[Procyona]

In training session we are working silently, and there is also silence between confersations. People usually need silence to fall asleep and to concentrate. What kind of role does silence have in your lives and how do you define silence?

For me silence means a time for myself, and also a time for relaxation. In silence I can just listen to rain fall or birds singing. This kind of natural silence is reraly found in the city, as the ftraffic noice is everywhere. That is why I like to travel to forest, to hear the silent whisper of the woods.

In conversations, silence might be awkward, but it can also mean politeness. That way the other person is let to end his or her talk before I start mine. With good friends, it does not matter if we don't talk, because silence itself contains so many things, as we can already read each other without words.   

[Haveunique]

While speaking, people usually can't do what they do with a 100% devotion. Also, being silent for a while in a life where talking takes so much place, is a great treat And by the way, the approach to conversing, common in Finland, is an experience to learn from on how to appreciate silence!   

[Procyona]

How do you feel about the Finnish silence then, Tetyana?   

[Сифу Юрий Марченко]

Silence is really a very effective tool, in negotiations, in training also. Some of my students told me, that after the first training they really appreciated the silence as a working atmosphere in training room. It allows to students to learn more and understand better, to focus on instructor and partner.   

[Haveunique]

[Haveunique]

Thank you, SiHing! Also, word becomes a stronger tool when it is used sparingly.   

[Procyona]

It's true: word become more precious when they are used less.

Sometime silence also works as a way to make someone talk, as it indicates a will to listen better than any persuasion.   

[Gra-ach]

And sometimes it's a way of intimidation of another being. It depends on how you feel about silence and as you said, Procyona, how at peace you feel with whoever you're silent with. Sometimes you don't need words, because even being silent together is a token of trust and reassurance.   

[Haveunique]

Yeah, we were just talking about it today - that silence may mean different things, and usually our reaction shows our stereotypes In fact, silence is silence and each person is different. So by getting to know someone we can learn what things mean to them, but guesswork before can be frustrating or fun, but in both cases a waste of time.   

[Gra-ach]

Well, you may add meaning to your silence. You know like when a teacher asks a question and makes a pause before choosing a student to answer And in this pause, good students are frantically trying to recall the answer to the posed question.   

[Procyona]

Yes, silence can held so many different meanings to people in different times and places, because there is no verbal sign of what it means. Sometimes people assume the silence as what they want it to be.
Also, silence is not just a lack of noise, it's full of noises we cannot, or choose not to hear   

[Haveunique]

What meaning do you have for your silence?

For example, when I am completely in the process of work, I don't even think of talking. Distractions happen but I just note them happening and continue my stuff. How is it with you? Thanks.   

[Procyona]

Thanks Tetyana. While working silently, it is natural for to the mind to wander, and 'talk' about other things than the task at hand. It's nice if you feel you can easily come back to tasks.

Silence means many things for me. While I work, my silence means I am open for information, but only from the directing of what I am working on. Conversationwise It tells I want to hear more. I may be also silent if I am wondering the ideas just given to me, and add it to other knowledge I have.   

[Procyona]

Reposing a moment in silence or stillness lets your mind ease for too much hassle. That way it is becomes clearer to see where you wan to go. It kind of feels like you resonance with yourself.

This state is easy to attain by going for a walk into woods, for instance. When I once had a weekend long hiking trip in wilderness, I was at first very frustrated because I had nothing else to do but walk, cook, eat and sleep, and we traveled in silence most of the time. But after a while, it felt really peaceful and homy, and was totally worth it.   

[Kuzart]

I had familiar situation, when I was alone in Montenegro last summer. During that week I was talking only 2 or 3 times, and between that moments I was traveling, reading, swimming and eating only good seafood It was great holidays.