I live in that solitude which is painful in youth, but delicious in the years of maturity.
Albert Einstein
No, that is not a lampshade on her head, but it sure looks like one doesn’t it?! Oh… the days of my youth and the embarrassing moments like that. Ha! Anyway, it’s actually a cone of silence and I’ve got a good reason for wearing one of those lately.
I noticed the other day that some of my more recent posts resemble conversations that I have with myself. Not out loud, of course, but in my head. This post is not much different, but it’s about a new discovery for me so I hope you stay with me.
I often mention that I live in a sort of isolation, but when I saw this Einstein quote I realized that it’s not isolation at all, it’s solitude. There is a big difference. And I don’t live alone either, my mom and youngest son live here as well. I guess whenever I refer to isolation I’m talking about neglecting social connections, outside of the family that I live with. And I have since had two awesome get-togethers with my friends so I’m making real progress in that department.
Regardless, I loved this quote because it made me see one of the reasons that I enjoy this so-called solitude so much… because I’m older now. I imagine that if I was twenty, thirty, or even forty, I might regret being such a homebody- but I’ve reached the age where I know what I enjoy and I know what makes for a better quality of life for me, especially being slightly introverted- or at least living in my head a lot.
Which brings me to the cone of silence. I really do talk to myself in my head and, to be honest, most of the time I don’t make a lot of sense. I think about the past, I imagine the future, I doubt and question myself (which is what you read here sometimes in my posts), and the end result is a lot of unnecessary stress or anxiety.
Just after pondering this quote, and realizing that I question myself too much, I started reading The Power of Now, by Eckhart Tolle. I discovered that when I stop overthinking, or try to stop thinking at all, I experience a calm that is new to me. My focus has always been on changing my thinking – removing negative thoughts and replacing them with positive thoughts – but I never really thought about not thinking at all.
I’m not talking about being brain dead either. It’s about being present, and I’m learning some things about myself in this “not thinking” mode. I realized that my A.D.D. (also knows as an attention span of about 2 minutes, at most) is caused by an inability to shut off my own thoughts – which not only take over but ran rampant. Whenever I’m in my head, I’m not present… my body is there but “I” have left the building. And that is probably 95% of the time if not more.
So, that’s where my idea about the cone of silence came from. When doing some of the exercises he mentions (and I’m only a few chapters in), I somehow imagined this cone over my head and I had to laugh. It reminded me of the story of a man who started wearing a tinfoil hat to keep out mind-readers, or brainwashers, or something like that.
But I was amazed at how my thoughts have been easier to control. One thing he suggests is closing your eyes and thinking “I wonder what my next thought will be.” I tried it and it literally stopped my thoughts for a bit. If anyone else has read the book and has any input I’d love to hear it. Some of the things he says are a bit wild, but a lot of it makes sense.
Basically, I think it’s about guarding your mind, and I had already learned some of that through recovery. And I think that Einstein’s quote expresses how creativity and discoveries are more likely to come through when your mind is quiet.
Anyway, I thought I’d share this because I’m excited. I’m learning to quiet my (exhausting) mind, to be present, and to accept where I am, right now. And it is liberating.
That’s about all for now. It’s time to put on the cone and say goodnight.
Peace & Love, and I’d love to hear from anyone who has read the book and has thoughts on it! Or non-thoughts. 🙂
a sprinkle of faith 
Comments
20 responses to “Cone of Silence”
Hi Janet, my intent is not to rain on your parade, but rather provide you with some information that you may not be aware of regarding Eckhart Tolle. If you get the opportunity, could I ask you to read over the info on this link: https://bcooper.wordpress.com/2008/04/04/further-insight-with-regard-to-eckhart-tolle/ and if you wish to, let me know your thoughts. Off ramps off of the narrow path we Christians walk are many and I would suggest that Eckhart Tolle would definitely be one of them. Hope this doesn’t offend you. Blessings!
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Thanks Bruce. I looked it over and I’m reading it thoroughly shortly. I didn’t ask for only positive input, I asked for input… so not raining on my parade. I could already tell some of his beliefs would be controversial. I’ll respond further after I finish. Thanks again.
