Silence
in Friendship – Dawber Walled Garden, The Lawn, Union Road
Tucked
away to the right side as you enter The Lawn complex you'll find the
doors to a secluded landscaped walled garden. Hearing can be more
alert here as the warm old brick walls quieten all but close-up
sounds, the plants close by listen in.
At
the far end of the garden through the circular Moon Gates are two
dragon benches closely facing each other. Sit and speak with a
friend, perhaps a friend in memory. Listen with full attention to the
hidden silences in what is spoken between you. Hear what is being
said, not necessarily in the words but in the silence between the
words. Listening is a gesture of kindness, being listened to gives
pleasure. Enjoy the particular friendly wordless pauses in your
communication. Bring your senses to the subtle, quiet experiences,
allowing the silences to arrive and linger. None of our senses exist
separately – they overlap and cross-pollinate, and this shapes our
knowledge of the world and our participation in it.
Oral
cultures sense the human voice also interacts with all other voices
of the animate world - there is no element within their surroundings
that has no expression, resonance or power. Any sound may be a voice
having meaning. So bring a picnic and have a friendly chat.