By: Rebecca Li
The Chinese words for Silent Illumination can also be translated as "serene clarity." It is a helpful choice of words because serene does not immediately imply no sound, which tends to be the automatic association most of us make with the word silence. The word serene evokes tranquil, calm, unflustered, or unagitated. Letting be. For example, seeing thoughts and allowing them rather than pushing them away. Think of Silent Illumination as this practice of allowing. We can be serene about what is going on and clearly aware that there are thoughts. We needn't fall into our compulsion to push them away or act on them; instead, we can allow the thought to be here--fully seen, heard and experienced--and move on.