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Hi Bruce! I read as much as I could. It all makes sense and is in line with many of my thoughts on the Power of Now. My objective was not to change my beliefs but to learn to quiet my mind and be present. I did read a few things that caused my stomach to tense up and assume that’s because I saw how off some of the things he said were from what I have already been taught or have believed. Honestly, I had no idea where the book was headed until I got further and further into it and I’m still not that far. My interests are in the mind; how our thoughts can cause us harm and prevent us from living a joyful and content life… more the psychological aspects, or neurological even. I had never heard of this new earth thing either. Crazy. I appreciate your input and for showing me the article. Like I said, my goal was not and is not to change my beliefs. I found the first couple chapters helpful for the quieting of my mind, so as the article pointed out there are nuggets of things that are not so bad. I think I recognized that yes, it’s just nuggets and much of it is a bit whacky. One man will certainly not lead me astray, that’s about as scary as drinking the coolaid. I don’t know if this all makes sense to you. I already had thoughts on his bizarre ideas. So thanks again. I could say much more but I think I got my point across.
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Hi Janet, Thank you for getting back to me and actually reading through what I sent you. I sincerely appreciate that. I do hear what you are saying and you did get your point across. You’re right, there are always some nuggets given that can really resonate with us. I’ve done the same thing a couple of times in my past. I run into this with others sometimes and I don’t usually reach out, but I’ve followed you for quite a while now and you speak from your heart, so I had to at least try. We really have only one Shepherd that knows us far better than we know ourselves. Just tell Jesus how it is and He will take care of the rest. Trusting Him is the key and He is our source. And it is truly amazing what He can do. My wife of 50+ years now has dementia and it tears at the heart. But God’s grace meets and sustains my/our own weaknesses and literally changes and sustains my/our heart(s). And it’s all wrapped in His love. That’s because He does truly hear and He does truly care. And His wisdom far exceeds our own. And most importantly, there is peace there, in the midst of the storm. Give Him your hand Janet and He will get you through. Thank you again for hearing and for reaching back out to me. May our gracious Lord bless you and yours and satisfy your hearts. Love in Christ – Bruce
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Hi Bruce,
I wanted to say thank you for your kind comment, it touched my heart. I am sorry to hear about your wife. I am glad that He is seeing you through. I think I’ll always be looking out for nuggets because that’s my curious nature – and I sometimes find valuable tidbits that I believe I was meant to find. But I did stop reading the book for now. I am sure there are numerous books on quieting the mind out there that don’t take you over the deep end or off of cliffs. I kind of knew that it was going in the wrong direction, which may be why I asked if anyone had read it. Anyway, thank you again – have a blessed week.
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We all talk to ourselves inside. Normal!
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Agreed lol!
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I live by myself, talking out loud happens… 🤪
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🤣🤣
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Whenever I think of the Cone of Silence, I always think of Maxwell Smart and the Chief wearing Cones of Silence over their heads at CONTROL Headquarters in Washington DC on the TV program Get Smart.
It would begin with the Chief saying, “Larobee, lower the Cone of Silence.”
A minute later the Chief would say, “Larobee, raise the Cone of Silence.”
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Yes! That’s exactly what I thought of but I was afraid of trying to draw Get Smart lol!!! I even looked up images. Too funny!!! I also wasn’t sure who else had watched the show, it’s pretty old! 😳
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A man went to a psychiatrist and said, “Doctor, I’m always talking to myself.”
“That’s perfectly normal; why does that bother you?”
“Because I’m such a bore.”
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Too funny!!
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Love the Einstein quote–I so relate. And yes, there’s a difference between isolation and solitude–solitude becomes very productive, a goldmine.
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Agreed!
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😊
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I def need that cone over my head too. Mindfulness is magic. And I like your aggressive approach to it. That resonates with me. Just shut it off. Be present👏🏻 I will remember this when I practice.
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Thank you! I have definitely been more present lately, and more intentional in my thinking. So far it’s working… 🙂 !
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I love solitude. But I also like crowds. And being “Present’ I like that concept
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❤️
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