Two Monks and Silence — Unknown

Image by vined mind from Pixabay

Two monks, walked together during a long journey home.  After hours of wandering in silence the younger monk finally spoke. “Master”, he said, “I have been practicing silence as you’ve taught me, but I find it very difficult. My mind is full of words — even when I don't speak them. The older monk picked up a stone and threw it into a pond. “Did you hear that” He asked? “Yes, master,” said the younger monk.

“Then you know the sound of words”, said the master. “Now hear the sound before the stone hits the water.” The younger monk stood perplexed.  The Master then declared, “that is the sound of silence. It's not the absence of sound — it's what's there before sound arises.”