Dial the Noise Down & Listen Up

I'm reading a book called Silence: A Social History of One of the Least Understood Elements of Our Lives, which is almost a book in the title. It is intriguing because its not a deliberately spiritual or religious book (there are many of those) but it can't help but delve into the history of silence in the religious life as well as the religious background for solitary confinement in prisons. The author, Jane Brox, mentions visiting a monastery years ago for one of the daily offices or services where the psalm was chanted with a brief but deeply meaningful pause for silence between phrases.

I am finding the book worthwhile and I thought of it when I read a Toronto Star piece then heard a CBC Metro Morning report about the city of Toronto's review of its noise bylaws.



 It is against the law to be too noisy in most municipalities, but as the Star headline asks, How Much Noise is Too Noisy? The article begins:

Toronto is reviewing its noise bylaw, which covers everything from railway whistles to air conditioners, animal noises and religious ceremonies, but consensus on what needs to be done to bring the bylaw up to date is proving elusive.
“It’s been one of our most challenging files,” said Carleton Grant, director of policy and strategic support for Toronto’s municipal licensing and standards. “Everyone has different levels of tolerance.”
Two of the biggest sticking points are how construction noises and amplified music should be regulated, with residents calling for more controls, including new permits related to noise control, in a city where new building and outdoor patios abound.



When Metro Morning did its report listeners were invited to respond on Twitter with the noises that grate most for them. Leaf blowers and motorcycles were right up there. Garbage trucks outside and rude neighbours in condos also got some serious hate. The Star included a polling opportunity and two thirds of respondents said Yes, everywhere you go there is noise.  

Is the answer, get thee to a nunnery? Hardly practical nor appealing for most. There is no hand-held device to measure the emotional and spiritual effects of too much noise and not enough of those pauses for silence. Perhaps there should be.

Thoughts?...shhh, I'm trying to listen...