The notes I handle no better than many pianists. But the pauses between the notes—ah, that is where the art resides.
— Artur Schnabel
During our life-changing 500+ mile Camino de Santiago pilgrimage last year, we discovered something unexpected among the endless footsteps, physical challenges, and breathtaking landscapes. Between the rhythmic crunch of gravel beneath our boots and the shared conversations with fellow pilgrims emerged what we came to call “The Symphony of Silence”—those sacred moments when words fell away, when the mind quieted, and when the deepest insights arrived unannounced. This pilgrimage taught us that true wisdom often reveals itself not in the constant forward momentum, but in the spaces between—when we finally allow ourselves to simply be.
In the grand orchestra of life, we often celebrate the notes—those moments of achievement, connection, and expression that form the melody of our existence. Yet, there’s a profound wisdom in recognizing that without the silences between those notes, there would be no music at all.
The spaces between—the pauses, the breaths, the moments of stillness—aren’t merely absences. They are where meaning takes shape.
Just as a musician understands that music lives as much in the rests as in the played notes, humanity’s greatest insights often emerge not from constant action, but from mindful intervals of quietude.
Our modern world pulses with perpetual noise. The unrelenting flow of information, the constant ping of notifications, and the pressure to produce, achieve, and respond immediately—all create a cacophony that drowns out the very spaces where wisdom germinates. We’ve forgotten that creativity requires fallow periods, that relationships deepen in comfortable silences, and that solutions emerge when minds are given room to wander.
The most profound human connections often happen in shared silence—that moment when words fall away and something deeper emerges. Our collective humanity isn’t just expressed through what we say and do, but through our capacity to be present in stillness together.
What if we deliberately composed our lives with more strategic silences? What if we honored the spaces between as sacred ground for renewal, reflection, and revelation?
The call is clear: Create silence. Defend it fiercely. Schedule it deliberately. Embrace it gratefully. Let it be the fertile soil from which your most authentic life grows.
Today, carve out moments of intentional pause. Turn off devices. Sit in nature. Breathe deeply. Listen to the world around you without needing to respond. In doing so, you’ll discover what every great composer knows—that the silence between the notes isn’t empty space, but the very thing that allows the music of your life to resonate with meaning and power.
Editor’s Note: Enjoy our evolving Exploring Our Shared Humanity Series HERE
During a recent road trip, I brought a long a few books to read and a pad and pens. The book, The Visual Encyclopedia of The Little Prince, got me to pause and speak to myself, and to jot notes. While I haven’t finished the book, I have let concepts stir in my mind. I know this will continue during a few walks and some doodling, too. Mulling is something I do without music, in a room, or while walking.
Today more than ever it is necessary to find time to isolate ourselves to find ourselves and recover our creativity. It is in this deeper mode of attention that you can press the reset button and you can also find new ideas. Immersion in nature or listening to good music or just stopping to reflect can be safe options to improve creative thinking skills and awaken intuition.
Breaks are not intended only as simple moments of leisure in which to carry out pleasant activities, as opposed to daily obligations, but even as times “outside”, without goals, without a clock, or deadlines. Moments of suspension, of inertia, to listen to what comes from within, from our deepest and often unheard part.
The world is getting very loud. But silence is still accessible: it only takes commitment to cultivate it.
Beautifully articulated, Aldo. Your emphasis on the necessity of isolation for self-discovery and creative renewal is profoundly important. The appreciation for moments of “outside” time, free from obligations, alongside the reminder that silence is still accessible, is truly valuable. Thank you for highlighting these essential practices for fostering creativity and inner peace.
Thank you for your interest.
This is such an insightful post Dennis and rings true more today than at any other time in our history of life on this Earth.
Our days are mostly noise with limited information.
Only with silence can we process, and understand the information that is of value to us. Silence is the personal refuge for each of us to really, and I mean really understand all of that which is tossed our way each day.
Indeed, David. I appreciate your perspective. Recognition of silence as a vital space for processing and understanding amidst the daily influx of noise captures is simply invaluable. Thank you.
You are welcome Dennis. Thanks for all you do to make this world a better place through the stories that you and so many others share on Bizcatalyst360. We need these messages now more than ever.
As I was reading your lovely post, Dennis I paused remembering that most of my creative ideas emerged when I was sleeping or when taking rest during the day and closing my eyes for few minutes.
Then you showed this is true, ” We’ve forgotten that creativity requires fallow periods, that relationships deepen in comfortable silences, and that solutions emerge when minds are given room to wander.”
I agree and those moments of silence we should keep regardless of the mounting pressure to do more in less time while avoiding distractions coming from various directions.
A masterpiece my friend. Thank you for sharing your musical thoughts.
“In silence, one can find the purest form of wisdom.” … Thank you, my friend!