Among the sages Ralph Waldo Emerson pursued on his visits to Europe was the notoriously difficult Thomas Carlyle, Scottish essayist and historian. One evening, he called upon Carlyle and was given a pipe, while his host took one himself. They sat together smoking in perfect silence until bedtime, and upon parting shook hands cordially thanking each other for the fruitful time they had enjoyed together.
What can we learn through embracing silence alone or in the company of others?