"الصمت هو لغة الله، كل ما عدا ذلك ترجمة رديئة."

The quote speaks to the idea that the truest form of communication, the most profound way to understand the divine, is through silence. Words, while useful, are imperfect and can distort the pure essence of what is being communicated. Silence, on the other hand, is seen as a direct channel to understanding something much larger and more important than ourselves.

This was said by Rumi, a 13th-century Persian poet and Sufi mystic. Rumi's works have been read and loved by many for centuries, often because they tap into universal truths about life, love, and spirituality. The context of his time—when mysticism and the quest for deeper spiritual understanding were central to many people's lives—helps us understand why he placed such high value on silence. For Rumi, God was not a distant entity but a presence one could feel deeply, especially in moments of quiet contemplation.

Imagine you’re sitting by a calm lake at dawn. The water is still, the world is just waking up, and there’s a profound peace that settles over you. In this moment of silence, without any words, you feel connected to something greater. That's exactly what Rumi is talking about. Words might fail to describe this experience fully, but in the silence, you understand it perfectly.

Here’s a practical way to apply this wisdom: incorporate moments of silence into your daily routine. You don’t have to be a mystic or a poet to benefit from this. Maybe it's a few minutes of meditative silence each morning before the hustle of the day begins. Or perhaps it’s turning off the car radio during your commute and just being with your thoughts. These quiet moments can help you reconnect with yourself and, if you believe in something greater, with the divine.

Think about a scenario where you’re grappling with a tough decision. You’ve talked to friends, read articles, and weighed the pros and cons endlessly. But clarity still evades you. Now, imagine taking a step back and just sitting in silence. No phone, no distractions—just you and your thoughts. In that silence, you might find that the answer comes to you more clearly than all the external advice ever did. It’s not magic; it’s giving your mind the space to process and your heart the quiet to speak up.

This reminds me of a friend who was trying to decide whether to move to a new city. She was torn, spending weeks discussing it with everyone she knew. Finally, she decided to take a weekend trip to a cabin in the woods—no TV, no internet, just nature and quiet. She told me that in the midst of this silence, she felt a sense of peace and clarity she hadn’t felt in months. She realized what she truly wanted and made her decision with confidence.

So next time you’re overwhelmed or seeking clarity, remember that sometimes the best way to understand is not through more words or even more thoughts—but through the profound simplicity of silence. It’s like having a heart-to-heart with the universe, with nothing lost in translation.