Question

Silences are never empty of information

Answer 1

Silence lets us hear the flawless symphony of sounds of nature, manifest in both the lightness of the wind that turns into a breeze that caress the trees, and the flight of birds chirping; in the therapeutic "noise" of the movement of the waves, in the serenity and peace of those who approach the farewell. And, in silence, we discover and delighting in the world. "It is indeed a "be quiet" that characterize the human order, replacing clarity and distinction to the human turmoil and making it possible the action on the rubble of the excitement"¹⁵ According to Ahya et al.,²² in the context of palliative care, when words have no real sense, when our knowledge hit a great impotence, it is still possible to enter in the complex world where the contact, the look and body language become the only messengers of the deep communication with the other.²² Sharing this need for silence is provide quality care. Being presente in silent with another person who is suffering is recognised as challenging. Which brings us to the breakdown of these moments of extreme deep wealth and ruin the deep relationship that could have established that instant, is the impotence and inability to manage emotions and silences. Several papers describe it as an act of non-abandonment demonstrating willingness to remain in an uncomfortable place.^15,23,24"But change can be stressful and uncomfortable because it leads to an individual confrontation." ¹

Tornøe et al²⁵ find that being in silence requires a mental shift from ‘doing something for the patient’ to ‘being with the patient’ (p.6) and this demands personal courage. Silence, as presence, is a difficult skill to master, it takes experience, and practise. It involves letting go of ego and a shift of focus from self to other that is integral to compassionate care.²⁶ It is essential to preserve this silence that is on the verge of extinction in a world that lives in a hurry. The kind of silence that allows us to meditate, contemplate and feel. "The silence that allows us to feel the presence of someone, very close to us, and that, despite the buzz of gestures, listen without talking."^27–29 This artigle not seeks to provide answers, but to stimulate discussion, and new reasearch and interpretation. We need to deepen undersatanding the quality of therapeutic silence as a core element of care. Which, although intangible, will always be fundamental.