QUIET!

In life, being quiet is a choice, not a permanent status. As humans, we know that sometimes it takes courage for a man to speak, but what about the courage it takes to keep quiet? Quiet is not about just not talking, but about actually actively quieting. And active quieting involves a few rules that may challenge the innate tendency many men and women have to just keep on talking.
Active quieting is about focusing on truly listening, to not just hear but to understand what the speaker is saying. It requires a suspension of judgment until you have fully understood, an ability to empathize so that the speaker feels enabled to express themselves fully, and a healthy dose of resisting the temptation to give in to all your old habits around quieting and listening.
Men and women in society need to understand that mental noise can destroy their minds. Quieting is an endangered species that they need to take care of. Noise is both a distraction and escapism. Quieting is more than the absence of sound - it allows for the presence of everything else.
For Japanese people, quieting is an essential form of non-verbal communication - it's a sign of respect and personal distance.
For Westerners, quieting means something is wrong. That's the biggest mistake extroverts make - they assume that when people are quiet, it's because they are doubtful, lonely, or suffering.
As you take responsibility and read this book, you will come to understand that quieting gives a man the freedom to be himself. It's a beautiful choice that makes a man or woman reap many benefits such as:


I. It gives an individual the opportunity to listen more to others.
Listening is an essential part of any conversation.
We have two ears and one mouth so we can listen twice as much as we speak as Epictetus said.
II. You avoid getting involved in ill conversations.
The need to speak is an easy trap - we all become victims of our desire to add to the discussion. Gossiping, criticizing, and expressing opinions about what we don't know are clear examples of doing unnecessary talking.
III. You pause and observe life.
Talking too much keeps our brain busy. As the Japanese proverb says: "To fill a cup of tea, you have to empty it first." When you stop talking, you start paying attention to the world around you.
IV. You learn from others.
Rather than jumping to quick conclusions, you can listen to different voices. Not only do you learn from others, but it also helps you walk in their shoes. Understanding diverse perspectives is critical to avoid being judgemental.
V. You can spend more time getting to know yourself.
Quieting allows your inner voice to speak up and get familiarized with your inner-self. To know yourself is to accept yourself.