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What might happen if we listened deeply? If we really listened? In the tranquil chorus of nature, Gordon Hempton, an acoustic ecologist, experiences silence as 'the poetics of space' and 'the presence of time undisturbed.' He provides insight into how we perceive our locations based on their unique sounds and the value of true silence in our modern noisy world. Hempton defines silence not as the absence of sound, but as a void of noise pollution created by modern life, and warns that, with the pervasiveness of noise pollution, 'silence is on the verge of extinction.' However, all is not lost. As Hempton shows, reconnecting with the silence and sounds of the natural world can be emotionally therapeutic and expansive. As we listen, he suggests, our ego disappears, and we are one with nature.

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    Julie

    I heard so many familiar sounds of the forest, reminding me of the many times we visited Yosemite and went on hikes. The hikes in fall were resplendent with birds chirping in the trees and the sound of the wind gracefully flowing among the trees. In the winter, we would hear the crunch of snow under our snowshoes and take notice of the silence in the fields of snow when we stopped walking. We might then hear a sudden whoosh that was a dropping of the snow from the height of the big Sequoias down onto the snow in the ground. In the spring, the birds would be nesting and chirping away at their chicks, who were not quite ready to leave the nest. In the summer, the river would be making a rushing sound that filled our ears with a bubbling invitation to come sit with the river and cool off from the heat. I would sit in the river and listen to its splash against the large boulders. The river's sound was exciitng and loud. The clear water coming down from the heights and into the valley was both cooling and refreshing. The bounty of nature across the seasons was a feast for the senses as we took in the beauty, smelt the pine, felt the cool of the river and heard the crunch of the snow. We tasted its icy freshness, while enjoying the sight of the magnificent redwoods while hearing the screech of the hawks that soared above their towering grace.

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    Kathryn

    The beauty of a forest, the warmth of the trees, the sound of the birds and the breezes, are all primal and soothing. Thank you, Mr. Hampton, for taking me there.

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    Ameeta

    What a relief it is to disappear in the silence! How deeply meaningful it is to listen to the land. How restorative it is to let ourselves feel the unconditioned rhythms of life! Beautiful video thank you.

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    Vita

    What a beautiful video and what an incredible life's work of Gordon Hempton. I felt this deep longing as I watched and listened to the video. My body and mind rested, I wanted it to continue. Also, at the same time I wanted to turn it off and go into the woods and listen. Perhaps that's exactly what this video was supposed to do. Thank you.

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    Kristin Pedemonti

    thank you, this was profoundly beautiful and poignant. I loved the 360VR filming, to look around the spaces especially in nature was incredibly moving. the idea of so little silence and to listen more closely to nature stays with me. When I was in Alaska last summer, I had to opportunity to stay in a small town and travel remotely, the quiet away from much of human noise was deeply healing.

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    xander

    Everything about this video blew my mind. The author allowed himself to disappear. TO be background to the sounds of the Earth speaking. The video effectively contrasted the business and noisiness of human life and human mind that is always (it seems to me) immersed in the cluttered sounds of business. The video made clear that Silence is not empty or devoid of sound but is a space where Earth's many inhabitants and elements can be heard. Can share the space. I find it distressing that Silence is hard to find. I was very moved by the author standing alone recording the noise on the street. I think it is a kind of awareness lacking in modern cultures, but a quality of awareness so needed at this time.

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    Swati Butola

    "When i listen, i become quite, I become peaceful and I disappear"

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    Barbara Reis

    What inspired you about this video?I am propelled to write music, yet my innate nature is not to speak, to be naturally silent.

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    Barbara Backlar Reis

    I disappear when there is silence.

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    ubong Eyo

    When I truly listen I dissapear from the world of Form, and become one with the sound of Silence.

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    Elizabeth Guida

    The beauty, serenity, and the Oneness of ALL Life. You merge with the glorious surroundings and just BE! Thank you Gordon Hempton for bringing this into our awareness which will certainly bring more Peace!

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    Neil O’Keeffe

    When he talks about disappearing into the silence…this is what Buddhists refer to as emptiness being void of all of our senses and thoughts…truly the most peaceful place we can return to anytime and any place😊

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    Cristy

    As I imagined myself into those tranquil settings with Gordon, I couldn't help but wonder about all the smells and textures and other senses which also convey a sense of place. We are after all multisensory beings, with sound being only one. This video was a delight.

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    Dixon Withers-Julian

    "Things that are real are given and received in silence." Meher Baba

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    Monica Castillo

    Silence expands me.

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    Howie

    The central themes of how endangered sound is...that it's the unique sound of the land that makes us disappear...the poetry of space and the presence of everything that nurtures our nature. WOW! I going to be out in nature today and doing this in deeply. My refection of wonder is whether human have the superpower to listen beyond the noise to the sound. I am going to practice that today.

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    paul

    The quality of his voice, reverence. He illustrated silence in a cosmic dimention.

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    Tracy

    "The land IS speaking." "I think what I enjoy most about listening is that I disappear. I disappear." Gratitude.

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    Jane Weston

    When I truly listen I disappear. The edges of my physical body dissolve harmoniously. I feel at home.

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    Rachna

    Appreciation. Silence is the presence of nature and absence of I....In the early hours of the morning, silence surrounds and nourishes.

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    Liz

    When we managed to go camping or drive to "wilderness" for a few hours is the "poetic sounds of nature" (Gordon Hempton) that I am seeking to surrender. I immediately feel a state of joy, my thoughts dissipate, the Awe experienced through natural sounds deserve reverence.

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  • Learn more about Sanctuaries of Silence at the Global Oneness Project. 
  • Explore the work of Gordon Hempton at The Sound Tracker web site.
  • Find a quiet place in nature and really listen to the natural world around you.

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