The article presents a typology of silence in social interaction, based on a number of features, including the number of participants in the interaction, the identity of the text that is left unsaid, and the intention of the silent person. Four types are proposed—conversation, thematic, textual and situational.
Silence is not an absence of communication, it is an important communication tool. We rarely talk about the power of silence as a tool for effective communication. Silence is not just an absence of noise; it can be as important as speech as part of communication.
Tips on how to use silent communication effectively
Here's how: Use gestures. When silently listening to others, use your eyes, gestures, and posture to convey interest. For example, continue eye contact if that is something the other person is comfortable with, and nod to indicate you acknowledge what they are saying.
Finally, silence serves as a type of nonverbal communication when we do not use words or utterances to convey meanings.
With all of the constant noise you hear on a day-to-day basis, embracing silence can help stimulate your brain and help you process information. It can also help you become more self-aware and relieve stress. Embracing silence may also help you settle into the present moment and quiet any racing thoughts.
Silence creates an environment conducive to focus and concentration, allowing you to perform tasks more effectively. One of the major reasons why silence has become an important part of everyday life is the ability to focus as the modern world and its various noises enter your brain all at once.
In practice, it's quite simple: after you ask a question, wait at least four seconds for the answer (or more, depending on the situation). It's “golden” because—as the company puts it—a well-placed silence will “significantly improve the quality and the quantity of the information the salesperson receives.”
Even when you're silent, you're still communicating nonverbally. In some instances, what comes out of your mouth and what you communicate through your body language may be two totally different things.
Here is the rule of silence: In any conversation or meeting, the person who is more comfortable with silence has the advantage.
The word “silence” comes from “silere” (unknown origin and meaning to be quiet or still), which then gave origin to the Latin “silentium” (being silent), and after that the French “silence” (absence of sound).
Through silence you can realize the quiet witness within you. That silence is the spirit or awareness. Your awareness is silent. It never tells you anything.
Silence speaks volumes when they don't recognize, acknowledge, or refuse to understand. It's the loudest sound there is when words do not adequately express thoughts to deaf ears. It speaks through the hurt when it's too painful to talk. It lets them know they've hurt you, not even sure if they are aware or even care.
Silence can mean many things in interpersonal relationships. It's ambiguous. It can express lots of different emotions ranging from joy, happiness, grief, embarrassment to anger, denial, fear, withdrawal of acceptance or love.
In fact, silence is more relaxing than listening to meditative music and just two minutes of silence improves blood circulation and reduces blood pressure to ease tension from the body and brain. Furthermore, when you're not stressed, your natural biological mechanisms can heal and repair your body.
Positive Silence: Care & Openness
It's a positive silence when others are taking in what someone else has said, the silence of committing to enter a tough conversation as your best self—or of waiting long enough to ensure there's space for quieter voices.
When you go silent on a man, it makes him miss you more and think of how to come back to you. Indeed, silence after a breakup is usually frustrating and confusing for anybody; let alone for a man. Men respond to silence and distance emotionally.
It seems to me that a lot of times we talk just so we won't keep quiet, thinking that silence is something to be ashamed about, something to be avoided. But it's not. There's nothing wrong with silence.
When you don't know enough about a situation or other people are experts or when your opinion has no impact on others, it's often better to stay silent, just because it's the wisest thing to do. “Silence is the best answer to someone who doesn't value your words.”
In the same way that noise can cause tension and stress, silence releases tension from the brain. According to research, sitting in silence for about two minutes can be more beneficial than listening to 'relaxing music' because of the way it changes blood circulation and pressure in the brain.
It Shows a Level of Ease With Each Other
It doesn't mean you don't have anything to talk about; it just means that you feel comfortable enough to enjoy those moments of silence together.
The vow of silence is also relevant in the training of novices and is often cited as a way to resist the allures of samsara, including those posed by the opposite sex. Buddhist monks who take a vow of silence often carry an iron staff called khakkhara, which makes a metallic noise to frighten away animals.
When you practice solitude and silence, you allow your brain to process your emotions, rather than suppressing them and remaining on autopilot. You may feel some uncomfortable emotions through this process, but the sooner you recognize and address your feelings, the sooner you can move forward in health and freedom.