The Gift of Silence | Nick Seaver | TEDxBeaconStreet

Nick Seaver is a dad, commuter, and busy professional who once upon a time, in the land before children, saved up a bit of money, stepped away from a busy professional life, put all his belongings into storage, and spent 18 months in the Rocky Mountains with his wife, in full time silent retreat, as part of the first major scientific study on meditation. Why would anyone do this? What does silence and solitude do to the mind? What were the challenges? Benefits? Is there anything that can be brought down from the mountains and into our busy, engaged lives?
Nick Seaver focuses on direct private investments at Ziff Capital
Partners where he feels fortunate to work with a group of terrific, purpose-inspired companies. Formerly, he was the CEO of Thanyapura, a destination resort offering programs through its Olympic-class sports training center, meditation center, integrative health center, and affiliated International Baccalaureate school. Once upon a time (2007), Nick and his wife participated in The Shamatha Project, the first major scientific study on meditation.
This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at ted.com/tedx

[@themodboychristian1039]

A still tongue keeps a wise head so silence is king.... Power

[@nicoleo6422]

christian ryan ego

[@SuperBhavanishankar]

@@nicoleo6422 how to perish the sense of my ego

[@ellias9900]

Ought brain responsible too,Miss pennywise.

[@dubs3400]

Many years ago I took a class in College in Zen Buddhism and part of the exercises we were required to get into a full lotus position meditating in silence. Today, I practice that at least once a day, sometimes several times a day. I find myself completely absorbed in the silence and have much clearer thinking; I have solved problems with projects, i find peace in the period of silence. It’s where God speaks to me and I find myself. In a world filled with complex sounds, noises and distractions, sitting in silence has had a profound effect on me. I recommend everyone do this at least once a day.

[@funnyguru910]

Actions are supposed to speak louder than words. Nowadays words speak louder than actions. I've seen people literally play everybody around them, never do any good for anybody else. But because they spoke a good game, people wanted them around. Then there's people that can't speak a good game, but they do good for everybody. But because they don't have that language skill and they can't speak that good game. No one wants them around. As long as you are helping people out it shouldn't matter if you are a good speaker or not. Silence is always better than talking anyways. You can't lie if your silent and always doing good. Now I'm not saying talking is a bad thing, but if somebody's always talkin good and trying to talk themselves up while they do the opposite, don't let them play you like that.

[@YesitisDex]

daniel mayer, welcome to marketing.

[@shanabanana9948]

You are very right.

[@mnn9256]

Perfect taking..u are the man

[@msj5807]

"..my minds like a bad neighborhood, I don't like to go there alone.." Hahaha! Love it! ♡♡♡♡

[@thisisbob1001]

Yeh I keep getting mugged everyday 😀

[@WRITE_R_WAY]

I've always been quite the opposite than the people around me. I love being in my head. It allows me to think clearly and not allow for others opinions to dictate my decisions. Being alone in your mind takes courage because you and only you will be responsible for the decisions you make and I think people don't like that because at the end they like having a villain to blame for their story. But at the end you are the villain and the hero. You just have to decide which one you'd rather be. And are willing to take on all consequences that come with the two. But of course, what do I know right, I'm always in my head.

[@shelisanjeshni7742]

Patrick Starks well said!! I’m 100% with you! But the society we live in today, some people view introverts as not normal. I’ve always been the quiet one, easy to make decisions on my own like you said. Never really followed any norms. People judge, people hate, for no reason. My mantra to everyone is to be yourself 100% and that comes from meditation, making you fully understand who YOU are before understanding people around us!! 😊✌️

[@WRITE_R_WAY]

@@shelisanjeshni7742 agreed! You are so spot on😊👌

[@1LovedbyHim]

@@shelisanjeshni7742 100% me! People don’t understand that I am an introvert ( a well-balanced one). They tend to think that I’m depressed and I’m finding myself having to explain that I’m a loner; I’m NOT lonely. Big difference! I became exhausted with explanations, so I became more introverted, and I’m loving every second!😂😂😂

[@papagolf5562]

Well said

[@lkeke35]

I call a lot of western culture: compulsory busyness One must be required to be seen doing or saying something, being productive in some manner, all day, every day. Any form of Idleness is considered bad.

[@MichaelDooney]

idle hands do the devil's work

[@websurfer1585]

I love silence and meditation, i could happily do it for hours every day.

[@robertchung8526]

I remember seeing this live, it was one of the best talks I saw all weekend.

