By Scott Campsall
How comfortable are you with silence?
We live in a world that believes it’s better to be multi-tasking and I’m just as guilty (maybe more so) than anyone else. I find it difficult to sit without checking my phone for messages that I may have missed. I ache while driving thinking of all the tasks I must do that include emails, arranging appointments, and creating social media posts. Sometimes I can’t wait before I can type out the email to that parent who has a question, and I end up pulling over to do it.
I have recently turned off notifications on my phone that will tell me when emails and messages come in. Why? Because I want to force myself to ‘be in the moment’. What I learned was that emails can wait. Nobody freaks out if it takes me a couple of hours to respond. I also don’t need to immediately see that video or meme that someone sent me.
Zanshin (残心) is a Japanese martial arts term that translates as “remaining mind”. It’s a state of relaxed intention and focus.
One of the biggest tips instructors teach in self defence classes is the importance of being aware of your environment and being aware of yourself. Knowing when someone is getting close enough to you to become a potential threat could make the difference between whether you get into an altercation or not. Being aware is the ultimate self defence technique.
Living a life that forces you to act with a purpose instead of mindlessly falling victim to distractions not only protects you from potential dangers; it allows us to cherish the valuable minutes in our lives. We can enjoy our time with our loved ones. We can appreciate nature. We can learn from the actions of others around us. We can do things to make our environment and the people around us better.
.So, my original question, ‘how comfortable are you with silence?’ can be answered like this. Get in a line. It could be a literal line at a grocery store or even waiting your turn in a doctor’s office. Do you need to look at your phone? If yes, try putting it down and just relax. Then, look at the others around you. Are they on their phone? What are they doing? Are they typing a message at least or are they just scrolling? It may seem like a small experiment, but it could be a way to show you how aware you truly are of your surroundings. Even a small realization can provide a unique moment to create zanshin and in life every second counts. We only have so much time in our lives. How do you want to spend it? Being aware or being distracted?