One of my favorite things to do, not necessarily every single day, but more days than not, is to get up around 5am and actually sit in the quiet. As I sit here writing, I hear nothing outside, not even the birds are up yet. Inside the ceiling fan whrrrrs and the refrigerator hums, but thats it. I find almost as much enjoyment out of listening to the quiet as I do listening to Rachmaninoff on my record player. I actually don't know many people who like to dwell in this place of quiet for several reasons. First of all, they would rather sleep, stating who in their right mind would get up that early to hear the quiet? Secondly, they wouldn't be able to sit still in the quiet, because they would be constantly trying to figure out how to fill it, not really finding any benefit at all to spending time that way. And third, if you're going to be up that early, then why not be productive in some way.
Well of course to each his own, and I certainly don't own the corner market on the ten most desirable ways in which to spend your early morning moments, but at the same time wondering, why is that so appealing to me? I know.....the person who teaches never to ask why of anything in this life, but for this seems to ponder on finding some explanation. I could just sit here and enjoy it, and I do, but for once this early morning I felt compelled to share it with someone.
My trusty percolater with it's gentle blupe, blupe blupe, blupe, blupe blupe......waiting for me each morning to plug it in so it can fill the room with this heavenly aroma. The sky is still dark, but my 30 year old lamp still provides just enough light for me to write. My tray with coffee and toast sits at my side for my early morning nourishment, for with my need to eat every three hours, six hours of sleep is too long without filling up again. The coffee is sublime, and thank God it's on the approved list lately for being beneficial to your health. Even though if it weren't...I would still drink it. I believe some vice's are good, unless of course you abuse them......so I'll justify my 2 cups in the morning.....after all....they're small ones.
So you may be asking by now, what does she think about in the quiet moments? I guess you would have to try it and see what comes up for you, but more than anything, it soothes the mind.......not like closing your eyes and going to sleep at night because you aren't aware of it. Maybe its the awareness of it that makes it so appealing. During the day, especially if you live in the city, the air is constantly filled with noise, so much so I find it almost impossible to even hear myself think. There is no way I can get through a day without shutting the windows, turning on the fan and turning the phones off so I can close my eyes and be quiet for at least 45 minutes. It feels as if my mind and body will go into overload if I don't.
With the early morning hours, it's as if I'm the only one alive. As if God has set aside a few precious moments just for me to enjoy, no one else. If He has anything to say to me at all, He would say it now, and if I were going to listen....I would listen now. If there would be a time for me to experience ease of physical pain, no confusion, no sadness and complete clarity.....it would be now. If there were to be lessons learned, then I would be open enough to learn them, because my mind is not busy trying to process something else.
As the hour passes, and the sky lightens.....the world is starting to move about. It's not quite as still and quiet, but what I hear is not overbearing, but it is still taking the place of my empty space. See how quickly it all went? The birds are probably awakened by the train whistle this morning, easing out of their trusty little birdhouses or cozy corners in the tree, the early morning flights flying off to new places race across the sky and that city hum where cars are starting to move about and people are slowly getting geared up for the day. Sounds enchanting doesn't it? But the quiet is gone, and I wonder if maybe I should just set the clock for 4 each morning, so I can soak it up even longer. It's too bad you can't bottle this time and stick it in your pocket, as if you're filling up your thermos of coffee for a pick me up later in the day. Unfortunately the only way in which to experience is to wake up at 5 and see what it feels like. Not 6.....but 5.
I'm not likely to get a following anytime soon, but someday I hope that everyone would just try it once. There should be a way to market it for those diehard sleepers who would never consider trying an early morning anything. Maybe in an attractive package to sell, for after all, if someone were looking for a way in which to make money, I can assure you this would be a instant success.
I read something about 10 years ago, which I remember quite often. Its a quote by Deepak Chopra, a man that believes that one of Gods greatest gifts is quiet and solitude.
"You need not do anything....just remain sitting at your desk and wait
You need not even wait, just listen
You need not even listen, just learn to become still and quiet, solitary, and the world will freely offer itself to you to be unmasked.......it has no choice, it will rule with ecstacy at your feet."
I love that.