[@Faith.Facts.Success]

WHEN TO BE SILENT 1. Be silent - in the heat of anger. 2. Be silent - when you don't have all the facts. 3. Be silent - when you haven't verified the story. 4. Be silent - if your words will offend a weaker person. 5. Be silent - when it is time to listen. 6. Be silent - when you are tempted to make light of holy things. 7. Be silent - when you are tempted to joke about sin. 8. Be silent - if you would be ashamed of your words later. 9. Be silent - if your words would convey the wrong impression. 10. Be silent - if the issue is none of your business. 11. Be silent - when you are tempted to tell an outright lie. 12. Be silent - if your words will damage someone else's reputation. 13. Be silent - if your words will damage a friendship. 14. Be silent - when you are feeling critical. 15. Be silent - if you can't say it without screaming. 16. Be silent - if your words will be a poor reflection of your friends and family. 17. Be silent - if you may have to eat your words later. 18. Be silent - if you have already said it more than one time. 19. Be silent - when you are tempted to flatter a wicked person. 20. Be silent - when you are supposed to be working instead. *"WHOEVER GUARDS HIS MOUTH AND TONGUE KEEPS HIM SELF OFF TROUBLE i have some quotes too

[@LocaComoAlyssa]

What Bible tells about silence is also wonderful ❤

[@shirleyramjit891]

So thats why keeping quityness is the best way

[@kennedykiser557]

I really do know people that cannot go to the bathroom on their own. These are the people that truly scare me.

[@imamea7946]

What’s scary about them?

[@purposedriven7748]

Love this, much needed confirmation. My journey is not in vain.

[@tohaheru5533]

Thank you

[@mcmacshalfilya]

Wishing U a Blessed New YEAR..

[@imamea7946]

McMac Shalfilya Thank you, you too

[@louisegogel7973]

At 4:04. “Personal change on a scalable basis is the real building block of lasting social change!”

[@mfletcherwellaware]

Nick, beautiful, heartful, smart talk. Thank you!

[@imamea7946]

You’re welcome, how did you hear me?

[@williamstanley4960]

I follow what I like to call Do Nothing Theory. Basically, it means you proactively "do nothing" between everything you do all day long. This requires you to actually only do things that are carefully selected proactively beforehand. You must harness your time. But, if you do, it is like putting a layer of bubble wrap around every part of your life, and I love it!

[@maryhumphrey2958]

Cheers to you Nick. Well said. I appreciate greatly your ability o deliver this message so that anyone can understand the benefits of meditation and do it daily as a doable practice. Lovely blend of the personal and the profound. Thank you.

[@nidhi0211]

Such a powerful message! WOW

[@aotaniao14]

Very profound, easy to understand, and yet powerful. Thank you Nick!

[@wingbake]

Thank you for so beautifully articulating the benefits, and relevance of meditation, for ourselves and for the world!

[@archangelyafafiah1021]

thank you for uplifting me.

[@taipeipersonality]

Very helpful. Obvious a lot of prep went into the content and the delivery. Well done.

[@Dd-po2ij]

I loved this. BLESS. U

[@azizhachimi8744]

WAW...what a brilliant talk...I learned a lot! Thank you SIR!

[@neldainubban4192]

True,it's a process of healing emotionally and in physical. I tried and helpful. Thanks

[@NatashaBontempi]

Congrats Nick by your courage to engage in something like this. I'm a mindfulness instructor and I'm sharing your video with my students in order to inspire them!. Thank you so much!

[@poornimaramesh5709]

It is calming to listen to him..

[@ziggyzugg]

Profound

[@havad3938]

This accidentally started playing; I'm glad I didn't bypass it.

[@sujatafernandes973]

Loved this talk👍👍

[@woodlandelf1412]

Beautifully presented

[@staceydelbucchia2576]

Awesome💗

[@katriendelbeke7658]

This is a very touching storry , Thank You very much for those beautiful telling words mmmmmm ;)

[@marciabrown2418]

Genesis 2:18-21. Explains our need for companionship. However it is good to learn how to be alone with yourself/thoughts.

[@sujatafernandes973]

Hi can u let me know what meditation do u practice. Thanks

[@HT_Ray]

Brilliant!

[@alyssatabigay6705]

Change yourself ➡️ Change the world

[@deankovacevic2604]

More toughts--less €nergy. Silance provides energy. Mess exsost;drains energy. Space brings power of organization,kristal clear

[@chungniataitalo8793]

Your vibe and this video made me really feel the peace. Damn its good the best God bless you and your wife my man

[@deankovacevic2604]

Exercise in contrast

[@nontsikelelomzayiyasharon4559]

No comment Just only moments of silence❤️

[@Sweetbellaxoxo]

This was amazing 👍🏼

[@merlinsvdd]

Even Jesus sat in solitude and silence too.

[@kabirsingh1682]

Sandra Van Den Driesen Jesus never existed. It’s all fabricated and lie.

[@marciabrown2418]

Kabir Singh What do you believe in?

[@sheepsneedreligion3862]

jesus was never born

[@imamea7946]

213 ovls 😂🤣🤣🤣

[@merlinsvdd]

@@kabirsingh1682 Well, that is what you believe in. Not me. To each his own. I respect that. God bless!

[@positivevibes3418]

❤

[@blankname1255]

THANKS this is the greatest advise I ever got . finally I got an answer how to make my wife shut up

[@brianbrown1454]

Silence is golden , duct tape is silver

[@angel1993gb]

❣❣

[@shirleyramjit891]

Lets our iner part spakes to us best way

[@WanderingNature]

How does a person find a retreat to go to?

