Embracing Silence
By Roop Lakhani - 21:13:00
Embracing Silence: stay in Karjat and the Echoes Within
Recently, I took a short escape to Karjat with my husband, it was his birthday — just the two of us, away from the hustle and noise of everyday life. I was physically exhausted and mentally drained, so this trip was meant to be a pause... a reset.
And truly, it was perfect.
The flowing river outside our room whispered a calm rhythm, the rains painted the entire landscape in lush green, and the food, the cozy rooms, and the gentle company of my partner made it all feel just right. We rested, we laughed, we soaked in each other’s presence. There was no rush. No schedules. Just being.
Yet, somewhere deep within, I felt a strange sense of something missing. I missed the familiar hum of life — the chatter of friends, the music, the tiny chaos that surrounds me daily. I found myself asking, why can’t I fully enjoy this silence? Why is it that even in this beautiful stillness, there’s a subtle restlessness?
And then it struck me.
Sometimes, we are so used to noise — external and internal — that silence feels unfamiliar. Uncomfortable, even. We mistake peace for loneliness. We associate stillness with emptiness. In silence, the mind finally has space to whisper truths we haven’t heard in a while. And that can be unnerving.
It’s not that I didn’t enjoy the trip — I deeply did. But I also came face to face with my own patterns. How often I surround myself with people, sounds, tasks, just to avoid this quiet meeting with myself.
This weekend in Karjat gave me more than rest. It gave me a mirror. And in that mirror, I saw the need to slow down and be okay with the pause. To lean into silence, not run from it.
Because sometimes, in silence, we meet parts of ourselves that are waiting to be loved, held, and heard.
If given a chance, would you prefer a birthday filled with noise, friends, fun, and party? The laughter, the music, the hugs, the group photos — all that energy and joy can be so uplifting.
But what if… just once… you chose something different?
What if your birthday wasn’t just about celebrating with the world, but also celebrating you — your essence, your stillness, your breath?
What if, instead of candles and cake, you let the sunrise be your gift and the flowing river be your song?
What if, instead of loud cheers, you chose the gentle whisper of the wind through the trees?
Sometimes, the soul longs for a different kind of celebration — one that isn't loud or social, but sacred and quiet. A day to reconnect with yourself, to honour your journey, to sit by a river and simply be. No makeup, no phone calls, no expectations. Just you, your breath, your presence, and the vastness of nature holding you gently.
This isn’t to say one is better than the other — it’s about balance.
Noise has its place. So does silence.
Crowds have their joy. So does solitude.
Laughter with others heals. But so does listening to your own inner voice.
As I sat in Karjat, amidst nature’s lap, I realized how much I crave both — connection with others and connection with self. And maybe, as I grow and evolve, I want to choose more intentionally.
So the next time my birthday comes, I might just ask myself —
Do I want the world, or do I want the woods?
Or maybe, can I have a little bit of both?
Happy 63rd Birthday to My Love, Bhavin ❤️
Thank you for being you —
steadfast, gentle, giving, and real.
And thank you for taking me on this relaxing, soulfully expanding trip —
where the river flowed like our conversations,
the rain fell like blessings,
and the silence spoke volumes.
Just the two of us, wrapped in nature’s embrace,
no noise… just presence.
No rush… just love.
May this year bring you deeper peace, stronger health, and everything your heart quietly wishes for.
You deserve all that is good, because you are good.
To many more journeys — within and beyond — together.
With all my love, always.
Roop Lakhani
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