This Is What's Hot In The Hood

By Russell SimmonsI just had a very blissful experience. Last Thursday, I meditated with 150 students at the Ideal Academy Public Charter School (K-12) in the heart of downtown Washington, D.C. I experienced silence—not just an absence of outer noise—but a deep “inner silence” that activates the brain, solves problems, awakens self-confidence, removes stress, and promotes health.

I believe the experience of silence is the birthright of every human being. But more than that, it is an absolute necessity to survive—much less succeed—in today’s insane world. Yet so few people ever achieve it—particularly young people.

Instead, a kid lives in a relentless state of pounding noise and stimulation. Louder and louder and faster and faster. Do we really think that such stressed-out, wigged-out, crazy-minded kids are ready to learn algebra or history?