** Silence **

Today, I am practicing SILENCE !! I am on a "Mouna Viradham". Though the actual meaning of Mouna Viradham is to remain silent both internally and externally - I am at the very beginning stage. Its different to remain silent when there is no necessity to speak; easy to remain silent in a forest or in a place where we have no one or no known persons to talk to. But, to stay silent at home, when things are happening that concerns you - I have to accept, its difficult. By controlling instinctive reactions, a fierce battle ranges on inside - which defeats the purpose of silence. Its like the Buddha story, where his disciple questions him on carrying a beautiful lady across the river - Buddha says, "I left her yesterday itself at the banks of the river and you are still carrying her in your mind?"!! Having said that, I feel, its good to practice - as I think its a step towards the right direction. Slowly the inner battle will die down.

-Gowri