The word mouna (pronounced moo-na), or silence, is derived from the Sanskrit root ‘mun’, which means to measure. It is said that silence is power, the living force, the only reality, the soul, peace, strength, goal, aim and purpose of our existence.

“That state which transcends speech and thought is mouna. That which is, is mouna. How can mouna be explained in words? Sages say that the state in which the thought “I” does not rise even in the least, alone is Self which is silence (mouna). That silent Self alone is God; Self alone is the individual soul. Self alone is this ancient world. All other kinds of knowledge are only petty and trivial knowledge; the experience of silence alone is the real and perfect knowledge.” – Sri Ramana Maharshi