Silence is my language

Ramana Maharshi is the silent one, teaching the pure non-dual essence through perfect silence. What exists in Truth is the Self alone. The Self is that where there is absolutely no 'I'-thought. That is called silence [mauna]. The Self itself is the world; the Self itself is 'I'; the Self itself is God.

The inner silence is self-surrender. And that is living without the sense of ego. Solitude is in the mind of humanity. Silence is ever speaking; it is the perennial flow of 'language'. It is interrupted by speaking; for words obstruct this mute language. Silence is permanent and benefits the whole of humanity. There is consciousness along with quietness in the mind; this is exactly the state to be aimed at.

By silence, eloquence is meant. It is the best language. The thought-free experience of the Self is silence. There is a state when words cease and silence prevails. That state which transcends speech and thought is silence. That state in which the 'I'-thought does not rise even in the least is silence. The experience of silence is alone the real and perfect knowledge.

Sages say that the state in which the 'I'-thought does not rise even in the least, alone is Self which is silence. That silent Self alone is God; Self alone is the individual soul. Self alone is this ancient world. All other knowledge are only petty and trivial knowledge; the experience of silence alone is the real and perfect knowledge. Know that the many objective differences are not real but are mere superimpositions on Self, which is the form of true knowledge. That which is, is silence. How can silence be explained in words?

A vow of silence is but a vow. It may help in meditation to some extent, but what is the use of keeping the mouth shut and letting the mind run riot? The pure state of attention to the Self alone is one's own state of silence, which is devoid of any other thing.

The Guru is the bestower of silence who reveal the light of Self-knowledge, which shines as the residual Reality. Spoken words are of no use whatsoever if the eyes of the Guru meet the eyes of his disciple. Silence, which shines alone as consciousness of being, possesses the glory of being the highest and most potent tapas [spiritual effort].

Silence – which is not only the means to liberation but also that which abides as the very nature of liberation itself – has a matchless magnificence. If you adhere to that path of silence, the means to liberation, there will be no suffering of any kind. The Supreme Reality that is liberation is experienced only by perfect silence. Indulging in thoughts drives it away. To attain liberation, the door to which is silence, the ego that rises as a separate 'I' should be completely destroyed.

Silence is the best and most potent initiation. That was practised by Dakshinamurti. Initiation by touch, look, etc. are all of a lower order. Silent initiation changes the Heart of all. Silence of a realised being is most powerful. He sends out waves of spiritual influence which draw many people towards him. Yet he may sit in a cave and maintain complete silence. He never needs to go out among the public. If necessary he can use others as his instrument.

Silence is ever-speaking. It is the perennial flow of language which is interrupted by speaking. These words which I am speaking obstruct that mute language. For example there is electricity flowing in a wire. With resistance to its passage, it glows as a lamp or revolves as a fan. In the wire it remains as electrical energy. Similarly, silence is the flow of language obstructed by words.

When one remains without thinking, one understands another by means of the universal language of silence. What one fails to know by conversation extending to several years can be known instantly through silence. Dakshinamurti is a good example of this. This is the highest and most effective language.

Source: http://www.inner-quest.org/Ramana_Silence.html