Typically, I wouldn’t have thought of silence as being powerful attribute that could be used in a positive way. I remember getting the silent treatment as a child and that felt punishing. I thought of silence as a negative quality. Silence seemed to be a management technique, a way to keep you quiet and keep you down. It wasn’t until participating in a women’s organization called SOFIA (Society of Femininity in Action) founded by Dr. Judith Wright that I began to see the power of silence in a whole different light.

Silence is a feminine quality. When used appropriately, it is a powerfully positive influence. One example that comes to mind for me is the guard at the Unknown soldier’s tomb. The guard stands there in silence, in reverence, holding space. It is moving and inspiring. I have watched women stand in silence in the back of a room supporting the leader in the front of the room. I believe the say prayers, protect the space and add positive energy. They are many examples that go unnoticed.

In the movie Beyond Rangoon- there is a powerful moment where Aung San Suu Kyi remains silence, holds eye contact and walks through a line of militia aimed to shoot her and they tremble. That scene brings tears to my eyes and chills to my bone. She is clearly a stand for the power of silence which as I am learning can be taken for granted.

What do you think about the power of silence? In what ways have you used silence for positive reasons and when have you used it to be hurtful or communicate negatively?