This is my first rainy day since arriving in the high desert. The sounds and smells are a unique combination I’ve not experienced in the coastal regions I normally live in.
Here is a picture of the rain in the mini pine forest in the backyard.
I also attempted video that would convey the sound, including thunder, but that doesn’t seem to work with this platform.
You may wonder what thunder and rain have to do with silence, but actually our minds can only really register silence in contrast with sound. Rain is particularly good to focus on because the sound is made by each individual drop. If you listening closely enough, you can hear the intervals of silence between each drop.
Of course there is always still the background sound that was there before the rain, which is why what we’re really calling silence is simply the absence of a particular sound.
The reason to engage in this exercise is that it clears the mind of the mental chatter that is normally there, preventing us from receiving the blessings of intuition, peace of mind, neurological harmony, and insight. We become healthier in body and mind when we practice focusing our attention on something like the gaps between raindrops.
The next time you find yourself in the rain, or in the presence of any sort of intermittent sound, such as a rolling ocean or streaming traffic, give it a try. Let yourself absorb your attention into the space between the sounds. Just listen. Discover what you don’t already know.
Resteems always appreciated