessary...they just knew what I was trying to convey. Me, my husband, and my children were noticeably calmer during this difficult visit, which is normally not the case. It seemed to take all of my family to a different level of a more positive experience. Although the visitor could not exchange words with me, it put more of a peace and calm between us instead of stress and anxiety. And when negative words were directed toward me, they simply fell. They had no fuel and tranquility, mindfullness, balance, and revitalization remained in my being and my center was maintained unshaken. The public domain also was very intrigued with the idea and could sense the peace and calm I had achieved and in this hustle and bustle world we live in, people long for that feeling that was eminating from my being. People really need the chance to just “be”. We are often to caught up in what was or what could be with our willful thoughts.

Practicing Mauna is fairly simple. There are versions that are more structured in intent, but we will talk about a simpler version here. Mauna can be done for short periods of time or be extended as long as you feel necessary to commit to it to meet your desired outcome. It can be done with absolutely no communication or with nonverbal cues like nods and writing. One of the keys, for me, was to pick a time that would be the least disruptive (on a weekend away from work) and wouldn’t be exposed to alot of people that wouldn’t be supportive. Once you choose your start time and end time and notify anyone who might be involved in your practice, you can begin your by stating your intentions for your practice, bring yourself into center and envelope mindfulness, staying aware of your inner self, then enjoy just being!

Its funny how we spend all this time learning and teaching skills in public speaking, communication, multiple languages, grammar, computer languages, etc. but what about the art of non-speaking being taught beyond meditation? It would be an interesting thing to begin to teach our children the energetic version of the quiet game. For these short times, our children can learn to deal with stress and always stay connected to their inner self by not only just “not speaking” and trying to be silent for a short period but make it more interesting by sharing with them why or give them an interesting thing to meditate on while practicing the quiet game. They can focus on a color, shape, emotion, word, phrase within their heart center or tummy or third eye. The options are limitless and beneficial just the same.

If you find this an interesting practice, I encourage you to learn more and try it for yourself. In my first practice, I already inspired all my children to do it and 2 of my friends, a coworker, and my massage therapist and am thankful for the guidance I received in this practice and hope to continue to practice it and share its benfits with others. ~Namaste~