[@fireflowyoga]

I like the talk. I don't really understand one thing: He mentions that moments of meditation can be very powerful. Many others mention that even 10 minutes a day of meditation a day works. So if 10 minutes a day works - why did he spend 18 months in silence ? There's a bit of difference between the 10 minutes and 18 months for 12 hours day.

[@havad3938]

18 months is profound; 10 mins. is all most can spare, and even that can make some difference.

[@ziggyzugg]

It's like losing a few pounds and feeling better as opposed to changing your diet and exercising for fitness every day..I am in the former category..did not think 10 mins wd make a difference..and it is hard to start with.. because your mind does not like it and tries all sorts of things to get you engaged again...but that is the point..to notice how your mind does this and gently bring it back....for 10 mins...and you will notice yourself getting better at it .. and you will notice a difference in how you feel

[@sujathag2334]

First be the change you want Mk - Gandhi

[@shahabwasely1799]

👍

[@dickturpin435]

Those who do not wish to be silent will say so.

[@keeganlshoemate6291]

To Tedxtalks: its domestic violence in Pascagoula, Mississippi

[@genierich1260]

My mom lives in Mississippi. I've begged her to move to Texas . Praying for all

[@kevinfukthezetamale4298]

Windbags are everywhere, they tax our energy to death.

[@imamea7946]

You’re taxing your own energy.

[@tomasgallegos3200]

Themself??

[@kevgh3869]

This video is literally ironic.

[@anilaathomas]

Kev G H why ??

[@imamea7946]

Isn’t it ironic? Donchathink?

[@kevgh3869]

@@anilaathomas Cause he is TALKING about being SILENT.

[@jackyalty3590]

you had me until you said British Parliament....absolute shambles....are you telling me it could be any worse!!! I understand that meditation in and of itself is useful for a great many of the reasons that you mention - I also worked in the UK with young people with Hyperkinetic Disorder (severe ADHD) - increasing the physical amount of freely available neurotransmitters necessary to ensure executive function skills etc would be hard to ameliorate without medication but then in the UK we do only offer medication to severely affected sufferers. You mention 'the gap' by Victor Frankl - in severe ADHD there isn't a gap between impulse/thought and action - the lack of the gap is physiological and it saddens me that this argument can be used against those who suffer from this life threatening and debilitating condition (ADHD risk taking causes deaths). I applaud your progress and agree that meditation and centering/grounding is effective and can make impact on those within normal physiological ranges but I question the premise that it can be that way when a developmental disorder is involved. In the same way that I question whether meditation can grow a new limb for someone born without. I hope I haven't caused offence.

[@WeepingAngels91]

I don't think he ever meant that we should NEVER supply meds to people with ADHD, just that it's not always necessary. You yourself mention that Hyperkinetic Disorder is a severe form of ADHD. Just because a severe form exists doesn't mean that we should handle less severe cases with the same tactics. The following comparison is by no means meant to be exactly the same, but consider a situation where a violent person is intending to kill someone with a gun. Perhaps the police may need to shoot him/her to prevent others from being harmed. If a violent person is intending to kill someone with a pencil, do we also need the police to shoot him/her as well? There are costs and benefits to all courses of action. If we use meditation as a treatment for severe ADHD, one benefit is that it is available to anyone for free, but one cost is that it may be ineffective. If we use medication as a treatment for less severe ADHD, one benefit is that it is reliable in its effectiveness, but one cost is that the financial burden on the healthcare system has now increased.

[@robingordon8317]

Sensory deprivation float :) find a float near you

[@WickedG5150]

It’s true! Floating is on another lever in my opinion.

[@TerryWalshDarkArtGen]

you spend 18 months in silence with your wife , then spend the rest of your time talking about it....

[@TonyCuckson]

How would you know anything about it otherwise.

[@TerryWalshDarkArtGen]

Tony Cuckson know about what? and why would i want to know ?

[@oregonangel1962]

@@TerryWalshDarkArtGen Be NICE ❤👼😇👼❤

[@mikell.6064]

I mean moaning is considered talking right? lol

[@chopin4321]

talk too much... to fast... go back to the rockies... besides that... was kidding... thanks for your kindness

[@thenightismyrefuge]

So people pay hundreds of dollars to hear "feel good" stories just for a little lesson they could have googled themselves... If it benefits you, just do it. No need to add 15 minutes of fluff and sugar coat it.

[@giswantramroop1910]

Nameless the

[@giswantramroop1910]

Nameless good

[@giswantramroop1910]

Nameless nzh

[@WeepingAngels91]

The point is to share things that you may not have been interested in, may have misunderstood, or possibly may not have even known existed at all. It's sorta hard to google something and "just do it" if you don't know about it, or if you had already discarded the idea on a false understanding. Also kind of hard to educate people on why they might want to research and do it if you don't spend 10-15 minutes to talk about it (a relatively short amount of time). If it were as simple as "just do it" then all we would have ever needed was "Quit Smoking" and absolutely nothing more. People would have "just done it", either because the fluff was not needed or because they would have googled it for themselves. Let me give you a few more: "Go exercise" "Start Recycling" "Learn a new language" "

[@youtubesuckss7058]

Thank you