This is DW’s Fifth Anniversary Edition and we would like to thank our readers for a new milestone. Sitting down to compile a list of the biggest events in the year 2016, I realised it’s been a bombshell of a year - from the glory of the Olympics to the world’s most high-profile election campaign and a jaw dropping surprise win to a demonetisation drive – not to forget raging corporate wars, brave new technology and the tragic loss of human life in disaster – man-made and otherwise… naturally my mind was buzzing with the noise and chaos all around. I realised I needed to shut myself off from the rising cacophony. Turn inward – that’s what I did for the next few hours. Gradually, from a cacophony of chaos rose a uniform quietude. There were no intruders shattering the quiet with the tiniest tinkling.

I became the master of a silence which was absolute and complete reigning with its immensity and stoicism.

Yes, it’s been an eventful year, but then when is it never eventful? The Universe does not have a beginning or an end. It supports change, progress and evolution by the constant connection we have with Earth. This connection is so fragile that the very moment it is suspended we cease to exist. At the same time it is so subtle that we mortals, preoccupied with our career, family, money, social life, pursuits and passions often do not feel the depth of this connection, which leave us in a spiritual draught. But, the Earth balances everything – even the worst of draught does not last forever.

Once I did the sifting the memories and moments of the year slowly passing by proved to be a relatively easy exercise. A funny story I read somewhere popped in my mind. Once four monks decided to observe silence for one day and meditate. They created the necessary ambience by lighting lamps and meditating. After a few hours, one of them spoke up: “The flames of the lamps are dying out.” He was immediately silenced by the second monk: “Hush, we are observing silence!” The third monk yelled to the second, “But you have broken the silence yourself.” The fourth monk who was observing this quietly blurted, “Hmm, I am the only one who is observing silence!”

I realised then it’s not the external silence but each monk, in turn, broke the inner silence as well. The first one, indecisive, could have simply lit the lamps – in silence. The second and the third fell into the rule and reproach game. They could have controlled their anger and overlooked the first monk’s remarks. The fourth fell into the most dangerous trap of our time – arrogance.

As we approach the New Year, this is what we would advise – shut off the noise, look inwards, reflect and ponder, hold on to the precious and leave the rest… the Universe has its way of handling it!